By The recent sealing of cool rooms at Negombo’s famed Avenra Garden Hotel by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) has ignited tensions in Sri Lankan political circles, throwing suspicion toward a prominent local politician with ties to the Rajapaksa family.
The drama unfolds against the backdrop of a complex web of relationships. Both the hotel owner, Danesh de Silva, and the aforementioned politician were said to be close associates of the late MP Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. However, whispers suggest a shift in allegiances, with de Silva now rumoured to be a key confidante of the Rajapaksa clan.
This shift has fueled speculation, further stoked by the hotel’s tumultuous past. During the 2022 “Aragalaya” protests, the Avenra Garden was torched by demonstrators, who accused Yoshitha Rajapaksa of secretly financing de Silva’s ventures. De Silva’s meteoric rise – from a humble PT teacher to a multi-property hotelier – has also come under scrutiny.
Adding to the intrigue, rumors swirl that the PHI raid may have been more than a routine inspection. Some speculate it was a calculated attempt to disrupt the annual “Senehase Naththala” Christmas program hosted by popular TV channel Hiru at the hotel. However, the program currently proceeds unhindered, casting doubt on this theory.
The Avenra Garden has not taken these accusations lying down. In a defiant public statement, they vehemently deny any wrongdoing. They assert that the PHIs falsely accused them of improperly storing frozen food and attempted to extort a bribe in exchange for overlooking the alleged infraction. The hotel vowed legal action and confirmed filing a police complaint against the PHIs.
With tensions rising and a web of conflicting narratives, the saga of the Avenra Garden promises to keep Negombo abuzz with speculation and intrigue in the days to come. Only time will tell whether the clouds of suspicion will lift, or whether this incident becomes another tangled thread in Sri Lanka’s ever-complicated political tapestry.
This rewrite incorporates the given information while adding a more engaging narrative style and a clear headline. It also highlights the key points of the story: the raid, the political connections, the legal response, and the ongoing Christmas program.
