Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Song - “Paradise Calling” Launched

Sri Lanka Tourism’s promotional song titled “Paradise Calling” was ceremoniously launched at a function held at “Ape Gama” in Battaramulla in the presence of Hon. M.L.A.M Hizbullah – Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Willie Gamage secretary to the Ministry of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation . Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathna Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism , Mr. Rumy Jauffer Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Dr.D.S Jayaweera – Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Mr. Nilmin Nanayakkara Board Member of SLTPB. The song’s Musical concept and Direction was done by Sri Lanka’s famous young artist duo Bathiya & Santush. The lyrics were written by veteran song writer Mr. Kelum Srimal. The launching ceremony was held with the participation of more than 24 young vocalists and many distinguished guests representing travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka. This is the brain Child of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development to produce a promotional song for Sri Lanka Tourism industry. The new promotional song contains lyrics in all 03 official languages to appeal to a wider audience both locally and internationally. It covers major attractions of Sri Lanka, the heritage, lifestyle, hospitality, culture, natural beauty and the warmth of rivaled by Sri Lankan people. The new song will be used for all Sri Lanka Tourism promotional activities in order to uphold the numerous tourism attractions and value of Sri Lanka as a traveler’s paradise. SLTPB is also planning to produce this song in many languages in the future.

Santa Comes on the Double Decker this Christmas too

The Colombo City Tour brings Santa Claus to town once again on the open deck double decker this season from the 19th to the 23rd of December. These exciting seasonal packages offer a joyous ride around the city of Colombo with Santa on board, an educative live commentary and an unforgettable white Christmas experience with excitement and fun at the Excel World entertainment park, Colombo. Santa will flag off the 3 hour tour from the Galle Face green at 4:00 pm. The tour will commence with a ride around the city seeing all the important landmarks in Colombo, including the harbor area, the Nelum Pokuna, Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre, the Town Hall, BMICH, Race Course area, Gangarama area and other places of interest. There will be a brief stop at the Independence Square and the live commentary by a professional guide will impart educative and historical information on the city.

Sri Lanka Tourism Set for Another Record Breaking Year

During the first eleven months of this year Sri Lanka tourism industry’s has surpassed the record breaking 1,005,605 visitors it attracted during the year 2012 thus marking an another record year of tourist arrivals. Celebrating the achievement, Sri Lanka Tourism today(30th November) held a special program at the Bandaranaike International Airport, where it presented a surprise gift to a Russian tourist couple, who arrived in the Island for a holiday. Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau – Mr. Rumy Jauffer, Director Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Ms. Madubhani Perera, Mr. Mervin Fernandopulle – Board Member of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr. Mahen Kariyawasam President of Sri Lanka Inbound tour operators Association, Mr. Suresh De Mel President of Small and Medium Tourism Entrepreneurs representatives from travel and tourism industry warmly welcomed the guests who arrived in Sri Lanka via flight UL 543 from Moscow at 6.15am. The couple Mr. Mikhalev Vitaly and Ms.Belova Tatiaua Both husband and wife, who were selected randomly was offered a 6 night / 7 – day free Sri Lanka holiday package. The duo can use it for their next holiday in the Island.

Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013

CHOGM is held every two years and is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making body. Commonwealth leaders agreed on Sri Lanka as the 2013 host for the meeting when they met in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 2009. They reaffirmed this decision at the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia.

Xi’an Tourism Road Show

The Road show held in Xi’an was successfully concluded parallel to the Beijing International Travel Fair 2013 (BITE 2013), with promising prospect to the future of Sri Lanka Tourism.

His Excellency Ranjith Uyangoda, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to the People’s Republic of China was the chief guest of this event which was targeted at the Tour operators and Hotels who took part in the BITE 2013. This event was conducted under the guidance of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, The Minister of Economic Development.

