5 March 2021 12:02 am
By Easwaran Rutnam
A VIP is among long-staying local guests asked to vacate newly certified Level 1 hotels in and around Colombo, Daily Mirror learns.
Travel industry sources said that following a warning issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) the long-staying local guests were asked to leave as the hotels they were staying in have been certified as Level 1 Safe and Secure hotels.
Over 100 hotels in Sri Lanka have so far been certified as Level 1 Safe and Secure hotels.
Daily Mirror learns that a former Parliamentarian and well-known businessman who was staying in one such hotel was asked to leave before the end of his booking.
The hotel made the request after some media and the SLTDA came to know of the VIP staying at the hotel despite the hotel being certified as Level 1 Safe and Secure.
Locals are not allowed to stay at Level 1 Safe and Secure certified hotels under the coronavirus health guidelines, as it will be exclusive to foreign travellers.