Lonely Planet Guide to Sri Lanka 2012 Ethical Assessment

Red insensitive language or mention of an organisation around which we have concerns

without any acknowledgement of human rights concerns
Amber Slightly simplistic language or mention of a complicated subject (such as tea)
without fully explaining the related ethical conundrums
Green useful critique of attractions
Chapter 1
18
33, 39
27
28

Endorsement of dolphin watching around Kalpitiya (i.e. Dutch Bay resorts) see 76
Jetwing Eco Holidays recommended for boat tours and in general
Jaffna bears scars of the war, which still seems like a recent memory here. - because it is!
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 2 Colombo
52
66

Recommendation of pedalos on Beira Lake does not mention that this attraction is run by
the army.
Keells Supermarket endorsed

Chapter 3 West Coast

76
76
77
87

Endorsement of Jetwing for dolphin watching

Very critical of Dutch Bay Tourist developments environmental impact, fishing bans,
forged land deeds
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.
Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)

Chapter 4 The South

102
110
111-2
115
118
122-3
123-4
127-8

Recommends using Sri Lankan Airlines for travel to/from Galle and other travel services
Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)
Recommends whale-watching in particular with Jetwing Eco Holidays, Eco Team Sri Lanka
Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)
Recommends staying in Tangalla Bay Hotel recently taken over by Jetwing group
Describes visiting Hambantota and construction plans for a port and international airport
Advises on how to arrange safari tours of Yala National Park
Recommends visiting Yala National Park Doesnt mention military developments, only
alludes to risk faced by pilgrims during the war

Chapter 5 The Hill Country

132
137
141
143
144
145
153
155-6

162
164
165-6
170

Critique of Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage (government-run)

Recommends visiting the Tea Museum in Kandy
Recommends staying at Burmese Rest
Recommends watching cricket at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy
Recommends visiting government-run Laksala arts and crafts shop in Kandy/Colombo
Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines)
Recommends Tea Trails
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
Recommends using Sri Lankan Air Taxi (run by Sri Lankan Airlines) and government CTB bus
Recommends staying in accommodation run by the Department of Wildife Conservation.
And discusses tea trading legacy of Thomas Lipton.
Recommends Tea Estates/Factories of and around Haputale
Recommends hiking in tea plantations around Ella

Chapter 6 The Ancient Cities

183
184
190-1

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

Recommends (gvt-run) Matale Rest House
Recommends Jetwing Vil Uyana guesthouse and nature tours

Chapter 7 The East

221
226
227
229
230
233
235
238
240
241

Advertises the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro surfing event

Recommends Arugambay Travels and Tours, a local agent for booking Sri Lankaan Airlines
flights
Recommends using Sri Lankan Airlines between Colombo and Arugam Lagoon
Recommends New City Restaurant in Keells New City Supermarket
Mentions tensions over ethnic heritage in Deegawapi
Recommends Helitours and Sri Lankan Airlines
Trinco had a rough time in the war understatement
Recommends Helitours and Sri Lankan Airlines
Mention of military camp on Nalaveli beach, mentions Gvt charges for entry to Pigeon
Island National Park and damage to reef
Recommends whale-watching trips

Chapter 8 Jaffna & The North

243

247
247
247
248
249

Its still tense up here, and conversations easily veer from 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
Recommends Navy-run boat trips to Adams Bridge
Discusses history of A9 Highway, but no mention of many army-run restaurants along it
Criticism of tacky war memorial in Kilinochchi
Reference to local complaints of harassment and infringement of property in Jaffna
Recommending highly inbalanced perspectives of ongoing security situation in Jaffna
www.defence.lk and www.tamilnet.com

253

Recommends visiting Jaffna Fort

Reference to suffering of fishing communities during the war, no mention of current
situation
Promotes a website of LTTE propaganda www.maaveerarillam.com BAD lack of context
issue!
Mention of SLA building of military base on site of a LTTE cemetery in Kopay
Recommends Helitours with the SL air force
Mention of attempt to impose Buddhist history on ancient culture seen in Kantarodai Ruins
Recommends Navy-run ferry services to Jaffnas Islands

254
254
258
259
261

Chapter 9 Understand Sri Lanka and Survival Guide

266

267
267

279
283
288
311312

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.
Claims Sri Lanka is only 4% Tamil! Latest census says 11.2%
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)
The flag is described as a flag for compassion. History ends in 2009
Responsible travel section is purely environmental doesnt mention human rights at all.
Tea section talks about quality of life for tea workers but not the ethics of visiting, or Fair
Trade or Rainforest Alliance schemes
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