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Ayubowan! Sri Lanka № 2’2013 | January 31, 2013 1
Shangri La investments - the sign of stability External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris visited the Shangri La Hotel construction site and observed the rapid progress of the work. The Minister said that there was strikingly visible evidence of the confidence placed in the future of Sri Lanka's economy by major investors. He described the Shangri-La project as a landmark investment by one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world. Shangri La, he said, has begun construction work with regard to two state of the art hotels, one in Colombo and the other in Hambantota. “Foreign direct investment is part of the significant dividends of the atmosphere of peace and stability, strongly entrenched in the country after the eradication of terrorism”, he said.
Prof. Peiris also referred to the substantial benefits accruing from these investments by the leading companies in the hospitality sector, to the people of the area. “These benefits include employment opportunities for large numbers of youth, combined with exposure to high quality training and attractive allowances even during the period of training”.
2012 December records highest tourist arrivals in a month!
In the month of December 2012, Sri Lanka Tourism witnessed the highest ever tourist arrivals in a single month. According to the figures, in last December alone, a number of 122,252 visitors came to Sri Lanka with 25.4% monthly increase whereas the total number of visitors for the year 2012 amounted to be 1,055,605, which recorded a growth of 17.5% in comparison with the previous year. For the first time in history, Sri Lanka achieved the goal of one million tourists on the 30th of December 2012. In 2013, the targeted number of arrivals by the government is 1,250,000. December arrivals from Western Europe were up 29.6% to 43,699 tourists with Britain Sri Lanka's top market in the region up 27.8% to 12,861. Germany was up 64.4% to 9,059, France was up 51.2% to 5,551.
North America was up 9.4% to 6,475. Eastern Europe was up 61.2% in December with Ukraine surging to 3,275 from 227 a year earlier and Russia up 27.4% to 4,897.
The Middle East was up 25.6% to 6,073 tourists.
East Asia was up 62.1% to 16,658 with China surging 213% to 3,605 Japan up 49.1% to 2,907, Singapore up 11.1% to 2,876 and Malaysia up 31.2% to 2,446.
Ayubowan! Sri Lanka № 2’2013 | January 31, 2013 2
South Asia rose 6.1% to 27,445 arrivals with India, Sri Lanka's top market rising 8.5% to 18,941 followed by Maldives up 1.5% to 6,564. Annual arrivals rose 17.5% to 1,005,605 with Western Europe rising 18.4% to 373,063. UK visitors rose 7.7% to 114,218, Germany rose 28.2% to 71,642 followed by French visitor at 56,863 up 16.8%. Eastern Europe was up 43.6% with Ukraine rising 124.2% to 22.348 and Russia up 32.8% to 28.402 tourists. South Asia showed 38% to 132,730 arrivals. India rose 2.9% to 176,340 slowing its strong 20% levels seen in earlier years when Indian could visit Sri Lanka without visa.
Sri Lanka - TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2013
Sri Lanka has been added to a list of 14 Asian countries where popular hotels are ranked annually by TripAdvisor.com, a travel review site. Fortress Hotel in Koggala was listed as number one among top 25 hotels in the country with the comment: "Beautiful hotel with fantastic rooms and some really nice touches". Sri Lankan hotels are becoming more prominent on the internet with hundreds of hotels being listed in booking engines.
SriLankan Airlines new office in Gampaha SriLankan Airlines in a bid to increase its presence in all parts of the country opened its latest passenger sales office in Gampaha; under the patronage of Chief Executive Officer of the SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena. The branch office will facilitate travel formalities to a large clientele in the Gampaha district. This includes handling of reservations, ticketing, Prepaid Ticket Advices, requests for special services, information on fares, schedules and packages - essentially offering the same sales activity carried out by any city office of the airline.
SriLankan has appointed Lando travels (Pvt) Limited, which is a leading IATA accredited travel Agency in Sri Lanka that caters the travel facilities for clients such as airline ticketing and reservations, travel insurance, outbound holidays, inbound tour programs and worldwide hotel reservations. Srilankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer said "Srilankan targets to make Srilankan brand and product readily available in each and every corner of our country to provide an extended service to all customers under our extensive expanding strategy. The opening of Gampaha branch marks another successful step in to an administrative town in Sri Lanka making travels easier and comfortable on SriLankan" The Gampaha PSA Office address: 302, Colombo Road, Gampaha. Working hours: 8.15-17.00 on weekdays 8.15-12.30 on Saturdays (except mercantile and Poya holidays).
For information, contact +94 33-495-00-20/21.
Ayubowan! Sri Lanka № 2’2013 | January 31, 2013 3
Development in ports and aviation sectors
The ports and aviation sectors are experiencing rapid development, Ports and Aviation Project Minister said. The Ministry will develop and modernize ports to make Sri Lanka, home to one of the 10 best mega port networks in the world.
Currently, six ports, namely, Colombo South, Galle, Magampura, Kankasanthurai, Oluvil and Trincomalee are being developed as industrial and tourism ports.
