Beauteous Sri Lanka

The Hindu Festival Deepavali

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The Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali is celebration of the triumph of good over evil and a time when prayers are offered to goddess Lakshmi for the renewal of health, wealth and prosperity. The festival with its origins in India is marked by illumination and the making of figurines of crystal sugar known as Misiri which are distributed as delicious sweets. Hindus celebrate this event by taking an oil bath and wearing new clothes in addition to going to the temple to make obeisance to their gods. It is also a time of visiting friends and family, carrying the blessings and spirit of the festival. Burning fire crackers too is a significant element of this festival which is open for the participation of all.</div>
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The Hindu Festival Deepavali

The Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali is celebration of the triumph of good over evil and a time when prayers are offered to goddess Laks...

Sinhala & Tamil New Year Festival- April 13th & 14th

a 6:59 AM

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When the sun moves from Pisces to Aries, the Sinhalese Buddhist and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka join forces to celebrate Aluth Avurudda – their mutual new year.</div>
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This is also coincides with the time when the harvest ends, so the colorful fruit from the trees is collected in bulk to fuel the week long celebrations. Festivities are prepared well in advance and most of the country grinds to a halt as hundreds travel home to be with their families and stores close down in their wake – it can be impossible to track down the simplest of things just before it all starts.</div>
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The rituals begin with the cleaning of the house and lighting of an oil lamp, and woman congregate to bash on the raban (drum) to warn others of the incipient change in the year. If you fail to hear this, a storm, firecrackers is bound to hammer the point home. Families indulge in a variety of rituals which are carefully determined by astrological calculations-from lighting the fire to making the kiri bath (milk rice) bath, to entering into the first business transaction and eating the first morsels.</div>
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Once these are done, the partying really begins as families mingle in the streets, homes are thrown open and children are left out to play. The ubiquitous planting is dished out alongside celebratory feasts of kaung (small oil cake) and kokis (small and light sweetmeat, originally from Netherlands).</div>
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Aluth Auvrudda has become an important national holidays for both the cultures of the Sinhalese Buddhists and the Tamil Hindu Sri Lankans, and is unique as such , as it is not celebrated elsewhere in the world. </div>
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If you are planning to visit Sri Lanka during this time of the year, please speak to your accommodation provider/ tour guide to see any events around. You will be able to participate in traditional Sinhala games and experience the essence of Sri Lanka. </div>

Sinhala & Tamil New Year Festival- April 13th & 14th

When the sun moves from Pisces to Aries, the Sinhalese Buddhist and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka join forces to celebrate Aluth Avurudda –...

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up by 17.5 percent in March

9:43 AM

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Apr 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rose by 17.5 percent in March this year compared to the same period in 2013, the data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.</div>
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The month recorded 133,048 tourists arriving in the country compared to the 113,208 arrived in March 2013.</div>
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In the first three months of this year a total of 421,501 tourists arrived in the island recording a 24.8 percent increase from the 337,719 came during the corresponding period in 2013.</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRb12n1Q7qaGXklE7XtwAra7yEO85_JYciqLWH4iNotWJliZYNAAA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRb12n1Q7qaGXklE7XtwAra7yEO85_JYciqLWH4iNotWJliZYNAAA" /></a>Arrivals from North America rose by 10.7 percent with 18,440 visitors for the first three months in the year while 143,760 tourist arrivals were recorded from Western Europe rising 12.6 percent.</div>
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Arrivals from Eastern Europe increased 56.5 percent with the arrival of 66,421 tourists for the year while arrivals from Russia increased by 89.8 percent to 29,371.</div>
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Tourist arrivals from Middle East rose in March by 18.8 percent to 6,629.</div>
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The first three months of the year recorded 72,639 East Asians as arriving in the island, an increase of 53.0 percent. China recorded a 127.8 percent increase with the arrival of 28,798 in the first three months of the year.</div>
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Arrivals from South Asia increased by 15.9 percent in March 2014 with 71,710 tourists visiting the island while, arrivals from India increased 22.6 percent to 18,734 in March.</div>
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In the first three months of the year, 12,467 Australians arrived in the country, a 3.1 percent increase from the previous year.</div>
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Sri Lanka met its tourist arrival target of 1.2 million for the year 2013wih the numbers risen by 26.7 percent from the 1,005,605 arrived in 2012 and earning US$ 1.23 billion in the first 11 months of 2013.</div>

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up by 17.5 percent in March

Apr 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rose by 17.5 percent in March this year compared to the same period in 2013, the data ...

