Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa met high level business delegations led by the French Ambassador and the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka respectively with a view to promoting investments from France and the United Kingdom. Addressing the business community that included some of the leading enterprises in the fields of insurance, garments, tourism and ...

World Tourism Day 2011 focuses on empowering youthThis year’s World Tourism Day will be celebrated under the theme of ‘Tourism – Linking Cultures’ set by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.  The main focus of this year’s theme is to foster awareness among the international community of the value of tourism and its cultural impact ...

the ground arrangements. The co-sponsors are Connaissance – Moscow, the Sri Lanka Tourism Pro...

Last week I received an invite for an ‘Inventors Day Celebration’ in one of the leading schools in the country and the master in charge shared a thought that I felt was a cutting edge idea. Apparently, every one of us is an inventor in some part of our daily life. The issue is that ...

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 ...

By Cheranka Mendis Tapping into the high-end tourism market Russia would help boost tourism numbers in large volumes and drive the industry to surpass the expected arrivals of 750,000 by the end of the year to over 800,000. SriLankan Airlines yesterday made its first direct flight to Moscow, the financial and political centre of Russia. ...

The Travels and Holidays Network, a Toronto and UK based Travel Event Management team with the assistance of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka, in Toronto is organising “Wonder Sri Lanka” Travel and Trade Show on 16th and 17th of October 2011 to promote Sri Lankan Tourism and Trade in North America in Toronto, Canada.

The number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka went up 29.6 % to 72,463 in the month of August 2011, compared to August 2010 which was only 55,898, according to the latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). .

Midst a gathering of the cream of the tourism industry, diplomats and media, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Strategy 2011 to 2016 was unveiled on Monday with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Deputy Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena officiating. Here are some highlights. Pix by Upul

Despite crises in most world markets, the Government yesterday remained upbeat on prospects for Sri Lanka’s exports which have grown by 35% so far to reach $ 5 billion giving optimism that end 2011 figure would top $ 10 billion. “On the back of 21% growth in exports in 2010, current year’s exports have grown ...

Sept 06, Colombo: Sri Lanka has launched a new five-year plan under the guidance of the Economic Development Minister to boost tourism in the country as the country is focusing on development two years after eradicating decades-long terrorism that stalled the progress .

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Strategy for 2011-2016 was launched under the patronage of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development at King's Court, Cinnamon Lakeside on 06 September 2011.

Govt. officially launches development strategy 2011-2016 sticking to the same target of 2.5 m tourists by 2016 as announced way back in January 2010 via Mahinda Chinthanaya Extended Vision Spells out plans for 2011 and details Visit Sri Lanka 2011 initiatives after eight months have passed and in 5 year master plan Strategy document of ...

Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa greet each other in traditional Sri Lankan style after the latter presented the 2011-2016 tourism development strategy to the former as  tourism industry leaders applaud. Among them from left

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is positive about the China Aviation Technology Import-E..

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is positive about the China Aviation Technology Import-Export Corporation's (CATIC) five star hotel project which is expected to be launch by the end of thi .....

“Wonder Sri Lanka” will be the first ever exclusive Sri Lanka Travel and Trade Show to be held in Toronto, Canada. The two-day Show will begin on the 16th of next month. The purpose is to promote Sri Lanka tourism and trade in North America.

A professional in the aviation industry is planning to boost sales for the airline he works for by encouraging more Japanese to visit Sri Lanka. Khun Weerawat Swasdibutra, the former General Manager .....

By Cheranka Mendis Sri Lanka’s wildlife parks bring in collective revenue of approximate Rs.300 million a year which is hoped to increase within the next few years riding on the increasing tourist arrivals to the country. Sri Lanka’s tourism industry which showcased a steady climb this year, registering a 36% growth within the first seven ...

Minister Yapa and Tourism team fly in Deccan helicopter to inspect arrangements for Pro Surf 2011 In response to growing demand for its services Deccan Aviation Lanka Ltd has placed an order for an additional twin engine helicopter for delivery early next year. The Company currently operates a Bell helicopter in addition to recently deploying ...

Stock Broking firm Capital Alliance suggests that the 2.6 million tourist arrivals target isn’t a pipedream but achievable though it will be only by 2020, which is 4 years later than the Government and industry set timeline of 2016. “The Government projects 2.5m arrivals in 2016, but the industry will lack the rooms and trained ...

Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka ’s exotic southeast coastline, is set to welcome 96 top world surfers from 19 countries spanning Argentina , Peru , USA across the globe to New Zealand , to compete in SriLankan Airlines Pro Surfing contest held in association with Australasia ’s Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) from 30th August – ...

The first group of pilgrims comprising 61 Indonesians arrived in Sri Lanka flying Mihin Air. They are here for meditation as per the invitation made by Nauyane Ariya Dhamma Thero. The main aim of this visit is to learn and practice meditation from the Thero and the group plans to visit Anuradhapura, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy and the Kelaniya Temple in ...

Sri Lanka, after a more than two years after the end of 30-year civil war,the tourism in the island nation is now on track to recovery with several development projects under way. Despite the global financial downturn and ensuing ups and downs, the underperforming tourism industry in Sri Lanka has shown strong signs of pickup over the last two years.

COLOMBO, 26 AUGUST, 2011: More than two years after the end of Sri Lanka's 30-year civil war, the island nation is now on track to recovery with several development projects under way and its tourism sector reviving, reports China's news agency Xinhua.

Combined publicity programme The Government’s plan to formulate a combined publicity programme to build a unified brand for Sri Lanka tourism is well timed and one of the brilliant steps taken in the right direction. It is noted that the project is to be named Tourism Promotion Programme (TPP

By Cheranka Mendis In keeping with the monthly promotion activities in line with ‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011’ year, a host of lectures and awareness programmes on wildlife have been lined up for September. Identified as the month for nature and wildlife, Sri Lanka Tourism along with Sri Lanka

Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa was among buyers of Colombo Land Development yesterday. Around 1.86 million shares of CLND traded yesterday between a high of Rs. 67 and a low of Rs. 62.50 before closing at Rs. 64, down by Rs. 1.60. Godahewa had picked up 350,000 shares at Rs. 65.50 in a deal worth Rs. ...

The ‘Lanka Challenge 2011’ trishaw race started off in grand style on Saturday 20 August 2011 at 8:30 a.m. from the premises of Tangerine Tree Hotel, Minuwangoda. The competitors kicked off to a solid start, with the official flag-off given by the Acting Director General of Sri Lanka