Arabian Travel Mart 2013 ( ATM-2013) ends with more benefits to Sri Lanka Tourism

The Arabian Travel Mart 2013 (ATM 2013), the leading tourism promotional campaign in the Middle East, has become a major success for Sri Lanka Tourism Industry this year. This is the 11th consecutive year that SLTPB participates in ATM. Along with SLTPB, 56 co-exhibiting industry stakeholders will also participate at the event. This event held at Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre in UAE from 06th to 09th May 2013.

The Sri Lankan stall at the ATM-2013, carefully crafted basing on the theme of wildlife and nature, was a real eye catcher in the event. Its atmosphere, demonstrating the replicas of real elephants in greenery, was exceptional among the other stalls and the Sri Lankan stall was one of the most taken photographs in the event.

The Sri Lankan delegation to this event was led by Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, along with the support of Sri Lankan Embassy in UAE, under His Excellency Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya Ambassador for Sri Lanka to UAE, His support in organizing this event was highly appreciated. Representing SLTPB, its Assistant Director Sampath Alahakoon and M. Maleviarachchi,Deputy Director were also among the delegation.

Traditional Dancing in Sri lanka

There are three main styles of Sri Lankan classical dance:

• The Kandyan dances of the Hill Country, known as Uda Rata Natum;
• The low country dances of the southern plains, known as Pahatha Rata Natum;
• Sabaragamuwa dances, or Sabaragamuwa Natum.

Kandyan dance takes its name from Kandy, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka, which is situated about 120 kilometers from the modern capital at Colombo. This genre is today considered the classical dance of Sri Lanka. In Sanskrit terminology it is considered pure dance (nrtta); it features a highly developed system of "tala" (rhythm), provided by cymbals called "thalampataa". There are five distinct types; the ves, naiyandi, uddekki, pantheru, and vannams.

The three classical dance forms differ in their styles of body-movements and gestures, in the costumes worn by the performers, and in the shape and size of the drums used to provide rhythmic sound patterns to accompany the dancing.

The drum used in Kandyan dancing is known as the Geta Bera, the drum in Ruhunu dancing as the "Yak Bera", and drum in Sabaragamu dancing as the "Davula" (the word Bera or Bereya in Sinhale means "Drum") The Geta Bera is beaten with the hands as is also Yak Bera, while the Davula is played with a stick on one side and with one hand on the other side; the Geta Bera has a body which tapers on both sides while the Yak Bera and the Davula both have cylindrical bodies.

The main distinguishing feature between Kandyan and Sabaragamu dancing, and Ruhunu dancing, is that Ruhunu dancers wear masks.

Diyatha Uyana - Sri Lanka

Diyatha Uyana” Walking Path and flower shops at Diyawanna Oya Waters Edge premises, Battaramulla was declared open on 15th September.

The opening ceremony of the “Diyatha Uyana” was graced by Hon. Basil Rohana Rajapaksa, Senior adviser to the President and Minister of Economic Development and Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

The unexpected visit of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the venue came as a surprise.

The Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, operating under the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and the Civil Security Department constructed the “Diyatha Uyana” under the guidance of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

                         

Three Day Mega Promotion Campaign in Mumbai,India

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has organised the second phase of the three day mega promotional campaign in India to be held in Mumbai during 10th – 20th May 2013.The key government stake holders with private sector organisations will be partnering with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to promote destination Sri Lanka in the Indian market.

Ballooning in Sri Lanka

Treat yourself to a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful countryside of Sri Lanka. There are few pleasures as unforgettable as drifting gently over breathtaking views. It's an experience you'll never forget !

Greet the rising sun as it paints the landscape with wonderful colors while your balloon inflates majestically. Feel the excitement as you lift off and drift effortlessly over the spectacular scenery. As the climbing goes on unnoticed, find yourself amidst endless horizons of rugged mountains and green fields with only the burners to disturb the peace.

Watch your pilot gradually lower the balloon to inches above the evergreen trees as you pick leaves or touch the tree tops, spot a bird or an animal waking to the daybreak