150 Sri Lankans get Mahatma Gandhi scholarship

Colombo, February 21 (AIR): In Sri Lanka, 150 students from all 25 districts were awardedthe prestigious Mahatma Gandhi scholarships for study in India.

Sri Lankan education minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu gave the scholarships at a special ceremony held in Colombo on Wednesday.

This is the twelfth year in continuation that India has provided Mahatma Gandhi scholarships to bright students across Sri Lanka.

The minister appreciated the assistance provided by India including for the new trilingual school in Polonnaruwa and Saraswathy College in Kandy.

He also thanked India for providing training to teachers in Sri Lanka. High commissioner of India said that it was special occasion where 150 Sri Lankan students were awarded the Mahatma Gandhi scholarships while the world is celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

He urged the students in Sri Lanka to connect with the youth of India and told them to take advantage of scientific and educational developments in India.

The high commissioner noted that India has recently launched a new Portal titled “Study in India” and more than 25000 seats are earmarked in Indian Institutions for foreign students.

He expressed hope that Sri Lankan youth would make full use of the opportunities in India.

(The featured image at the top is that of Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu addressing the scholarship holders)

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Sri Lanka to identify tourism development zones to boost arrivals

Colombo, Feb 21 (newsin.asia) – The Sri Lankan government will identify tourism development zones throughout the island which will concentrate on tourism related activities, a statement from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said here Thursday.

The SLTDA embarked on a mutual partnership with the the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to identify the zones which will be set up to avoid ad-hoc tourism development and to avoid undesirable activities.

The zones are likely to be set up in places such as the central highlands of Ella and Nuwara Eliya and Arugam Bay, Kalpitiya, Beruwala, Hikkaduwa and Pinnawala. These areas are popular tourist areas.

“Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the fast-emerging tourist destinations in the South Asian Region. The island’s biodiversity, long lasted culture, historic monuments, exotic beaches, and evergreen environment can be identified as the key attractions for international tourists,” the SLTDA said in the statement.

“However, with the increased tourist arrivals various tourism related or associated activities are mushrooming in around popular tourist destinations. Most of these activities are developed in an irresponsible manner in the absence of proper development guidelines in existing and emerging tourism hubs,” the SLTDA added.

Such developments put invaluable cultural and natural assets at severe risk of degradation. At the same time, there are other locations, of which the potentials have yet to be properly explored for the development of tourism-related activities, the SLTDA further said.

Since the end of the island’s 30 year civil conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels, which ended in May 2009, Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the leading travel destinations in the world.

Last year, Sri Lanka received 2.3 million tourists while this year it is aiming to welcome 3 million tourists.

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Understanding the current industry trend towards bespoke tourism

The current trend within the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is leaning towards bespoke tourism, which hints at growing opportunities and challenges for the tourism sector in general.

Bespoke tourism is growing in popularity around the world. The reason for this is because it’s similar to choosing between off-the-peg suits over tailor-made suits. No matter how well the design is, a bespoke version is going to fit you much better.

To elaborate further, nowadays, travellers look for something more than the traditional organised tours that are centred round famous attractions. They search for more unique and authentic experiences that will connect them to the values and cultures of the country they visit.

According to Phocuswrite, 57% of travellers feel that brands should tailor their information based on personal preferences, and they would be far likelier to pay more for their services if the brand meets these requirements. This is something that is pertinent to the Sri Lankan market as well since this tendency to request specific experiences and luxuries minus the inconveniences is something that Viluxur Holidays has seen with regard to bookings.

It is an open secret that Sri Lanka is catering to mass markets – think India and China. This has led to price wars that have negatively affected Sri Lanka by cheapening its overall offerings. For example: compare the average room revenue for a hotel and an average selling price for a travel agent – you will observe that the value keeps going down even when the number of arrivals are increasing.

At present, there is only a small minority of tour operators and hotels that are willing to cater to tourists who desire a bespoke experience that borders on customisation and luxury. Interestingly, but unsurprisingly, it is largely millennial travellers that are looking for a bespoke tourism experience compared to other generational travellers. The shift in this trend seems logical given this day and age where information is freely available. The millennial traveller is looking to garner a connection at a deeper emotional and personal level by experiencing a country’s history, culture and people. In other words, they are looking for authenticity.

It is this proclivity towards authentic experiences that has led to the rise of initiatives, for instance, like – Cook Like A Local. This noteworthy shift led Viluxur Holidays to develop its own online platform – Taya Finch – that focused on the online traveller; this was a valid and potent decision since business has increased for Taya Finch over the past two years that it has been in operation. This brings me to another topic, which are online bookings, and its incessant rise in terms of usage.

