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Nuwara Eliya’s Spring Festival takes off under a cloud
View(s):By Shelton Hettiarchchi
Uncertainty hangs over the annual Nuwara Eliya spring festival that usually draws large crowds from various parts of the country.
Residents say that this time around an acute water shortage, rail disruptions following the Ditwah destruction, fuel restrictions, and the government’s cancellation of large public events have all put a damper on the festival.
Organisers of the event say as a result fewer sponsors have come forward as well as less crowds.
Tourists take pictures of the iconic colonial post office in Nuwara Eliya and right a tourist relaxes at a park
The Spring festival that was held even during the 30-year war period is being held on uncertain grounds this time residents say. They add that the long standing issue of water shortage in Nuwara Eliya during March and April still remain unresolved.
The Festival was however officially inaugurated by the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council on April 2 in the presence of members of the Municipal Council and state institutes
More than 1500 school children and a tri force band took part in the cultural pageant as the festival took off. However not many visitors were seen while there was a marked absence of merchants who put up stalls in the festival venue.
The event’s organising committee’s chairman Manjula Suraweera addressing the opening ceremony said that this year’s spring festival was organised in three days and it will be on until April 25.
Residents however called on authorities to stop harping on the spring festival and cater to the needs of tourists, especially the unresolved issue of water shortage over the years.
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