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Hotels concerned over British advisory; GL in London for talks
The hotel industry yesterday expressed concern over British travel advisories that put Sri Lanka in poor light as External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris flew from Teheran to London for talks with his British counterparts on this issue.
“At present there is some concern in the industry although it has not affected tourist arrivals,” Hotels Association President Anura Lokuhetty said.
He said the authorities must work towards getting it lifted altogether.Mr. Lokuhetty said the association was also hoping to meet British High Commissioner John Rankin soon to discuss the matter. “We are also happy to note that the government is taking the matter up at the highest levels,” he said.The number of visitors from Britain was the second highest after India and an estimated 90,000 Britons visited the country each year, he said.
“So it is important that this advisory is amended or withdrawn at the very earliest,” the Hotel Association chief said.
Meanwhile Minister Peiris yesterday left Teheran for London where he hoped to meet Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague and officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss the issue.
EAM Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama said the minister would try to persuade Britain to tone down or withdraw the travel advisory. He said the minister was hopeful of meeting his counterpart though it was still not confirmed.
The advisory states there is an upsurge in nationalism and anti-Western rhetoric in Sri Lanka and cautioned Britons visiting, working or residing in the country to be extra vigilant at all times.
It also advised Britons to stay clear of local demonstrations, while women moving singly or in small groups were told to be armed with self-alarm devices as there was a steep increase in rape and sexual molestation cases.
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