I am saddened to hear that Olwyn, who runs the  prestigious seaside eatery on the Station Road, Wellawatta, called Beach Wadiya, earning valuable foreign exchange for the country  is discriminated against and compelled to pay over Rs 1200000 as Lease.

The Department of Railways, through the Valuation Department has instituted this action for possessing the land for the restaurant. This land belongs to the Railways, we understand.

The discrimination lies in the following:

It is believed that the adjoining clubs and the institutions may be paying lesser amounts than what Olwyn has to pay for the Lease. He has been managing the Beach Wadiya for more than 35 years. Initially he paid an annual lease of Rs.276000 only, but now the staggering figure for payment is beyond his earning capacity.

‘Beach Wadiya’ as knowledgeable people would know is internationally known.

Well known celebrities such as writers, journalists, politicians of all shades, sportsmen and women et al. from all corners of the globe have visited and enjoyed the exquisite and tasty Lankan food and written glowing tributes about him and his eating place for its respectability, service and above all the delicious fresh sea food.

All trade magazines on tourism and notable news magazines and newspapers of the world had featured Beach Wadiya several times. Olwyn has brought credit to this country by making Lanka known worldwide.

It is ironical that during the Tsunami disaster he had lost over 7 million rupees due to damages. And yet without any compensation from anybody he rebuilt the restaurant devoting all his energies and money to continue and maintain the standards.

The group of Lankan writers in English meets regularly every month at the resort by the sea to review their own works.

Considering the immense service he has rendered to the country by making it attractive to tourists as well, the Government should help him by reducing the payment for the lease he is compelled to pay.