LNP – Discrimination galore – No locals, only foreigners

Discriminatory treatment of locals by tourist service providers has become an increasingly widespread concern across the country with numerous complaints filed with the relevant authorities. It has become troubling for locals visiting these areas for tourism purposes because of unequal service and preferential treatment toward foreign visitors.

Cases are reported in major tourist hotspots such as Ella in the Uva Province and those in the Southern Province where hoteliers and restaurant owners discourage locals from seeking their services, during peak seasons when demand from foreign nationals are high.

Sri Lanka is experiencing an influx of tourist arrivals with major tourist sites teeming with foreign nationals at the moment. Besides, there are also reports about foreign nationals, particularly those from countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Israel engaging in business activities after arriving here on tourist visas.

The Sri Lanka immigration authorities continue to crackdown on such nationals staying in the country for deportation forthwith.

Asked about discrimination against locals, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said that there are such complaints, particularly from the Ella area. However, he said Sri Lanka tourism authorities are handicapped in taking action against such discriminatory actions by tourist service providers not registered with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

“We can take action against places which are registered with the SLTDA only. In case of complaints against unregistered hotels and restaurants, we cannot do anything though it is unlawful. Locals are discriminated against mostly during peak seasons when foreigners are abundant for services. Probably, they consider it more profitable to do business with foreigners than locals. It is unlawful to discriminate against locals,” he said.

Meanwhile, it transpired in Parliament yesterday that a Jewish place of religious worship established in the Ella area was providing services to Israeli nationals visiting Sri Lanka. There are four such places in the country – Pottuvil, Ella, Weligama and Colombo, and only two of them have been registered under the Companies Act.

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Sunil Senevi disclosed this in response to a question by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujibur Rahman. Mr. Rahman said that Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, appears to be making attempts to infiltrate Sri Lankan society through such institutions with the ulterior objective of sowing discord among different ethnic groups in the country.

He questioned the logic behind the operation of such religious centres in the country despite a sizable Jewish population not being present in the country.

The Minister, quoting the Ella Divisional Secretary, said the religious centre operating there, was attending to the requirements of Israeli nationals such as financial needs and performance of religious services. He said the government is duty-bound to provide protection to all foreign nationals living on Sri Lankan soil.