I don’t think Maldives statement is a problem, I love Sri Lanka - Harin

14 March 2023 01:43 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando said that he doesn’t believe his statement regarding the Maldives was problematic, as he didn’t make any wrong statement.

“I love Sri Lanka and I promote it. I only asked tourists who visit the Maldives to visit Sri Lanka after 5 days, as they are a small island. If I upset anyone, I have extended my apology,” he said.

Fernando faced backlash after a statement made at an international travel and trade fair held in Berlin, Germany, where he said that Sri Lanka had much more to offer tourists in comparison to the Maldives. The Minister's comment attracted anger from Maldivians including politicians and influential figures.

He claimed that his comments were taken out of context and misrepresented. "Everyone with a phone is now a journalist, therefore anyone can interpret my statement in whatever way they want,” Fernando said.

Comments - 16

Iwazaru Tuesday, 14 March 2023 01:50 PM

Wrong speech by an OL idiot.

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S.P.Ramkumar Tuesday, 14 March 2023 01:54 PM

As a our tourism minister that our country Sri Lanka is the Paradise of this world. We cordially invite all tourist.

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Suhada Tuesday, 14 March 2023 01:59 PM

Well said mr minister Eventhough the Maldivians may feel bit upset,you said the truth.why we afraid to tell truth.

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Nilmini Welivita Tuesday, 14 March 2023 02:00 PM

Never send this incompetent embarrassment to foreign trade fairs. They might think all Sri Lankans are idiots.

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Sri Wickrema Tuesday, 14 March 2023 02:12 PM

As usual he put his foot in his mouth.

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Non Citizen Tuesday, 14 March 2023 02:22 PM

Do we need a minister for tourism if he needs help from Maldives to promote our tourism in Sri Lanka and we can hand it over to Maldives!!! They will do an excellent job as they are not corrupted like ours. I feel sorry for the fate of whole tourism industry as I was in the industry when it was on the peak.

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Tourist Tuesday, 14 March 2023 02:25 PM

Harin, It may not be a problem for you but it’s a serious problem for Sri Lanka‘ｓ cordial relationship with a historically supportive and friendly county in the UN. Secondly, what right have you got to judge if German tourists may get bored of what Maldives has to offer or not? Stop complaining like a spoilt teenage girl and stick to a professional plan to promote Sri Lanka but never criticize a competitor`s success.

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Raj Tuesday, 14 March 2023 02:41 PM

You say stupid things, then you apologise. After apologize, you say you did nothing wrong. Then why do you apologize?

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Kandy Tuesday, 14 March 2023 02:52 PM

Honestly, there's nothing for anyone to be perturbed about Hon. Minister's statement. Actually, apart from superior comforts at a premium price for those who can afford, there's nothing in Maldives. Being a minister, he is expected to promote Sri Lanka and not Maldives or any other country.

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Lakmal Kahawela Tuesday, 14 March 2023 03:04 PM

Harin, you should follow a course in Travel and Tourism. All tourist who goes to Maldives knows that they have only sun sea and sand and going to enjoying only that and not interested in other excursions

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Raj Tuesday, 14 March 2023 03:35 PM

If you have some thing special to offer talk about that and promote it without saying what someone else offering is inferior or not special!

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BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 14 March 2023 05:04 PM

I also love Sri Lanka but I will not belittle another country, religion, caste or race. You Sinhalese are a majority having a minority complex and make insecure statements such as this. That is why today, this country is in such low level status and not respected.

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sa jeewa Tuesday, 14 March 2023 05:12 PM

Unbecoming and unprofessional to a minister of Tourism. He is trying to lose all tourists.

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REEZ Tuesday, 14 March 2023 05:37 PM

There is a diplomatic way to promote the tourism but not like an idiot

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Sumal Tuesday, 14 March 2023 07:16 PM

We lost a reasonable amount of income from Maldivians because they are now established a firm links with Kerala for their medical and educational needs. This was due to the racial and religious hatred exhibited by Rajapaksa regimes. This is another one from 3rd class Pole vaulter.

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Sri Lanka is better for tourists Tuesday, 14 March 2023 10:15 PM

What Minister say is fair. We don't need Maldive to be better for tourists to go to, as it just all sand and beach. No culture, nothing like our wonderful country. Maybe one day we once we are independent and safe from Indian invasion we can take over Maldives. We will be able to enlighten them as well as improve the lives of the poor better with our ownership of that land too.

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