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China will hold air defence and live-fire drills near its border with Myanmar from Wednesday, state media said, in this month's second round of such exercises as fighting between Myanmar's ruling junta and rebel forces intensifies.

China's military said on Wednesday it sent fighter jets to monitor and warn a U.S. Navy patrol aircraft that flew over the sensitive Taiwan Strait, a mission that took place just hours after a call between the Chinese and U.S. defence chiefs.

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A Russian poetry competition has banned transgender people from submitting entries this year, in what it says is an effort to protect traditional values.

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SLTPB Chief bullish on robust tourism rebound

Tuesday, 16 April 2024 01:05 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu 

• Highlights Sri Lanka’s resilience at first-ever roadshow in Australia 
• Expresses confidence in achieving 2.3 m arrivals matching peak numbers recorded in 2018
• Outlines Sri Lanka’s appeal as year-round destination, offering diverse experiences 
• Cites endorsements from Hollywood filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford who chose Sri Lanka as filming location
• Encourages visitors to explore offerings in depth, suggesting minimum stay of 7 days to fully experience island’s wonders 

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu expressed optimism about the tourism industry’s recovery, stating that 2024 is poised to be a significant year for the destination after multiple and unique challenges it faced during the past few years. Speaking during the first-ever Sri Lanka Tourism roadshow in Australia’s multi-cities, he highlighted the resilience as a destination, stressing the remarkable progress made in tourism despite facing unique challenges compared to competing markets like the Maldives or Vietnam.  “We have recovered very well. You can’t compare Sri Lanka with other competing markets. Of course, they had COVID, but they did not have an economic crisis, where we had to get tourists to go out of the country. So, from what it was in 2022, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has bounced back and 2024 is going to be a significant year for us,” he said.

He lauded Sri Lanka’s recovery strides, noting a robust increase in tourist arrivals, with over half a million visitors recorded in just the first two and a half months of 2024. “This year we have set an ambitious target of attracting 2.3 million tourists, matching the peak numbers achieved in 2018,” he expressed confidence in hitting the milestone. Underlining Sri Lanka’s unique selling points, Gajabahu elaborated on the country’s appeal as a year-round destination, offering diverse experiences including; sea and sand, wellness, adventure, romance, wildlife and cultural immersion. He emphasised the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage, citing endorsements from world-renowned Hollywood filmmakers who chose Sri Lanka as a filming location. “Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford, who filmed scenes for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom called our island nation a studio and that is Sri Lanka,” he asserted. Gajabahu also recalled significant events, such as the Australian national cricket team’s visit to Sri Lanka during the height of the economic crisis, symbolising solidarity and resilience. “The Australian national cricket team came to Sri Lanka and they played three ODI matches and three T20 matches in Sri Lanka. At the finals, over 40,000 Sri Lankan fans wore Australian jerseys to show their genuine gratitude for coming to Sri Lanka in the face of economic adversity,” he added. SLTPB Chief also said that it was the inaugural participation of Sri Lanka in a business-to-business (B2B) tourism roadshow. “This achievement underscores our commitment to fostering positive relationships and advancing collaboration in the business sphere,” he added. Noting Sri Lanka’s rich natural heritage spanning 2500 years, he acknowledged the presence of colonial powers such as the Dutch, Portuguese, and British, who spent 150 years in the country. “While we appreciate their contributions, including the introduction of tea and railway systems, we now encourage them to return and explore Sri Lanka’s offerings in depth. This time maybe they can stay for seven days to fully experience the wonders of the island, with the opportunity to contribute economically,” he added. Gajabahu encourages travellers to explore Sri Lanka’s myriad offerings, whilst recommending first-time visitors spend at least seven days to fully immerse themselves in the country’s diverse landscapes and activities. “Sri Lanka is not just a one-time bucket list destination but a place where visitors return for more, captivated by its charm and diversity with each visit,” he pointed out.

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This entire island gifted by shining blue water. Therefore, Sri Lanka is most popular for beaches among tourists.   Read More