Nowadays technology has advanced to a level where you can get whatever you want with a click of a button. From ordering food to clothes to even medicine, everything is available online and it is far more informative than it was 10 to 15 years ago. The internet has become the biggest marketplace to sell goods and services.

Recently, I came across an article published on a recent study carried out by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) for their holiday habit report in 2017; approximately 80% of travellers from the United Kingdom book their holidays online whereas only 17% make the same transaction via a phone call or a travel agent. Moreover, the fact that 50% of our holiday bookings are made through mobiles, which is expected to increase next year, gives rise to the increasing importance of assimilating technology when it comes to user experience. Needless to say, the need to make websites and booking systems mobile friendly is indisputable.

Thus far I have spoken about the importance of shifting the focus towards bespoke tourism, and while there have been discordant whispers from certain quarters that Sri Lanka doesn’t have the infrastructure to cater to such discerning needs from luxury-hungry tourists: let me assure you that this is an erroneous fact. To prove my point, unlike Thailand or the Maldives, Sri Lanka is one of the most culturally-rich places that have many UNESCO World Heritage Sites; within a few days, you can cover Kandy, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and Galle Fort et cetera. Sri Lanka also possesses 26 national parks with a great degree of biodiversity not to mention the availability of marine life in locations like Mirissa.

What was lacking in the Sri Lankan tourism industry is the lack of awareness amongst travellers. Most of them did not know of Sri Lanka, what to do in Sri Lanka or what as a nation it has to offer. However, at present, we see a concerted effort by the Government along with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Bureau in taking necessary steps to promote Sri Lanka by creating awareness campaigns in countries such as China, India, Germany, France, UK, and Australia amongst many others while also concentrating on creating awareness using the necessary Social Media Platforms. This also has made it possible for Sri Lanka to get highlighted globally, which has given rise to these niche market segments.

With tourism being one of the main contributors to the country’s GDP, value additions like crafting bespoke experiences that cater to the requirements of a new generation of travellers is mandatory to say the least.

Moreover, current trends are indicative of tourism increasing exponentially, which could serve as a warning to the tourism industry in general: a warning because evolving according to the business climate of today is imperative. To drive this point home, I will leave you with a pertinent quote from James Cash Penney of JC Penney — “No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap today but at the bottom of the heap tomorrow, if it doesn’t.”

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Bosnia calls for greater cooperation in tourism with Sri Lanka

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Herzegovina is firmly placing itself on the map in global tourism markets, leaving behind its conflict-ridden past. The country, which maintains high standards in health and education fields, is projected to have the third highest tourism growth rate in the world and is considered one of the fastest growing economies in the region. With longstanding relations with Sri Lanka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Ambassador Dr. Sabit Subasic during a recent visit to Sri Lanka speaking to Daily FT called for improved trade relations focusing on tourism, sharing of resources and knowledge for promotion and exchanges between the two countries. Following are excerpts: 

According to World Tourism Organization, Bosnia is one of the fast-growing destinations in the world. We are third fastest growing tourism destination in the world. I know that tourism in Sri Lanka is booming and it should be improving much more. I think we should have more cooperation in the area of tourism cooperation, more exchange of ideas. Sri Lanka needs more facilities and infrastructure for tourism, so I think it would be better to establish more cooperation in that area to improve tourism promotion in both countries. Apart from that we have to improve tourism exchange to increase the number of Bosnian tourists visiting Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans visiting Bosnia. We have established links with the Sri Lankan tourism industry and in Bosnia we are working towards this and we will see what we can do 

I would like to have more cooperation with the two ministries of the two countries. To create the capacity of the two countries, we have huge potential. We are in discussion with dignitaries with the Sri Lanka tourism industry and I suggested exchanges of officials to explore new ideas between the two countries 

I would love to have more cooperation in the area of education, in terms of student exchanges – that is an excellent instrument for improving bilateral relations; students are excellent ambassadors for countries

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Sri Lanka mulls cutting excessive airport fees to boost tourism

Sri Lanka Tourism

Sri Lanka is reviewing how to reduce airport fees to make the country more competitive with the rest of Asia and make the country more attractive to tourists Sri Lanka's tourism minister said.

"A review is being done as to how best we could reduce the landing charges, fueling charges and airport taxes," Amaratunga said. 

He admitted that excessive airport fees are being passed on to airline ticket prices to Sri Lanka, making the country less attractive for potential tourists. 

