Harin on Maldives comment I speak from the gut

• The Maldivians, my friends have got a bit annoyed with me for that  comment, but I apologize if there’s any inconvenience caused to them”
• Fernando said that his intention was not to offend the Maldives but to work with the country to promote Sri Lankan tourism

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that he is a person who speaks from the gut, a quality which he said may not bode well with everyone. “I speak from the gut. That doesn’t bode well with everyone,” he said. 

There is no need to be upset, he said, as he did not make any wrong statement. The Minister made these comments speaking to journalists at the MICE EXPO organized by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines at the Shangri-La, Colombo.   

Addressing the forum earlier, Fernando said that his intention was not to offend the Maldives but to work with the country to promote Sri Lankan tourism.   

“I have got into a bit of trouble since of late, when I have made a comment about Maldives. I need to rectify that here as well,” Fernando said.   

“The Maldivians, my friends have got a bit annoyed with me for that comment, but I apologize if there’s any inconvenience caused to them,” he clarified.