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Hello Again Sri Lanka

Mega Travel Influencer ‘Nas Daily’ join-hands to promote Tourism in Sri Lanka

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• Marketing Drive by Sri Lanka Tourism at Thai International Travel Fair 2019
• Sri Lanka dazzles in the heart of Bollywood Once again
• Global Instagram Titans join hands with Sri Lanka Tourism to get inspired by their global 22 million travel seeking foll
• Spanish travelers enthralled by So Sri Lanka experience at FITUR Travel Fair, Spain 2019
• MS Queen Mary passenger cruise arrival 2019
• “So Sri Lanka” won the Best Decorated International Pavilion at the 26th PTAA Travel and Tour Expo 2019 – Manila,
• Sri Lanka to take sports Tourism towards a new dimension
• OTOAI to host annual convention in Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka, a must travel destination
• Sri Lanka shows its prestige at the CMT Germany
• Sri Lanka makes a successful participation at SATTE 2019
• Sri Lanka takes the Centre stage at Vakantiebeurs
• Three cruise liners ferry in over 7000 tourists to Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka reach new heights in world luxury travel trade at ILTM Travel Fair, Cannes, France 2018
• Sri Lanka steals the spotlight at historical city of Izmir
• Sri Lanka at Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens
• CEAV congress ends on successful note
• Sri Lanka shines at TT Warsaw
• British film location managers scout for scenic spots
• Situation Update
• Lonely Planet’s best travel destinations for 2019 revealed
• Sri Lanka attracts charter flights from Europe
• Sri Lanka Tourism Welcomes Barmy Army
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, launches Sri Lanka’s new destination brand “So Sri Lanka”
• Legendary Vagabrothers geared up to take Sri Lanka to the world
• Sri Lanka shines at JATA Tourism Expo 2018 in Japan
• Enchanting Lanka Presented to French Media at Cercle de l'Union Interalliee Paris France
• Sri Lanka Tourism gains momentum at 40th Anniversary Edition of IFTM TOP RESA Travel Fair 2018 in Paris France
• Film Fare selects Sri Lanka to do the cover shoot of its November issue
• Sri Lanka Strengthens ties with the Russian Counterparts
• Sri Lanka Tourism makes inroads into Scandinavia
• Sri Lanka recognized as Asia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination
• Roadshow Germany 2018
• Leisure and golf, a new tourism trend
• SLTPB scales up tourist arrivals with roadshows
• Discovering Sri Lanka’s lesser known attractions through the eyes of social media influencers
• Sri Lanka beckons Indian travellers to its Ramayana Yathra
• Sri Lanka Tourism bags the best performance award at KOFTA 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism woos tourists from India
• Sri Lanka Tourism carrying out multi-platform global campaigns
• The Tourism Village at Kajugama - Bataleeya
• Minister assures safety of tourists; tough action against errant establishments
• Sri Lanka Tourism impacts French consumers at Salon Mondial Du Tourism (SMT) Travel Fair, Paris, France 2018
• Sri Lanka successfully participates for the first time at DTM 2018
• Underwater with Sri Lanka's sperm whales – in pictures
• Sri Lanka strengthens its industrial ties with Singapore at NATA’s Travel Fair 2018
• Russian visitors impressed with Sri Lanka’s diversity
• Sri Lanka to be the next uprising Paradise for Travel Influencers from around the Globe SLTPB Visiting Blogger Program g
• Sri Lanka Tourism targets top source markets from Western Europe
• Another feather added to Sri Lanka’s cap by the National Geographic
• Update on current situation in Sri Lanka -Kandy returns to normalcy
• SLTPB Visiting Blogger Program geared up for aggressive social media promotion in 2018 with World’s Top Travel influen
• Sri Lanka successfully participates at the Jeddah International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (JTTX-8) 2018 & Road Show in
• Sri Lanka Tourism rolls out effective media campaign at ITB 2018
• ITB is an excellent setting for B2B meetings
• Sri Lanka Tourism aggressive on media & publicity @ ITB 2018
• Sri Lanka Shines at ITB Despite Kandy Blip
• SRI LANKA PARTICIPATION at ASTINDO 2018
• Destinations - The Holiday and Travel Show– Event City Exhibition Centre 17th to 21st January 2018- Manchester
• Holiday World Show 2018 in Dublin Ireland
• Sri Lanka Tourism shines in the Mediterranean at the IMTM Travel Fair 2018
• Sri Lankan Consulate General in Dubai celebrates 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence and 25th year Anniversar
• Sri Lanka targets approximately 450,000, Indian arrivals for the year 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism sees Mumbai as a market for high growth
• New dimension to promote Sri Lanka as a destination
• Costa Neo Classica makes her first arrival on the dawn of 2018
• Sri Lanka recognised a preferred Film Destination for British Filmmakers
• Best countries and cities to visit in 2018: The 18 places you should visit this year
• Sri Lanka Tourism taps high-end Luxury French Travelers Participates at -ILTM Travel Fair in Cannes, France 2017
• Open Air Art Gallery
• Iconic City Tour adds zest to Christmas Fest
• Sri Lanka’s participation at the Winter Festival draws attention as an excellent family destination
• Sri Lanka has been named as the most popular destination on Eurasia review
• MS. Costa Neo Classica makes her second portof call to Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Tourism concludes successful roadshows and food & cultural Event in Australia
• Sri Lanka Tourism wins top award at E-Swabhimani Ceremony
• TourismFest to Dazzle Colombo
• Sri Lanka gets another feather in it’s cap as one of Asia’s most sought after travel destinations
• “MS COSTA NEO CLASSICA” makes het debut arrival to Colombo Port on 5th December 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism creates a global impact at the Family Traveller Awards
• Travel Bloggers make Sri Lanka go viral on Social Media
• The Family Traveller Awards 2017 reveals family-centric travel is booming
• Sri Lanka Tourism strike an all-time high at IFTM TOP RESA 2017 Paris, France
• “Ms MEIN SCHIFF 01” makes her debut arrival to Colombo Port on 13th November 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, title sponsor of the prestigious, annual British Guild of Travel Writers Awards, Lon
• Sri Lanka Targets Leading Middle Eastern Tour Operators
• Colombo to have its first international shopping experience with the Colombo International Shopping Festival
• World Tourism day – 2017
• Commemoration of National Coastal and Marine Resources Convocation Week 2017 (15th – 22nd Sep 2017)
• Sri Lanka captures the attention of Gujaratis
• Sri Lanka’s Uniqueness attracts the Germans
• Sri Lanka taps leading Malaysian Tour operators
• Roadshow in Germany held on 12 September 2017 in Cologne.
• Sri Lanka voted finalist for culture and Heritage Holiday Destination for UK Travel Awards
• Developing connections through Culture and Heritage
• Why Sri Lanka is the ultimate destination
• Dengue Epidemic in Sri Lanka is successfully brought under control
• Sri Lanka poised as the next island paradise for International bloggers
• Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata inaugurated
• Sri Lanka crowned as "Asia’s Leading Destination" at World Travel Awards -2017
• Drowning prevention in Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Tourism shows its compassion towards elephants via training session at Pinnawala
• Sri Lankan Culinary Delights Applauded by Israeli Holiday Makers
• Sri Lanka named Asia’s Leading Destination 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism shows prestige at the ATM
• PATA all set to kick off with their annual summit in Sri Lanka with a bang
• Singapore To Share Digital Tourism Destination Marketing And Promotion Experience With The Democratic Socialist Republic
• German Travel Association contemplates to host next AGM in Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka shows its colors at ITB Berlin 2017
• “A Journal of a Journey” at ITB 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism bags Most Popular Destination Award at GTIF 2017
• Sri Lanka captures Bollywood – Sri Lanka to become a favourite location for Indian films
• Strengthening cultural and religious ties
• Sri Lanka Tourism all set to be profoundly aggressive at ITB Berlin 2017
• Sri Lanka goes around the world with "Eclectic Presse"
• Sri Lanka Tourism Conducts Roadshow in Mumbai
• Sri Lanka shines at SATTE Exhibition in New Delhi
• Two graceful beauties take Sri Lanka to greater heights
• Why is Sri Lanka becoming the most fashionable place to travel
• Sri Lankans in New York - Sri Lanka shows its colors in New York
• Sri Lanka wows the Mediterranean again at the Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition
• Sri Lanka Tourism conquers the Mediterranean at the IMTM Travel Fair 2017
• Australia lowers travel advisory for Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai celebrates 69th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka in grand style
• United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration 2017
• Sri Lanka woos Middle East market at IMTM
• Sri Lanka - An Island for all Seasons for the wider Latin American Market FITUR, Madrid 2017
• Top tourism professional to promote Sri Lanka in Europe
• Sri Lanka Tourism creates a hallmark at the Vakantiebeurs 2017
• German TV crew set to take the Sri Lankan pride to the world
• 55th visit to Sri Lanka – An amazing land mark to achieve
• The hottest hotels opening in 2017: From Iceland to India
• Readers' Choice
• Where to Go in 2017
• The 10 Hottest Travel Destinations of 2017
• Tourism Fest concludes becoming a major crowd puller
• PM kicks off Christmas cheer
• Sri Lankan spirit showcased in Malaysia
• Sri Lanka Tourism kicks off an underground campaign in UK Train Stations
• TT WARSAW – International Travel Show 24 – 26 Nov., 2016 – Warsaw, Poland
• Business Today interview with Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Mr.Paddy Withana
• Tourism Fest To Dazzle Colombo
• Sri Lanka wins ‘’ Best Destination of the Beaten Track ‘’ at the Conde Nast Traveler Middle East Readers ‘Choi
• Sri Lanka Tourism brings all smiles to a rural school in Habarana
• Road Shows in Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary on 14th, 16th and 19th Sept., 2016
• TTG Incontri Travel Fair A 3 day workshop for Tourism Professionals Rimini, Italy - 13th – 15th Oct., 2016
• Sri Lanka shines in UK in WTM
• Mr. Sutheash Balasubramaniam appointed as new Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB)
• WTM 2016 : Elite Traveler Recommends the Best of Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Tourism has been added to the Worldwide Destination Guide
• Ukraine International Airlines Launches Services To Colombo
• Congres des Entrepreneurs du Voyage (JEV) bringing Two nations together
• Oman Travel Agents get a glimpse of Sri Lankan prestige
• SriLanka Tourism Chairman top priorities are its people, environment, wildlife, culture
• Sri Lanka to host French Travel agents’ JEV Congress 2016
• Inaugural Concert of Sri Lankan Cultural Dancing Shows
• Sri Lanka Nation Brand records 9% growth in 2016
• Sri Lanka wows the Sakura Land at the JATA Tourism Expo at Tokyo Big Sight
• Sri Lanka featured as a world tourism hotspot at IFTM Top Resa Travel Fair in Paris, France -2016
• Sri Lanka to shows prestige in crafts work in India
• German Tour operators experience the Sri Lankan splendor on Familiarization Tours
• Sri Lanka Tourism shows local prestige at the OTDYKH Travel Market
• The Sri Lankan flag flies high in Eastern Europe Road Shows in Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary
• Sri Lanka makes inroads in Nordic countries
• Sri Lanka Tourism all set to participate in UK trade road show
• Familiarization Tour for Key Tour Operators from Germany
• Strengthening friendships between neighbors to boost the tourism sector
• Sri Lanka adds color to Kualalumpur at MATTA 2016
• Travel bloggers embark on a journey to discover food and adventure in Sri Lanka
• SLTPB kick-starts Nordic roadshow with success
• Familiarization Tour of Sri Lanka by Thai Travel Agents
• Capturing the special moments of the train ride arranged for UNWTO delegates
• International travel writers, bloggers and electronic media to cover Kandy Perehera
• 35 Photos that will make you want to travel Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized its first Road Show in Singapore
• Legendary Ramayana epic will be expected to uplift Indian tourists’ arrival during the period of upcoming Dewali
• Nuwara Eliya To Host World's Oldest Golf Tournament
• FAM Tour organized by SLTPB in collaboration with Air India for local press
• Sri Lanka Tourism won a couple of awards at the 31st Korea World Travel Fair(KOTFA 2016)-South Korea.
• Conde Nast Traveler named Sigiriya as one The 50 Most Beautiful Places in Asia
• The hottest hotels in Asia and Australia
• Seoul Grand Park held the event 'Culture Day with elephants.'
• The Road Show of Sri Lanka Tourism.
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau focused to promote Buddhist tourism in Thailand
• SL Tourism at Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE - 2016)
• Sri Lanka Tourism has geared up its Visiting Journalist Program to promote Destination Sri Lanka in uprising markets
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion during the Pearl Fishers Opera at the Art Centre in Melbourne on 28th May 2016
• Sri lanka Roadshows toast success in Sydney
• Tea Kiosk at the Bandaranaike International Airport to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Sri Lanka Tourism.
• Asian & Oceanian Championship 2016 starts in Trincomalee
• Sri Lanka Tourism celebrates its Golden Jubilee on 27th May 2016 in Colombo
• Department of Economics, University of Colombo wins Best IFITTtalk 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launches its Road show promotions from Melbourne
• Sri Lanka Tourism takes on Brisbane, Australia
• Sri Lanka Tourism promotes the island as an ideal film destination at Cannes Film Festival
• Sri Lanka Tourism arrives its 50th year
• Visit of Mr. Suniel Shetty
• Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival 2016
• ATM 2016 – SRI LANKA targets high end tourists from Middle East
• Sri Lanka Tourism at ATM
• A unique tea garden to create a value added experience to the tourists during nuwara eliya season
• Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Mobile Service Goes Online
• Traditional Avurudu experience at Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in Colombo
• Sri Lanka at Seatrade Cruise Global 2016, Fort Lauderdale, USA
• COLOMBO SAESM 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism creates waves in the Russia’s No.1 Travel and Tourism Exhibition - MITT in Moscow
• Tourism Road Show events to promote Sri Lanka to industry stakeholders of the Benelux region
• Sri Lanka has released an aggressive island promotion campaign at the beginning of 2016 to attract more French Tourists
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion during the Pearl Fishers Opera at the Opera House in Sydney
• Tourist Information Counter on board “MS Amsterdam”
• ITB Spark!!! - Sri Lanka Tourism shines at ITB Berlin 2016
• Beeralu lace- handicrafts - Sri Lanka Tourism at London Asia House Design 2016
• The “Colombo Bike Week” to boost recreational tourism
• Quest means Business in Sri Lanka
• Hon. Ms Iris Gleicke, the State Secretary visits the Sri Lanka stand at ITB
• Press conference – ITB 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism hits a high note at the Opening ceremony at ITB Berlin 2016
• Sri Lanka wins the most popular destination at Tourism at Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism at Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) , Mumbai 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism at ITB Berlin (9-13th March 2016)
• Sri Lanka Tourism targets Finland market by Participating at MATKA Nordic Travel Fair 2016 in Helsinki, Finland
• The Young Leaders of the Economic Forum on a journey of Culture and Heritage with Sri Lanka Tourism
• Taking cultural and religious parades of Sri Lanka to the world
• Launching a Logo to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Tourism
• Fox News (USA) recommend Destination Sri Lanka
• TripAdvisor looks forward sustainable tourism Conference on Global Travel Insights
• Sri Lanka Tourism attracts flourishing number of foreign spectators to 2016 Duruthu Perahera
• South Asia’s very first Blood Ivory Destruction Event
• Sri Lanka Tourism links with CITES and industry stakeholders to promote Responsible Wildlife Tourism
• Sri Lanka Tourism begins the new year 2016, by investing on a lucrative promotional campaign to shine in South Korea
• ‘Destination Sri Lanka’ at Vakantiebeurs 2016
• Dream Trips 2016 recognises “The World's most extraordinary places to add to your travel wish list”
• Sri LankaTourism poised for sustainable growth...
• MALINDO AIR LAUNCHES DAILY KL-COLOMBO ROUTE
• THE NEW YORK POST REVEALS THE TOP HOTELS TO VISIT IN 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism To Take-off Seasonal Celebrations at the Arcade Independence Square
• The Kingsbury wins World Luxury Hotel Award
• Sri Lanka Tourism showcases at World Travel Mart London with 64 Industry Partners
• Sri Lanka Tourism comes board for ITB Asia 2015 Travel Show
• Austrian Airlines inaugurate flights to Sri Lanka ..
• Sri Lanka wins hosting French Travel Agents Congress (SNAV) 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism showcase “One Island, Thousand Treasures” at IFTM Travel Fair Paris , France 2015 ….
• Tourism Receipts touch $2.1 billion as at end September 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launches Community Aid Tourism with Olympic Gold medallion
• Sri Lanka Tourism must focus on Asian Tourism as arrivals reach 45%
• Sri Lanka Tourism with Pink my Tuk Tuk launch Global Online video competition
• Scandinavian markets grow by 32%: Sri Lanka Tourism focussed marketing drive
• Tourism Record in September: arrivals jump 35.9% to cross 1.3 million
• Elephant Reach Crowned "Best Wildlife Resort" by Lonely Planet Magazine
• Sri Lanka ride the wave at Japan Tourism Expo 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism celebrate 'World Tourism Day' to upgrade industry competitiveness
• The 1st ever Cruise Tourism Marketing Plan presented to the New Tourism Minister
• Sri Lanka focus on South Korea's 14 million outbound market
• Sri Lanka Tourism French Marketing blitz launched
• World Tourism Day 2015- Sri Lanka Tourism & Colombo University MOU to be inked
• Sri Lanka - Cultural focus country at Key Italian Travel Fair TTG
• No 1 GLOBAL SOURCE MARKET: Sri Lanka Tourism launch multi city Road show in Germany
• Miss England plants the 500,000th in the One Million Tree Story Project
• Mr and Miss UK commends Sri Lanka- Destination of the Year title:
• Sri Lanka Tourism to highlight the 1706th Esala Perahera at Japan JATA World Expo 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism show at World Scouts Jamboree - Japan
• Sri Lanka Tourism take Guinness attempt globally from Russia
• SRI LANKA CHALLENGED
• Sri Lanka win the ' Best Stall' - China Xi'an Silk Road Tourism Expo 2015
• UK's best selling newspaper picks Sri Lanka- Destination of the year
• Sri Lanka Tourism enter China's growing religious tourism business
• Sri Lanka Tourism focus on a Indian niche market- IAS officers
• Sri Lanka passes the Guinness Record for largest Tea Party in Kandy
• Sri Lanka tourism to auction Ceylon Sapphire at Scandinavia TUR Travel Fair
• Sri Lanka Tourism, Tea board and Sri Lankan Airlines quest for Guinness Record
• Sri Lanka Tourism focussing on the $92 billion German source market
• Sri Lanka Tourism blitz on Sony Six for Sanga Farewell
• $16.4 million "Monkey Kingdom" launched today in Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Tourism to take Tea theme at World Travel Mart London 2015
• SL Tourism Launch Global Online Video Competition for 365 days holiday
• Sri Lanka Tourism selects 8 American kids for tour of “Monkey Kingdom Trail"
• Sports Tourism is worth $600 billion and Sri Lanka enters with Golf and Surfing
• Sri Lanka Tourism to make cruise segment a top 5 earner for Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka makes inroad to Indian religious tourism market
• China as the tops Tourism arrivals in July crossing 25,000 visitors at +65.5%
• We have to attract the $250 tourist, let's not just chase visitor arrivals
• Whilst Tea brews for Sri Lanka Tourism - arrivals cross 1 million by July 2015
• Sri Lanka Focus On The US$ 2 Billion Whale Watching Bussiness
• Sri Lanka Tourism presents Trinco comes alive !
• Sri Lanka Tourism targeting 75,000 travellers from Australia
• Half Year Tourism earning at $1.3bn - Informal sector continues to drive tourist arrivals
• “Expo 2015 secure a 53 million Sapphire order for Sri Lanka” - Commissioner General Sri Lanka 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launch strong marketing campaign in India
• Two Sri Lanka Tourism Board members win Outstanding Achievement awards
• Sri Lanka Tourism to launch Monkey Kingdom in China
• Sri Lanka Tourism search for Top Global Ad agency
• Sri Lanka Tourism takes high ground on $40bn Silk Road initiative - Qingdao
• Sri Lanka wins Best Tourism Pavilion at Beijing International travel Fair !!
• Tourism Informal sector touching 50% at 7.3mn Guest Nights
• Sri Lanka Tourism beat 52 countries to win top award at Global Travel Fair- KOTFA
• Tourism Promotions Bureau Depoliticized - will work strongly with private sector !
• Sri Lanka Tourism- Air India tap into Trade Tourism
• Sri Lanka Tourism to drive Niche Markets in South Korea
• MISS EARTH ON BOARD THE COLOMBO CITY TOUR
• Sri Lanka focus on the key market - South Korea worth 14 million travellers
