<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated1.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Art Director of Peking Express Sharing Program Content</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated3.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Dr.D.S. Jayaweera - Director General SLTDA</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated6.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mr.Rumy Jauffer Managing Director SLTPB Addressing the Gathering</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated7.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Phillip Hendrickz - Programme Director Peking Express</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated4.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Mr. Mahen Kariyawasam SLITO President Delivering a Speech</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated2.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Audience Watching the Program Preview</div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated5.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated8.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated9.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated10.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Peking%20Express%20updated11.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div>

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

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  Posted at   6:18 PM  | news | 0 comments

<br /><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><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><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"> - Asian Tribune -</div>

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

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  Posted at   11:56 PM  | news | 0 comments

<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/e_jMU8YebwZYkCowRaJWEVjesL7aqu2yNqMhucZltpdniYpDKP7LSj9bIGfjUuFY6Ukud-CirwO2rG0kJqAFSPTcrTi_s4VXA4arvWwNCIqyGUJM_oGyWlt_k3rCEKtiltqBGMKAIzyUwkUtFG7YmXRd5Dm7VS2k53qHTalhab4W3YukW_cdH161Xl5plpfqPifiGEQ-6p5HT56J8lvMlpvRn2zcn-UbtcKkAsN6" 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><br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bdlive.co.za%2Fincoming%2F2014%2F02%2F20%2F210214bl-webstrap-kandy-lake-sri-lanka.jpg%2FALTERNATES%2Fcrop_400x250%2F210214BL%2Bwebstrap%2BKandy%2BLake%2BSri%2BLanka.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/e_jMU8YebwZYkCowRaJWEVjesL7aqu2yNqMhucZltpdniYpDKP7LSj9bIGfjUuFY6Ukud-CirwO2rG0kJqAFSPTcrTi_s4VXA4arvWwNCIqyGUJM_oGyWlt_k3rCEKtiltqBGMKAIzyUwkUtFG7YmXRd5Dm7VS2k53qHTalhab4W3YukW_cdH161Xl5plpfqPifiGEQ-6p5HT56J8lvMlpvRn2zcn-UbtcKkAsN6" -->

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, ...

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  Posted at   11:51 PM  | news | 0 comments

<br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/China-Daily-Press-Release_Article_image_Large_new.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.3s; border: 0px; color: #289dc7; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s;" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/China-Daily-Press-Release_Article_image_Large_new.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></a></div>

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

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  Posted at   11:58 PM  | news | 0 comments

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">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><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_1.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_2.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_3.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_4.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_5.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_6.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_7.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_8.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_9.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/Korea_Sri%20Lanka_Travel_Tourism_Club_Launched_10.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div>

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

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  Posted at   6:07 PM  | a | 0 comments

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVC1aS7pMq4/UYeBp0iT0UI/AAAAAAAABgE/et0NIzKCAWs/s1600/2500batik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVC1aS7pMq4/UYeBp0iT0UI/AAAAAAAABgE/et0NIzKCAWs/s1600/2500batik.jpg" width="300" /></a></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcbZsp844Ww/UYeB22ERwGI/AAAAAAAABgg/0L5imavzzvU/s1600/30391289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcbZsp844Ww/UYeB22ERwGI/AAAAAAAABgg/0L5imavzzvU/s1600/30391289.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1BoJFIyF1M/UYeBy3kdDHI/AAAAAAAABgQ/r7pzlOK7Tos/s1600/Batic_Apparels_Eric_Suriyasena_Batiks_Pvt_Ltd_Sri_Lanka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1BoJFIyF1M/UYeBy3kdDHI/AAAAAAAABgQ/r7pzlOK7Tos/s1600/Batic_Apparels_Eric_Suriyasena_Batiks_Pvt_Ltd_Sri_Lanka.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8iQfkIgAoc/UYeB3G6eFfI/AAAAAAAABgc/05MCk69PtTA/s1600/Batik+Sri+Lanka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8iQfkIgAoc/UYeB3G6eFfI/AAAAAAAABgc/05MCk69PtTA/s1600/Batik+Sri+Lanka.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-naNWZqxyt8w/UYeB32AVglI/AAAAAAAABgo/WS7rVZledNw/s1600/Entwined-Swans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-naNWZqxyt8w/UYeB32AVglI/AAAAAAAABgo/WS7rVZledNw/s1600/Entwined-Swans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXBXu3x8WC0/UYeB446V2EI/AAAAAAAABg0/aurWR-sl8sM/s1600/batik+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXBXu3x8WC0/UYeB446V2EI/AAAAAAAABg0/aurWR-sl8sM/s1600/batik+(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHqkZ0e4LEc/UYeBu7pHQ3I/AAAAAAAABgM/Pj0eIrEfxks/s1600/14223498-kandy-sri-lanka--march-31-two-women-traditional-batik-painter-working-in-the-batik-factory-on-march-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pHqkZ0e4LEc/UYeBu7pHQ3I/AAAAAAAABgM/Pj0eIrEfxks/s1600/14223498-kandy-sri-lanka--march-31-two-women-traditional-batik-painter-working-in-the-batik-factory-on-march-.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gO2wWUssgA/UYeB_1D76aI/AAAAAAAABhE/CABU39Cwla0/s1600/batik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gO2wWUssgA/UYeB_1D76aI/AAAAAAAABhE/CABU39Cwla0/s1600/batik.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EcwC9K0F3o8/UYeB_gP7OEI/AAAAAAAABg8/02DBfQuBo0E/s1600/batikPaints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EcwC9K0F3o8/UYeB_gP7OEI/AAAAAAAABg8/02DBfQuBo0E/s1600/batikPaints.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuAmmPsvoOk/UYeCQt8PBbI/AAAAAAAABhM/s1jSi8gp3J4/s1600/batik_12_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuAmmPsvoOk/UYeCQt8PBbI/AAAAAAAABhM/s1jSi8gp3J4/s1600/batik_12_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqlCAGadNEQ/UYeCSIxFYKI/AAAAAAAABhU/3DJ3TnglU30/s1600/dsc1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqlCAGadNEQ/UYeCSIxFYKI/AAAAAAAABhU/3DJ3TnglU30/s1600/dsc1540.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHZtYg35jKw/UYeCZlh7h3I/AAAAAAAABhc/LFDTwzPdgFA/s1600/il_fullxfull.268595350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHZtYg35jKw/UYeCZlh7h3I/AAAAAAAABhc/LFDTwzPdgFA/s1600/il_fullxfull.268595350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">            Though the exact way Batik has been evolved in Sri lanka is uncertain,it is believed to be originated in Indonesia,and was brought in to the country by the Dutch when they came here.Other countries like China,India and Japan are also found to be having the industry of Batik crafts. In a nutshell,Batiks consist of incorporating beautiful themes and colours into fabric,which can either be traditional or contemporaty.In our country,Batik industry used to produce mens and ladies wear,bed covers,wall pictures,table clothes etc. Since it's been brought,Sri lanka's Batik industry has been conflated with the other arts crafts,that ultimately has led to produce a unique characteristic artistry to be developed within the island.As a result,most of the batik productions today, are having our own cultural and artistic features well integrated on them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