CNNGo Featured on Sri Lanka

news 9:18 PM

CNNGo Featured on Sri Lanka

“Sri Lanka Tourism & Peking Express (Belgium) Sign an Agreement to Promote Sri Lanka Through a Popular Adventure Reality Series”

a, news 7:48 AM

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Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and The Echo Line Limited (ECL)- a Belgium based Film Production Company along with the French Company “Label Aventure” entered into an agreement for producing the 10th season of Adventure reality series called “Peking Express” for the <b style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">French TV channel M6. The program will showcase entire 03 episodes out of the 11 taking place in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka will get 330 minutes of exposure with the title called <i style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Share the dream”.</i></b></div>
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Peking Express is a Dutch/Flemish reality game show that follows a series of couples as they hitchhike to or from Beijing. The series has already gone through five seasons. In the Netherlands it is screened by Net 5 and in Belgium by VT4. A German version was shown in 2004. The concept has also been sold to Scandinavia where it was broadcast for the first time in the autumn of 2007. The Scandinavian version is shown on Kanal 5 in Sweden, TV Norge in Norway and Kanal 5 in Denmark.</div>
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A French version named Pékin Express is screened by M6, with nine seasons aired by 2013. It can be seen on TV5 outside France. In Spain, the local version Pekín Express is shown on Cuatro, with four seasons by 2011. An Italian version has been produced in 2012 by RAI and shown on Rai 2 with success; a second season will be broadcast in 2013. In this connection, a team of 48 members will be in Sri Lanka from 14th – 25th Feb. 2014 for the filming of the 3 episodes of this show.</div>
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The tourism industry of Sri Lanka will receive enormous publicity from this TV series to target western European travelers to attract through this programme. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau will be hosting their entire stay during the filming in Sri Lanka in February 2014 will facilitate their project by granting necessary approvals and waive off the crew registration charges. Mind Fire Production (pvt) Ltd. has been appointed as Local producer and facilitator for this production.</div>
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The agreement was signed by the two parties at the press conference held on 13th February at SLTPB in this regard. Officials including Mr. Rumy Jauffer –Managing Director SLTPB, Dr. D.S. Jayaweera –Director General SLTDA, Mr. Mahen Kariyawasam –President SLITO, Mr. Phillip Hendrickz – Producer Echo Line Limited (ECL)- Belgium expressed their views on the program and its befits to promote tourism industry of Sri Lanka at the press conference held.</div>
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Art Director of Peking Express Sharing Program Content</div>
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Dr.D.S. Jayaweera - Director General SLTDA</div>
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Mr.Rumy Jauffer Managing Director SLTPB Addressing the Gathering</div>
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Phillip Hendrickz - Programme Director Peking Express</div>
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Mr. Mahen Kariyawasam SLITO President Delivering a Speech</div>
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Audience Watching the Program Preview</div>
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“Sri Lanka Tourism & Peking Express (Belgium) Sign an Agreement to Promote Sri Lanka Through a Popular Adventure Reality Series”

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and The Echo Line Limited (ECL)- a Belgium based Film Production Company along with the French Company “...

Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Rhineland-Palatia celebrates 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Germany

a, news 1:26 PM

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<a href="http://asiantribune.com/sites/asiantribune.com/files/images/2012/Bodenheim2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://asiantribune.com/sites/asiantribune.com/files/images/2012/Bodenheim2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Berlin, 22 February, (Asiantribune.com):
The Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Rhineland-Palatia, Mr. Nihal S. Samarasinha, organised an event to celebrate 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Germany and the 66th Independence Day of Sri Lanka with a reception and commercial exhibition organised in cooperation with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin.

The Honorary Consul presided over the event. The Sri Lankan Ambassador, Sarrath Kongahage, and the Mayor of Mainz-Bodenheim, Mr. Thomas Becker-Theilig, were the guests of honour on the occasion. More than 450 persons including Sri Lankan expatriates and business personalities attended the event.

The event commenced with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp followed by the reading of the National Day Message of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the national languages of Sri Lanka as well as the German language.

