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We have just returned to England from a wonderful holiday in Sri
Lanka, and travelled extensively. We observed your extraordinary
history, beautiful scenery and outstanding wildlife. We have stayed in
superb hotels with exceptional staff and fed exquisite food. More
importantly the welcome provided by all the people of Sri Lanka has been
magnificent.
However wherever we have been, people told us that "tourists are not
visiting Sri Lanka because of the terrorism". In my view they are
largely mistaken.
We in Europe have lived with our own versions of terrorism for over
quarter of a century. The decline in tourism is in my view largely due
to the poor performance of your Tourist Board.
Countries such as Egypt and Spain have equally difficult problems
with terrorism but they have ensured that extensive advertising
campaigns in these countries provide an alternative view of their
countries.
The Sri Lankan Tourist Board is failing to tell the world of the
wonderful experience that awaits them - it is failing to tell everyone
how safe the country is and how the ravages of the tsunami have been
considerably overcome.
I cannot recall the last time I saw an advertisement for Sri Lanka in
a newspaper or on television with the exception of small advertisements
by boutique travel companies.
The official Tourist Board web site is lamentable and is as exciting
as a wet January weekend in Nuwara-Eliya.
Presently instead of selling the delights of your country, it opens
with the latest terrorist outrage. On the events page, there is no
information about the forthcoming cricket test matches against England.
I invite you to Google search tourist information around the world for
you to see how poorly you are being presently served.
Please Sri Lanka, don't blame the terrorists for the decline in
tourists, blame your Ministry of Tourism. Make them 'up their game' and
tell the world that you live in a wonderful country.
DAVID BROWN,
England
I like to congratulate all the parties responsible with a humble
appreciation of all the workers, engineers, supporters who built this
bridge.
Now it is time to build a bridge of tolerance, understanding,
cooperation with various human groups in the country.
Prosperity of various races, religion in other countries can guide
you to reach this. Singapore and Switzerland to name a few.
SANGARALINGHAMAA
Immediately after the 1st and 2nd World Wars Great Britain selected
the Poppy flower as a symbol to wear and remember and honour the dead
warriors.
The reason to select the Poppy flower was because at the battle field
at Flanders in France during the Second World War, blood covered the
entire battle field and on a later date, red flowers bloomed covering
the entire apace.
Most of the women started to wear the Poppy. Officially, it was
decided to wear the Poppy flower on remembrance day. Great Britain and
Germany agreed on a Pact to declare Peace and the signatures were put on
November 11, 1917 at 1100 hrs. 11 minutes and 11 seconds.
Traditionally, whole countries under the Commonwealth commemorate
this historical day.
The Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen's Association with the concordance of the
three Armed Forces are making all arrangements to commemorate the event
in a fitting manner.
Today we remember not only the 1st and the 2nd World War heroes but
we also remember with gratitude our brave sons and daughters who
sacrificed their lives in the North and East.They shall not grow old as
we, that are left to grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn like the setting of
the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
H. G. P. JAYASEKERA,
Ceylon War Veterans' Association of World War II
The stray dogs have been given an open visa to roam the streets and
roads of Kandy, the one time living beauty city of Sri Lanka and admired
by many all over the world has become the regional headquarters for
stray dogs.
The usual places where they can be seen roaming freely are at the
Kandy General Hospital, Power House, Railway Station, Good Shed Bus
Stand, Central Bus Stand, Opposite the Clock Tower, Central Market,
Nihal's Super Market (Anniwatte), Bahirawakanda roundabout, across the
Katugastota bridge, along the Peradeniya Road, opposite the Police
Station, round the lake, inside and outside the Bogambara Stadium and so
on.
The medical officer of health attached to the Kandy Municipal Market
has a duty entrusted to perform, as many people have got bitten by these
stray dogs who roam aimlessly and freely. I wish to ask the animal right
activists why don't you take care of them before you make baseless
allegations.
I request the medical officer of health to see that these stray dogs
will be evicted as soon as possible, as it has gone out of control or
else in the very near future the residents of Kandy will be forced and
compelled to carry a stick if they have to walk safely in Kandy.
LK
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