Taj Group proposes to convert Nuwara Eliya Post Office into a hotel

8 November 2023 01:23 am - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - India’s Taj Group has proposed to convert the colonial-era Nuwara Eliya post office to a hotel, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

A proposal in this regard has been received by the President’s Office, he said.

During the Nuwara Eliya Special District Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting held last week, this matter came up and President Ranil Wickremesinghe slammed Sri Lanka Post officials for their failure to facilitate the project. Efforts to establish a hotel in the premises of the Nuwara Eliya post office have been ongoing for approximately the past 6 to 7 years, and this proposal has encountered strong opposition from postal trade unions.

However, Gunawardana, who is also the Minister of Post, said he supports the hotel project as it makes much economic sense. Besides, he said, the building needs heavy maintenance and the Department of Post doesn’t have adequate funds for that.

“There are a large number of Indians visiting Nuwara Eliya.

Seetha Eliya, a nearby location connected to the Ramayana, is a major attraction for Indian tourists,” Gunawardana said.

Meanwhile, the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) announced a 48-hour strike from midnight yesterday to express their opposition against the plans to sell the buildings where Kandy and Nuwara Eliya post offices are located.

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Comments - 33

Cecil Hedwige Wednesday, 08 November 2023 08:23 AM

Please allow the State to do whatever to raise funds for our bankrupt country.

johan Wednesday, 08 November 2023 12:30 PM

If Rajapakses were in power we would have been sold to China or US under some treaty to raise funds and pay the debt of 52 B Dollars

Citizen Wednesday, 08 November 2023 08:31 AM

This should not be allowed. The government is the temporary caretaker of the state properties but not the real estate agent of the State properties. State properties are owned by the people.

Ranga Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:26 AM

State properties doesn't belong to people unless private citizens own them this is an ideology

Nimal Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:40 AM

Why? To oppose every foreign investment initiative and send SL back to the stone age?

fact Wednesday, 08 November 2023 11:23 AM

As long as they dont ruin the bulding ,it will be good to convert and preserve for future .if its under such a group it will be preserved and well maintained but if its under our government soon or later it will collapse and fall .moreover people cant enjoy it at present state

fact Wednesday, 08 November 2023 11:23 AM

As long as they dont ruin the bulding ,it will be good to convert and preserve for future .if its under such a group it will be preserved and well maintained but if its under our government soon or later it will collapse and fall .moreover people cant enjoy it at present state

PONIL Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:10 AM

Why can’t they convert the worthless presidential bungalows around the country into hotels and ask the president and his “samanalayas” to stay in the presidential suite to have their fun?

KingBarnet@pakisisland Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:23 AM

As Citizen says this govt. is the temporary guardian of the state thieves. But Rajapakshas or Gunawardanas have no right to sell under Rsnil's policies. Ranil has the right and power entrusted by Pohottuwa. Anyway send an email/whatsapp begging President to stop this.

Nimal Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:28 AM

These union idiots are blocking everything just for the sake of it. At this rate SL will be the most underdeveloped nation in the world.

VJ Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:43 AM

You mean we are selling the property ?

Ram Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:43 AM

This is a heritage building and use it not for a Hotel but for a Museum. Plenty of hotels in Nuwara Eliya for the foreigners. If another Hotel is needed use the Presidents House in Nuwara Eliya that is located on a large land

S. Dharmalingam Wednesday, 08 November 2023 09:56 AM

These are National Treasures. Next may sell our Natural Resources to India. Ranil - Rajapaksha Government must be driven out.

melville perera Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:08 AM

the buhari restaurant at maradana famous for its exquisite biriyani was taken over and now patrons served with overnight left overs and icy cold boiled chicken. The servings on plates or packets the customer pays @ Rs.800/- per serving/ This is a common feature in all eateries and other outlets. The PHIs should check on this unhealthy practice rs.

joshua Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:11 AM

what about the house by the diyawannawa? Why not sell it?

Rishan Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:14 AM

Better upgrade jetwingd St Andrews Hotel instead. Develop Nuwara Eliya Post office as a postal museum.

