N’Eliya April season turnout far short of expectations this time

The April New Year season in Nuwara Eliya is on a low key this year with the expected turnout in this picturesque salubrious hill country holiday destination, popularly called ‘Little England’, falling far short of expectations.
Security concerns coupled with economic factors are attributed by hospitality industry officials for the poor turnout this season.
The official ceremony to kick off the season, which had been held consecutively for the past 25 years or more, was in itself a low profile affair this year without the colourful drill display by school bands.
While some sources said security considerations kept away the school bands others maintained that a directive by the educational authorities barred the participation of students in this annual outdoor ceremony.
Presiding at the ceremony held near the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, Mayor Chandanalal Karunaratne lighted the traditional oil officially ushering in the season on April 1.
During previous years, holiday-makers, eager to unwind themselves, start making frantic hotel reservations from about January itself, industry officials noted. "They are keen to grab the best places in town".
"But, this season that kind of excitement was missing", they pointed out. "People were perhaps undecided primarily because of the security situation in the country".
"There was a drop no doubt, but reservations are picking up now", says Palaka Perera, Grand Hotel’s General Manager.
"We see a definite improvement", he stressed. "We are positive of a good turnout".
Many tourist hotels in Nuwara Eliya, including some popular haunts, have advertised special discounts for visitors during the season – something quite unusual around this time of the year
Hotel Alpine, one of the most sought-after stop-overs in this hilly destination, offered visitors a 25% discount from April 1st to 10th and 5% off from 11th-19th. The 25% rebate is applicable again from the 20th t0 30th.
At a time when the rate of an average hotel room shoots up to about Rs. 10,000, this tells the whole story, industry officials pointed out. "We are keeping our fingers crossed".
The special events during the annual season such as the Governor’s Cup (April 13), flower show, tennis tournament and motor racing are however being held on schedule.
"There is no change", sources said. "Everything goes according to plan".
"We have provided adequate security", DIG (Nuwara Eliya - East) Jagath Abeysirigunawardena assured. "There is round-the-clock patrolling".
Intermittent thunderstorms have also intervened to spoil the fun.