Sri Lanka has a state monopoly supplying fuel at the airport and there is no competition. When fuel supply is competitive if there are procurement irregularities and the petroleum firm pays high prices to buy fuel, it will lose out to competition. 

While many East Asian airports are also state-run, their fees are lower.

For example in a Colombo-Kuala Lumpur Colombo ticket sold by Malaysian Airlines for 34,656 rupees, the Colombo Malaysia leg is 19,918 rupees and the KL Sri Lanka leg is 14,738 rupees.

Airport embarkation fees and taxes in Malaysia is 2,874 rupees and in Sri Lanka 8,094 rupees. Airport taxes are 40 percent of the ticket price in Colombo. 

On Malindo Air, in a ticket priced at 41,348 rupees, out of taxes of 10,968 rupees, 8,094 are for Sri Lanka. 

Meanwhile Amaratunga said discussions are ongoing on other taxes as well. 

Sri Lanka also has value added tax and nation building tax on tourist products, which however is a reasonable given the need to broadbase taxes and end exemptions. 

However in many countries VAT paid by tourists is reclaimable. 

There is however a need to collect tax from the sector as many of the larger hotels that have come up have tax holidays and taxes like the NBT are simple to collect especially if booking engines could remit them directly to the state. 

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Sri Lanka exports up 9.8-pct, tourism grows 6.2-pct in May

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka's merchandise exports rose 9.8 percent from a year earlier to 841 million dollars in May and tourism grew 6.2 percent to 240 million dollars, while remittances fell 3.4 percent to 580 million dollars, the central bank said.

The main merchandise and services exports totaled 1.744 billion US dollars.

Merchandise imports rose 7.7 percent to 1,857 million US dollars.

The rest of the trade deficit (current account deficit) is usually driven by financial inflows such as net foreign borrowings which are spent by government in the domestic economy and foreign direct investment, which are used to construct factory buildings or machinery.

Money printing by the central bank will also drive credit and imports though the banking system, but unlike dollar inflows, the new money created will create an overall balance of payments deficit and put pressure on the rupee peg with the dollar, as there are no matching inflows to back the spending.

Sri Lanka's private citizens are usually net savers and the trade deficit is mostly driven by borrowings taken and spent by the government.

Any remittances which are saved in foreign currency deposits will not generate a trade deficit until a bank buys Sri Lanka Development Bond to finance the budget deficit or gives a dollar loan to a qualified local borrower.

Industrial exports rose 15.5 percent to 709.7 million US dollars, with apparel and textiles up 10.9 percent to 398.3 million US dollars.

Rubber products rose 2.4 percent to 68.6 million US dollars and petroleum products rose 66.8 percent to 46.1 million US dollars and gems and jewelry rose 3.3 percent to 23.1 percent.

Chemical products rose 28.1 percent to 14.3 percent and base metals rose 56.1 percent to 14.5 million US dollars.

Agricultural exports fell 5.9 percent to 209.6 million US dollars with tea falling 7.9 percent to 121.2 million US dollars.

Coconut exports fell 13.6 percent to 24.2 million US dollars, minor agricultural products fell 19 percent to 10.5 million US dollars.

Seafood exports rose 19.9 percent to 21.2 million US dollars.

Consumer goods imports rose 8.1 percent to 414.5 million US dollars, vehicles up 29.7 percent to 119.6 million US dollars and foods and beverages down 21.1 percent to 128.6 million US dollars.

Sri Lanka raised fuel prices in May which may cause non-oil imports to moderate in the coming months as losses financed by credit at Ceylon Petroleum Corporation falls.

Intermediate goods rose 20.6 percent to 1,042.7 million US dollars with fuel imports rising 61.8 percent to 348.9 million US dollars.

Legal gold imports fell to 0.1 million dollars from 35.8 million US dollars. Investment goods fell 8.8 percent to 398.2 million US dollars.

In the five months to May, Merchandise exports rose 6.7 percent to 4,707 million US dollars, imports rose 11.8 percent to 9,622 million US dollars and the trade deficit grew 17 percent to 4,914 million US dollars. (Colombo/July21/2018)

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Sri Lanka is going all out to woo Indian tourists

Sri Lanka has seen a record number of Indian tourists visit the island nation. Last year, it clocked in 3.84 lakh Indian travellers. This year, they are looking to lure even more visitors. This is what tourists can expect.