            Though the exact way Batik has been evolved in Sri lanka is uncertain,it is believed to be originated in Indonesia,and was broug...

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  Posted at   10:20 PM  | gallery | 0 comments

<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vKkl241BUk/UYd5XuuExQI/AAAAAAAABeE/J-JC5TMWXrQ/s1600/bird_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vKkl241BUk/UYd5XuuExQI/AAAAAAAABeE/J-JC5TMWXrQ/s1600/bird_map.jpg" width="308" /></a></h2><div><br /></div><div>Sri Lanka 's abundant bird-life makes the island a true Ornithologist's paradise. Of the 427 recorded species, 250 are resident and 23 are endemic to the country. With such a variety of environments ranging from wet to dry zone, forest to jungle, and hill country to low lands, there's no end to the fascinating locations in which to spot many of these beautiful birds. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J60Jt_AtRNQ/UYd6xMlbaII/AAAAAAAABew/i_BGNwcRPks/s1600/bird-watching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J60Jt_AtRNQ/UYd6xMlbaII/AAAAAAAABew/i_BGNwcRPks/s1600/bird-watching.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNinPlZqf0s/UYd6uud7UpI/AAAAAAAABek/HuoZAtl5XZg/s1600/1704-1-birds-in-sri-lanka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNinPlZqf0s/UYd6uud7UpI/AAAAAAAABek/HuoZAtl5XZg/s1600/1704-1-birds-in-sri-lanka.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8arhRBRYXxg/UYd6uT4nQsI/AAAAAAAABec/_St2uMF-Qoc/s1600/25_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8arhRBRYXxg/UYd6uT4nQsI/AAAAAAAABec/_St2uMF-Qoc/s1600/25_main.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RHGHjsq0lM/UYd6qylrLEI/AAAAAAAABeQ/O016-HTObLI/s1600/740408788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0RHGHjsq0lM/UYd6qylrLEI/AAAAAAAABeQ/O016-HTObLI/s1600/740408788.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYN0_q-5mDE/UYd6uF2n5QI/AAAAAAAABeY/AdZ8PYqaSC0/s1600/88491210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pYN0_q-5mDE/UYd6uF2n5QI/AAAAAAAABeY/AdZ8PYqaSC0/s1600/88491210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o99Nf5V8Z6E/UYd6xwF0AUI/AAAAAAAABe4/l6lbm0mSgV8/s1600/Photography-Tours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o99Nf5V8Z6E/UYd6xwF0AUI/AAAAAAAABe4/l6lbm0mSgV8/s1600/Photography-Tours.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVnYYhQwu_Y/UYd6y3gQTJI/AAAAAAAABfA/C1CY_45ul_Q/s1600/bird-watching-sri-lanka-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVnYYhQwu_Y/UYd6y3gQTJI/AAAAAAAABfA/C1CY_45ul_Q/s1600/bird-watching-sri-lanka-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wHL57Ixv28/UYd6zlH7m6I/AAAAAAAABfI/0xGXRLmSFrY/s1600/birds-sri-lanka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wHL57Ixv28/UYd6zlH7m6I/AAAAAAAABfI/0xGXRLmSFrY/s1600/birds-sri-lanka.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N34s-xU_bXM/UYd60NEscCI/AAAAAAAABfQ/T2F5oD2hEwI/s1600/kigfisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N34s-xU_bXM/UYd60NEscCI/AAAAAAAABfQ/T2F5oD2hEwI/s1600/kigfisher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">            Most of the endemic birds (such as the Sri Lankan grackle) are restricted to the wet zone, while birds such as the Sri Lanka whistling thrush and the yellow-eared bulbul reside in the hill country. Others, like the brilliantly plumaged jungle fowl, the striking red-faced malkoha and the shy brown-capped babbler can be found in forests and sanctuaries throughout the island. Among the best areas for sighting these birds are the SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST Reserve and the ADAM'S PEAK WILDERNESS SANCTUARY . The large lakes (irrigation reservoirs) in the dry zone attract numerous varieties of duck, while larger aquatic birds such as stork, heron, egret, spoonbill, pelican, and ibis can easily be seen in the wetlands, especially at Wirawila, Kalametiya and BUNDALA NATIONAL PARK (which is also famed for its large flocks of migrant flamingoes). Around mid-August the first migratory species arrive in Sri Lanka . Large flocks of sandpipers, stints, plovers, terns and harriers fly over from Nothern India, Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe and settle along the lagoons and salterns of the eastern, north-western and south-eastern coasts. In the forested areas of Sri Lanka , birds like migratory tree warblers, thrushes and cuckoos can be seen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Sri Lanka 's abundant bird-life makes the island a true Ornithologist's paradise. Of the 427 recorded species, 250 are resident and ...

