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Lonely Planet Guide to Sri Lanka 2012 Ethical Assessment

Redinsensitive language or mention of an organisation around which we have concerns

without any acknowledgement of human rights concerns

AmberSlightly simplistic language or mention of a complicated subject (such as tea)

without fully explaining the related ethical conundrums

Greenuseful critique of attractions

Chapter 1

18 Endorsement of dolphin watching around Kalpitiya (i.e. Dutch Bay resorts)see 76

33, 39 Jetwing Eco Holidays recommended for boat tours and in general

27 Jaffna bears scars of the war, which still seems like a recent memory here. -because it is!

28 Go north again and you are on the idyllic natural harbour of Trincomalee. It has a rich

history going back centuries that the recent war couldnt erase.should this be surprising?

Chapter 2Colombo

52 Recommendation of pedalos on Beira Lakedoes not mention that this attraction is run by

the army.

66 Keells Supermarket endorsed

Chapter 3West Coast

76 Endorsement of Jetwing for dolphin watching

76 Very critical of Dutch Bay Tourist developmentsenvironmental impact, fishing bans,

forged land deeds

77 Flippant lexicon in description of Wilpattu National Park being on/near the frontline during

the war Needless to say conservation was not top of anyones list of priorities at this time.

87 Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)

Chapter 4The South

102 Recommends using Sri Lankan Airlines for travel to/from Galle and other travel services110 Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)

111-2 Recommends whale-watchingin particular with Jetwing Eco Holidays, Eco Team Sri Lanka

115 Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)

118 Recommends staying in Tangalla Bay Hotelrecently taken over by Jetwing group

122-3 Describes visiting Hambantota and construction plans for a port and international airport

123-4 Advises on how to arrange safari tours of Yala National Park

127-8 Recommends visiting Yala National ParkDoesnt mention military developments, only

alludes to risk faced by pilgrims during the war

Chapter 5

The Hill Country

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132 Critique of Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage (government-run)

137 Recommends visiting the Tea Museum in Kandy

141 Recommends staying at Burmese Rest

143 Recommends watching cricket at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy

144 Recommends visiting government-run Laksala arts and crafts shop in Kandy/Colombo

145 Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)153 Recommends Tea Trails

155-6 Recommends visiting Labookellie Tea Factory and Glenloch, Blue Field and Pedro Tea

Estates, alludes to teas overall significance in Sri Lanka and the history of Nuwara Eliya, as

well as tensions between local Sinhalese and Plantation Tamils today

162 Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines) and government CTB bus

164 Recommends staying in accommodation run by the Department of Wildife Conservation.

And discusses tea trading legacy of Thomas Lipton.

165-6 Recommends Tea Estates/Factories of and around Haputale

170 Recommends hiking in tea plantations around Ella

Chapter 6The Ancient Cities

183 Mention of Central Cultural Fund (gvt-backed) as manager of Cultural Triangle sites

184 Recommends (gvt-run) Matale Rest House

190-1 Recommends Jetwing Vil Uyana guesthouse and nature tours

Chapter 7The East

221 Advertises the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro surfing event

226 Recommends Arugambay Travels and Tours, a local agent for booking Sri Lankaan Airlinesflights

227 Recommends using Sri Lankan Airlines between Colombo and Arugam Lagoon

229 Recommends New City Restaurant in Keells New City Supermarket

230 Mentions tensions over ethnic heritage in Deegawapi

233 Recommends Helitours and Sri Lankan Airlines

235 Trinco had a rough time in the warunderstatement

238 Recommends Helitours and Sri Lankan Airlines

240 Mention of military camp on Nalaveli beach, mentions Gvt charges for entry to Pigeon

Island National Park and damage to reef

241 Recommends whale-watching trips

Chapter 8Jaffna & The North

243 Its still tense up here, and conversations easily veerfrom Tamil history to the military

presence. But for now, the focus is on healing, rebuilding and reviving the traditions of

northern life.- This is the Government of Sri Lankas forgive and forget attitude

247 Recommends Navy-run boat trips to Adams Bridge

247 Discusses history of A9 Highway, but no mention of many army-run restaurants along it

247 Criticism of tacky war memorial in Kilinochchi

248 Reference to local complaints of harassment and infringement of property in Jaffna

249 Recommending highly inbalanced perspectives of ongoing security situation in Jaffna

www.defence.lkandwww.tamilnet.com

http://www.defence.lk/http://www.defence.lk/http://www.tamilnet.com/http://www.tamilnet.com/http://www.tamilnet.com/http://www.tamilnet.com/http://www.defence.lk/

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253 Recommends visiting Jaffna Fort

Reference to suffering of fishing communities during the war, no mention of current

situation

254 Promotes a website of LTTE propagandawww.maaveerarillam.comBAD lack of context

issue!

254 Mention of SLA building of military base on site of a LTTE cemetery in Kopay258 Recommends Helitours with the SL air force

259 Mention of attempt to impose Buddhist history on ancient culture seen in Kantarodai Ruins

261 Recommends Navy-run ferry services to Jaffnas Islands

Chapter 9Understand Sri Lanka and Survival Guide

266 But whats most important about the end of the war is just how ready the entire country is

to move forward.- This is the Government of Sri Lankas forgive and forget attitude. A great

deal of work is being done in the former LTTE areas to try to mend the wounds.

267 Claims Sri Lanka is only 4% Tamil! Latest census says 11.2%267 Top websites lists Government supporting and right wing Ceylon Today and Daily Mirror

rather than the much more informative and neutral Groundviews and Sunday Leader.

(They do mention the reasonably progressive indi.ca)

279 The flag is described as a flag for compassion. History ends in 2009

283 Responsible travel section is purely environmentaldoesnt mention human rights at all.

288 Tea section talks about quality of life for tea workers but not the ethics of visiting, or Fair

Trade or Rainforest Alliance schemes

311-

312

Mentions Helitours military link but no critique, not Sri Lankan Airlines links to the regime.

No mention whatsoever of:

Ongoing human rights violations

The lack of a free media or Freedom of Expression issues in general

Torture

The current political situation (there is no government and politics section)

The increasing militarisation of society and the taking over of formerly civilian aspects of life

The role of the ruling family and the extent to which Rajapaksas fill almost every political

role

http://www.maaveerarillam.com/http://www.maaveerarillam.com/http://www.maaveerarillam.com/http://www.maaveerarillam.com/