Rashmitha Rajaratne Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:29 AM

Isn't it good to make a value addition and to maintain the high value heritage site like this by converting in to a place of interest of all locals and foreigners.

johan Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:40 AM

There are enough hotels in Nuwara Eliya but no tourists.This is one of the ancient post offices in Sri Lanka must be preserved.Ranil is becoming mentally retarded person. He does not know the structural and archaeological value of this building. Regional MPs must take this matter up with him or take to parliament to decide whether to convert this as a Hotel.

Sunil Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:45 AM

All people should vehemently oppose this move by the pin president to desecrate a building that is of great historical importance. I salute the employees of the Postal Department for resorting to trade union action to stall this move.

RS Wednesday, 08 November 2023 11:37 AM

Selling state property to raise funds is not an option. Stop corruption, eliminate waste in all state sectors, reduce if not eliminate the police and armed forces escorts given to the Parliamentarians, and cut down on the number of Parliamentarians and supporters going on foreign trips. Well, the list is endless. There is so much that could be done to eliminate the waste of funds. To do this one does not have to have Phd. Selling the Post Office, an iconic building is a crime.

Fred Wednesday, 08 November 2023 12:07 PM

Dharrnalingam that's why they are handing it over because it is a national treasure. Look at the spot occupied by Taj Colombo can't be duplicated along with the building Samudra so Taj Samudra. Sri Lankans have not forgotten where they came from. They are going back to their roots

Not forgotten Thursday, 09 November 2023 09:58 AM

Of course not. They have not forgotten their roots. They pride on it. Striving to go back. Only thing, this time they'll use a neck tie for loin.

Roger D S Wednesday, 08 November 2023 12:54 PM

All state properties should only be leased out instead of it being sold to private parties.

ANNECUNT Wednesday, 08 November 2023 01:31 PM

THIS IS OUR HERITAGE , YOU ARE SELLING OUR CHILDRENS FUTURE

ANNECUNT Wednesday, 08 November 2023 01:32 PM

after selling the money will go to corrupt politicians pockets

Cherath Wednesday, 08 November 2023 01:49 PM

Buildings with heritage values should never be prostituted to satisfy the lust for dollars. The best solution is to convert it into a museum with an entrance fee to be used for the upkeep. There wont be anything left if you start chopping and selling off treasured assets to fill dearth of dollars. Nuwara Eliya gas enough hotels. Problem is what can you serve in them? Lack of international class food, facilities, unkempt rooms and of course eye watering charges for everything including transport.

Unique attraction Thursday, 09 November 2023 09:51 AM

Very valid arguments. "Lack of international class food, facilities, unkempt rooms and of course eye watering charges for everything including transport", the government may be believing as unique to SL and therefore are a tourist attraction. LOL.

Ranjan Wednesday, 08 November 2023 01:59 PM

The same Indian agent using different names campaigning in the comments for the sale of one of our national treasures. India back off !!!!

Gamini Wednesday, 08 November 2023 02:17 PM

There would be no opposition or strike if this building was handed over to the Chinese

Maintain this building or it will perish Wednesday, 08 November 2023 02:58 PM

Old buildings require lots of maintenance (and money). Convert it into a hotel but maintain its current appearance. That way we get to keep our heritage buildings for the future.

KP Thursday, 09 November 2023 02:03 AM

The uniqueness of the building is in it being a functional post office to date. A tradition of sending post cards home from it is popular among tourists who thus get to boast to relatives of their travels. What’s the point of having a hotel in a town which wouldn’t have a tourist attraction? Making it a hotel would deny access to the regular tourist.

Free Palestine Thursday, 09 November 2023 08:37 AM

Before all this open up the roads in colombo 01 From mudalige mawatha to the end... Tourist come to take pictures of the heritage site and president House.. which is closed like we have a war in the country...

Amith Thursday, 09 November 2023 08:47 AM

Excellent proposal by Taj hotels. They are known for preserving heritage buildings. In India they have taken many palaces on lease and running heritage hotels there. Tata is a respected brand.

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Taj Group proposes to convert Nuwara Eliya Post Office into a hotel

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