Great News from Canadian Authorities to Sri Lankan to boost Travel and Tourism

(By Walter Michel)

It was a great decision taken by Canadian Authorities to relax its travel advisory to Sri Lanka for their Citizens traveling to Sri Lanka. We were very much aware that decision was instrumental by the newly appointed High Commissioner for Canada, Mr. Bruce Leavy. “Thank you Sir”. 

In a recent media interview, Mr. Leavy mentioned that he was looking for a very warm relationship with Sri Lanka and wants to travel around in Sri Lanka to explore its beauty. We are sure that he would have experienced himself the security situation in whole Sri Lanka after our brave forces defeated the ruthless terrorist organization LTTE. Now it is a free country to travel around for any national in any corner of this country.   

Pro-LTTE fronts in Canada made heavy propaganda against Sri Lankan security situation to bring discredit to the country and doing all possible way to stop travelers from travelling to Sri Lanka. Their motive is to sabotage the Sri Lankan economy which earns more income through Travel and Tourism. This decision is a “slap in their face” by Canadian authorities.

After this news item, I met a Sri Lankan born Canadian Citizen in Eastern Province small village Periyaporathive, who has visited to his native place to build a house for him. When I inquired about his interest to build a house in his native place he said that he never had idea to come back when he immigrated to Canada in 80’s but now he felt that Sri Lanka is a wonderful place to live as he has traveled the whole world. He said that Pro LTTE groups in Canada have misguided most Tamils by providing false information, when he came and experienced the cordial security situation. He has met some of the armed forces in security check points who treated him well mannered and friendly way. He said that he has been in so many countries related to his work but he said our forces are more disciplined and friendly, as a Tamil he had never felt any discrimination when he went to get local authorities permission and Government offices to organize the legalities related to constructing his new house.  He said that he found hard to believe the stories which he hears in Canada by these Pro LTTE fronts and its medias. 

He said that he will definitely go back and tell his experience to fellow Tamil Diaspora members who are waiting to visit Sri Lanka.  He mentioned that more Sri Lankan born Canadians are always living with their heart back their home and physically living in Canada. They all waited all these years to see the peace in this country to come back on their retirements. . Also he mentioned that more Sri Lankan born Canadian citizens are willing to invest in Sri Lanka, as there are lots of opportunities to start any business in Sri Lanka and it is the right time to do that.  He feel our stock market is very active and more profit oriented investments. 

He said that newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner Mr. Bruce Leavy is a very pragmatic person who will bring new blood to the relationship between Sri Lanka and Canada. Also he said more Sri Lankan born Canadians plans to take Sri Lanka for their second home in future that will bring Canada-Sri Lanka trade relationship boom which more than any other countries trade with Sri Lanka.

With the announcement of Canadian authorities to relax of Travel advisory plans, the government of Sri Lanka also has taken off the policy of registering visitors with police when they visit and stay with their relation for holidays. It will be a great relief for Tamil Diaspora in western countries and Canada who wants to visit Sri Lanka in future. Our Government is building the trust with Tamil Diaspora and wants to be more sincere to them as they will be the real back bone for the country developments and economy in future. 

Thanks to our courage President Mahinda Rajapakse who has taken right decision in right time. His devotion to safe guard this nation and bring all races and religions together is a noble job. He is the only president can be a mentor for all races in Sri Lanka. 

We don’t want to be divided by race and religion any more. We Sri Lankan are one family and we all respect all religion and race with one identity as “SRI LANKAN”