A commercial exhibition had been organized with Sri Lankan business organizations and entrepreneurs showcasing their products and opportunities. There were stalls with Sri Lankan tea, gemstones and herbs. Sri Lankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Business Council were present at the event. One Sri Lankan radio station was present and provided information about their programme.

Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador briefed the business community from Rhineland-Palatia of Germany on the vast potential for investment and trade with Sri Lanka. The ambassador further highlighted the skilled workforce, the strategic geographical location, the infrastructure facilities, the good banking system and investor friendly regulations, which included protection of foreign direct investment under the Constitution of Sri Lanka, as attracting factors for investors on the island. There were increasing numbers of tourist going from Germany to Sri Lanka, which has a tremendous scope for investment in the tourism sector, the Ambassador pointed out.

The guests were also treated to a Sri Lankan buffet and pure Sri Lankan tea.

As a special treat, there was a raffle draw with an airway ticket to Sri Lanka as special price. </div>
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 - Asian Tribune -</div>

Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Rhineland-Palatia celebrates 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Sri Lanka and Germany

Berlin, 22 February, (Asiantribune.com): The Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka for Rhineland-Palatia, Mr. Nihal S. Samarasinha, organised an ev...

TRAVEL: Postcard from Sri Lanka — a cross-island hop that’s making waves

a, news 1:21 PM

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEisfQM8RYPheTzlxuLeRWfxAnbVa5_ZqacvcJCIyyddadAx3RF-a9DMO0D0fHb54enBfa507a-0LPtaSG782MedAWWUOfDK1DMljhOpxHXFEszsTyDYVol4owXyD5U3xNd4vmXjVAh1K4QPaLlmG2rwIq95WSFnODnHoornYxeSMXKCeMyVC0RLFD5_ZOyoZgsSrh5BKy_mkynXptlTXnko1LjQrFnm1z7mJfnQFG2AxUTuPqcVYqnzdTTUlkDS3Gw3yLqYI0h5ERfEmd1kBqan_RG8mmCuTb-MYk4=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka." border="0" src="http://www.bdlive.co.za/incoming/2014/02/20/210214bl-webstrap-kandy-lake-sri-lanka.jpg/ALTERNATES/crop_400x250/210214BL+webstrap+Kandy+Lake+Sri+Lanka.jpg" /></a>HIGH in Sri Lanka’s hill country, Kandy has what must rank as one of the world’s most scenic airports. Ringed on both sides by lush jungle, it is pleasingly quiet as I wait by the patch of grass that acts as its main departure gate. Groups of schoolchildren hang around nearby, hopefully scanning the horizon. And in front of us lie the blue waters of Polgolla reservoir: the runway for today’s flight, which is due shortly to touch down from the capital Colombo.

Since 2009, when more than two decades of civil war came to an end, Sri Lanka has enjoyed a mini-boom in tourism as foreign travellers return to the tropical beaches and tea plantations of the teardrop-shaped island.

But while a gleaming new highway now connects Colombo to the southern city of Galle, Sri Lanka’s other attractions — notably its eastern beaches and verdant central highlands — remain tough to reach, typically requiring lengthy drives on bumpy, single-track roads.

One solution arrived last year with the launch of Cinnamon Air, a scheduled airline that makes use of lakes and rivers instead of airstrips. Cinnamon Air can now whisk visitors from Colombo to Kandy — typically a four-hour drive — by Cessna seaplane in a little more than 30 minutes. The service is expanding too, having launched new routes to Sigiriya, site of a famous hill-top fortress in the north, and Batticaloa, close to the best beaches in the east. In May, a further three weekly flights will be added to the port of Trincomalee, also on the island’s east coast.

Cinnamon’s services are part of an evolving trend for using seaplanes in Sri Lanka. In 2011, the national carrier, SriLankan, introduced "air taxi" seaplane services, which are now being operated by Cinnamon on a code-share basis. Meanwhile Simplifly offers private charters and sightseeing flights by seaplane and by helicopter.

My journey began the old-fashioned way, with a serene train ride up from Colombo: a spectacular but slow-moving affair that winds steadily through mountain passes before pulling into Kandy’s dilapidated railway station.

Overnight, I stayed at the Kandy House, a villa originally built in 1804 as a residence for the chief minister of the Kingdom of Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last independent monarchy, which succumbed to British rule in 1818. The property now operates as a gorgeous nine-room heritage hotel, set in a tropical garden about 20 minutes’ drive outside of town, and has impressive wooden interiors redesigned by a protégé of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.