Sri Lanka is expecting a healthy growth in the number of Indian tourists arrivals this year, as the island nation is out to woo travellers even from smaller cities. Sri Lanka has seen a substantial growth in tourist arrivals from India last year, with over 3.84 lakh travellers. Currently, India is the number one country in terms of tourist arrivals, followed by China, UK and Germany. Some of the most popular destinations in Sri Lanka include Kandy, Colombo and Bentota.

“However, this year we are targeting 4.50 lakh tourists from India,” said Viranga Bandara, Assistant Director-Marketing, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. “We mainly get tourists from the metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai... those are the main tourism-generating hubs for Sri Lanka tourism. But we are also targeting smaller cities,” he said.

Upekkha Samaratunga, Minister (Commercial), Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, said that according to Sri Lanka tourism statistics, India ranks number one in terms of inward traffic to the island nation. “We look forward to travellers from India throughout the year, irrespective of the season. Most Indians like to travel short distances on a competitive budget. In that scenario, Sri Lanka has become popular. However, we are also targeting the high-end tourists from various parts of India, including Chandigarh and neighbouring towns like Ludhiana,” said Samaratunga.

About Sri Lankan food, she said that there is a lot of similarity in their cuisine and what is found in parts of south India. “We use a lot of coconut in our preparations, like it is used in south India. Sri Lankan cinnamon, pepper and other products are also quite popular among Indians. Through tourism, we can expand our trade relations, as India is our key trading partner,” she further said.

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Sri Lanka tourism industry in drive to fill 100,000 worker shortfall

ECONOMYNEXT- Sri Lanka’s leisure industry says it will carry out a five year program to boost the output of skilled trainees and make the sector attractive to school leavers and females as a worker shortfall worsens amid a tourism boom. 

Sri Lanka Tourism and Hospitality Workforce Competitiveness Roadmap 2018-2023, devised by a skills development committee made up of key leisure sector companies said there is an annual shortfall of up to 20,000 workers. 

“[W]e need more and better trained people entering the industry,” Malik Fernando, from Sri Lanka’s Dilmah group, who chairs the Private Sector Tourism Skills Committee, which devised the 5-year plan. 

“We need 100,000. The Tourist Board thinks it’s closer to 90,000, but that doesn’t include the informal sector.” 

According to the roadmap, only 10,000 trainees come out of hotel schools in the country annually.

But about 25,000 to 30,000 are needed each year to staff new hotels and related businesses and also to fill positions falling vacant as older workers retire and others migrate to greener pastures.

Sri Lanka has a falling rupee, making foreign jobs in countries with sounder central banks which provide stronger currencies such as the Maldives and the Middle East, more attractive. 

“We cannot standby and watch anymore. Our complacency will kill the industry,” Fernando said.

“We hope others will join us, but we don’t intend to wait.” 

The skills committee which includes tourism player like Jetwing, John Keells, Dilmah, and Shangri-La is backed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Ceylon Hotel School, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Technical and Vocational Education Commission and the US Agency for International Development. 

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is growing rapidly, with the tourism authority estimating that 20,720 rooms will be added to Sri Lanka’s inventory by 2020. 

By end 2017, 35,986 rooms were officially registered with the tourism authority in graded hotels and supplementary units such as guest houses. There are also hundreds of unregistered hotels and guest houses 

A quarter of the tourists visiting the country stayed at unregistered properties, the SLTDA said.

The 5-year plan developed by the skills committee, will revamp curricula in hotel schools and start more three and six month courses to churn out workers faster. 

Additional modules can then be taken while working creating an environment of flexible carreer development and training. 

A train-the-trainers programme on the new curricula will train 200 instructors in vocational training institutes. 

A 4-6 week internship program will be introduced. 

Fernando said that the plan will also increase training on niche areas such as naturalists and wellness professionals, who are increasingly in demand. 

Secondary school teachers will also be trained to provide tourism and hospitality training in such schools under the roadmap. 

Fernando says some young people are not joining the industry due to negative perceptions and some parents oppose female children in particular from joining the industry, which will be adressed by increasing awareness. 

“We want to reach out to the youth, parents and the community,” he said. 

There is also a potential pool of workers in the military who may want to leave and join the hospitality industry, officials said. 

A research unit will also be set up to get up to date information on local and international trends to help better decision-making.

“A lot of our statistics are guesstimates and many of them are plain wrong,” Fernando said. “The data is simply not available and speculative.” (Colombo/July02/2018) 

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Sri Lanka court halts tourism development on Eastern islet

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal has halted the construction of tourist facilities on a small islet in the east coast after an environmental organization protested that it was done without required environmental clearances. 