• Sri Lanka Tourism - Korean Air joint promotions in South Korean market
• Sri Lanka Tourism strengthens ties with Xinhua News Agency
• University of Sri Jayewardenepura to be the think tank for Sri Lanka Tourism
• Sri Lanka pavilion at Expo Milano cross 30,000 + visitors!
• Miss Earth visits Sri Lanka Tourism whilst earnings touch $1billion by April 2015
• Miss Earth commends Colombo as top fastest growing tourist cities of 2015
• Sri Lanka in a Guinness Record Initiative
• Sri Lanka Tourism launch 200 million new brand building strategy
• 1st time -SL Tourism in Global Cruise push in Busan Korea.
• Sri Lanka Tourism practice nation brand building pillar support
• Expo Milano 2015: Global Endorsement for Sri Lanka
• 14,270 visitors experience Sri Lankan treasures - Expo 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism in joint promotion talks with Tourism Maldives
• Sri Lanka Tourism- One Island, thousand treasures
• Sri Lankan Disney Film cross $14.3 million ticket sales in US
• Grow without hurting the Environment – Sri Lanka ranked low at 103
• Private sector thumps up for Tourism strategy
• Sri Lanka Tourism wins Global award at Tourism Expo China
• Sri Lanka - one of the top stalls at Arabian Travel Fair as arrivals surge by 16.4%
• Sri Lanka Tourism launch focussed Marketing plan for Italy after a lapse of 2 years
• $1.3 million charter from Italy - 1st win from Expo 2015 !!
• Nation Brand building merges to destination marketing in today's digital age
• Expo 2015 launched: Sri Lanka to connect stronger to the west
• Chairman unite to power Brand Sri Lanka on a ROI model
• China offers Sichuan province World Tourism Fair Free for Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka to focus on the $2 billion whale watching business
• Sri Lanka Cruise Tourism doubles - Global Marketing push locked
• ME grow by 20.1% in Q1- SL Tourism target Riyadh
• Sri Lanka tea board and Sri Lanka tourism partnership working globally
• UK grows by 14.8in Q1 - SL Tourism in marketing blitz in Birmingham
• 441 Australians cruise travelers visit Pinnawala
• Expo 2015 attracts 200 top SL private sector entities
• ‘MONKEY KINGDOM’- Sri Lanka in Disney’s Spotlight in the US
• Carles Puyol attracts 1 million views to Sri Lanka
• Focussed marketing plan launched for China as arrivals sore by 84.5%
• Tourist arrivals grow by 18% in March and 1st quarter by 13.6%
• Sri Lanka exports revving for this year’s historic Milano blitz
• Lanka’s brand value to reach US$ 79 b in 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism tie up with National Craft Council for Global Promotions
• MOU with CCTV mooted by Minister of Tourism
• Sri Lanka Tourism Strategy - China 2015 launched with private sector
• Russia – Sri Lanka Tourism does focussed brand building
• Sri Lanka Unites – Expo Milano 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism enters the $40 bn Cruiseline business
• Sri Lanka Tourism becomes top 4 at Global Tourism show
• Sri Lanka Tourism to focus on Swedish Market with Scene based Marketing
• Sri Lanka Tourism to invest Rs.1.2 bn only on trade fairs globally
• Sri Lanka Tourism includes Scandinavian countries in focus market drive
• Sri lanka tourism taps high potential czech republic market
• Sri Lanka launches new product - Ramanya Trail
• Recreation Tourism - a new trend globally
• Tourism "Celebrate Colombo" with Amazing Rides at CFW 2015
• Sri Lanka tea board and Sri Lanka tourism partnership working at ITB
• Sri Lanka Tourism and Sri Lankan air lines tie up at ITB
• After 10 years the Tourism hierarchy at ITB
• Sri Lanka Tourism to "Celebrate Colombo" at CFW 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism win at GITF China
• Sustainability is a way of life for Sri Lanka - Navin
• German Governemt supports the New government vision
• New Sri Lanka tourism chief, new spirits- launches new business model
• “Positive Transformation” - Sri Lanka's theme at ITB 2015
• The rescue mission of Dutch couple tells the world how much we care for Foreign Guest
• Sri Lanka Tourism and Tea Board in a Rs.1bn tie up
• UK travellers to woo Sri Lanka as a Weddings & Honeymoons destination
• Sri Lanka Tourism gathers momentum at key Italian Travel Fair
• One Million Trees Project
• Marketing Sri Lanka via Film Tourism
• Mega Travel Influencer ‘Nas Daily’ join-hands to promote Tourism in Sri Lanka November 24, 2023
• Sri Lanka celebrates its milestone surpassing 100,000 Russian arrivals through direct flights August 8, 2023
• The 67th Conference of TAAI commenced at the BMICH in Colombo August 8, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism promotes its Travel and Tourism Potential in three Australian cities July 17, 2023
• All set for the TAAI Convention hosted by Sri Lanka Tourism held from 6th - 9th July July 6, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism hosts a gala Sri Lankan themed dinner for New Zealand and Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket teams July 6, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism bounce back with a positive influx of tourist arrivals July 6, 2023
• New Zealand Women’s cricket team receive a warm welcome from Sri Lanka Tourism on their first Sri Lanka tour in 11 yea July 6, 2023
• SLCB Unveils MICE Training Programme for Regional Hoteliers in Kandy & Nuwara Eliya Regions June 23, 2023
• 'Air Seychelles' makes its Inaugural flight to Sri Lanka, with Familiarization Tours in line June 23, 2023
• SLTPB and SLAITO partners to host the 67th Convention of TAAI in Colombo June 20, 2023
• UK Bloggers & Influencers FAM Tour in Sri Lanka Showcases Island's Captivating Beauty and Diverse Socio-Cultural Facets June 19, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism Taps Middle Eastern Region at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – 2023 June 13, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism makes waves at the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF 2023) June 7, 2023
• “Cordelia Empress’’ makes her maiden call on Hambantota Port June 7, 2023
• Vietnamese Media Personnel impressed with Sri Lankan attractions June 7, 2023
• "Seeing is Believing” campaign is launched by Aitken Spence, Jetwing, Cinnamon in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism May 19, 2023
• The Queen of Polish Pop “DODA” visits Sri Lanka to promote the destination among the Polish Travelers May 15, 2023
• Spanish Travel influencers conclude familiarization trip on a successful note May 10, 2023
• An Island’s Eleven – A complete history of Sri Lanka Cricket May 8, 2023
• Korean Media Personnel Highlights Sri Lanka as a must visit Tourist destination April 18, 2023
• Foreign couple enter wedlock going by the Sri Lankan tradition April 17, 2023
• Forbes lists Sri Lanka as one of the 23 best places to visit in 2023 April 17, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism hosts a FAM tour for Filipino Tour operators in order to enhance Bilateral and Business connections April 11, 2023
• Australian Travel Agents Experience Sri Lanka’s uniqueness on FAM Tour April 11, 2023
• Journalists and bloggers across the globe join hands together to promote Sri Lanka April 11, 2023
• Sri Lanka participation at Outbound Travel Market (OTM) Jio World Convention Centre | Mumbai 02 - 04 February, 2023 April 11, 2023
• Sri Lanka becomes Cynosure at MITT Travel Show in Russia 16th to 18th March 2023 March 29, 2023
• All set for the world’s largest all female Adventure Challenge,’’ RAID AMAZONES 2023’’ March 24, 2023
• Sri Lanka welcomes the first group of Chinese tourists for 2023 with open arms March 10, 2023
• Sri Lanka Targets German Travelers at ITB in Berlin March 10, 2023
• Sri Lanka participates at the Milano BIT 2023, International Tourism Exchange 12 – 14 Feb 2023 March 2, 2023
• Indian Social Media influencers conclude their all island bike tour on a positive note February 24, 2023
• Veteran Indian Movie star promotes Sri Lanka across the world January 28, 2023
• Sri Lanka Tourism returns to Spanish Market after pandemic January 27, 2023
• Italian Media personnel mesmerized with Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity January 16, 2023
• ‘’ Race the Pearl ‘’ concludes with the French –British domination November 18, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism collaborates with Air Arabia to host a group of Travel Agents from Azerbaijan November 16, 2022
• Sri Lanka Targets Travellers at World Travel Market (WTM) in London November 9, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism focuses on the Egyptian Market, by hosting an Industrial FAM Tour For Egyptian Travel Agents November 4, 2022
• Sri Lanka has taken the limelight in Bollywood & Sandalwood Cinemas with Yohani October 21, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism embarks on a series of Road Shows in India September 23, 2022
• Culture, Cuisine, dance and destination featured at Sri Lanka Cultural Festival Stockholm September 6, 2022
• Developing cultural and historical ties between India and Sri Lanka through the “Murugan Trail” August 29, 2022
• Indian Media and Travel influencers have taken the lead to support Sri Lanka Tourism August 15, 2022
• Sri Lanka Masters Hockey Men teams to take part in 2022 World Cup in England August 10, 2022
• A delegation of students from the University of Lincoln arrives on a Study Tour to Sri Lanka July 5, 2022
• Sri Lanka participates at South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2022 at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Del June 3, 2022
• LEASING OF UCHCHAMUNAI ISLAND IN KALPITIYA May 15, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau welcomes Israeli Film Crew April 22, 2022
• Singapore Airlines signs MOU with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau April 22, 2022
• Promoting Sri Lanka and its many diverse facets to the World April 22, 2022
• Media personnel from Korea conclude their FAM Tour in Sri Lanka April 11, 2022
• The 2nd stage of Raid Amazones 2022 concludes with Adventure, Energy and Enthusiasm April 7, 2022
• The Second stage of Raid Amazones 2022 (Video Highlights ) March 30, 2022
• The 2nd edition of Raid Amazones kicks off in style with another 214 participants ready to face the challenge March 30, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism’s Influencer Program continues to create global buzz by making the island a ‘Bucket List Holiday D March 25, 2022
• Swedish Tourism Industry specialists and Tour Operators to enhance partnerships to elevate Tourism to Sri Lanka March 25, 2022
• The first stage of Raid Amazones 2022 concludes on a Successful Note March 23, 2022
• The first stage of Raid Amazones 2022 concludes on a Successful Note ( Video Highlights ) March 23, 2022
• Raid Amazones 2022 Continue for the 4th Successive Day - Highlights (Images/videos) March 22, 2022
• Raid Amazones 2022 -3rd and 4th day's highlights March 20, 2022
• Raid Amazones, the largest tourism program in the country after the Covid -19 pandemic - Day 02 March 19, 2022
• Vietnamese Tour operators arrive in Sri Lanka for a Media and Trade FAM March 16, 2022
• RAID AMAZONES arrival and the welcome at Sigiriya March 16, 2022
• Raid Amazones, the largest tourism program in the country after the Covid -19 pandemic begins March 16, 2022
• Participants and officials of ‘’Raid Amazones ‘’ arrive in the island to take part in the world’s largest ‘ March 15, 2022
• Sri Lanka to be promoted all across Poland as a paradise destination March 15, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism continues to earn high media coverage at EXPO 2020 Dubai March 14, 2022
• Sri Lanka to boost awareness among Bangladesh tourists March 11, 2022
• TVN Discovery/National Geographic Traveler FAM Tour March 6, 2022
• The Joint Press Release by Sri Lanka Embassy in Germany, German Travel Association- DRV and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion March 5, 2022
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid of the UAE and H.E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Visit Sri Lanka Pavilion at Expo 2020 Duba February 22, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism and Health Guidelines February 22, 2022
• Press Release: Santani becomes the first Sri Lankan hotel to be selected as “worlds best” – hailed as Best Wellnes February 22, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism Facilitates the country’s first Cable Car Project to take off soon. February 22, 2022
• Regarding the photo of ‘Pattipola Tourist Comfort Centre’ that is being widely circulated across social media. February 22, 2022
• The Sri Lanka Virtual MICE Expo 2021 breaks new ground February 22, 2022
• Brand Sri Lanka reports robust health as per latest brand report February 22, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism kick-start an aggressive media and travel influencer campaign for Russia and Ukraine markets February 22, 2022
• EXPO 2020 DUBAI Tourism earns high media mileage February 22, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism commands attention at World Routes 2021 February 22, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism and Australia’s MDF webinar to Share Insights from 10,000 Consumers from 10 Key Markets to Strategic February 22, 2022
• Sri Lanka Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Welcomes Queens Baton Relay February 21, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism supported by EU to develop wellness tourism February 14, 2022
• Brides of Sri Lanka magazine together with Galle Face Hotel hosts ‘Wedding Week 2022’ February 8, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism welcomes the Trade Fam Tour from Russia & Ukraine February 8, 2022
• Sri Lanka Tourism hosts Miss International UK January 3, 2022
• Sri Lanka, the next holiday destination for Australian tourists promoted in Melbourne November 21, 2021
• Destination Sri Lanka presented at TNM - Sweden’s premier Tourism event November 15, 2021
• Sri Lanka is now open for International Travellers November 15, 2021
• Sri Lanka spreads its holiday vibes at WTM, as vibrant and a unique travel destination November 10, 2021
• DEEPAWALI, TURNING A NEW CHAPTER FOR INDO-LANKA CULTURAL & TOURISM RELATIONS November 10, 2021
• Sri Lanka poised to see upsurge of Polish tourists November 8, 2021
• Sri Lanka opens its doors to international travellers to experience travel and adventure November 3, 2021
• Sri Lanka plans Virtual MICE Expo to sustain buzz on the destination in the global business community October 29, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism kicks off film tourism promotions within Indian Cinema to attract more Indian tourists to the island October 26, 2021
• Sri Lanka Pavilion shines through October 21, 2021
• Sri Lanka Voted among ‘The Best Countries to Travel to’ in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards October 16, 2021
• Social media rant investigated October 13, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau conducts an awareness session via zoom for Outbound travel agents and tourism stake October 11, 2021
• Sri Lanka celebrates the World Children’s Day in Austria October 11, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Strategically Promoted in France October 6, 2021
• Sri Lanka pavilion inaugurated at Expo 2020 Dubai October 4, 2021
• Sharing the future tourism prospects in Sri Lanka with Vietnamese Travel Agents September 29, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Achieves Growth through Strategic Partnerships with Foreign Missions September 29, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism commemorates World Tourism Day 2021 September 27, 2021
• Travel Talk Article - 2nd September 2021 September 23, 2021
• Popular Couch Safari Back with Wilpattu National Park September 22, 2021
• Discover the Wonders of Wilpattu National Park Sri Lanka via Wildlife Streaming September 16, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, conducts a Webin September 14, 2021
• Recognising the vital role of SMEs in Sri Lanka’s Tourism Sector September 1, 2021
• The Kandy Esala Perahera Live-Streamed Globally August 31, 2021
• SRI LANKA PAVILLION TAKES SHAPE FOR EXPO 2020 DUBAI August 13, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Lures Digital Nomads July 13, 2021
• Initiative to vaccinate those who are involved in the Tourism industry in order to rejuvenate Tourism July 12, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism enables sustainable development July 12, 2021
• Bloomberg Lists Sigiriya as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World July 4, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Harnesses Technology to Enhance the Traveler Experience June 29, 2021
• Keep the Sri Lankan Holiday Dream Alive June 14, 2021
• The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) signs MoU with Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne June 11, 2021
• Digital Transformation of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management May 11, 2021
• Experiences Reshaping Tourism May 5, 2021
• CNN Shines Global Spotlight on Sri Lanka Tourism May 4, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Hosts a Virtual Media Conference with German and Swiss Media April 29, 2021
• Global Tourism Industry News April 28, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism gears up for the turn over a new page in tourism – with a webinar for UK based Tour Operators and Me April 20, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism ‘s International Travel Blogger & Journalist Program to support SME’s April 7, 2021
• SRI LANKAN TOURISMS’ BIO BUBBLE RECOGNIZED AT ITB BERLIN April 1, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority approves Bolagala Floating Agro Tourism Resort in Katana – a novel Agro Touris March 24, 2021
• Sri Lanka Convention Bureau launches “Meet in Sri Lanka” series to resume MICE Tourism. March 17, 2021
• MICE Tourism Media Release March 5, 2021
• Sri Lanka Tourism to launch ‘Global Communication Campaign’ March 5, 2021
• Covid-19 Vaccination for the Tourism industry March 4, 2021
• CNN hails steps taken to reopen tourism in Sri Lanka February 27, 2021
• ‘Hello Again’ virtual tourism awareness session held for US based tour operators and media February 1, 2021
• German travellers visiting Sri Lanka with the opening of the Airport for international Tourists January 23, 2021
• AS SRI LANKA OPENS FOR TOURISM A GERMAN DELEGATION VISITS SRI LANKA ON AYURVA TOURISM January 23, 2021
• SRI LANKA TOURISM GEARS UP TO WELCOME INTERNATIONAL VISITORS January 18, 2021
• The second BIMSTEC Network of Tour Operators meeting concludes with new initiatives for developing regional tourism December 18, 2020
• CHINESE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART OPEN FOR VIRTUAL TRAVEL BUSINESS SLTPB Registered Businesses to have extended 6 month December 11, 2020
• PATA PROVIDES GLOBAL. EXPERT MENTORING FOR SRI LANKA TOURISM TO REDESIGN REVIVAL STRATEGY POST COVID-19 December 10, 2020
• The World Travel Market - UK (WTM) Virtual Event held 9th – 11th November 2020/ Sri Lanka Tourism aims at upsurge in November 25, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism's Wildlife Streaming event “Couch Safari' - A resounding success November 23, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism goes global on Nile TV to woo the Mediterranean traveler November 16, 2020
• “Go on Safari on the couch " –Wild Life streaming in Sri Lanka National Parks draws attraction from the Turkish trav November 16, 2020
• SRI LANKA TOURISM ENGAGES AUSTRALIA’S KEY STAKEHOLDERS on Destination Readiness and Innovation in a New Era November 13, 2020
• Couch Safari – Sri Lanka Tourism’s virtual adventure gains popularity among international travellers November 10, 2020
• Couch Safari - Taking Srilanka wild life to the world October 28, 2020
• ‘Go on a couch safari’ concept to be promoted by Sri Lanka Tourism October 22, 2020
• ENGAGING KEY SOURCE COUNTRY TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS VIA WEBINARS SLTPB teams up foreign missions to upsurge Post COVID Tou October 22, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism attends Virtual ‘ANTOR Meets the Media’ October 13, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism collaborates with International Travel Influencers to keep alive ‘Sri Lankan Holiday’ dream October 12, 2020
• Sri Lanka shows it’s potential at the “Flavours of Sri Lanka” Destination Promotion Event October 8, 2020
• Sri Lanka celebrates the World Children’s Day in style at Vienna, Austria October 8, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism reaches out to Sri Lankan Missions Overseas;H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona, newly appointed Ambassador to Chi September 26, 2020
• Adapting to new normal, Sri Lanka Tourism goes virtual to promote ‘Wildlife’ September 23, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism is set to celebrate World Tourism Day 2020 under the theme “Tourism and Rural Development” from 25 September 22, 2020
• CNBC to promote Sri Lanka Tourism in Goodwill gesture September 15, 2020
• SLTDA creates provisional licensing to assist SMEs. July 16, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism to support SME’s and product development with EU funding July 9, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism lobbies for inclusion in travel corridors July 8, 2020
• BBC collaborates with Sri Lanka Tourism to revive the Tourism Sector July 7, 2020
• Tourism Ministry and SLTDA step in to provide relief to the Tourism industry stakeholders July 7, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism is all set to host UNWTO’s 32nd Asia and the Pacific Virtual Joint Commission Meeting tomorrow. June 29, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism Post COVID-19 - Way Forward June 25, 2020
• 11,389 tourists in Sri Lanka currently and Sri Lanka Tourism requests them to register with the recently launched “Tou May 7, 2020