It is the return flight, however, that proves to be the highlight of the entire trip. It is an experience that begins as the seaplane roars in to land, delighting the schoolchildren nearby, before pulling up to a pontoon dock fabricated from wooden planks and oil drums. After a perfunctory check-in, the captain — a dashing Swiss expatriate in shorts and aviator sunglasses — ushers me on board his eight-seater aircraft.

We wait inside as he talks on the radio, briefly delayed by strict rules enforced by Sri Lanka’s army. "The Tamil Tigers once used a small training aeroplane to bomb Colombo during the war, so there are still endless restrictions on flying," the captain explains, with a smile. "But we get by okay now."

The flight itself is as exhilarating as it is brief. We rattle off the water in a whirl of propellers, before soaring over the valley above a breathtaking panorama of Kandy’s hilltop houses and Buddhist temples, all bathed in bright sunshine. The aircraft then banks off to the south. Yet for all the serenity below, this is still flying at its most visceral: the tiny seaplane sways this way and that in the wind, while dipping in and out of thick patches of cloud.

I crane my neck to see first mountains and tea plantations passing far below; then paddy fields; and finally the patchwork of agricultural lands that lead into the outskirts of the capital. And less than half an hour later, we touch down on a lake close to Sri Lanka’s parliament building that acts as a dropping-off point for downtown Colombo. I clamber out on to another rickety pontoon dock, and pause to catch my breath.

Cinnamon Air’s operation isn’t perfect: at $172 one-way between Colombo and Kandy, its flights are expensive, especially compared with the train. Having only three aircraft means that the company operates a service that is infrequent, at best. Nonetheless, director Romesh David hopes that his new venture will tap into broader changes in Sri Lanka’s postwar tourism economy.

"We are seeing fewer visitors coming from Europe for two-week visits and more coming for just six or seven days — and also more from India and China, where traditionally people don’t take long holidays," David tells me. "But people still want to see the best of the island — the beaches and the hills — so they want to move quickly. And for that, we really are the best option."</div>

TRAVEL: Postcard from Sri Lanka — a cross-island hop that’s making waves

HIGH in Sri Lanka’s hill country, Kandy has what must rank as one of the world’s most scenic airports. Ringed on both sides by lush jungle,...

