Based on an incident that occurred during the time I served as
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority between 2007 and 09.
The conversation herein is between a hopeful developer of a tourist resort and I.
"He
wanted twenty million,
for access to the land.
Would you believe it?"
for access to the land.
Would you believe it?"
"Twenty
million Rupees for that island
is
such a bargain!"
"How in the world did you get it,
so damn cheap?"
"How in the world did you get it,
so damn cheap?"
"No,
no, that is not
the value of the island’s land,
the value of the island’s land,
it
is what,
the local politico wanted from me,
to give me access to the island,
from the mainland."
"The land was a lease, on a top level decree ...
This was only to get,
the Land officer to approve the access."
the local politico wanted from me,
to give me access to the island,
from the mainland."
"The land was a lease, on a top level decree ...
This was only to get,
the Land officer to approve the access."
"What
a fiasco?
We must inform the very top.
Will you give this to me in writing?"
We must inform the very top.
Will you give this to me in writing?"
"In
writing?
I will get killed if I do...."
I will get killed if I do...."
"...You
know,
if only,
if only,
had he asked,
for two million and not twenty,
we could have been in business."
for two million and not twenty,
we could have been in business."
"He
is too greedy,
and wants to make a fast buck."
and wants to make a fast buck."
What
else could I do,
But
laugh-out loud?
When
all are silent,
No
song will be sung.
Without
givers,
Can
there be takers?
No comments:
Post a Comment