• Relief Measures for Tourist Guides during the COVID -19 outbreak April 12, 2020
• Arrangements are in place for international tourists to get to their home countries – Sri Lanka to allow charter fligh March 26, 2020
• Sri Lanka to host top UN World Tourism Organization Conference in Colombo. March 3, 2020
• SLTDA and BOI sign MoU to enhance cooperation between the two agencies. February 28, 2020
• Press Release: Sri Lanka Tourism and Police in discussion to enhance the safety and security of tourists. February 25, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism kicked off aggressive travel blogger & influencer campaign for 2020 by inviting 27 International Trave February 25, 2020
• Spanish travelers enthralled by Sri Lanka at FITUR International Travel Fair 2020 Madrid, Spain February 24, 2020
• Sri Lanka shows its colors at FESPO Travel Fair, Zurich, Switzerland February 20, 2020
• Indian visitors embrace Sri Lanka’s Tourism attractions with enthusiasm at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2020, in Mum February 13, 2020
• Sri Lanka shows its capability at the Wanderlust Travel Reader Awards 2020 February 13, 2020
• Sri Lanka becomes the centre of attraction at the Vakantiebeurs Travel Fair 2020 February 13, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau shows it’s potential at CMT 2020, Germany January 26, 2020
• A high profile delegation from Holland arrives in Sri Lanka for a familiarization visit January 21, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau collaborates with ITV UK for destination promotion January 18, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau makes a successful contribution at SATTE 2020 January 16, 2020
• Sri Lanka targets more Western European tourist arrivals at the ILTM, Cannes 2019 January 13, 2020
• Sri Lanka named as Asia’s best destination for Wildlife tourism at Top Asia Corporate ball 2019, and selected for the January 6, 2020
• Sri Lanka Tourism shares the spirit of Christmas with local & foreign tourists December 27, 2019
• Sri Lanka appreciated as “The Destination for the Rising Chinese travellers’’ in Chengdu Sichuan. December 24, 2019
• Sri Lanka kicks off Tourism Promotional Evening and Cultural night in Dubai parallel to the Dubai Rugby sevens. December 20, 2019
• WTM London unveils Sri Lanka as premier partner for 2019 December 20, 2019
• Sri Lanka participates in the fourth travel Expo Exhibition in Ankara, Turkey December 17, 2019
• Sri Lanka highlights its Tourism Potential at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2019, Shanghai, China December 16, 2019
• Sri Lanka showcases it’s potential at the China International Travel Mart (CITM 2019), Shanghai, China December 13, 2019
• Japanese Tour Operators/ Agents participate in a FAM Tour to promote Sri Lanka as a travel destination December 4, 2019
• Vistara , India’s finest full service carrier inaugurates Mumbai – Colombo service December 2, 2019
• Sri Lanka Promoted As A Travel Destination In Belgium November 27, 2019
• Digital Billboard Campaign to promote SL Tourism in Netherlands for the first time November 27, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism holds ‘’Taste of Abu Dhabi ‘’ in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in the U.A.E November 25, 2019
• Sri Lanka Participates at Travel News Market 2019- Stockholm November 25, 2019
• “Feel & Share So Sri Lanka” - international Travel Media & Blogger Promotional Program geared-up by Sri Lanka Touri November 20, 2019
• Newly renovated Tourist Information Centre opens in Kandy November 15, 2019
• Sri Lanka bags two awards at the World Travel Awards 2019 November 15, 2019
• Sri Lanka Participates at ITB ASIA 2019 in Singapore November 15, 2019
• Sri Lanka makes a hall mark at the Swiss International Holiday Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland November 15, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism partners with several International Organizations at IMM Asia 2019 November 15, 2019
• Sri Lanka promotes tourism at the International Tourism and Travel Show in Montreal November 15, 2019
• International Travel Influencers step-up to Give back to the nature in Sri Lanka November 14, 2019
• Popular Travel blog ‘’My Adventure across the world ‘’ takes Sri Lanka to the centre stage November 14, 2019
• LOT Polish Airlines makes its inaugural flight to Sri Lanka November 14, 2019
• Costa Victoria makes her debut call at the port of Colombo November 14, 2019
• Sri Lanka dazzles as Premier Partner at World Travel Market November 11, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism Celebrates the Big Win by Santani at the World Travel Market UK November 9, 2019
• A high profile delegation from Belgium arrives in Sri Lanka for a familiarization visit November 6, 2019
• Sri Lanka shows its prestige at JATA Tourism Expo 2019 November 5, 2019
• Sri lanka promotes tourism at the international book fair in frankfurt October 28, 2019
• The German Travel Association extends its support to Sri Lanka Tourism October 28, 2019
• Italian Celebrity Chef to support Sri Lanka Tourism October 24, 2019
• Sri Lanka strikes a promising high at Travel Fair in Italy October 17, 2019
• Australian Travel Agents impressed with Sri Lanka Tourism October 17, 2019
• Recognizing Jaffna: A Culinary Adventure by Popular YouTubers - Chopstick Travel October 10, 2019
• Sri Lankan Holidays launch in Dubai October 7, 2019
• Sri Lanka showcases sustainable tourism at MATTA Trade Fair 2019 October 4, 2019
• Sri Lanka shows its potential at the OTDYKH Leisure & Tourism fair October 2, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism gains momentum at IFTM TOP RESA Travel Fair 2019 in Paris, France October 2, 2019
• So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 kick starts on a triumphant note October 2, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism Celebrates World Tourism Day with Foreign Guests at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) September 30, 2019
• Tourism Promotions Bureau Starts Global TV advertising to boost tourism to Sri Lanka September 20, 2019
• So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 September 11, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau welcomes a delegation of high profile Indian journalists to Sri Lanka September 10, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism gears up for the So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 September 6, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau hosted the Board of Directors meeting of United Federations of Travel Agents Associat September 6, 2019
• Ministers Initiative in Thailand pays Dividends September 4, 2019
• Tourism Industry commends the lifting of the state emergency September 3, 2019
• Visa Fee Exempted to 48 countries in order to bring more tourists to the country August 30, 2019
• Sri Lanka gears up for the Global Bohra Convention 2019 August 27, 2019
• Australian Tour Operators Chairman meets the Tourism Minister August 27, 2019
• International Culinary YouTubers Explore Colombo Cuisine August 16, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau hosts networking session for travel bloggers August 15, 2019
• Sri Lanka shines at the Shopping Mall Promotion in Malaysia August 6, 2019
• Chinese journalists on FAM tour July 24, 2019
• The West Asia Baseball Cup 2019 July 19, 2019
• Capitalizing on increased interest by Aussie tourists July 17, 2019
• Thai expertise to expedite tourism recovery July 4, 2019
• Sri Lanka launches major tourism drive in China July 3, 2019
• Chinese delegation calls on SLTPB for a visit to extend support to boost Tourism July 1, 2019
• Sri Lanka bags the award for the best performance at SITIF 2019 July 1, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism shines in Vistula Boulevards in Warsaw, Poland June 18, 2019
• Sri Lanka showcases its best at the Carnival of Cultures June 18, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism launches special promotional campaign in India June 13, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism; The Steady Road to Recovery May 28, 2019
• Career tourism professional has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau May 27, 2019
• Thai Buddhist group, a beacon of blessings and hope May 23, 2019
• Social Media influencers and journalists show renewed interest in Sri Lanka May 14, 2019
• “Let us unite and work against global terrorism” - Sri Lanka Tourism addresses global media at ATM, Dubai May 3, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism begins destination brand recovery process April 30, 2019
• Sri Lanka tourism industry defiant after deadly attacks UAE welcomes Sri Lanka with open arms Sri Lanka sets its sight o April 30, 2019
• The visa on arrival programme on hold in response to security concerns April 26, 2019
• A statement from the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) CEO Senthil Gopinath on the recent events in April 26, 2019
• Creating awareness on Sri Lanka about the current situation (Q & A) April 26, 2019
• Statement from Sri Lanka Tourism (SLTDA and SLTPB) April 26, 2019
• Sri Lanka captures the hearts of Italians with eye catching promotions at BIT Travel Fair April 23, 2019
• About the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of CITES April 8, 2019
• Sri Lanka tantalises taste-buds at Taste of Dubai April 2, 2019
• Over 3000 tourists arrive onboard two cruise ships to Sri Lanka April 1, 2019
• First Ever Tourism Campaign in South Africa April 1, 2019
• “So Sri Lanka” branding promoted at IMM - Berlin March 11, 2019
• Sri Lanka Tourism unveils new documentary at ITB March 11, 2019
• ‘So Sri Lanka’ takes global media by storm March 11, 2019
• Marketing Drive by Sri Lanka Tourism at Thai International Travel Fair 2019 March 8, 2019
• Sri Lanka dazzles in the heart of Bollywood Once again March 8, 2019
• Global Instagram Titans join hands with Sri Lanka Tourism to get inspired by their global 22 million travel seeking foll March 6, 2019
• Spanish travelers enthralled by So Sri Lanka experience at FITUR Travel Fair, Spain 2019 February 20, 2019
• MS Queen Mary passenger cruise arrival 2019 February 18, 2019
• “So Sri Lanka” won the Best Decorated International Pavilion at the 26th PTAA Travel and Tour Expo 2019 – Manila, February 14, 2019
• Sri Lanka to take sports Tourism towards a new dimension February 11, 2019
• OTOAI to host annual convention in Sri Lanka February 7, 2019
• Sri Lanka, a must travel destination February 5, 2019
• Sri Lanka shows its prestige at the CMT Germany February 1, 2019
• Sri Lanka makes a successful participation at SATTE 2019 January 23, 2019
• Sri Lanka takes the Centre stage at Vakantiebeurs January 18, 2019
• Three cruise liners ferry in over 7000 tourists to Sri Lanka December 24, 2018
• Sri Lanka reach new heights in world luxury travel trade at ILTM Travel Fair, Cannes, France 2018 December 20, 2018
• Sri Lanka steals the spotlight at historical city of Izmir December 13, 2018
• Sri Lanka at Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens December 13, 2018
• CEAV congress ends on successful note December 12, 2018
• Sri Lanka shines at TT Warsaw November 29, 2018
• British film location managers scout for scenic spots November 28, 2018
• Situation Update November 19, 2018
• Lonely Planet’s best travel destinations for 2019 revealed November 12, 2018
• Sri Lanka attracts charter flights from Europe November 9, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism Welcomes Barmy Army November 9, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, launches Sri Lanka’s new destination brand “So Sri Lanka” November 9, 2018
• Legendary Vagabrothers geared up to take Sri Lanka to the world November 9, 2018
• Sri Lanka shines at JATA Tourism Expo 2018 in Japan October 25, 2018
• Enchanting Lanka Presented to French Media at Cercle de l'Union Interalliee Paris France October 17, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism gains momentum at 40th Anniversary Edition of IFTM TOP RESA Travel Fair 2018 in Paris France October 15, 2018
• Film Fare selects Sri Lanka to do the cover shoot of its November issue October 10, 2018
• Sri Lanka Strengthens ties with the Russian Counterparts October 10, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism makes inroads into Scandinavia October 8, 2018
• Sri Lanka recognized as Asia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination September 13, 2018
• Roadshow Germany 2018 September 6, 2018
• Leisure and golf, a new tourism trend September 1, 2018
• SLTPB scales up tourist arrivals with roadshows August 31, 2018
• Discovering Sri Lanka’s lesser known attractions through the eyes of social media influencers August 17, 2018
• Sri Lanka beckons Indian travellers to its Ramayana Yathra August 3, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism bags the best performance award at KOFTA 2018 August 3, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism woos tourists from India August 1, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism carrying out multi-platform global campaigns June 28, 2018
• The Tourism Village at Kajugama - Bataleeya April 20, 2018
• Minister assures safety of tourists; tough action against errant establishments April 19, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism impacts French consumers at Salon Mondial Du Tourism (SMT) Travel Fair, Paris, France 2018 April 10, 2018
• Sri Lanka successfully participates for the first time at DTM 2018 April 10, 2018
• Underwater with Sri Lanka's sperm whales – in pictures April 6, 2018
• Sri Lanka strengthens its industrial ties with Singapore at NATA’s Travel Fair 2018 April 5, 2018
• Russian visitors impressed with Sri Lanka’s diversity April 2, 2018
• Sri Lanka to be the next uprising Paradise for Travel Influencers from around the Globe SLTPB Visiting Blogger Program g April 2, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism targets top source markets from Western Europe April 2, 2018
• Another feather added to Sri Lanka’s cap by the National Geographic March 23, 2018
• Update on current situation in Sri Lanka -Kandy returns to normalcy March 21, 2018
• SLTPB Visiting Blogger Program geared up for aggressive social media promotion in 2018 with World’s Top Travel influen March 19, 2018
• Sri Lanka successfully participates at the Jeddah International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (JTTX-8) 2018 & Road Show in March 16, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism rolls out effective media campaign at ITB 2018 March 15, 2018
• ITB is an excellent setting for B2B meetings March 15, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism aggressive on media & publicity @ ITB 2018 March 15, 2018
• Sri Lanka Shines at ITB Despite Kandy Blip March 15, 2018
• SRI LANKA PARTICIPATION at ASTINDO 2018 March 15, 2018
• Destinations - The Holiday and Travel Show– Event City Exhibition Centre 17th to 21st January 2018- Manchester February 26, 2018
• Holiday World Show 2018 in Dublin Ireland February 22, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism shines in the Mediterranean at the IMTM Travel Fair 2018 February 21, 2018
• Sri Lankan Consulate General in Dubai celebrates 70th Anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence and 25th year Anniversar February 21, 2018
• Sri Lanka targets approximately 450,000, Indian arrivals for the year 2018 February 14, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism sees Mumbai as a market for high growth February 8, 2018
• New dimension to promote Sri Lanka as a destination February 7, 2018
• Costa Neo Classica makes her first arrival on the dawn of 2018 January 29, 2018
• Sri Lanka recognised a preferred Film Destination for British Filmmakers January 3, 2018
• Best countries and cities to visit in 2018: The 18 places you should visit this year January 3, 2018
• Sri Lanka Tourism taps high-end Luxury French Travelers Participates at -ILTM Travel Fair in Cannes, France 2017 January 2, 2018
• Open Air Art Gallery December 22, 2017
• Iconic City Tour adds zest to Christmas Fest December 21, 2017
• Sri Lanka’s participation at the Winter Festival draws attention as an excellent family destination December 20, 2017
• Sri Lanka has been named as the most popular destination on Eurasia review December 20, 2017
• MS. Costa Neo Classica makes her second portof call to Sri Lanka December 15, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism concludes successful roadshows and food & cultural Event in Australia December 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism wins top award at E-Swabhimani Ceremony December 12, 2017
• TourismFest to Dazzle Colombo December 7, 2017
• Sri Lanka gets another feather in it’s cap as one of Asia’s most sought after travel destinations December 7, 2017
• “MS COSTA NEO CLASSICA” makes het debut arrival to Colombo Port on 5th December 2017 December 6, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism creates a global impact at the Family Traveller Awards November 28, 2017
• Travel Bloggers make Sri Lanka go viral on Social Media November 24, 2017
• The Family Traveller Awards 2017 reveals family-centric travel is booming November 24, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism strike an all-time high at IFTM TOP RESA 2017 Paris, France November 15, 2017
• “Ms MEIN SCHIFF 01” makes her debut arrival to Colombo Port on 13th November 2017 November 15, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, title sponsor of the prestigious, annual British Guild of Travel Writers Awards, Lon November 14, 2017
• Sri Lanka Targets Leading Middle Eastern Tour Operators November 13, 2017
• Colombo to have its first international shopping experience with the Colombo International Shopping Festival November 13, 2017
• World Tourism day – 2017 November 13, 2017
• Commemoration of National Coastal and Marine Resources Convocation Week 2017 (15th – 22nd Sep 2017) November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism makes inroads into Scandinavia November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka captures the attention of Gujaratis November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka’s Uniqueness attracts the Germans November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka taps leading Malaysian Tour operators November 13, 2017
• Roadshow in Germany held on 12 September 2017 in Cologne. November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka voted finalist for culture and Heritage Holiday Destination for UK Travel Awards November 13, 2017
• Developing connections through Culture and Heritage November 13, 2017
• Why Sri Lanka is the ultimate destination November 13, 2017
• Dengue Epidemic in Sri Lanka is successfully brought under control November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka poised as the next island paradise for International bloggers November 13, 2017
• Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) Kolkata inaugurated November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka crowned as "Asia’s Leading Destination" at World Travel Awards -2017 November 13, 2017
• Drowning prevention in Sri Lanka November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism shows its compassion towards elephants via training session at Pinnawala November 13, 2017
• Sri Lankan Culinary Delights Applauded by Israeli Holiday Makers November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka named Asia’s Leading Destination 2017 November 13, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism shows prestige at the ATM May 5, 2017
• PATA all set to kick off with their annual summit in Sri Lanka with a bang April 7, 2017
• Singapore To Share Digital Tourism Destination Marketing And Promotion Experience With The Democratic Socialist Republic April 4, 2017
• German Travel Association contemplates to host next AGM in Sri Lanka March 24, 2017
• Sri Lanka shows its colors at ITB Berlin 2017 March 16, 2017
• “A Journal of a Journey” at ITB 2017 March 16, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism bags Most Popular Destination Award at GTIF 2017 March 14, 2017
• Sri Lanka captures Bollywood – Sri Lanka to become a favourite location for Indian films March 10, 2017
• Strengthening cultural and religious ties March 9, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism all set to be profoundly aggressive at ITB Berlin 2017 March 9, 2017
• Sri Lanka goes around the world with "Eclectic Presse" March 7, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism Conducts Roadshow in Mumbai March 6, 2017
• Sri Lanka shines at SATTE Exhibition in New Delhi March 2, 2017
• Two graceful beauties take Sri Lanka to greater heights February 23, 2017
• Why is Sri Lanka becoming the most fashionable place to travel February 22, 2017
• Sri Lankans in New York - Sri Lanka shows its colors in New York February 17, 2017
• Sri Lanka wows the Mediterranean again at the Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition February 17, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism conquers the Mediterranean at the IMTM Travel Fair 2017 February 16, 2017
• Australia lowers travel advisory for Sri Lanka February 14, 2017
• Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai celebrates 69th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka in grand style February 14, 2017
• United Nations Day of Vesak Celebration 2017 February 14, 2017
• Sri Lanka woos Middle East market at IMTM February 8, 2017
• Sri Lanka - An Island for all Seasons for the wider Latin American Market FITUR, Madrid 2017 January 23, 2017
• Top tourism professional to promote Sri Lanka in Europe January 20, 2017
• Sri Lanka Tourism creates a hallmark at the Vakantiebeurs 2017 January 20, 2017
• German TV crew set to take the Sri Lankan pride to the world January 20, 2017
• 55th visit to Sri Lanka – An amazing land mark to achieve January 17, 2017