“Sri Lanka is Set for a Tourism Boom ” Says China Daily Newspaper

a, news 1:28 PM

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The latest issue of leading Chinese newspaper, China Daily Asia Weekly has carried an article on Sri Lanka Tourism stating that “Sri Lanka is all set to transform its tourism sector and make it the largest foreign exchange earner by attracting 2.5 million tourists in year 2016.On its path for expanding tourism sector a heavy focus has been given to attract Chinese tourists and investors alike”. The cover story of the has highlighted that Sri Lanka is becoming one of the most sought after new holiday destinations for Chinese travelers who seek a mix bag of exotic experience and exciting travel.</div>
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Raving the richness of Sri Lanka’s diverse landscape, the China Daily comments: “With its golden beaches, towering mountains, ancient monuments and stunning wildlife all enclosed in a compact island, Sri Lanka is pretty much the perfect holiday destination”. The article features views of various Sri Lanka tourism industry authorities and other stakeholders capturing their thoughts on the Chinese market tourism promotions and investments. “Tourism is a key revenue-generating sector of the Sri Lankan economy and we have identified China and a few other countries as the potential market to promote our tourism, We are also planning to take part in five international travel fairs and organize familiarization tours for around 200 foreign journalists and tour operators in 2014.” Last year, the three-day Sri Lanka Shines in Beijing campaign was conducted in the Chinese capital, while promotional campaigns and a 200-bus branding exercise we carried out in the major Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou for a period of six months.” the top management of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has mentioned to China Daily Asia Weekly.</div>
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Mr. Nishantha Wickremasinghe, chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines has revealed that “China is a main focus in Sri Lankan Airlines’ marketing and promotional plans, as the future of the travel industry is in this region. We are also making every effort to welcome Chinese to Sri Lanka and provide the necessary facilities on board as well as on the ground. Chinese-speaking passenger relations officers have been recruited to travel on flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong” explain their plans to capture travelers from this growing market.</div>
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The article goes on to explain that according to Mahinda Chinthana Development Policy Framework the measures have been taken by the Ministry of Economic Development to promote upscale tourism in Sri Lanka. “Spending per tourist per day is expected to rise over $200 during the next ten years,” the document has said. “Eco-luxurious experiences for upscale tourists will be ensured. International shopping facilities will be promoted in major cities to assure shopping experiences for tourists.” The multiplier effect in the tourism sector is also envisaged in the construction, furniture, transport and food and beverage industries. Estimates suggest that these sectors will provide employment for about 100,000 people along with the new investments.</div>
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The government is also planning to improve the productivity of the tourism industry, through building professionalism in the travel and hotel industries. The private sector will be encouraged to set up human resource development centers to meet the emerging needs of the tourism industry locally and abroad. The article concludes in a statement saying that: “Increasing Chinese tourists and Chinese investments in the Sri Lanka tourism sector will ensure economic growth in the island.”</div>
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Currently the Chinese tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka is on a steady rise with 224% growth recorded in January 2014 reflecting the effectiveness of the promotional campaigns executed in year 2013 onwards.The latest jump shows encouraging signs as the Government of Sri Lanka’s vigorous campaigns to capture a slice out of the growing Chinese outbound tourism market. According to the China Tourism Academy, the number of Chinese tourists going abroad is set to rise from 83 million in 2012 to more than 200 million by 2020.</div>
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<a href="http://srilanka.travel/public_html/pdf/Sri%20Lanka%20Preparing%20For%20Tourism%20Boom%20Article.pdf" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s; border: 0px; color: #289dc7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s;" target="_blank">Click Here </a>to download 'Sri Lanka Preparing For Tourism Boom Article' PDF</div>
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<a href="http://srilanka.travel/public_html/pdf/www-chinadailyasia-com%20online%20article%20PDF.pdf" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s; border: 0px; color: #289dc7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s;" target="_blank">Click Here </a>to download 'www-chinadailyasia-com Online Article' PDF</div>
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“Sri Lanka is Set for a Tourism Boom ” Says China Daily Newspaper

The latest issue of leading Chinese newspaper, China Daily Asia Weekly has carried an article on Sri Lanka Tourism stating that “Sri Lanka...

Korea – Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club Launched

a 7:37 AM

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The Korea-Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club was launched at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul on 14th February 2014. The club was created to enhance the cultural and economic relationship between Sri Lanka and South Korea. One of its main goals is to promote tourism, a core area of growth for Sri Lanka-Korea relations.</div>
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The chief guest of the event, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development met with more than 100 Korean and Sri Lankan members of the club who were present at the launch ceremony. Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy Hon. Susil Premajayatha also attended the event.</div>
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During the event, Minister Rajapaksa further expressed his sincere appreciation to the organizers and members of the tourism club for leading the launch, promoting tourism and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and South Korea and initiating the campaign to increase awareness of Sri Lanka as a popular destination for Korean tourists. Sri Lanka is already being vigorously promoted in Korea’s main markets, particularly through a series of promotional campaigns that will be presented throughout the year. This club will provide the additional boost for the tourism campaigns.</div>
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During his welcome speech, Ambassador Tissa Wijeratne stated the need to maintain steady channels of communication between Korean agencies and tourism organizations and Sri Lanka; this would aim to promote the travel and trade industry and heighten the relations between the two countries.</div>
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Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathna, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism, gave a comprehensive presentation with a guiding theme of “Sri Lanka Tourism, an unmatched product” as a way to increase awareness about Sri Lanka’s diversity and scenic beauty alongside other attractions that would be of interest for Korean travelers about Sri Lanka.</div>
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Mr. Un –Shik Chung, President of the Korea–Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club and Mr. Lee Hoon, Vice President of the Korea World Travel Fair also addressed he gathering highlighting the future plans of enhancing Korea -Sri Lanka relations through the newly establish Travel & Tourism Club.</div>
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The members who participated in the event were very enthusiastic about the launch of club and wished the club success and that it brings about longstanding results in the way of bilateral co-operation, booming tourism, and a better understanding of the socio-economic identities and cultures of the two countries.</div>
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Korea – Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club Launched

The Korea-Sri Lanka Travel & Tourism Club was launched at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul on 14th February 2014. The club was crea...