Eight investors have signed agreements with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to begin new business ventures at the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa port. “We have spent 361 million dollars for the first phase construction of the Magampura Port and 808 million dollars on the second phase. But these investors have agreed to invest one billion dollars at the port to start new factories. All arrangements are in place to develop the Magampura Port as one of the best re-exporting ports in the world,” the Minister said.
The second phase of the Magampura Port is to commence shortly while operations at the Oluvil harborage expected to begin by year's end.
Meanwhile, the Colombo (South) Port break-water has already been completed and it will be opened in March. All arrangements are also in place to commence construction of the Colombo Port City and it is to be built as a new island near Galle Face.
The Ports and Aviation Ministry also aims to establish the Asia's best road system in Sri Lanka. Plans are afoot to extend the Kottawa - Galle Expressway to Matara.
Sinharaja Rain Forest: The Forgotten Treasure Trove
Over the past few months, with the introduction of the Colombo Galle highway, tourism in the southern coastal belt has improved tremendously. While the beaches are undoubtedly the most visited, there is a somewhat forgotten treasure trove strictly for nature lovers: The Sinharaja Rain Forest.
Being the last major undisturbed area of rainforest in the country, which was declared a World Heritage Site, Sinharaja occupies a broad ridge at the heart of the island’s wet zone. The reserve comprises 18,899 hectares of natural and modified forest, measuring about 21km East to West and 3.7km North to South. With 22 villages around the forest, the locals are permitted to enter the area to tap palms to make jaggery and treacle, which constitutes the main income for most households.
This forest numbers over 50 rare flora and fauna species. Two main types of forest can be recognized: remnants of the Dipterocarpus forest occur in valleys and on their lower slopes; secondary forest and scrub occur where the original forest cover has been removed by shifting cultivation and in other places the forest has been replaced by rubber and tea plantations. Of Sri Lanka’s 830 endemic species, 217 trees and woody climbers are found in the lowland wet zone.
Ayubowan! Sri Lanka № 2’2013 | January 31, 2013 4
In comparison to the adventurous attractions of the coastal line, Sinharaja is a more tranquil destination. It takes a true nature lover to appreciate the rare species while trekking. Birds considered to be endangered or rare are the Sri Lanka Pigeon, Green-billed Coucal, Sri Lanka White-headed Starling, Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, Ashyheaded Babbler and Red-faced Malkoha.
Of interest is the presence of the Sri Lanka Broad-billed Roller. Reptiles and amphibians include the Python, which is vulnerable, and a number of endemic species. Noteworthy species include the rarest of all agamids on the island, the Rough-nose Horned Lizard and a rare Endemic Microhylid.
Threatened freshwater fish are Combtail, Smooth-breasted Snakehead, Black Ruby Barb, Cherry Barb and Red-tail Goby. The Sri Lankan Five-bar Sword, which is considered very rare, is not uncommon in Sinharaja at certain times of the year.
By Dinesha Senaratne
Things to do:
Trekking through the forest
Bird watching
River bathing
Camping
Where to stay: BOULDER GARDEN HOTEL
Located on the edge of the Sinharaja Forest, this remarkable eco-tourist hotel was hand-built into, under and around a slew of gigantic boulders. Delicious food is served in the open-air restaurant beneath the largest boulder. There is also a cave bar and spring-water swimming pool tucked into the shady surroundings. The bedrooms have a rustic charm with rough stone walls and shutters rather than windows.
www.bouldergarden.com [email protected]
Event Calendar
FEBRUARY
2013
February 4 Independence Day
February 9-10 Donald Steel Golf Tournament, Victoria Golf & Country Resort, Kandy
February 25 Nawam Perahera Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo
Ayubowan! Sri Lanka № 2’2013 | January 31, 2013 5
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala
Cinnamon Bey Beruwala is a luxurious state of the art getaway, placing the grandeur of a city hotel one hour away from Colombo on the beach.
The Hotel offers 200 cozy and spacious rooms and suites looking over the stunning view of the sea and horizon outside. They are air-conditioned with DVD player, Hair dryer, 32” LCD TV, complimentary toiletries, WiFi, Safety deposit box, Mini Bar, IDD phones and tea and coffee maker with compliments. 170 superior rooms - Each room has a terrace/balcony with a view of the garden and the sea beyond. 28 deluxe rooms - The en-suite bathroom opens out to the view of the translucent ocean. 2 suites - include its own living and dining area along with a secluded plunge pool on the balcony. There are also Conference and Banquet Facilities, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Sports Complex and Spa. Azmaara Spa is a member of the international spa association and offers a range of massages, body scrubs and wraps, manicures, pedicures and facials. The specialty of Cinnamon Bey Beruwala is the variety of dining venues that guests can choose from, each with a view of the sea. An extensive range of eight outlets catering to varied palettes, using different culinary methods borrowed from myriad cultures around the world including experience based dining, some of which will be experienced for the first time in Sri Lanka. Address: Moragolla Beruwala, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94 (0) 34 229 7000 Fax: +94 (0) 34 229 7010 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cinnamonhotels.com
The Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Please send your articles, comments and inquiries: E-mail: [email protected]
www.srilankaembassy.org