• The hottest hotels opening in 2017: From Iceland to India January 6, 2017
• Readers' Choice January 6, 2017
• Where to Go in 2017 January 6, 2017
• The 10 Hottest Travel Destinations of 2017 January 3, 2017
• Tourism Fest concludes becoming a major crowd puller December 29, 2016
• PM kicks off Christmas cheer December 22, 2016
• Sri Lankan spirit showcased in Malaysia December 16, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism kicks off an underground campaign in UK Train Stations December 5, 2016
• TT WARSAW – International Travel Show 24 – 26 Nov., 2016 – Warsaw, Poland November 30, 2016
• Business Today interview with Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Mr.Paddy Withana November 25, 2016
• Tourism Fest To Dazzle Colombo November 24, 2016
• Sri Lanka wins ‘’ Best Destination of the Beaten Track ‘’ at the Conde Nast Traveler Middle East Readers ‘Choi November 16, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism brings all smiles to a rural school in Habarana November 15, 2016
• Road Shows in Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary on 14th, 16th and 19th Sept., 2016 November 11, 2016
• TTG Incontri Travel Fair A 3 day workshop for Tourism Professionals Rimini, Italy - 13th – 15th Oct., 2016 November 11, 2016
• Sri Lanka shines in UK in WTM November 10, 2016
• Mr. Sutheash Balasubramaniam appointed as new Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) November 10, 2016
• WTM 2016 : Elite Traveler Recommends the Best of Sri Lanka November 10, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism has been added to the Worldwide Destination Guide November 9, 2016
• Ukraine International Airlines Launches Services To Colombo November 9, 2016
• Congres des Entrepreneurs du Voyage (JEV) bringing Two nations together November 8, 2016
• Oman Travel Agents get a glimpse of Sri Lankan prestige November 7, 2016
• SriLanka Tourism Chairman top priorities are its people, environment, wildlife, culture November 4, 2016
• Sri Lanka to host French Travel agents’ JEV Congress 2016 November 4, 2016
• Inaugural Concert of Sri Lankan Cultural Dancing Shows October 28, 2016
• Sri Lanka Nation Brand records 9% growth in 2016 October 27, 2016
• Sri Lanka wows the Sakura Land at the JATA Tourism Expo at Tokyo Big Sight October 21, 2016
• Sri Lanka featured as a world tourism hotspot at IFTM Top Resa Travel Fair in Paris, France -2016 October 21, 2016
• Sri Lanka to shows prestige in crafts work in India October 17, 2016
• German Tour operators experience the Sri Lankan splendor on Familiarization Tours October 17, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism shows local prestige at the OTDYKH Travel Market October 17, 2016
• The Sri Lankan flag flies high in Eastern Europe Road Shows in Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary October 14, 2016
• Sri Lanka makes inroads in Nordic countries October 14, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism all set to participate in UK trade road show October 14, 2016
• Familiarization Tour for Key Tour Operators from Germany October 11, 2016
• Strengthening friendships between neighbors to boost the tourism sector September 20, 2016
• Sri Lanka adds color to Kualalumpur at MATTA 2016 September 15, 2016
• Travel bloggers embark on a journey to discover food and adventure in Sri Lanka September 8, 2016
• SLTPB kick-starts Nordic roadshow with success September 7, 2016
• Familiarization Tour of Sri Lanka by Thai Travel Agents September 2, 2016
• Capturing the special moments of the train ride arranged for UNWTO delegates September 2, 2016
• International travel writers, bloggers and electronic media to cover Kandy Perehera September 2, 2016
• 35 Photos that will make you want to travel Sri Lanka August 19, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized its first Road Show in Singapore August 1, 2016
• Legendary Ramayana epic will be expected to uplift Indian tourists’ arrival during the period of upcoming Dewali July 26, 2016
• Nuwara Eliya To Host World's Oldest Golf Tournament July 25, 2016
• FAM Tour organized by SLTPB in collaboration with Air India for local press July 18, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism won a couple of awards at the 31st Korea World Travel Fair(KOTFA 2016)-South Korea. July 4, 2016
• Conde Nast Traveler named Sigiriya as one The 50 Most Beautiful Places in Asia June 27, 2016
• The hottest hotels in Asia and Australia June 21, 2016
• Seoul Grand Park held the event 'Culture Day with elephants.' June 16, 2016
• The Road Show of Sri Lanka Tourism. June 14, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau focused to promote Buddhist tourism in Thailand June 10, 2016
• SL Tourism at Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE - 2016) June 9, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism has geared up its Visiting Journalist Program to promote Destination Sri Lanka in uprising markets June 6, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion during the Pearl Fishers Opera at the Art Centre in Melbourne on 28th May 2016 June 6, 2016
• Sri lanka Roadshows toast success in Sydney June 1, 2016
• Tea Kiosk at the Bandaranaike International Airport to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Sri Lanka Tourism. June 1, 2016
• Asian & Oceanian Championship 2016 starts in Trincomalee May 31, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism celebrates its Golden Jubilee on 27th May 2016 in Colombo May 24, 2016
• Department of Economics, University of Colombo wins Best IFITTtalk 2015 May 24, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism launches its Road show promotions from Melbourne May 23, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism takes on Brisbane, Australia May 23, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism promotes the island as an ideal film destination at Cannes Film Festival May 19, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism arrives its 50th year May 12, 2016
• Visit of Mr. Suniel Shetty May 12, 2016
• Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival 2016 May 12, 2016
• ATM 2016 – SRI LANKA targets high end tourists from Middle East May 12, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism at ATM May 12, 2016
• A unique tea garden to create a value added experience to the tourists during nuwara eliya season May 12, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Mobile Service Goes Online April 18, 2016
• Traditional Avurudu experience at Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in Colombo April 12, 2016
• Sri Lanka at Seatrade Cruise Global 2016, Fort Lauderdale, USA April 7, 2016
• COLOMBO SAESM 2015 April 5, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism creates waves in the Russia’s No.1 Travel and Tourism Exhibition - MITT in Moscow March 30, 2016
• Tourism Road Show events to promote Sri Lanka to industry stakeholders of the Benelux region March 30, 2016
• Sri Lanka has released an aggressive island promotion campaign at the beginning of 2016 to attract more French Tourists March 30, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion during the Pearl Fishers Opera at the Opera House in Sydney March 30, 2016
• Tourist Information Counter on board “MS Amsterdam” March 24, 2016
• ITB Spark!!! - Sri Lanka Tourism shines at ITB Berlin 2016 March 23, 2016
• Beeralu lace- handicrafts - Sri Lanka Tourism at London Asia House Design 2016 March 21, 2016
• The “Colombo Bike Week” to boost recreational tourism March 21, 2016
• Quest means Business in Sri Lanka March 21, 2016
• Hon. Ms Iris Gleicke, the State Secretary visits the Sri Lanka stand at ITB March 11, 2016
• Press conference – ITB 2016 March 11, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism hits a high note at the Opening ceremony at ITB Berlin 2016 March 11, 2016
• Sri Lanka wins the most popular destination at Tourism at Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2016 March 10, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism at Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) , Mumbai 2016 March 9, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism at ITB Berlin (9-13th March 2016) March 9, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism targets Finland market by Participating at MATKA Nordic Travel Fair 2016 in Helsinki, Finland February 25, 2016
• The Young Leaders of the Economic Forum on a journey of Culture and Heritage with Sri Lanka Tourism February 25, 2016
• Taking cultural and religious parades of Sri Lanka to the world February 25, 2016
• Launching a Logo to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Tourism February 24, 2016
• Fox News (USA) recommend Destination Sri Lanka February 8, 2016
• TripAdvisor looks forward sustainable tourism Conference on Global Travel Insights February 3, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism attracts flourishing number of foreign spectators to 2016 Duruthu Perahera February 3, 2016
• South Asia’s very first Blood Ivory Destruction Event February 2, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism links with CITES and industry stakeholders to promote Responsible Wildlife Tourism January 28, 2016
• Sri Lanka Tourism begins the new year 2016, by investing on a lucrative promotional campaign to shine in South Korea January 14, 2016
• ‘Destination Sri Lanka’ at Vakantiebeurs 2016 January 14, 2016
• Dream Trips 2016 recognises “The World's most extraordinary places to add to your travel wish list” January 5, 2016
• Sri LankaTourism poised for sustainable growth... December 31, 2015
• MALINDO AIR LAUNCHES DAILY KL-COLOMBO ROUTE December 30, 2015
• THE NEW YORK POST REVEALS THE TOP HOTELS TO VISIT IN 2016 December 25, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism To Take-off Seasonal Celebrations at the Arcade Independence Square December 15, 2015
• The Kingsbury wins World Luxury Hotel Award November 18, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism showcases at World Travel Mart London with 64 Industry Partners November 6, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism comes board for ITB Asia 2015 Travel Show November 6, 2015
• Austrian Airlines inaugurate flights to Sri Lanka .. November 3, 2015
• Sri Lanka wins hosting French Travel Agents Congress (SNAV) 2016 October 30, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism showcase “One Island, Thousand Treasures” at IFTM Travel Fair Paris , France 2015 …. October 16, 2015
• Tourism Receipts touch $2.1 billion as at end September 2015 October 11, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launches Community Aid Tourism with Olympic Gold medallion October 9, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism must focus on Asian Tourism as arrivals reach 45% October 8, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism with Pink my Tuk Tuk launch Global Online video competition October 7, 2015
• Scandinavian markets grow by 32%: Sri Lanka Tourism focussed marketing drive October 7, 2015
• Tourism Record in September: arrivals jump 35.9% to cross 1.3 million October 7, 2015
• Elephant Reach Crowned "Best Wildlife Resort" by Lonely Planet Magazine October 5, 2015
• Sri Lanka ride the wave at Japan Tourism Expo 2015 September 30, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism celebrate 'World Tourism Day' to upgrade industry competitiveness September 29, 2015
• The 1st ever Cruise Tourism Marketing Plan presented to the New Tourism Minister September 29, 2015
• Sri Lanka focus on South Korea's 14 million outbound market September 28, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism French Marketing blitz launched September 28, 2015
• World Tourism Day 2015- Sri Lanka Tourism & Colombo University MOU to be inked September 28, 2015
• Sri Lanka - Cultural focus country at Key Italian Travel Fair TTG September 21, 2015
• No 1 GLOBAL SOURCE MARKET: Sri Lanka Tourism launch multi city Road show in Germany September 21, 2015
• Miss England plants the 500,000th in the One Million Tree Story Project September 21, 2015
• Mr and Miss UK commends Sri Lanka- Destination of the Year title: September 17, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to highlight the 1706th Esala Perahera at Japan JATA World Expo 2015 September 17, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism show at World Scouts Jamboree - Japan September 15, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism take Guinness attempt globally from Russia September 15, 2015
• SRI LANKA CHALLENGED September 15, 2015
• Sri Lanka win the ' Best Stall' - China Xi'an Silk Road Tourism Expo 2015 September 15, 2015
• UK's best selling newspaper picks Sri Lanka- Destination of the year September 12, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism enter China's growing religious tourism business September 3, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism focus on a Indian niche market- IAS officers September 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka passes the Guinness Record for largest Tea Party in Kandy August 31, 2015
• Sri Lanka tourism to auction Ceylon Sapphire at Scandinavia TUR Travel Fair August 31, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism, Tea board and Sri Lankan Airlines quest for Guinness Record August 24, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism focussing on the $92 billion German source market August 24, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism blitz on Sony Six for Sanga Farewell August 21, 2015
• $16.4 million "Monkey Kingdom" launched today in Sri Lanka August 20, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to take Tea theme at World Travel Mart London 2015 August 19, 2015
• SL Tourism Launch Global Online Video Competition for 365 days holiday August 18, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism selects 8 American kids for tour of “Monkey Kingdom Trail" August 18, 2015
• Sports Tourism is worth $600 billion and Sri Lanka enters with Golf and Surfing August 18, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to make cruise segment a top 5 earner for Sri Lanka August 14, 2015
• Sri Lanka makes inroad to Indian religious tourism market August 10, 2015
• China as the tops Tourism arrivals in July crossing 25,000 visitors at +65.5% August 10, 2015
• We have to attract the $250 tourist, let's not just chase visitor arrivals August 5, 2015
• Whilst Tea brews for Sri Lanka Tourism - arrivals cross 1 million by July 2015 August 5, 2015
• Sri Lanka Focus On The US$ 2 Billion Whale Watching Bussiness July 31, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism presents Trinco comes alive ! July 30, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism targeting 75,000 travellers from Australia July 28, 2015
• Half Year Tourism earning at $1.3bn - Informal sector continues to drive tourist arrivals July 27, 2015
• “Expo 2015 secure a 53 million Sapphire order for Sri Lanka” - Commissioner General Sri Lanka 2015 July 27, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launch strong marketing campaign in India July 21, 2015
• Two Sri Lanka Tourism Board members win Outstanding Achievement awards July 14, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to launch Monkey Kingdom in China July 9, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism search for Top Global Ad agency July 6, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism takes high ground on $40bn Silk Road initiative - Qingdao July 2, 2015
• Sri Lanka wins Best Tourism Pavilion at Beijing International travel Fair !! June 29, 2015
• Tourism Informal sector touching 50% at 7.3mn Guest Nights June 29, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism beat 52 countries to win top award at Global Travel Fair- KOTFA June 25, 2015
• Tourism Promotions Bureau Depoliticized - will work strongly with private sector ! June 24, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism- Air India tap into Trade Tourism June 24, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to drive Niche Markets in South Korea June 16, 2015
• MISS EARTH ON BOARD THE COLOMBO CITY TOUR June 16, 2015
• Sri Lanka focus on the key market - South Korea worth 14 million travellers June 16, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism - Korean Air joint promotions in South Korean market June 15, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism strengthens ties with Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2015
• University of Sri Jayewardenepura to be the think tank for Sri Lanka Tourism June 9, 2015
• Sri Lanka pavilion at Expo Milano cross 30,000 + visitors! June 8, 2015
• Miss Earth visits Sri Lanka Tourism whilst earnings touch $1billion by April 2015 June 8, 2015
• Miss Earth commends Colombo as top fastest growing tourist cities of 2015 June 8, 2015
• Sri Lanka in a Guinness Record Initiative June 3, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launch 200 million new brand building strategy June 3, 2015
• 1st time -SL Tourism in Global Cruise push in Busan Korea. June 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism practice nation brand building pillar support May 26, 2015
• Expo Milano 2015: Global Endorsement for Sri Lanka May 25, 2015
• 14,270 visitors experience Sri Lankan treasures - Expo 2015 May 20, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism in joint promotion talks with Tourism Maldives May 19, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism- One Island, thousand treasures May 19, 2015
• Sri Lankan Disney Film cross $14.3 million ticket sales in US May 18, 2015
• Grow without hurting the Environment – Sri Lanka ranked low at 103 May 18, 2015
• Private sector thumps up for Tourism strategy May 15, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism wins Global award at Tourism Expo China May 11, 2015
• Sri Lanka - one of the top stalls at Arabian Travel Fair as arrivals surge by 16.4% May 8, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism launch focussed Marketing plan for Italy after a lapse of 2 years May 7, 2015
• $1.3 million charter from Italy - 1st win from Expo 2015 !! May 6, 2015
• Nation Brand building merges to destination marketing in today's digital age May 6, 2015
• Expo 2015 launched: Sri Lanka to connect stronger to the west May 6, 2015
• Chairman unite to power Brand Sri Lanka on a ROI model April 30, 2015
• China offers Sichuan province World Tourism Fair Free for Sri Lanka April 28, 2015
• Sri Lanka to focus on the $2 billion whale watching business April 23, 2015
• Sri Lanka Cruise Tourism doubles - Global Marketing push locked April 22, 2015
• ME grow by 20.1% in Q1- SL Tourism target Riyadh April 22, 2015
• Sri Lanka tea board and Sri Lanka tourism partnership working globally April 21, 2015
• UK grows by 14.8in Q1 - SL Tourism in marketing blitz in Birmingham April 21, 2015
• 441 Australians cruise travelers visit Pinnawala April 21, 2015
• Expo 2015 attracts 200 top SL private sector entities April 21, 2015
• ‘MONKEY KINGDOM’- Sri Lanka in Disney’s Spotlight in the US April 8, 2015
• Carles Puyol attracts 1 million views to Sri Lanka April 7, 2015
• Focussed marketing plan launched for China as arrivals sore by 84.5% April 7, 2015
• Tourist arrivals grow by 18% in March and 1st quarter by 13.6% April 7, 2015
• Sri Lanka exports revving for this year’s historic Milano blitz April 7, 2015
• Lanka’s brand value to reach US$ 79 b in 2015 April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism tie up with National Craft Council for Global Promotions April 1, 2015
• MOU with CCTV mooted by Minister of Tourism April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism Strategy - China 2015 launched with private sector April 1, 2015
• Russia – Sri Lanka Tourism does focussed brand building April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Unites – Expo Milano 2015 April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism enters the $40 bn Cruiseline business April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism becomes top 4 at Global Tourism show April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to focus on Swedish Market with Scene based Marketing April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka tea board and Sri Lanka tourism partnership working globally April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to invest Rs.1.2 bn only on trade fairs globally April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism includes Scandinavian countries in focus market drive April 1, 2015
• Sri lanka tourism taps high potential czech republic market April 1, 2015
• Sri Lanka launches new product - Ramanya Trail April 1, 2015
• Recreation Tourism - a new trend globally March 23, 2015
• Tourism "Celebrate Colombo" with Amazing Rides at CFW 2015 March 23, 2015
• Sri Lanka tea board and Sri Lanka tourism partnership working at ITB March 23, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism and Sri Lankan air lines tie up at ITB March 23, 2015
• After 10 years the Tourism hierarchy at ITB March 23, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism to "Celebrate Colombo" at CFW 2015 March 23, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism win at GITF China March 23, 2015
• Sustainability is a way of life for Sri Lanka - Navin March 23, 2015
• German Governemt supports the New government vision March 23, 2015
• New Sri Lanka tourism chief, new spirits- launches new business model March 23, 2015
• “Positive Transformation” - Sri Lanka's theme at ITB 2015 March 8, 2015
• The rescue mission of Dutch couple tells the world how much we care for Foreign Guest March 8, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism and Tea Board in a Rs.1bn tie up March 8, 2015
• UK travellers to woo Sri Lanka as a Weddings & Honeymoons destination March 2, 2015
• Sri Lanka Tourism gathers momentum at key Italian Travel Fair February 26, 2015
• One Million Trees Project February 21, 2015
• Marketing Sri Lanka via Film Tourism February 18, 2015