The CA issued a stay order on the construction activities by a state agency Sallitivu Islet in Batticaloa until the hearing is concluded. 

The Environmental Foundation Ltd, had gone to court saying the District Secretariat started a projet to build accommodation and tourist facilities in the islet without a license from the Department of Coast Conservation and an environmental impact assesment. 

The EFL in it pleadings filed by counsel Viran Corea, Sarita de Fonseka and Subashini Samaraarchchi, Sarita said the islet had 50 native species of plants, including one national endangered, two nationally vulnerable and four near threatened species according to its ecological profile. 

It also had a mudflat used by migrant bird species. 

EFL pleased that it had been informed that a decision was taken to go ahead without a license because, due to time taken to get it, the funding period will be exceeded. 

The islet was only 275 meters long and 155 meters wide and was seasonally connected to the mainland through a sand bar. 

EFL said tourism was a 'non-conumptive' use of the islet, but it had to be regulated and used in a sustainable manner. 

EFL said it had found construction in progress, with tyre tracks and some vegetation cleared, and plastic refuse scattered about. (Colombo/July05/2018) 

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ADB, China leads Sri Lanka foreign financing in early 2018

ECONOMYNEXT – The Asian Development Bank and China were the biggest lenders to Sri Lanka's in the first four months of 2018 followed by Japan, while China also made most of the new commitments, official data shows. 

Out of 512.12 million dollars of bilateral and multilateral financing used in public investment in the first four months of the year, ADB disbursed 228.85 million dollars in loans and 0.74 million in grants. 

China disbursed 90.83 million dollars, Japan 54.9 million dollars and the World Bank 48.83 million dollars. 

China also pledged most of the new project loans, comitting 79.8 million dollars out of a total of 266.2 million US dollars where 10 new agreements were signed. 

After the reporting period, China Development Bank also won a bid to syndicate a billion dollar loan to Sri Lasnka. 

The Asian Development Bank committed 75 millon US dollars followed by India with 45.3 million dollars. 

A total of 219.2 million dollars were pledged as and 46.9 million as grants and technical assistance in the first four month of 2018.

Others who committed new loans were were Australia (25.0 million dollars), USA (17.9 million), Austria (13.0 million), International Fund for Agricultural Development (6.2 million), United Nations Population Fund (4.0 million) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (0.01 million).

Of the commitments made the highest amount was committed for the railway sector with 79.8 million. 

The small and medium enterprises sector received the second highest commitment of 75.0 million.

Separately Sri Lanka also raised 2.5 billion US dollars thorugh international sovereign bonds. 

Sri Lanka is now raising foreign loans mostly to repay maturing older loans, as part of a debt re-structuring effort. In the first four months, Sri Lanka had settled 715.6 million US dollars out of which 325.4 million dollars was interest. (COLOMBO, July 02, 2018)

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Sri Lanka private sector to facilitate skills supply in tourism sector with launch of TSC

Jul 02, 2018 (LBO) – The Private Sector Tourism Skills Committee (TSC) launched Tourism Workforce Competitiveness Road-map in collaboration with the private tourism industry to take on the challenge of demonstrating to Sri Lanka’s young women and men that a career in the fast-growing tourism and hospitality industry can be safe, stimulating, well-compensated and full of opportunities for growth. 

“Please don’t call it a strategy. We have too many of those and no one ever seems to act on them,” Malik Fernando, chairman, TSC and managing director of Dilmah Tea’s leisure arm Resplendent Ceylon said. 

“This road-map is a call to action. We hope others will join us, but we don’t intend to wait.”

Formulated under special request from TVEC and the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training to urgently respond to the critical workforce challenges and skills supply in tourism, TSC also plans to ensure that the courses available in training institutes are practical, aligned with market needs, and taught according to global best practices. 

PTSC was formulated under special request from TVEC and the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training to urgently respond to the critical workforce challenges and skills supply in tourism. 

TSC is explicitly private sector-led and voluntary. 

It has already prioritized a list of entry-level courses they intend to update with the assistance of TVEC and SLITHM, as well as new courses Sri Lanka needs to introduce to keep pace with global trends. 

Speaking at the launch, USAID’s Mission Director to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Reed Aeschliman said, “This road-map demonstrates the kind of vision, leadership, and cooperation from the private sector that is needed to ensure Sri Lanka gets the most from its incredibly talented young women and men.” 

