By Sandun A Jayasekera  

The Government will hold discussions with star class hotels, reception and banquet halls that refuse to refund   payments made for weddings and other family functions by the public, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

This scenario had risen following cancellation of the already fixed events due to the pandemic related restrictions. As such, it is being suggested to come to a compromise and reimburse the payments,   

In response to a journalist at yesterday’s weekly Cabinet news briefing, Minister Rambukwella said the Government was aware of the issue and added that in many instances the hotels did not refund payments made for the weddings and other events but had given alternate dates for the functions.  

“I agree that the current satiation is different. The failure to hold the weddings is not a responsibility of the hotel or those who had made the reservation either. Therefore, the Government can intervene and bring the both parties to a compromise,” Minister Rambukwella stressed.  

However, he said that the hotels were private entities and the government had no authority to compel them to change their decisions.