German national George Sielan (72) who is a foreign tourist has visited Sri Lanka for the 100th occasion.
A function to welcome him was held at the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau on July 25. He had come to Sri Lanka for the hundredth time as a tourist on the first of this month. He well versed in Sinhala and he had visited Sri Lanka in 1971 for the very first time as a youth of 19 years. After that he had got into the habit of visiting Sri Lanka almost every year. He is unmarried and had been engaged in work at an elders’ home but now he is retired. Speaking of his experiences, George Sielan had the following to say.
“In 1971, I came to Sri Lanka via a land route. I came from Germany to Yugoslavia, and across Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey on buses and trains, to the Iranian border. Then I went to Pakistan across Afghanistan and to India. Here, from Rameshwaram I travelled on a boat to Talaimannar. This was my overland route from Germany to Sri Lanka. My journey took me about five months. Later I travelled to the city of Colombo. Then this country was known as Ceylon. The JVP riots were taking place during the first time I came to Sri Lanka.
However, I did not face any problems. I stayed in Sri Lanka for about a month. Yet I was not allowed to travel to the south, by the Police. They asked me to go to India. I returned to Germany using the same overland route I used to come to Sri Lanka. I worked at a social service organization in India for two years. I got the opportunity of meeting Mother Theresa there.
It was in 1973 that I visited Sri Lanka again. Then people in Sri Lanka called us Hippies. I was able to get to know Gamini while at Hikkaduwa. I have been friends with him for 50 years now. It was Gamini’s children who taught me Sinhala. They taught me the Sinhala alphabet. Now they are married. I attended five of their weddings. I can write a little Sinhala too.
In 1971 when I came to Sri Lanka and I was travelling on buses and trains Sinhala people offered me seats too. Now of course it is not the same. The people of Sri Lanka are friendly and very good where hospitality is concerned.
At that time, I used to drink and smoke. But now I have given up all that. I am very fond of Sinhala food such as Kiribath and Katta Sambol, Stringhoppers, Kiri Hodhi and Pol Sambol. I also like Kevum and Peni Walalu. I can cook very well too. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. I like to visit and view ancient places of the country. Every time I came to Sri Lanka I visited Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya.
The roads system in Sri Lanka is well developed now. Sri Lanka has achieved massive development compared to those days. I am happy that I was able to come to Sri Lanka for the hundredth time. During certain years I have visited Sri Lanka twice. Quite often I come here during the Sinhala New Year time.
The Chairman of the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau Channa Saliya Mendis and members of its board of directors presented George Sielan with a commemorative gift as well.