The road-map was facilitated by renowned team of international experts including James MacGregor and Srilal Miththapala and brought together by some of the leading minds in the industry; Malik Fernando, Angeline Ondaatjie, Shiromal Cooray, Jayantissa Kehelpannala, Sanath Ukwatte, Chamin Wickramasinghe, Dileep Mudadeniya, Timothy Wright , Steven Bradie-Miles, Preshan Dissanayake, Buddhika Hewawasam, Kavan Ratnayake, Manjula Vidanapathirana, Chandra Vithanage. 

Hiran Cooray, Prema Cooray, and Abbas Esufally acted as senior advisors to PTSC. 

One theme in TSC’s roadmap is to encourage more women to enter the industry. 

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Colombo Stock Exchange decides to delist Kalpitiya Beach Resort

Board of Directors of the Colombo Stock Exchange has decided to delist the securities of Kalpitiya Beach Resort subject to the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 In an announcement, Colombo Stock Exchange said the decision to delist the company is based on the following reasons.

 1. The shareholders of the Company have been issued with shares of Hikkaduwa Beach Resort pursuant to the Amalgamation

 2. The company does not exist at present subsequent to the amalgamation since the Registrar of Companies has removed all particulars relating to the company from the Register

 3. Trading of the securities of the Company has been suspended The announcement further said that any person aggrieved by the aforesaid decision of them may appeal to the Securities and Exchange Commission within 14 days.


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Hotel show Colombo 2018: Celebrating its 20th edition

The 20th edition of the Hotel Show Colombo 2018 – organized by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA) together with event partner CDC Events, returns from 20th – 22nd July 2018 to the BMICH. It will be supported by both the Government and private sector related establishments. 

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Hotel Show introduces a new easy do-it-yourself Admission Badge. It will give you quick and easy access to hundreds of innovative exhibition stalls as well as exciting live competitions. With just one month to go, avail yourself of this great opportunity. 

The mega event attracts products and services representing thousands of brands from all over the globe while many visitors and buyers from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, India and other South Asian countries will be present. It also provides hotels the opportunity to showcase the talents of their staff in various competitions under the purview of international judges. 

The forthcoming gala event promises to be an unforgettable occasion for the hospitality industry.

Plans are in place to make this 20th edition show truly exceptional, with leading industry personalities and talented chefs set to take to the live stage once again. It’s guaranteed to be packed full of inspiration and new ideas. All this exciting action in the competition theatre is not to be missed; where passionate professionals will be putting their skills to the test across the three days. It includes exciting events such as the National Barista Championship, National Tabletop Cooking, National Room Stylist Competition, Culinary Master Class, Ceylon Tea Masters Cup and Colombo Food Fest which will be held concurrently. 

This year at the Colombo Food Fest, more leading hotels will be showcasing their culinary expertise, catering to the taste buds of all food lovers. 

Mr. Trevine Gomez, Chairman of the Organizing Committee said, “The Hotel Show Colombo has really stepped up another gear this year and we’re looking forward to once again cater to the industry’s needs and highlight its talent. Visitors will have plenty to feast their eyes on with a whole host of new exhibitors and action-packed competitions. Each year we aim to bring to bear the latest trends in the industry to ensure decision makers of all businesses involved in food and drink are well equipped to attract customers. This year’s show will be no exception, making it a must-attend event.”

Samantha Gunarathne, Chairman CHSGA stated, “Over the past years The Hotel Show Colombo has established itself as a major force in the hospitality industry, it’s the ultimate diary date for anyone in the sector. The inclusion of the hotel industry exhibition broadens the event’s appeal and means there really is something for everyone. This is the place to find inspiration, learn about the latest trends, source products and suppliers or simply network with friends and colleagues.” 

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Sri Lanka to develop internal air transport : 5 firms come forward

Sri Lanka’s government and cabinet of ministers has given the go ahead to carry out an overhaul in the domestic aviation industry and develop it. 

“Currently, no clear policy governing civil aviation exists, hindering development due to lack of conformity with international standards,” a cabinet statement said.

To address the issues, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry, along with National Policy and Economic Affairs Ministry, plans to make changes in terms of operating principles, airport infrastructure, management and legislations to make the industry which is currently limited to charter flights at high prices more viable. 

Following a joint call for Expression of Interests by the National Agency for Public and Private Partnerships (NAPPP) and Director General Civil Aviation, five bidders have made investment proposals. 

The Government has decided that the permits will be granted on a first come first serve basis. 

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Sri Lanka to build southern coastal city to leading tourism hub in South Asia

COLOMBO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government aims to transform the southern city of Galle into a leading tourism hub in South Asia due to it's historic value and the World Heritage Galle Fort, local media reported Tuesday. 

