Former Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Vasantha Leelananda in this interview with the Daily FT shares some key insights on the future of tourism industry in post-war Sri Lanka Q: Do you believe that the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is on the correct path in terms

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presents development-oriented fiscal programme for 2012 and medium-term policy framework with support for almost all key segments of society and economy In their initial takes, overall welcome tone from private sector, though a few express concerns on select proposals President and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday presented what the Government described as ....

Analysts say sound fiscal programme for 2012 and medium term private sector oriented policy framework crucial for country to move forward putting behind controversial Expropriation Act Improving fiscal management gives hope for further progress Robust public investment programme; lower deficit; greater clarity and consistency taking on from 2011 Budget envisaged Budget 2012 tipped to showcase ...

Offering epic safari adventures, Chaaya Wild transcends expectations and enthrals nature enthusiastsBy Marianne David If there’s one message that Yala reinforces, it’s the fact Sri Lanka is so abundantly blessed – a miracle in many ways. Despite its rising position as a hotspot for leopards being temporarily halted in its tracks during the latter stages ...

In an exclusive interview with the Daily FT, Keells Hotel Management Services Head of Eco Tourism and Special Projects Chitral Jayatilake said that over the years, Yala has progressed from being a great place to go on safari to a great place to see leopards. According to Jayatilake, the transition took place over the last ...

By Cheranka Mendis The tourism industry yesterday welcomed the reduction in the online visa processing fee from the initial US$ 50 flat rate for every country, giving into the concerns and objections of industry stakeholders. The scheme, scheduled to be in effect from January 2012, will now charge US$ 10 from travellers from South Asian ...

By Cheranka Mendis Chairman and founding member of CSR Asia, Richard Welford was in Sri Lanka for a hands on two day training course titled ‘Embedding global compact and sustainability in to your organisation’. Organised by UN ESCAP, Global Compact Network Ceylon and The Global Compact Regional Support Centre Asia Pacific, the course was taken ...

Amidst woes in US and European markets, Sri Lanka’s apparel sector has survived to grow with the outlook for the next few quarters remaining positive, industry sources told the Daily FT yesterday. Whilst July saw earnings from textiles and garments increase year on year by 5% to US$ 385

The Daily FT, the country’s only daily business paper, is spearheading a unique private-public sector forum aimed at shaping the thinking and policies ahead of the presentation of the Government’s 2012 Budget. The forum titled ‘Speak Up Before the 2012 Budget’ tomorrow

By Cheranka Mendis Hayleys Group on friday introduced the latest airline to enter the Sri Lankan skies, Ukrainian airline AeroSvit, which has been brought into Sri Lanka on an investment of US$ 65,000 (approximately Rs. 7. 16 million). The airline, acknowledged as the largest in Ukraine, will operate on a point-to-point non-stop basis to Colombo ...

By Cheranka Mendis The Cabinet-approved online visa system which will come into effect from January 2012 may hinder the arrivals from the country’s main tourism markets with the high levy of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that will be set on all inbound tourists. With India and UK being Sri Lanka’s prime tourist markets bringing in ...

Amidst crises in the region, Sri Lanka remains the star for both stock market and tourism sector performance in Asia. As reported in the Daily FT on Monday, the Colombo Stock Exchange remains Asia’s best performing frontier market with an over 2% year to date growth. This is in contrast

 By Cheranka Mendis A three-day tourism awareness event organised by Wayamba Development Authority comes to an end today, having attracted more than 200 people from the area on the first two days. The event, held in conjunction with World Tourism Day celebrations, took the same line as the global theme of ‘Linking Cultures’ and presented ...

Industry expects modest growth but no boom expectationsby Cheranka Mendis The tourism industry is looking at a 10-15% increase during the coming winter season although there will be no sell-out as earlier expected, according to industry experts. The season, which usually amounts to the highest number of arrivals each year, was initially expected to bring ...

* Delay due to online arrival systems not being in place by September but launch likely By Cheranka Mendis Reluctant to undercut a booming tourism industry, the decision to end visa on arrival for 84 countries has been postponed till January, the Immigration and Emigration Department said yesterday. This means that the Cabinet-approved online visa ...

John Keells Holdings Plc is empowering its leisure group staff with training from the world-renowned Jumeirah Group-linked Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM) in Dubai. The company said yesterday that over 500 leisure sector employees have so far undergone training and exposure on both practical and theoretical aspects of hospitality and service excellence as part ...

Targets hotel sector; offers seven FCS products to local customersBy Cheranka Mendis Supporting the boost in tourism, integrated solution provider Fentons Limited forged a partnership with one of the world’s leading hospitality solution providers, FCS Computer Systems, on Wednesday, offering Sri Lankan hospitality industrialists world class solutions for their companies. The partnership, whi...

Acquire 40% stake in Sri Lanka’s oldest conglomerate George Steuart & Company marking a new beginning and in first major deal between the two Former Chairmen Scott Direckze, S. Skandakumar and current Chairman Jayantha Wimalagooneratne sell stakes; deal on Group MD Dubsy Kanagaratnam's stake pending Dilith to use 176 year old firm as vehicle to ...

Bullish on post-war revival in tourism and to cater to growing demand for its hospitality Renuka City Hotels Plc, is investing Rs. 200 million to add 20 more rooms, bringing the total to 100 inclusive of the adjoining Hotel Renuka. Chairman Ravi Thambiayah told the Daily FT that the company

By Cheranka Mendis Pioneers in ayurvedic hospitals and resorts, Hettigoda Group yesterday ceremonially opened its newly renovated Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort in Wadduwa. The resort which has been completely renovated and refurbished at a cost of Rs. 150 million in a period of two months is looking at expanding and adding more features within the ...

The Sri Lanka Private Sector Assessment of the Report to the United Nations Secretary General by the Panel of Experts on accountability in Sri Lanka was released on Thursday. The private sector critique is a compilation of views raised by a private sector group in Sri Lanka who are concerned about the content of the ...

By Dinali Goonewardena Malwatte Valley Plantations  said it was not going ahead with plans to go for a rights issue aimed at raising Rs. 606 million and would instead be going for a loan of Rs.750 million and USD 5 million. ‘Conditions on the Colombo stock market were not conducive for a rights issue and ...

Asia Capital recently sold its 53% stake in Asian Alliance Insurance and a 40% stake in Asia Siyaka, realising Rs. 2.3 billion. It now plans to forge ahead with a new portfolio of investments in films, hotels and IT. Asia Capital’s senior management outlined these plans and its forthcoming Initial Public Offering, plans to float ...

By Devin Jayasundera Siedles Ltd., Sri Lanka’s leading electronic appliances supplier yesterday launched the new Sony Bravia high definition televisions to excite local customers. Sony the forerunner of innovative technology has being one of the leading brands in consumer electronics, which has spread its wings in providing 3D entertainment for televisions. Sony Bravia LCD HDTV ...

Pledges to import more from Sri Lanka; encourage more Chinese tourists in tandem with greater connectivity during official talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa The Chinese Government has assured Sri Lanka it will increase imports as well as encourage more tourists, two moves which will further boost ties between the two countries. This assurance was given ...