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), under The Ministry of Tourism and Lands welcomed World's Top Travel Influencer Nusier Yassin also known as ''Nas Daily'’ to promote Sri Lanka as One of Best Travel Destinations in The World to Travel. As part of this exclusive social media-based campaign with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Nas Daily social platforms where they have over 67 million followers base worldwide, will be posting various destination promotional posts, videos and stories to inspire social media savvy global travelers visit Sri Lanka within upcoming seasons.

Making a statement on Sri Lanka Tourism’s collaboration with Nas Daily, Minister for Tourism and Lands Mr. Harin Fernado stated, key focus of this campaign is to promote destination Sri Lanka via mainstream social media platforms by reaching out to millions of international social media users and creating an excitement and influencing to visit the island within upcoming seasons. Also, this campaign expects to create multiple unique reasons to visit destination Sri Lanka and encourage travelers to come back for more.

Living in the era of digital media, travel influencers have emerged as powerful storytellers by inspiring billions of social media users around the world. Unlike traditional advertising campaigns, influencers marketing campaigns have become a game-changing strategy for destination promotions. Influencers create greater impact on inspiring modern-day travelers by acting as Digital Word of Mouth, while generating long lasting publicity for destinations. Their genuine and personal social media channels provide insights that traditional advertisements can’t replicate, making them a trusted source for travel recommendations. Having average of 500 million views combinedly on social media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Tik Tok) Nas Daily reaching up to 3.2 % of global population with 20 billion video impressions and generate 100 % organic views for their creative content. Nas Daily -social media content focused on incredible people, amazing places, unique inventions and impactful initiatives. Nas Daily platforms have over 67 million followers from worldwide. While maintaining over 30 + localize social media channels in different international languages, Nas Daily engage with vast diversity of social media users around the world, including: English, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Turkey, Thai, etc. Having such a massive global follower base with major focus on segments such as travel, cultural exploration, current affairs and ability in reaching out to geographically diverse regions with different languages and cultures make Nas Daily is exceptional and stand out of all the other social media influencers in the world.

As part of the destination campaign with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Nas Daily will be creating three unique tourism & related investment focused videos about Sri Lanka along with multiple other social media posts and stories. Over the 4 days compact filming schedule in Sri Lanka SLTPB’s International Media Team has taken Nas Daily Filming Crew to areas covering, Tea Plantations in Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Galle, Hikkaduwa and Colombo. This campaign expects to generate a massive global attention towards Sri Lanka, by highlighting the country as a ‘’Must Visit Destination in The World’. Visiting The Island for the 5 th time, Nuseir Yassin stated that ‘’Sri Lanka is like my second home. I had a great time here in Sri Lanka and definitely coming back for more’’. On his last day in Sri Lanka, Fans’ Meet & Greet was organized at the BMICH and over 500 die-hearted Nas Daily fans were appeared in the afternoon to meet Nuseir Yassin with gifts and Sri Lankan flags. Chairman SLTPB, Mr. Chalaka Gajabahu stated that ‘bringing Nas Daily to Sri Lanka is a great achievement for us on 2023 and this campaign expect a greater promotional milage to our tourism industry as well as to the island as an immediate outcome. This is a part of our integrated tourism promotional campaign where digital media will be paying a grater role by addressing to millions potential travelers in the world’’.

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Reopening Updates

Covid Tests Requirements

Sri Lanka lifts the mandatory requirement of  the Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate to enter the country. The Director General of Health Services said that the requirement to produce a pre-boarding or on-arrival negative COVID-19 test (PCR/RAT) by any person arriving in Sri Lanka via any airport or seaport is no longer required.  Read more here  News First   (update December 7, 2022)

Reopening Sri Lanka for Tourism Updated on 07th September 2021

Travel and Re-entry Rules to/from Sri Lanka for Selected Countries

Sri lanka travel advisory info for incoming foreign nationals, traveling under the sri lanka tourism bio-bubble system.

Updated on 29th March 2021

Procedures for International Travellers Arriving in Sri Lanka Foreign Travellers can holiday in selected certified hotels under Sri Lanka Tourism’s Safe & Secure program. Visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/ for details of the wide selection of available hotels. Tourists can use all facilities of the hotel and visit specified popular tourist sites, however, they are not permitted to mix with the local community until a specified number of days have elapsed. Travellers can move between multiple certified hotels. All travellers need to have a negative PCR report when arriving in Sri Lanka. Travellers will be subject to two PCR tests during the certified hotel stay period. Fully Vaccinated Travellers – Seven Day Stay in Certified Hotel

• All doses of the relevant vaccine should have been received two weeks prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.
• Proof of vaccination – travellers are required to produce an original vaccination certificate and a verified copy translated into English (if it is not in English) to the airport health officer.
• PCR testing will be as follows – one test within 24-hours of arrival and one test on the seventh day.
• If the traveller has received all relevant doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and has negative PCR reports from tests conducted on days one and seven, they are free to interact with the local community and stay at any establishment, whether certified or not.

Non-Vaccinated Travellers – 14 Day Stay in Certified Hotel

• If the traveller has not received the COVID-19 vaccine, or has received the vaccine less than two weeks prior to arrival, they are required to stay In a certified hotel for 14 days.
• PCR testing will be as follows – one test within 24-hours of arrival and one test prior to departure from the country or prior to departure from the certified hotel on the 14th day (whichever comes first).
• If the traveller receives a negative PCR report on the 14th day, they are free to interact with the local community once they leave the certified hotel.

Source: Economy Next

Updated on 18th January 2021

As Sri Lanka prepares to reopen the country for tourism in January, here’s everything you need to know to be ready.It is mandatory for hotels to provide confirmed booking number (reference number) only after collecting funds for necessary PCR tests ($40 per PCR test and number of PCR tests depends on the duration of the stay) and insurance premium of $12 for a cover of $50,000 for one month.Following are the instructions you would need to give international tourists planning to visit Sri Lanka.

• It is mandatory to have a confirmed hotel booking in a Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel/s prior to applying for a Tourist Visa (visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain for details of Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel).
• Obtain a confirmed hotel booking in a Safe and Secure Level 1 hotel.
• When making a hotel booking, pay for the PCR tests (USD 40 per test, per person, depending on the number of days of stay) and USD 12 for COVID-19 Insurance for one month. Visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain for details.
• Once you pay for your insurance and PCR tests, and have a pre confirmed hotel booking at a Certified Safe & Secure Level 1 hotel, the traveller will be issued a reference number by the hotel. This reference number is mandatory for visa processing. Once the traveller receives the reference number, they can apply for the visa.
• Apply for visa online at www.eta.gov.lk . On the online visa application, in the place where you are required to fill in the contact details in Sri Lanka, please indicate the hotel name and confirmed booking reference number.

Source: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Health & Safety Etiquette for Hotels and Accommodation Providers – Download Things you need to know when preparing to welcome visitors (Tour Guides) – Download Things you need to know when prepping for your visit (Travellers) – Download FAQ – Download More information can be found here . Source – Sri Lanka Tourism

Updated on 12th October 2020

Sri Lanka currently has no confirmed date for resuming tourism. Authorities are closely monitoring the on-ground situation and will make a decision as soon as they are able to. This space will be updated with new information whenever it is available.

At this point, local authorities have concluded that:

· Once Sri Lanka opens for tourism, citizens of all nations will be welcome.

· Comprehensive testing protocols will be followed prior to boarding a flight to Sri Lanka and upon entering the country.

· Guests will be required to visit the country for a minimum two week period, and stay at a single certified hotel.

· Guests who wish to remain in Sri Lanka for a longer period will be required to stay at a single certified hotel for a minimum 21 days prior to being able to travel around the island and stay at other certified hotels.

· Hotels that are open to foreign guests will not be permitted to welcome local guests at the same time, in order to minimise social interaction.

· Guests will not be permitted to leave the hotel premises during the mandatory 14 day or 21 day periods. They are welcome to move freely around the hotel premises and utilise all hotel facilities during this time.

· Guests will be required to download a mandatory software application when applying for an e-visa to Sri Lanka. This app will enable contact tracing in the event it is required for health and safety purposes.

· Guests will be required to pay a value of USD 35 as visa fees, and an additional USD 110 to cover costs of PCR testing and mandatory medical/COVID-19 insurance.

· In the event a guest tests positive for COVID-19, they will be treated at the KDU University Hospital.

Updated on 22nd September 2020

Update from the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance : click here to view.

Updated on 29th June 2020

Tourism Alliance Take on Reopening of Airport for Tourism

Although August 1st was announced for tourist arrivals to resume, it is now pushed back by a month or so (date expected to be announced mid-July) as a cautionary measure to protect Sri Lanka’s competent handling of the pandemic, with just 11 deaths and no community transmission for the last two months.

The upsurge of cases globally and a number of Sri Lankans returning from overseas and testing positive (and quarantined immediately), has alarmed authorities. The opening for tourism has hence been pushed back, to also buy time to enhance capacity for testing on arrival.

Sri Lanka Tourism has published a comprehensive protocol which hotels will be certified for. Domestic tourism resumed at the beginning of June.

Update from THASL – June 2020

Sri Lanka Tourism issued an update on 06th June 2020 with opening guidelines

Who can visit.

All nationalities are welcome and all types of travellers whether groups, families, individuals.

Which airports will operate?

Bandaranaike International Airport [BIA], Colombo Ratmalana Airport [RMA] and Mattala Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport [MRIA] will be operating for tourist arrivals from Aug 1, 2020.

What are the visa procedures?

• All travelers will require a valid visa; this will be issued for 30 days and extendable for upto 6 months after arrival. Online visa at http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
• Further relaxation for long stay guests is currently under consideration, enabling tourist to be granted five-year multiple entry visas with maximum 6 months stay.
• Visa fee US$100

Information required for visa application

• Booking details at Certified Accommodation
• Itinerary in Sri Lanka
• Return ticket
• Proof of medical insurance

Where can I stay and is there a minimum duration?

• A minimum 5-night stay in Sri Lanka is required.
• Independent professional audits will be done to certify accommodation providers who will be listed on the Sri Lanka tourism website. Details of bookings made with Certified Accommodation providers are required for the visa application.

Pre-departure COVID-19 PCR testing

A negative PCR test is required prior to boarding your flight and on arrival in Sri Lanka. The test should be no older than 72 hours prior to boarding.

On arrival in Sri Lanka

The airport will have high intensity sanitation measures in place for all areas and staff.

• There is no quarantine on arrival unless symptoms are detected.
• A PCR test would be done on arrival at the airport. No charge.
• Currently it takes 24 hours to receive the test results. We are making changes to have results within 4-6 hours by August. In the event it is required to wait 24 hours for test results; you will be able to select a hotel for a one-night stay from Certified 4 or 5-star hotels in Colombo or Negombo until the test results are received.
• A further test will be done 4-5 days after arrival by a mobile unit in coordination with your Certified Accommodation provider.
• Travelers staying for more than 10 days will be required to take a third test during their stay. While this may be inconvenient it is essential to safeguard everybody and provide peace of mind.
• In case of a positive PCR result, quarantine in a designated hotel or hospitalisation will take place depending on the details of the case. Quarantine would usually be 14 to 21 days if symptoms are detected.

Moving around Sri Lanka

• To ensure your safety, please arrange transportation prior to your arrival, with your Certified Accommodation provider or travel agent. Public transport should not be used.
• All tourist sites will be open from 1st August onwards with safety protocols and measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of our travelers.
• There will be no travel restrictions between districts for tourists.

What is Sri Lanka’s status with COVID-19?

Being an island, and thanks to the proactive measures taken, Sri Lanka has been able to manage the spread of the virus. No active community clusters have been detected in the last 30 days within the country.

Alliance Take:

Although appearing inconvenient, there needed to be much negotiation with the health authorities to get the opening date approved. Practically, nearer the time, there will likely be improvements to the process. It is unlikely that tourists will rush in immediately Aug 1, but technically Sri Lanka is open, so travellers can start planning to come later. It sends the signal that we are safe to travel to, even if we may appear obsessed that travellers may have the virus.

We understand that the airport is planning to acquire high speed machines to reduce the test result wait time to 4-5 hours. We believe that travellers will also want the comfort (when planning a holiday) of knowing that the destination is being stringent at the outset in order to protect hard-won gains, with only 11 deaths and 300 locally transmitted cases. We understand that in some countries getting tested when asymptomatic is not possible, so an on arrival test may suffice, as is the procedure in some other destinations such as Alaska.

Updated on 06th June 2020

COVID-19 Status

Number of cases.

Imported cases – 605

Local cases

• Navy cluster 883
• Local transmission 313

Total cases – 1801

Recovered – 891

Active – 899

Deaths – 11

Last community transmission – 30th April 2020

Source: Ministry of Health

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Sri Lanka Launches First Global Tourism Campaign in 16 Years

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

December 7th, 2023 at 2:58 AM EST

Sri Lanka has finally announced its plans to roll out its global tourism marketing campaign urging tourists “You’ll Come Back For More,” marking the first such campaign since 2007.  

Skift had earlier highlighted the country’s 16-year gap in robust tourism promotion. The country had developed a comprehensive consumer campaign in 2021, which had then been shelved.

The new campaign is set to unfold in phases, initially focusing on communicating the restoration of stability in the country and its readiness to welcome tourists, this will run through February. Subsequent stages will elaborate on the central theme of “You’ll come back for more,” targeting key source markets of Sri Lanka Tourism.

Ogilvy, the creative agency behind the campaign, based its strategy on insights revealing that over 30% of tourists visiting Sri Lanka are repeat travelers.

The government has also urged the private sector to play a pivotal role in attracting tourists, with Tourism Minister Harin Fernando emphasizing that the government’s responsibility was restricted to ensure an enabling environment.

Tourism Targets

This year’s target for tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka is 1.5 million, a goal viewed by some as modest given the destination’s capacity and potential.

According to the latest tourism data, Sri Lanka had welcomed 1.3 million tourists by November, with India leading as the largest contributor with almost 260,000 arrivals, followed by Russia with 168,000 tourists.

The country plans to welcome 2.5 million tourists next year.