Wickremesinghe, addressing a forum on the Development Plan for Galle and its suburbs, said all illegal constructions within the Galle Fort would be removed and state organisations located in the Galle Fort area would be shifted without delay.

 He said Galle's new development plan with the aim of promoting tourism will be implemented while preserving and protecting the precious World Heritage Site of the historic Galle Fort and no fortifications will be permitted according to the requests of individuals or organizations. 

Wickremesinghe further said all illegal constructions at the Galle International Cricket Stadium will be also removed accordingly. 

The prime minister had recently said that Galle's tourism plans will also focus heavily on conservation of the natural eco-system and new laws will be formulated to protect the environment in the area during construction. 

The Galle district, the prime minister said, is located between two international airports Katunayake and Mattala and although many concentrate on the coastal area of Galle in terms of tourism, its interior areas were blessed with natural beauty and have immense potential. 

 "That is why we have already made plans to start tourism projects in Akurala and Koggala. With all these projects, Galle, I am certain, will become a major tourism hub in the region," the Prime Minister said. 

Sri Lanka's tourism sector has continued to grow since a three-decade civil conflict ended in May 2009 between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels. 

China has been Sri Lanka's second largest market with 115,870 Chinese tourists arriving so far this year.

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Culinary Art 2018 puts Sri Lanka ‘in the upper rung for delectable cuisine’

 

The local hotel industry and its connected interest areas were complementary to the tourist trade in general and were instrumental in increasing the number of tourists who visited Sri Lanka. Culinary Art 2018, now in its 18th year, was a factor that spurred tourist arrivals, ensuring Sri Lanka was now firmly in the "must visit" grouping of countries, Minister of Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga said.

He was Chief Guest at the Culinary Art 2018 exhibition held recently at the BMICH.. He said the significance of this annual event was that each year portrayed progressive strides in culinary skills exhibited by the local hotel industry.

He lauded the group of organizers who had ensured the productss exhibited were of the highest levels. 'As in previous years the exhibition would provoke wider visitor interests and ensure an increased number of tourist arrivals, the minister said.

He further said it would be encouraging if more women were attracted to the hospitality trade.

The minister added that excellence in culinary art becomes necessary to keep pace with the fast growing tourism industry to satisfy the complex food passions, adopting the highest standards of culinary art. 'Broad participation in the competition would undoubtedly be a hallmark of excellence for the future as well.'

Chairman Chef’s Guild of Sri Lanka, Gerard Mendis said this year's exhibits would be judged by a group of international chefs; Bernd Uber, from Germany, Eric Wong, SATS Catering, Singapore, Walter Butt, Switzerland, Eric Low from Singapore.

Included also in the panel were Chef Dilip de Silva (with UK experience), Eraj Abeywardena, with qualifications from Budapest, Hiran Serasinghe, who was with the Oberoi India, Sunil Danthanarayana, who served with the Intercontinental Hotels Chain, Athula Senanayake, graduated from Austria and worked at the Hilton International, UK, Nishadha Periyaperuma, from the Hyatt, and a graduate of Regency Campus, Adelaide, Chamila Jayasinghe, Atlantis and Palm, Nalaka Fernando, who worked at AB Mauri, and Keerthi Hapugasdeniya, domiciled in Australia.

Culinary Art Food Expo ( CAFÉ),held this month, featured a substantial number of Sri Lankan industry professionals, spanning vertical sectors from Food and Drink , Food Service, and Hospitality Equipment. The exhibition also featured regional industry professionals and exhibitors.

The competition was open to chefs from resorts, restaurants, hotels from all parts of the country and the region, Gerard Mendis further said the Chefs Guild, established 1988, was an industry centered training platform with structured culinary programmes to establish world class experience in hospitality training.

At the awards ceremony held on the third day of the exhibition some 360 competitors were judged for The Festive Buffet, Sri Lanka Master Baker of the Year, Sri Lanka Artistic Creative Pastry Chef , Sri Lanka Family Master Cooking Championship, Sri Lanka Arrack and Vodka Cocktail Championship and Scan Sunquick Moktail Competition.

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Boat Show and Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018

Sri Lanka Online Visa

Boat Show & Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 is organized by Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute (BTI) and Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in association with Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Ministry of Ports and Shipping at Galle Yacht Marina, Port of Galle.

To provide a single platform for all related business sectors involved directly and indirectly in the boat and ship building industry and nautical tourism sector to display and promote their respective sectors for potential international and local clients and giving initiation for the leisure boating culture to the Sri Lanka.

