Sri Lanka Tourism

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) commenced the 2nd phase of its three day promotional campaign, ‘Get Sri Lankan’ed’, at the Indian city of Mumbai on 17th  Friday 2013. 

Under this promotional campaign, a Sri Lankan night was held at Taj Lands Ends Hotel, Mumbai on Friday. Over 300 hundred Indian high profile VIPs participated in this event.

The Sri Lankan night was colorful with the dancing performances based on the eight themes of Sri Lanka tourism.

Representing Sri Lanka, Hon.Muttu Sivalingam, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Member of Parliament Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Hon. Sanath Jayasuriya(MP), the Sri Lankan Tourism Ambassador,Mr Bhaswara Gunarathna-Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism,Mr. Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Chairman – Sri Lanka Airlines and Mr.Rumy Jauffer Managing Director of SLTPB participated in this event. 

Meanwhile, during the Sri Lankan night, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia His Excellency Udayanga Weerathunga was given a special appreciation for his strenuous contribution to promote Sri Lanka in Russia and CIS countries. In appreciation of his commendable efforts, a special plaque was conferred on to the ambassador by the Hon.Namal Rajapakse.

On the same day the promotional drive commenced with the shoping mall activation at Phoenix High street,Mumbai with the participation of Hon Namal Rajapaksa(MP),Hon. Sanath Jayasooriya(MP) Sri Lanka Tourism Ambassador, Cricketers Anjelo Mathews and Ajantha Mendis encouraged Indians to visit Sri Lanka and enjoy the natural beauty ,hospitality of Sri Lankans who have very closer with Sri lanka historically.Representing Sri Lanka Tourism ,The chairman Mr. Bashwara Gunarathna and SLTPB Managing Director Mr. Rumy Jauffer were present at this event. 

The Indians at this event were entertained by Sri Lankan game shows, cultural dancing and DJ music.

Steps were also taken to display hoardings and other advertisements, displaying the beauty and the tourist attractions of Sri Lanka, since advertising Sri Lanka Tourism was the major focus of this shopping mall activation. Thus, the winners of the competitions, held at this event, were awarded with free holiday packages to Sri Lanka. 

With the ambition of enhancing the ties between the Tourist agencies in India and Sri Lanka and thereby focusing on a lucrative industry of tourism, a number of business meetings were held during the second phase of ‘Get Sri Lankaned’ promotional campaign on 18th May 2013 at Taj Lands end Hotel, Mumbai. Over 175 Indian tour operators, have participated in this business meeting. They had productive discussions with their leading Sri Lankan counterparts. Thus, the event has created a platform to strengthen the existing businesses and to create new business opportunities.

Addressing the Business meeting Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathna invited Indian business community to make their investments in Sri Lanka where there is peace and political stability. Speking on the occasion Mr.Gunarathna said that  Sri Lanka is a country which had been waiting for peace .”No incident has been recorded since the end of conflict four years back”,he said.The Chairman stressed that Sri Lanka is now a stable country treading on the path of development. 

Sri Lanka Tourism, under the Ministry of Economic Development, has organized this event in partnership with state associate partners such as Sri Lankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka Tea Board, National Gem and Jewelry Authority, Export Development Board, National Film Corporation, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Export Development Board, Sri Lanka Handy Craft Board(Laksala), and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Taj Hotels and Palaces ,Sri Dalada Maligawa-Kandy , Tourists Hotel Association Of Sri Lanka(THASL),Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators(SLAITO), Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET) ,Avirate, Dankotuwa porcelain, Noritake, Prasanna Bathik, Dilmah Tea, Siddhalepa, Stone “N” String, Liya Abiiman-woven together , NIBM – National Institute of Business Management,Ranjanas – 7 stories join as the associated partners for this joint promotion campaign.