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Tourists to World’s End complain of sky-high prices

10 Mar 2022

BY Dinitha Rathnayake Several complaints have been received from tourists who visit the Great World’s End Drop located within the Horton Plains National Park in the Nuwara Eliya District over exorbitant prices charged for food, drink, and the visit permit. It was learned that the canteen operated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) sells items at a high price. According to the complaints, a bottle of drink sells at a price of Rs. 100-200 while a small-sized banana sells at a price of Rs. 75. Further, the tourists who visit the place face many difficulties including with regard to the permit cost and due to the washrooms being unclean. Speaking to The Morning, DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara said that even though he is unaware of the matter, he will look into it immediately. Nuwara Eliya District Secretary (DS) G.K.G.A.R.P.K. Nandana, speaking to The Morning, noted that he too is unaware of the matter but that he would investigate the matter. Earlier, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga urged protection for tourists and proper punishment for those who harass tourists, in a letter to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne. He requested the IGP to strictly enforce the law against those who cause inconveniences to tourists visiting the country. The Tourism Ministry said that this letter was related to the latest incidents which caught media attention where tourists were harassed in various ways by Sri Lankans. “Such incidents could hamper the tourism industry at a time when the tourism industry is gradually recovering after the Covid-19 pandemic,” the ministry noted.  Tourists have complained about extortionate prices charged by three-wheelers, reckless driving, and sometimes even harassment, and therefore, it is important to ensure safe transport for foreign visitors. The letter also highlights the harassment of and unethical behaviour faced by foreign females who arrive in the country. Ranatunga pointed out that the damage caused to the country’s image and the tourism industry due to these incidents could be rectified only by enforcing the law to the maximum possible extent against those involved in these incidents and thus, requested the IGP to pay special attention to this matter.


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