Enormous concessions given for staging IIFA event in Colombo

Besides a staggering Rs 222.3 million (US $ 1,950,000), the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) agreed to provide a host of other concessions including more than 2,600 free rooms and Customs waivers for the Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) ceremony held in Colombo.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the SLTPB and Wizcraft International Entertainment Ltd., which held the franchise for the events, shows that the SLTPB agreed to provide presidential suites, two bedroom suites, one bedroom suite and single rooms free of charge.

All meals for those sharing the suites and rooms were provided free after the menu was decided upon by the board in consultation with the franchise holder.

Also given free were 350 Business Class tickets, 300 Economy Class tickets and 100 additional economy class tickets (besides related expenses). These tickets were for flights to Colombo from Sydney, Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai among other destinations.

The MoU has been signed on behalf of the SLTPB by its Chairman Eranga Basnayake and Managing Director Dileep Mudadeniya.

As is now known, most of the leading Indian actors and actresses did not turn up for the IIFA awards ceremony. A larger section of the local film artistes also did not take part.

Here are some of the highlights of the many concessions the SLTPB offered in terms of the MoU:

Airport Services

i. SLTPB shall provide the following services, at no cost to Wizcraft, for the IIFA Weekend and Awards related activities:

a. SLTPB shall provide necessary visas/visa waivers for IIFA Contingent and performers, dancers and crew working on the weekend. Wizcraft shall provide a list of all such people and those who will be required to stay in Colombo for more than 30 days. This list to be provided at least 2 weeks prior to arrival. However in such case where it is not possible to provide the names 2 weeks prior, the same will be provided prior to departure from India.

b. Express check in facilities at dedicated counters in Mumbai, Chennai and Colombo.

c. Group check in facilities in Mumbai, Chennai and Colombo.

d. Express VIP immigration procedures with usage of VIP lounge facilities in Colombo for identified IIFA Contingent.

e. Custom waiver for all goods being carried via commercial airlines for usage during IIFA Weekend and Awards 2010.

f. Special baggage screening and clearance in Colombo for IIFA Contingent.

g. Special baggage allowance for IIFA Contingent in India and Sri Lanka.

h. VIP meet, greet and assist with traditional welcome for IIFA Contingent in Colombo.

i. Special parking arrangements for vehicles dedicated to IIFA contingent movement at the airport to facilitate quick arrivals and departures.

A comprehensive list of requirements will be presented to SLTPB not later than 10 May 2010

Logistics

i. SLTPB shall provide the following to Wizcraft, free of cost:

a. Communications.

i. 300 Sim cards with a total top up value of 1000000 worth of top up value.

ii. 70-80 walkie talkies with minimum range of 1 km and with multi channels (subject to defence clearance)
b. Freight & Excess baggage.

i. 12 nos 40ft sea containers with door-to-door service, including custom charges and clearances, between Mumbai-Colombo -Mumbai and Chennai/Cochin-Colombo-Chennai/Cochin.

20000 kg excess baggage/cargo (as the requirement may be) to be air lifted from India to Colombo and back.

Sponsorship rights

No sponsorship rights are granted to SLTPB unless specifically granted in writing.

SLTPB Promotional Campaigns

Wizcraft may at its sole discretion allow additional promotional campaigns that SLTPB may want to implement with the sole intention of creating excitement, awareness and traffic to Sri Lanka. However it is expressly agreed by SLTPB that all such promotios will be implemented only after written approval given by Wizcraft, which shall not be unduly withheld subject to no cost for Wizcraft unless otherwise agreed by both parties

Consideration

SLTPB shall provide Consideration of a fixed amount of USD $ 1,950,000/- (United States Dollar One Million Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand only) excluding any and all applicable taxes (i.e. including but not limited to taxes on income/withholding tax on income, other statutory levies, etc.). In case if taxes and levies (e.g. VAT, GST, Service tax, etc. by whatever named called) in Sri Lanka is chargeable by Wizcraft on the Consideration, SLTPB undertakes to additionally bear such taxes or arrange for its exemption for Wizcraft.

Event catering

SLTPB shall provide event catering, free of cost to Wizcraft, for all the events held during the IIFA Weekend 2010 at the location of such event and for the number of people outlined in the Event Schedule. The menus for such catering shall be designed by SLTPB/hotel/caterer in consultation with Wizcraft.

In-Suite F&B and Incidentals Payments

For the 75 nominated suites, all in-suite incidentals including but not limited to internet access (except as otherwise provided herein), and pay-per-view movies shall be provided free of charge by SLTPB.

In all other rooms, all in-suite dining and incidentals (except as otherwise provided herein or agreed upon at a later stage) including but not limited to telephone usage, internet access (except as otherwise provided herein) and pay-per-view movies etc consumed by hotel guests will be paid by such guests.

Indian Food

Indian food will be available 24 hours in all the hotels where IIFA Contingent and guests are staying

Laundry

All rooms to have complimentary regular laundry, dry cleaning or pressing services subject to a daily limit of 6 pieces per person. The daily limits will be accumulative and therefore unused amounts can be carried forward. Either the guest or Wizcraft will be responsible for settling any laundry bills in excess of the cumulative daily limit at the time of checkout.

Internet

A total of 65 rooms (to be identified by Wizcraft) will be provided with complimentary Internet access for the complete duration of occupation during the Event.

The Media Centre and IIFA Office for crew will have complimentary Internet access for the complete duration of the Event. 30 Identified IIFA staff rooms will have 24 hour complimentary internet facilities for the entire duration of the stay.

Spa Treatments

SLTPB will provide 150 free Spa treatments to Wizcraft during the Event.

Resort Packages

SLTPB will provide 150 free Resort Packages to Wizcraft during the Event. These packages will be for resorts in Sri Lanka which will be mutually agreed between the 2 parties

Hospitality Services

SLTPB shall provide the following for the IIFA Crew, free of cost

i. Vehicles and telephone cards

1. 4 Vehicles x 30 days (Mini Van or Cars) along with Rs. 1,000/= worth of calls per day for 10 pax.

2. 3 Vehicles x 200 days (Mini Van or Cars) along with Rs. 1,000/= worth of calls per day for 06 pax.

3. 4 Vehicles x 7 days (Mini Van or Cars) along with Rs. 1,000/= worth of calls per day for 21 pax.

4. 4 Vehicles x 14 days (Mini Van or Cars) along with Rs. 1,000/= worth of calls per day for 220 pax.

This is beside a fleet of 166 cars, super luxury sedans, luxury sedans, like Mercedes Benz, BMW, luxury buses and luggage vans, all free of charge.

Internet facilities will be provided by creating WIFI hotspots in Fashion Show, Premiere and IIFA Awards venues for the following:

5. Project Team: 75 pax for 10 days

6. Weekend: 75 pax for 5 days

7. Crew: 75 for 15 days

8. Media: 80 pax for 5 days

SLTPB agrees to indemnify Wizcraft and keep Wizcraft indemnified against any and all claims or liabilities arising out of any failure by the defaulting party to comply with the governing law in performing its obligations or exercising its rights mentioned in the Agreement and/or in respect of any breach, action, omission or negligence on the part of the defaulting party.