Free Tourist Visas

As part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the tourism sector and achieve a target of 5 million arrivals by 2026, Sri Lanka announced issuing free tourist visas until March for visitors from seven countries — India, China, Russia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

The backdrop to these efforts includes last year’s wave of anti-government protests, beginning in April, triggered by severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicines. The country declared a s tate of emergency, facing what is considered its most significant economic crisis.

Tags: asia monthly , economic recovery , marketing , sri lanka , tourism campaigns , visa waiver

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Potential: A Path Forward

S ri Lanka has various types of incomes. Some income generating avenues can be controlled by certain individuals and groups. Some other income generating avenues cannot be controlled by any individual, organization or anything else. What is more valuable is the income generating avenues that cannot be stopped or destroyed by anyone.

Sri Lanka faced the gravest financial crisis after certain politicians and their political parties convinced Sri Lankan expatriates NOT to send dollars they earned in late 2021 and early 2022. But tourism is something that no one can control. It is the saviour of mother Lanka because no matter what happens or who tells what, tourists from all over the world love to visit Sri Lanka. They badly want to see the good or the bad and experience anything available ! This is how so-called `Aragalaya’ gave International publicity to Sri Lanka and promoted tourism unintentionally !.

Sri Lanka has been named as the 13th best island in the world in the list of `The 50 Best Islands in the World for 2023’ published by travel website Big 7 Travel. Sri Lanka is defined as a “beguiling” island in the article, was credited for its renowned hospitality and flavorful food, adding that “there are a thousand reasons” to visit the island nation.

According to the Big 7 travel article, there are a thousand reasons to visit the beguiling island, not least its friendly people, flavorful food, endless beaches and timeless ruins. Loop around the island and you’ll tick off tea plantations, elephant-filled wildlife parks, thousand-year-old ruins and endless strips of golden sand.

This compilation of the world’s most captivating and alluring island destinations offers a tantalizing peek into where globetrotters should set their sights for the year ahead, with the list having been put together by experts and enthusiasts alike, encompassing a wide range of island experiences.

To make this prestigious list, a very careful and precise selection process was employed. Scores were meticulously aggregated, taking into account valuable contributions from an engaged social media audience and travel experts who have explored these destinations firsthand.

Notably, this year’s assessment also considered significant events scheduled for 2023, new hotel and restaurant openings, and special initiatives designed to enhance the visitor experience, the article said.

Sri Lankan people are very good at pointing their fingers at anyone or anything but they never think how they can contribute towards the upliftment of the country. Not doing anything bad is also helpful when it comes to promoting tourism. Here in Sri Lanka the majority of the people are extremely hospitable and only a handful of them do certain things that make Sri Lanka unpopular. It is high time Sri Lankans start to contribute towards promoting tourism at an individual level.

Those handful of individuals, especially three-wheel drivers who are NOT connected to Pickme and Uber can stop snatching every cent in tourists’ pockets when transporting them in their three-wheeler and others who are in this handful group can stop robbing their belongings. They can also refrain from stealing and abusing (especially female tourists) them.

There is another very useful thing that can be done by almost all Sri Lankans in order to promote tourism and to improve themselves as individuals. It is learning simple English (at least spoken English) and using English as much as possible. Then tourists who visit Sri Lanka can talk to any Sri Lankan citizen and get any information they require without any trouble. In several other countries the ordinary people can understand and speak simple English.

All drivers who are connected to Pickme and Uber need to learn simple spoken English. Then Sri Lanka can stop the three-wheel mafia from snatching money from tourists.

The other very important thing is NOT leaving tourists in the middle of jungles when lightning trikes are launched by railway trade unionists !. Recently the trains were abandoned in the middle of jungles when the railway trade unions launched a lightning strike. The tourists who were traveling in them were stranded.

Some tourists travel in the second and third class in trains sandwiching among local commuters simply because they cannot buy first class tickets from the counters of railway stations and they have to book them online only. There is no connection between the relevant app and the apps usually used by the tourists. This system should be changed with immediate effect.

The CGR should allow any local or foreign commuter to buy first class train tickets from any counter in any station in the country. At the moment tourists travel in congested second and third class compartments and sweat from top to bottom due to non availability of first class tickets at counters !. The entire country should thank all our law enforcement officers for the swift service they provide for tourists.

As Sri Lankan citizens, our responsibility is assisting the motherland to get up and walk forward. We should not listen to the handful of bankrupt politicians who are always waiting until the country gets destroyed. Their only objective is capturing power at any cost.

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Tourism Industry Sees Further Growth

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority says a visible growth can be observed in the tourism sector. Accordingly 50,537 tourist have visited Sri Lanka in the relevant time frame. The tourists visiting the country have been from India, Great Britain, Russia and Germany. The Department adds 686,321 tourist have visited the country during the year.

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Sri Lanka Tourism Triumphs at ITB Berlin 2024

March, 13, 2024 -->

Unveils New Brand Identity and Showcases Unmatched Diversity in Sri Lanka

The ITB Berlin Convention, the world’s leading travel industry think tank, recently concluded its 2024 event, where over the course of three days, top international Travel and Tourism industry thought leaders gathered to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and developments, and to debate the major challenges facing the global travel industry.

In a significant moment for Sri Lanka Tourism, the new Island destination positioning ‘You’ll Come Back for More’ was unveiled at the convention, along with the new logo and global tourism campaign.

This pivotal event took place under the auspices of the Honourable Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando, with the participation of key industry leaders. The unveiling served as a platform to showcase the unique attributes of Sri Lanka at a global stage, highlighting the country’s unparalleled diversity.

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando speaking at the event said, “Sri Lanka Tourism is launching its destination brand campaign globally with a new positioning and a tagline:  ‘You’ll come back for more’. What inspired us was the simple fact that 33% of our travellers are repeat visitors. We have people from across the world returning to Sri Lanka, some as many as 100 to 150 times. When you listen to their stories and experiences in our island, you will realise that there is something special about Sri Lanka. It’s not just a bucket list country. There is a deep bond Sri Lanka creates with our visitors and as a result they keep coming back for the people, the places, and moments. We want to share this unique story of our Island with the world. Under the new destination positioning, we have a 360-degree approach to tell our story. But while we communicate all that we have to offer the world, we will also ensure the quality of the experiences each traveller has with us is also rich.”

The Minister highlighted that Sri Lanka Tourism aims to attract 2.3 million tourists in 2024 and earn over USD 4 billion. The long-term target is even more ambitious, with plans to welcome 5 million arrivals and generate USD 21.6 billion in revenue by 2030. The country is taking a holistic approach to its Global Marketing and Promotion campaigns, in addition to product development. This strategy aims to position the island as a destination that travellers could visit all year round.

The Minister concluded his address by stating that “Sri Lanka’s tourism bounced back after many challenges in the few past years, and it is nothing short of a miracle how it happened. But Sri Lankans are a very resilient people, and we enjoy being hosts to visitors. So naturally tourism recovered fast, and we are seeing a record number of visitors to the island today as a result.”

Sri Lanka Tourism was represented by 68 exhibitors at the 2024 edition of the convention, demonstrating commitment by the industry to aggressively promote the country as a premier tourist destination.

Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism and Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), reflecting on the significance of the event said, “Given that Germany has historically been one of the key source markets for Sri Lankan tourism, and considering the encouraging growth we witnessed in 2023 from Germany, our presence at this trade exhibition was crucial. It provided an opportunity for the Sri Lanka Tourism brand to showcase our unique destination and leverage the international visibility the event offered to our tourism industry”.

The ITB Berlin Convention attracted significant media attention, drawing around 3,000 journalists from 73 countries and 333 bloggers from 32 countries, with media visibility estimated to reach over 5 billion people worldwide.

Capitalising on the large number of journalists and bloggers attending the event, a sucessful media conference was hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism contingent at the Convention.

Speaking at the media event, Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando , shared his vision for the future. Ambassador of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin, Varuni Muthukumarana meanwhile highlighted the strengthening of ties between Sri Lanka and Germany, and the potential for increased tourism. Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chalaka Gajabahu further outlined the strategic plans for promoting Sri Lanka as a premier tourist destination.

In the first few months of 2024 the Island saw unprecedented growth in arrivals. February recorded a total of 218,350 tourist arrivals, marking the third consecutive month with over 200,000 arrivals. This is the highest number of tourist arrivals reported since January 2020, prior to the pandemic.

Sri Lanka Tourism media conference at ITB Berlin 2024 to unveil the new Island destination positioning, future vision and destination product offerings

The Sri Lanka Tourism contingent at ITB Berlin 2024

Image Caption : Hon. Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism (centre), HE Ms. Varuni Muthukumarana, Ambassador of Sri Lanka Embassy, Berlin (3 rd Left), Mr. Chalaka Gajabah, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) (3 rd Right) and other dignitaries at the Sri Lanka Tourism media conference at ITB Berlin 2024

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Sri Lanka unveils new online visa system

• Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 2:16 PM
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The Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration has implemented a new visa methodology and new online methodology starting today.

The new visa methodology, relevant fees, requirements to be met and the period of staying in Sri Lanka have been published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2360/24 dated 27.11.2023.

Arrangements have been made together with GBS Technology Service & IVS Global Institute to implement the E-Visa system – the online methodology to be introduced in lieu of the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) methodology implemented at present.

One can refer to this site for getting complete information on the new system.

www.srilankaevisa.lk

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With its daily sunshine, miles of wide golden sand beaches, lush green forests, brightly colored buildings, buses, tuk tuks and smiling people, the island of Sri Lanka richly deserves its title as “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” And it also seems fitting that Time magazine described the country’s first luxury wellness retreat, Santani , high in the Dumbara mountains above the town of Kandy, as “one of the world’s 100 best places.” Following its launch in 2018, Santani Wellness topped the “best spa” lists of the world’s lifestyle press, including Vogue , Tatler, Conde Nast Traveller and Forbes.

Individual chalets overlooking the mountains provide the accommodation at Santani, Sri Lanka

Santani (Sanskit for “in harmony with”) is indeed worthy of these accolades: it really is a unique and special place. At 2,800 feet above sea level, in a beautiful 116-acre tea plantation within a forest, Santani feels like a secret retreat where you can come to be transformed or simply just to relax away from our hectic, fast-paced world. Santani is the first and only purpose-built wellness resort offering luxury escapes in Sri Lanka, designed according to the highest sustainability and eco-standards. Founder Vickum Nawagamuwage believes that sustainable wellbeing begins by bringing oneself into balance and this idea is at the core of everything at the Santani retreat. Santani offers a range of wellness programs in Ayurveda, detox and cleansing, yoga and relaxation that combine on-site pampering and rejuvenation with advice on healthy living and habits that you can take away. Guests come here for either a full-on wellness program starting with an assessment by an Ayurvedic doctor or as a leisure guest, with optional daily group Hatha yoga, guided nature walks, spa treatments or excursions off the property.

Accommodation

Accommodation is blissful, in separate chalets for two, perched in the hills, with terraces overlooking the valley. The stand-alone, single-bedrooms are a spacious 500 square feet. There are sixteen Mountain View Chalets and four Garden View Chalets that are designed for families with children (above 12). The chalets have a chic, minimalist vibe with cool polished concrete floors, ceiling fans, up-cycled rubber wood lounge chairs and recycled teakwood safari chairs on the balcony. Each room has a rainfall shower, fridge, water in glass bottles and tea and coffee.

View of Dumbara moutains from a chalet at Santani Wellness, Sri Lanka

The rooms are built for natural ventilation and are air-condition free – far healthier for you and better for the environment because this saves over 70% of energy compared to an air-conditioned hotel. Everywhere on the green, lush property you will hear the surrounding wildlife. Early mornings and evenings especially provide a delightful natural symphony of forest noises including monkeys, crickets, wild cats and birds.

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The spectacular dining room at Santani

Meals are taken in an impressive repurposed timber structure with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush mountains of Dumbara. The naturally ventilated space serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a choice of western or Sri Lankan meals overseen by Executive Chef Indika Bandara who has worked in kitchens in Brunei, Canada and Dubai, under Chef Gordon Ramsey. All the menus include locally produced ingredients, many of which are grown on the farm in the property. If a guest has opted for the full wellness package, that includes a personalised approach to gourmet wellness cuisine.

The lounge in the restaurant at Santani

In place of a printed menu, Santani’s chefs prepare healthy natural dishes according to a custom meal plan created in coordination with the Head of Wellness and Santani’s in-house Ayurvedic doctor based upon your health goals. Leisure guests are asked each day whether they prefer the western or Sri Lankan option for each meal. The food is outstanding. Breakfast includes egg hoppers, granola, banana bread, yogurt and fruit while dinner and lunch includes a well thought out, changing array of seafood, curries, and the much loved Sri Lankan delicacy, stringhoppers.

Sabtani's wellness pool in the spa

Tailored wellness programs at Santani range from a simple two day spa break (steam room, sauna, massage, pool, yoga) to more intensive, longer programs focusing on sleep, detox, weight loss, stress management or menopause. The massages are excellent in lovely rooms exposed to the lush tropical surroundings which will make you feel like you’re having treatments outdoors in nature. Upon arrival, wellness guests are seen by Ayurvedic doctor, Dr Sachini. who after the first consultation will advise on treatments for any imbalance, including daily massages, hot oil treatments and a change in diet that the restaurant will implement while you’re there.

Outdoor Yoga studio at Santani, Sri Lanka

One of the highlights of a stay at Santani is the yoga which caters to all levels and is open to all guests. Twice daily hatha yoga is with Rahul, a superb yoga teacher from India who says “I believe that health is wealth, and peace of mind is happiness. Yoga shows the way." Rahul’s style is a classic and holistic approach to Hatha Yoga that stretches and tones the whole body. It's a complete healing system designed to help the body maintain a natural, healthy state.

Activities and Excursions

Santani infinity pool

On the property, guests can enjoy the serene infinity pool overlooking the hills and valleys and walk to the Hulu River or to a temple. Further afield, just outside the property, hike or take a tuk tuk to the hanging bridge and swimming place. The bridge, one of Santani’s projects to help the local community, crosses a point where the Hulu river and Kota Ganga river meet and is still used by local residents. Santani also runs Dalumaduwa school on the property which provides tutoring and help to the students in the village.

Dumbara Designs, traditional weaving, Sri Lanka

Outside of the property, Santani is actively engaged in preserving the heritage of the local region. Santani will organise excursions giving unique access to local craftspeople like award-winning father and daughter weavers Ashoka and Lakshani of Dumbara Designs. The Santani Foundation is hosting the first annual Sri Lanka Folk Festival 6-8 August 2024 in Kandy that will showcase regional talent from Dumbara weaving, clay pottery from specific clay found in the region and the traditional Kandyan dance families, working in collaboration with the Madyama Lanka Nrutya Mandalaya dance school under Madame Amunugama Waidyawathia Rajapakshe. The new festival has been programmed to tie in with the annual Esala Perahera procession , also in August, a historical event in which the sacred tooth relic is paraded through the streets among dancers, drummers and 100 elephants dressed in colourful, glittering fabrics.

Buddhist temple, Sri Lanka

Another essential external excursion is a Temple tour organised by Santani, guided by in-house naturalist Damitha Prabodha that includes the Galmaduha temple built in 1782 by the last Buddhist king of Kandy for his Hindu wife.

Waterfalls in the Dumbara mountains, Sri Lanka

For hikers, Santani’s waterfalls tour is a unique experience winding through tea plantations and forests and six waterfalls that cascade down the Dumbara (Knuckles) Mountain Range, each of them unique in their own way. The British named the mountains Knuckles as they resemble the knuckles of a clenched fist.

Sunny day in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy, about an hour away is the nearest large town to Santani and as Sri Lanka’s last kingdom, is a must see. Even if you’re not religious, you will be enchanted by the activities and the flower stalls with frangipani and lotus blossoms to offer at the Sri Dalada Maligawa temple , the large Buddhist temple that allegedly houses a prized relic, one of the Buddha’s teeth. The vibrant town is packed with fascinating architecture, shops to buy spices and fresh fruit and vegetable markets where you can buy the King of fruits, the mango and the Queen, the delicious mangosteen.

