Art, culture to the fore

By Cheranka Mendis
Sri Lanka will celebrate this year’s World Tourism Day through art and culture, Deputy Economic Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
Speaking at a press conference, Abeywardena stated that this year’s World Tourism Day activities would take place centred around the Beira Lake.

“We have organised a one km long art wall to be constructed, with students from over 150 schools taking part in painting it under the theme ‘Sri Lanka in 10 years,’” Abeywardena said.
To be held on 25, 26 and 27 September, the wall will be erected down Navam Mawatha.The Ministry will invite tourists staying over in all Colombo hotels to come witness the project, he said.
There will also be a special train from Katunayake to Colombo bringing in tourists during the period. Exhibitions showcasing culture and heritage and entertainment shows featuring cultural dance acts and music events will also be organised during the period. The majority of the shows will take place on the island built in the middle of the lake.
“We hope to create a special tourism zone during the period. We will also call tourists from all over to come witness these events and take back word of how beautiful Sri Lanka is to friends and family.”Eight commemoration stamps with Sri Lanka’s main tourism attractions are also set to be launched.
Last year, Sri Lanka Tourism celebrated the day under the theme ‘tourism and biodiversity’ by launching a new site of natural biodiversity in Kirala Kale. The said property of 1,000 acres boasts a number of flora and fauna unique to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Tourism also launched a special brochure, conducted islandwide essay competitions and photography and SMS campaigns and held kite festivals to celebrate the day in 2010.