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  Posted at   10:18 PM  | bestPlaceToTravel | 0 comments

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Sri Lanka Tourism stall was awarded the “Best Decoration Award” at India’s biggest international travel show, OTM- held in Mumbai from 7-9th February and in New Delhi from 13-15 February 2014. Sri Lanka Tourism stall stood elegant at the exhibition, with its décor of water sports, Colombo city, beaches, wild life and festivals of Sri Lanka. Among the crowd of visitors that attracted the stall were the representatives from national tourist organizations, state tour operators, tour & travel agents, and online travel agencies. Countries such as Russia, Malaysia, Switzerland, China, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, China, Sweden, and Argentina were among the other international participants at the OTM 2014.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">For the third consecutive year, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau together with 26 company representatives from the travel and hotel industry in Sri Lanka participated at the OTM Mumbai and New Delhi. Sri Lanka Mission in Mumbai and Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi facilitated the participation of Sri Lanka Tourism at the event.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">OTM is considered the largest travel trade show in India, connecting the global travel fraternity for more than two decades. OTM is also the only travel show in India with a balanced mix of travel trade, corporate and general visitors. It is the best platform for marketing to the Indian travel trade, MICE segment and tourists. Every year, OTM draws participants from National Tourist Organizations, State Government Tourism Departments, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Hotel & Resorts, Airlines, Online Travel Agencies and many other segments of the travel and tourism industry.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">More than 1200 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors from 70 countries and 30 Indian states gather for OTM ,making it the perfect meeting place for networking, face-to-face interaction, deals of tomorrow and building successful long-term business relationships.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Sri Lanka Tourism, under the guidance of the Minister of Economic Development, Hon.Basil Rajapaksa, successfully launched two mega joint promotional campaigns in India , named as “Get Sri Lankaned” in Bangalore and Mumbai in year 2013 with the aim of increasing the visitors from India. The ‘Get Sri Lankaned’ campaign is scheduled to cross over to the other cities in India namely Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin and Ahmedabad in the next months of the year 2014.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">India is seen as a key potential market for Sri Lanka and currently the top market generating highest number of tourists to the country. Sri Lanka makes an ideal destination for Indian travellers due to factors such as close proximity between the two countries, Sri Lanka’s diverse tourist attractions such as, pristine beaches, Shopping, Adventure, Food, Nature, Casinos, Night Life and many more. Nearly 100 flights(Sri Lankan airlines, Jet airways, Indian airlines) travel between India and Sri Lanka per week. Sri Lankan Airlines operates in eight Indian cities, giving easy connectivity between the two countries.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">India is also one of the fastest growing markets of outbound tourists. According to the UNWTO, Indian outbound tourists will rise to 50 million by 2020. SLTPB is expecting to attract 400,000 Indian tourists by the year 2016, thus helping to reach Sri Lanka’s goal of 2.5 million visitors by the year 2016.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/OTM%20Award_1.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Receiving Award at OTM Mumbai</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/OTM%20Award_2.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Receiving Award at OTM New Delhi</div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/OTM%20Award_3.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/OTM%20Award_4.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="http://srilanka.travel/image/data/New%20items%20news/OTM%20Award_5.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 770px;" /></div>

Sri Lanka Tourism stall was awarded the “Best Decoration Award” at India’s biggest international travel show, OTM- held in Mumbai from 7-9th...

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  Posted at   6:10 PM  | news | 0 comments