The dining room at Helga's Folly, Kandy, Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, it’s worth hiring a local guide, not for safety concerns but just for local knowledge. Local guide Donald, who works for the brilliant new tour company, Sensory Indulgences . is highly recommended. He knows the major attractions of course but takes guests to lesser known streets and insider destinations like the fabulous art hotel in the hills, Helga’s Folly , a rambling collection of fascinating rooms filled with art, candelabras, antiques and memorabilia of the owner to Helga De Silva Blow Perera, a former Dior model.

Sustainability

Dining room at Santani

Santani doesn’t just talk the talk when it comes to sustainability. The property was built using reclaimed wood and rooms are built for natural ventilation and are air-condition free, it uses treated recycled water for about 80% of the garden, thus reducing the groundwater consumption from their wells, meaning well water sources available even during the dry months when rainfall is low. Low lit pathways minimize light pollution and disturbance to the ecosystem. Electric buggies are used to reduce fuel usage. Santani is taking its sustainabilty and wellness model outside of the country with a newly signed collaboration in Oman with the Omran Group where they will create two new wellness properties. The partnership is expected to create significant economic benefits, including job creation, and will serve as a model for sustainable development and wellness tourism in Oman and beyond.

Practicalities

The Hanging Bridge near Santani retreat

A stay at Santani Wellness starts at: Double / Wellness included from US$711 per room per night in a Garden View chalet and Double / Wellness included from $790 per room per night in a Mountain View chalet.

A leisure only stay starts from Double / Full board from $446 per room per night in a Garden View chalet and Double / Full board from $525 per room per night in a Mountain View chalet.

A combination beach and retreat holiday is available from Santani with a stay at Santani Wellness and Kirana , a Santani Villa on Bentota beach.

Sri Lankan airlines offers daily direct flights from London Heathrow, Paris and Frankfurt to Colombo. Santani Wellness is a four-five hour drive from Colombo airport.

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Why a Sri Lankan island is sparking an Indian election controversy

Indian Prime Minister Modi claims the former Congress government sneakily gifted Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. But the truth is more complex, say diplomats and analysts.

New Delhi, India – Fifty years after India and Sri Lanka settled a long-simmering dispute over a tiny island, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused a former government of the now-in-opposition Congress Party of gifting Indian territory to its southern neighbour.

The allegation by Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the eve of national elections has sparked a heated debate in India over a key diplomatic relationship.

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At the centre of the controversy is Katchatheevu Island, for long an emotive issue in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which votes on April 19 in the first phase of India’s seven-stage elections .

What’s the controversy about?

Ahead of the Tamil Nadu vote, on March 31, Modi shared a news report on social media with the headline, “RTI reply shows how Indira Gandhi ceded island to Sri Lanka”. Modi asserted that Congress “callously” gave Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka.

The issue originated from a Right to information (RTI) request by Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai, who suggested that in the 1970s, the Congress Party under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in consultation with Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), transferred ownership of Katchatheevu Island to Sri Lanka. The DMK was ruling Tamil Nadu at the time and is also in power there now.

“Eye-opening and startling! New facts reveal how Congress callously gave away #Katchatheevu. This has angered every Indian and reaffirmed in people’s minds—we can’t ever trust Congress! (sic),” Modi posted on X, sharing the report. “Weakening India’s unity, integrity and interests has been Congress’ way of working for 75 years and counting,” he added.

Soon after, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reshared Modi’s tweet with the caption: “It is important that people know the full truth about our past. The facts brought out… should concern every citizen.” The foreign minister later echoed Modi’s allegations during two press conferences.

Modi has since repeated the allegations, including in a campaign speech in West Bengal on April 7 where he alleged that for the Congress Party, both Katchatheevu and the territory of Kashmir, which is contested by India and Pakistan, do not matter.

Many analysts believe the BJP’s decision to bring up Katchatheevu is aimed only at helping it in Tamil Nadu during the election. It is a state where the BJP has only a small presence and won no seats in the 2019 vote. There are 39 national constituencies in Tamil Nadu, with an average of 1.51 million voters in each.

“The fact the issue has been raised in the midst of the elections clearly shows it has been done in the hope of gaining some support in Tamil Nadu where the BJP so far has failed to gain any foothold,” said Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former BJP politician and current columnist, who served as a director of operations in the Prime Minister’s Office under the previous BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, between 1999 and 2004.

Kulkarni said the BJP move was “neither good politics nor good diplomacy and certainly not good neighbourhood policy”.

He questioned how Modi and Jaishankar could claim to have unearthed the “full truth” about Kathatheevu in 2024, when they were in power for the past decade and had access to all the papers on the subject.

“All the facts that have come up have gone against the ruling party itself. Modi has been the prime minister for the last 10 years and for him to tweet that these are some new facts that have come up – how can the government be unaware of the facts when it has all resources at its disposal?” Kulkarni asked.

What and where is Katchatheevu?

Katchatheevu is a small, barren island spanning 115 hectares (285 acres) within Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary, located 33km (20 miles) off the northeast coast of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka’s Delft Island.

Katchatheevu was governed by the kingdom of Ramanad Raja from 1795 to 1803 during British rule. The island is also home to the 120-year-old St Anthony’s Church, which hosts an annual festival, drawing devotees from India and Sri Lanka.

Control of Katchatheevu has been a significant point of contention between India and Sri Lanka, particularly regarding fishing rights in the surrounding waters. In a news conference last week, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that Sri Lanka had detained more than 6,000 Indian fishermen and 1,175 fishing vessels in the past 20 years.

Pradip Chatterjee, the convener of India’s National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers, told Al Jazeera that what fishermen needed was for India and Sri Lanka to avoid adopting nationalist positions and instead “amicably resolve this matter”.

Late last month, the Sri Lankan Navy confirmed in a statement that they had detained 23 Indian trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen in 2024 for allegedly fishing in the island nation’s waters. On April 4, 19 Indian fishermen were released by the Sri Lanka Navy and repatriated to India.

When did Katchatheevu become a part of Sri Lanka?

The spat between India and Sri Lanka dates back at least to 1921 and a survey that placed it within the maritime territory of what was then known as Ceylon, now Sri Lanka – a position that British India countered, citing the erstwhile rule of the Ramanad kingdom. The dispute continued after the independence of both countries.

In 1974, India acknowledged Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lanka’s territory in a maritime boundary agreement signed by Indian Prime Minister Gandhi and her counterpart Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

According to a copy of the agreement obtained by Al Jazeera, the pact allowed Indian fishermen and pilgrims to visit Katchatheevu without needing a travel document or a visa. However, the agreement did not specify the fishing rights of Indian fishermen in the waters around Katchatheevu.

Ashok Kantha, a former Indian ambassador to Sri Lanka, said that the 1974 agreement led to further agreements clarifying the maritime boundary with Sri Lanka. One such agreement in March 1976 recognised India’s sovereign rights over the Wadge Bank – a 10,300 sq km (4,000 sq mile) trawl fishery site – and its rich resources.

In comparison with Katchatheevu island, the Wadge Bank is considered one of the world’s richest fishing grounds, located in a much more strategically important part of the sea. The agreement also granted India the right to explore the Wadge Bank for petroleum and other mineral resources.

“The 1974 agreement placed Katchatheevu on the Sri Lankan side of the IMBL (international maritime boundary line) but it also paved the way for the understanding of 1976, which recognised India’s sovereign rights over the Wadge Bank and its rich resources,” Kantha said.

However, the 1976 agreement restricted both the countries’ fishermen from fishing in the other’s waters.

What do Tamil Nadu parties say on Katchatheevu?

The two largest parties in Tamil Nadu, the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), have long advocated for the retrieval of the Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka.

In 1974, after India ceded Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, M Karunanidhi , the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, wrote to Gandhi on how the land was historically a part of the Ramnad kingdom’s territory.

However, the BJP today blames the DMK government for being complicit with Congress in handing over the Island to Sri Lanka.

In 1991, the Tamil Nadu assembly adopted a resolution demanding the retrieval of Katchatheevu Island. In 2008, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa from the AIADMK approached the Supreme Court to nullify the agreements of 1974 and 1976.

But amid the current controversy, both the AIADMK and DMK have criticised the BJP for raising the Katchatheevu issue ahead of the general elections.

What have Modi and the BJP previously said?

In the wake of the controversy, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi alleged inconsistencies in the Modi government’s position on Katchatheevu, citing a 2015 RTI reply from the Ministry of External Affairs. Jaishankar, now foreign minister, was then the top career diplomat in the foreign office.

“This [1974 agreement] didn’t involve either acquiring or ceding of territory belonging to India since the area in question had never been demarcated,” Jaishankar’s ministry had said in 2015. “Under the agreements, the island of Katchatheevu lies on the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line.”

In 2014, after Modi came to power, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the Supreme Court that Katchatheevu was given to Sri Lanka based on a bilateral agreement in 1974 and “to retrieve it now, we have to go to war”.

What are the implications for India’s relations with Sri Lanka?

Harsh V Pant, the vice president for studies and foreign policy at the Observer Research Foundation, said that while the controversy would not harm the India-Sri Lanka relationship, revisiting settled issues like Katchatheevu would not be in the interests of either side.

“Tamil Nadu is an important state now being contested by the BJP. So, it is very natural for the BJP to try to find space in a state where it has no presence, using all available issues that come its way and this issue is one of them,” Pant said.

“The BJP leadership seems to be highlighting the opposition’s past mishandling of the issue but I don’t think there is intent to change the way the dispute was settled decades ago. Therefore, I think this is unlikely to continue beyond the elections,” Pant added.

Other governments, he said, “understand the compulsion of electoral democracy and [that] many things are said during elections that are forgotten later. That’s why I think we have seen the Sri Lankan government not really intervening in the matter”.

On April 4, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told a local television channel that Colombo did not see any “necessity to have further discussions on” what he described as a settled matter.

Former Indian diplomat Kalarickal Pranchu Fabian said that as long as India does not try to renegotiate the Katchatheevu deal with Sri Lanka, the domestic politics surrounding the island would not affect bilateral ties.

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World Bank report shows drastic increases in Sri Lanka’s poverty and inequality

Saman gunadasa 7 april 2024.

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Last week’s World Bank report on Sri Lanka revealed that poverty has increased over the past four years—from 11 percent in 2019 to almost 26 percent in 2024. This means more than a quarter of the Sri Lankan population is living in poverty.

Issued on April 2, the World Bank Update: Bridges to Recovery report briefly discusses how the unprecedented economic crisis that engulfed the country in 2022 has impacted the masses. It insists, however, that the savage austerity program dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and being implemented by the Wickremesinghe government is necessary to achieve “economic recovery.”

Sri Lanka’s long-standing economic weaknesses and high foreign debt were exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the US-NATO war in Ukraine against Russia.

The efforts of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his government to impose the burden of this crisis onto working people saw the eruption of protests, demonstrations and strikes involving millions of workers, and the rural and urban poor, during April–July 2022. Confronted with this mass movement, the government collapsed and Rajapakse fled the country and resigned.

The betrayal of this uprising by the trade unions and the fake-left Frontline Socialist Party, who called for an interim bourgeois government, paved the way for the elevation of Ranil Wickremesinghe into the presidency and an intensification of the IMF austerity measures.

The World Bank report notes: “Households have been impoverished by a fall in their purchasing power due to high inflation, losses in wages, income and employment, and a drop in remittances.”

Approximately 60 percent of Sri Lankan households, it states, have decreased incomes, with many facing increased food insecurity, malnutrition and stunted growth. The persistence of this wide-scale social devastation and misery, however, is a direct result of the IMF’s brutal social attacks.

The report indicates that labour market trends in Sri Lanka have been affected by widespread closures of micro-, small- and medium-enterprises. In the third quarter of 2023, the labour force participation rate in the urban sector dropped to 45.2 percent, down from 52.3 percent in 2019. Youth unemployment, especially young adults (aged from 25–29), rose to 17.7 percent between the second and third quarters of 2023.

According to the report: “The implementation of new revenue measures increased estimated revenue as a share of GDP [Gross Domestic Product] from 8.4 percent in 2022 to 11 percent in 2023.”

These “revenue measures,” which are being ruthlessly imposed by President Wickremesinghe and his government, include higher prices for essentials via an 18 percent value-added tax on almost all goods and services; new import taxes and special levies; and increased income taxes on workers. Cuts to state subsidies have triggered exorbitant rates for electricity, fuel and water, and higher prices for fertilisers.

The government is in the process of privatising, commercialising or closing state-owned enterprises and destroying hundreds of thousands of jobs. Sri Lanka’s already dilapidated public health and education systems have been plunged into crisis by government funding cuts.

As the World Bank report states: “17.5 percent of households indicated that they limited their education expenses (including on stationery and uniforms) to deal with rising costs, and most households have changed their health treatment procedures since March 2022 due to a lack of funds.”

While Sri Lanka recorded a minus 7.3 percent GDP growth rate in 2022, the World Bank said this had been reduced to minus 2.3 percent in 2023 and claimed this was “expected to turn positive” in 2024. The “improvement,” however, still means that there will be no real growth this year.

On April 2, World Bank Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos declared that the Sri Lankan economy “is on the road to recovery.” At the same time, however, he claimed that “sustained efforts to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis on the poor and vulnerable” required the government to maintain its social attacks on the working masses.

A two-pronged strategy to “maintain reforms that contribute to macroeconomic stability” and “accelerate reforms to stimulate private investment and capital inflows,” he said, must be continued. These so-called “economic reforms” mean an ever greater assault on the social position of working people.

On March 29, Sri Lanka’s Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) stated that the minimum monthly expenditure per person in Sri Lanka has increased by 144 percent since 2019. The amount is calculated on the basis of what is required to fulfil the basic monthly needs of an individual, which in 2019 was 6,966 rupees ($23). This near-starvation level amount has now catapulted to 17,014 rupees per month.

The current amount assumes that an individual can survive on 560 rupees for their daily needs, when, in fact, the cost of a single meal of lowest quality rice and curry purchased on the street is over 250 rupees. The DCS’s so-called poverty line does not include spending on other essential needs.

The World Food Program’s 2024 February Country Brief for Sri Lanka stated that “significant concerns remain as households (43 percent) adopt livelihood-based coping strategies, while 42 percent still adopt food coping strategies.” In other words, half of Sri Lanka’s population is struggling to secure their most basic food requirements.

While the minimum monthly expenditure for individuals has risen sharply, the government has refused to increase the basic wages of state sector employees. Instead it has provided a paltry allowance of 5,000 rupees in January and another 5,000-rupee payment this month. On March 27, Sri Lanka’s cabinet agreed to raise the National Minimum Wage, which mainly covers private sector workers, by just 5,000 rupees to 17,500 rupees per month.

The main thrust of the IMF program, which is supported by the World Bank, is to repay Sri Lanka’s international debt and interest and to boost the profits of big business and international investors by squeezing the maximum amount from the working class and the poverty-stricken masses.

While the Rajapakse government halted repayment of foreign debts, declaring default on April 12, 2022, the Wickremesinghe administration has repaid $1.3 billion to multilateral finance agencies, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the IMF, according to a presidential media division press release. Wickremesinghe has previously admitted that his government will have to allocate $6 billion in annual debt repayments.

Wickremesinghe’s ruling coalition and the opposition parties—the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna-led National People’s Power—are now involved in sordid manoeuvres in the lead-up to scheduled presidential and parliamentary elections. All these parties and the trade unions are committed to imposing the IMF’s brutal social attacks.

The working class cannot defend their jobs, wages and social conditions if they remain tied to these organisations that above all defend the profit system. To fight the escalating government attacks, the working class must advance a socialist perspective.

This includes the repudiation of all foreign debt and the nationalisation of the banks, the big corporations and plantations, placing them under the democratic control of the working class. Such a program can only be implemented through the fight for a workers’ and peasants’ government, as part of the struggle for international socialism.

• The value added tax increase in Sri Lanka: A brutal attack on the working class 22 December 2023
• Sri Lankan president calls on parliamentary opposition to assist his government to impose IMF austerity 16 February 2024
• Sri Lankan parties in sordid manoeuvres over presidential and national election dates 27 March 2024