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April was the cruellest month for N-Eliya
Drop in Muslim visitors due to SMS leads to losses for State and private ventures
The annual April season in Nuwara Eliya saw a drop of about 35% per cent this year as compared with last year, in the arrival of visitors due to the non-participation by a large number of persons from the Muslim community.
The drop came as a result of an SMS that was circulated prior to the beginning of the season warning them not to come to Nuwara Eliya during the season. The SMS scare began after a member of the Muslim community sent out a message asking fellow members of his community to stay away from Nuwara Eliya as there would be racial unrest. The message had been circulated and had led to a scare among the members of the Muslim community. However the youth who sent the SMS was apprehended and the matter was resolved by the police.
Mohomad Faleel, the chairman of the Nuwara Eliya Mosque Donors Society said the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities continue to live in harmony despite the absence of many Muslims who stayed away from the festival. The summer festival known as ‘Selalihini Wasanthaya 2013’ included activities such as moto-cross races, jet ski rides on the lake, musical concerts as well as a carnival for kids.
The drop in the number of visitors also resulted in significant losses at the festival for both State organised events as well as for private businesses.
According to Nuwara Eliya Mayor Mahinda Dodampagamage, Muslim visitors are usually in the majority during the season. He said that although a large number of Muslims did not turn up. those who chose to ignore the SMS had made their way to the festival.
However, Mr. Dodampagamage said the expected profit of two million rupees was not realised and only 1.5 million rupees earned this year.
According to the General Manager of the prestigious Nuwara Eliya Grand Hotel, this is the first time after six years that such a low turn up was seen during the festival season and he attributed this to the SMS. He said several hotels and guest houses which rely on visitors to make a profit had suffered losses due to the poor turnout.
Mr. Perera said it had a major impact on the tourism industry of Nuwara Eliya.
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