South Asia’s most focused and largest international Boat Show and Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 will be held from 26th to 28th October 2018 at the Galle Yacht Marina of the Port of Galle. This event will be the first ever marine festival in Sri Lanka organized to show case the country’s capabilities in recreational boating and yachting, nautical tourism, boat building and related services for export and local markets. To attract the younger age groups towards boating, in addition to the boat and ship building sector, water sports events geared to the younger generation including wake boarding, water skiing, jet ski racing, wind surfing, catamaran and dinghy racing, try a boat event run by sailing clubs, fashion show linked to a nautical theme, fishing events and demonstrations, music (various bands), F and B court, classic car rally and display, Sri Lanka cultural display especially those linked to the sea, events for school children, nautical tourism, ocean academy, Sun & Sand Festival etc. will be added. Following the success of Boat Show Sri Lanka 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, & 2016 the upcoming boating festival will attract large number of buyers and visitors, boating enthusiasts, and industry professionals from countries such as India, Singapore, Seychelles, Maldives, South Korea, Belgium, Middle East, Germany, Holland, UK etc.

The Boat Show and Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 will be organized by Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute Lanka (gte) Limited (BTI) and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board in association with Ministry of Development Strategies & International Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Ministry of Ports and Shipping (Sri Lanka Ports Authority).

The Boat Show & Boating Festival Sri Lanka 2018 will be organized at Galle Yacht Marina, Port of Galle from 26th to 28th October 2018, with the objective of providing a single platform for all related business sectors involved directly and indirectly in the boat and ship building industry and fisheries sector to display and promote their respective sectors for potential clients. The total number of stalls in this year is around 80.

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Sri Lanka Tourism sees Mumbai as market of high growth potential

Sri Lanka Tourism started its 2018 tourism calendar with a positive output by participating in the 5th edition of the India International Travel & Tourism Exhibition –IITT 2018, with more than 28,000 visitors and more than 500 fully-hosted buyers attending it. This travel extravaganza was held from 11th to 13th January. 

SriLanka Tourism played a major role at the IITT as the MICE& Wedding Destination partner. Sri Lanka is becoming widely popular as a wedding destination for those who want to have a different experience in a different culture. Its different picturesque landscapes and colonial style hotels offer a rare treat to have the perfect matrimonial experience of one’s choice. 

The other key sponsors of this event included Indonesia Tourism, Feature Destination, Maharastra Tourism, Host State & Malaysia Tourism, Feature Country. The Sri Lanka pavilion was able to draw a major attraction as it was exquisitely crafted and designed, highlighting Sri Lanka’s talent of making innovative and vivid creations. 

The creativity of the Sri Lanka pavilion met other levels of art with professionalism. IITT partnering with Sri Lanka proved to be rather momentous for the industry, and showed signs of having an idyllic business partnership in future as well. 

The Sri Lanka pavilion was declared open by Shri Jayakumar Jitendrasingh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra, and also Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka Consul General in Mumbai. Twenty eight leading travel agents and hoteliers from Sri Lanka including leading names in the industry from Sri Lanka participated at the event, and were able to further strengthen their business relationships and marketing strategies with their Indian counterparts. 

Coinciding with the event, Sri Lanka Tourism hosted a dinner titled ‘Sri Lanka evening’ for Indian wedding planners, tour operators and the media, which gained the attention of Sri Lanka as a rapidly growing wedding and film destination, with its wide diversity of attractions to suit the needs of any interested traveler. The cultural performances showcasing Sri Lanka’s heritage attracted the Indian participants immensely both at the IITT and also the Sri Lanka evening. 

The inauguration panel of IITT 2018 graced the presence of Shri Jaykumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Tourism, Government of Maharastra, Special Guest Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka Consul General in Mumbai, Karan Anand, Head of Relationships and Supplier Management, Cox & Kings. Joining them were industry leaders Jatinder Paul Singh, COO, Cox & Kings, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, Mahendra Vakharia, President, OTOAI, Guldeep Singh Sahni, Founder & Immediate Past President, OTOAI, Pronab Sarker – President, IATO and P. P Khanna, President, ADTOI. 

Through strong collaborations with countries seeking to expand their business in India, IITT hosted dedicated and distinct International Country Pavilions on the expo floor. Trade show visitors had a chance to meet, and gain invaluable insight from more than 500 travel exhibitors, partners and experts from over 20 International countries. With the existence of International Pavilions, the global connection only strengthened this expo and helped to touch new standards of connectivity with excellence and quality. 

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