The Long weekend- By Dr harold Gunatillake
Website: www.Doctorharold.com
Sri Lanka is more than just a destination: it’s a feeling. So magical, so wild, so friendly, so spiritual
You can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The resplendent Island is booming with tourists; the actual season has not started, and the locals’ lifestyles have changed for the better through travel and enjoying life with their families.
Last weekend, from the 28th of September, Thursday till Sunday, the 1st of October, was a long weekend and holiday in Sri Lanka. It is traditional today in Sri Lanka for families to go out on such occasions to relax and stay in a star hotel with the family, unlike when we were more likely relaxed at home.
I, too, decided to go somewhere with my nephew and Niece for the long weekend. All hotels from Jaffna to Dondra were all booked. We thought of going to Arugam Bay. All hotels were booked, so we spent at least a night at the Tea Bush in Ramboda. There, too, all rooms were booked and occupied. Fortunately, two rooms fell vacant on our day of departure, and we were lucky to spend an overnight at the Tea Bush, Ramboda.
Most of these people who book star hotels are common people, and they also, like the rich guys, have the money these days to spend a weekend in star hotels.
IMF team visited Sri Lanka recently and concluded that full economic recovery was not yet assured.
“The people of Sri Lanka have shown remarkable resilience in the face of enormous challenges. Sri Lanka has made commendable progress in implementing difficult but much-needed reforms. These efforts are bearing fruit as the economy is showing tentative signs of stabilisation. Inflation is down from a peak of 70 per cent in September 2022 to below 2 per cent in September 2023, gross international reserves increased by $1.5 billion during March-June this year, and shortages of essentials have eased. Despite early signs of stabilisation, full economic recovery is not yet assured.
By moving around the island, though economic recovery is not assured, the visual picture is most encouraging. No more petrol queues and QR cards. All hotels in the major cities are reserved during the weekends. Though all vehicle imports are restricted, the main roads are chock-blocked with vehicles. It is akin to the bumper- to-bumper in Australia.
Sri Lanka scored 81.3% on Quality of Life against the ‘Income adjusted’ benchmark. Compared with the other countries in South Asia, Sri Lanka is performing better than average on Quality of Life rights (this comparison is calculated using the ‘Income adjusted’ benchmark).
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka boasts breathtaking beaches along its spectacular coastline. The shores in Sir Lanka have a unique charm and offer incredible swimming, fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, sunbathing, and whale watching.
No wonder we are heading for a massive tourist influx during the season.
Our ex-pats may have to reserve their hotel bookings early, or am I right in saying that the hotels in the major cities are already fully booked?
Thank you for watching this video. Be proud to be a Sri Lankan, wherever you are. Until we meet again. Goodbye for now.
