Govt. to investigate unhygienic hotel in Dambulla

• Complaints made by two Dutch tourists after they were denied reimbursement 
• Hotel reported to have had unhygienic conditions 
• Minister instructs SLTDA to take stern action against hotel
• Concerned by potential impact on entire industry
• Pledges measures to improve standards, services at hotels

Investment Promotion Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday instructed the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to conduct an investigation into a complaint by two tourists from the Netherlands that a hotel in Dambulla had failed to refund their money. 

The complaint had been made to the Dambulla Police. The tourists from the Netherlands had booked several nights at a hotel in Dambulla, but had found their lodgings to be extremely unhygienic. They had decided to find accommodation elsewhere, but on asking for a reimbursement from the hotel, had been refused.

Subsequently, the tourists have filed a complaint at the Dambulla Police station. According to reports, the sum they were supposed to be reimbursed was about Rs. 60,000. 

Issuing a statement, Ranatunga stated that he had instructed SLTDA Chairperson Chandani Werapitiya to take stern action against the hotel. Ranatunga stressed the Government would not take such an incident lightly as it could adversely impact the country’s tourism industry. 

“I have instructed officials as soon as I heard the incident. It is unacceptable. Such an incident could put our entire industry on the line. The Government will not hesitate to take action against those who provide poor quality of service to tourists,” Ranatunga said.

He noted the Government will take necessary measures to lift the quality of accommodation including hotels to provide quality services to tourists. Ranatunga pointed out that the Government will promote the tourism industry as outlined in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election manifesto.