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Enthusiastic response to tourism promotion event held at SL embassy in China

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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing, China recently hosted a very successful tourism promotion event at the Embassy premises, attended by approximately 100 tour operators, agencies, service providers, media and government representatives.

Sri Lanka Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, Minister Counselor Nalika Kodikara, Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Bureau Chalaka Gajabahu, President of SLAITO Nishad Wijethunga, President of the Hotels Association M. Shanthikumar and the Managing Director of Spring Travel Yang Yang addressed the gathering. They highlighted the unique tourist attractions of Sri Lanka and encouraged the tour operators and the media to assist in promoting visits to Sri Lanka.  This was followed by a question and answer session.

Dr. Palitha Kohona stated that “Today we are seeking to promote Chinese tourism to Sri Lanka. Your enthusiastic presence here itself is an indication of the widespread interest in Sri Lanka. We are particularly grateful to the Chinese government for having included Sri Lanka in the pilot group of countries identified for group travel. We are gushing with enthusiasm to welcome our Chinese friends.”

He further stated, Sri Lanka has been identified as a “must visit” tourist destination for a long time. Ibn Batuta, the 13th century traveller from Tangier wrote that it was the most beautiful island on earth and that it was only forty leagues from paradise. More recently, the Lonely Planet travel guide identified Sri Lanka as a top “must visit” destination.”  He gave an descriptive account of the miles of clean golden beaches, warm seas that are home to many species of  whales and dolphins,  dense jungles where wild elephants roam, . the mist-covered mountains which produce Sri Lanka’s fabled black teas with their splendid flavors, and the coveted Ceylon blue sapphire –  the gem of choice of royalty. “It is also the country visited for thousands of years by faithful Chinese monks and traders to pay homage to the sites sacred to Buddhists,” the Ambassador said.

Minister Counselor Nalika Kodikara explained in detail the technical requirements for visitors to enter Sri Lanka which have been streamlined.  President of Spring Travels Yang Yang, explained the experiences of his pre-Covid-19 tour groups in Sri Lanka and expressed confidence that travelers will start to flow into the country again.

Representatives of CITS Beijing, CAISSA Travel,  Spring Travel, China Cruise & Yacht Industry Development Association,  Sri Lankan Airlines in Beijing,  China Art Association, World Tourism Cities Federation, Tour Travel, Zhonghe Travel and CZK Group were among the many tour operators at the event.

Media representatives from the China General Association Commercial Newspaper, Xinhua News Agency, Tianmu News, Souhu News, South China Morning Post, Ifeng.com, Haiwai News, Luxury Times, Beijing Trading Newspaper, Diplomat Magazine, Home and Abroad News, CGTN Radio, China Business Daily, China Trade News, China Network, Global Network, Voice of Diplomacy, Global Times, and CCTV-4 also attended.

Sponsors of the event included Lion Beer, Spring Travel, Century-old Qianmen store in Beijing, Moving Province Technology Group and Hong Kong Thai Wah Airlines with China Association for the Promotion of UN Procurement.
Detailed inquiries about sending visitors to Sri Lanka were made by the General Manager, China Cruise and Yacht Industry, the Gem & Jewellery Trade, the Nanjing Art Association and the Golfing Group. 

The participants were treated to Ceylon Tea and Lion Beer along with other refreshments.

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CBSL urged to seek overseas travel ban against Dharmasena

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Chairman of the ‘Magen Ratata’ organization – Sanjaya Mahawatta has submitted a formal complaint to the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), with regard to the “Pintanna Plantation” cultivation project founded by former cricketer – Kumara Dharmasena.

In his complaint, Mr. Mahawatta says that the project is accepting investment deposits from the public without a license from the CBSL to do so.

Noting that this project has misled the public and accepted deposits violating the provisions of the Part II of the Finance Business Act. No. 42 of 2011, Mr. Mahawattha’s complaint further notes that the project is being advertised on print media and on Facebook.

In a recent media briefing, the CBSL had stated that it is illegal to obtain investments from the public for cultivation projects such as Agarwood, Vanilla, Mango, Teak etc. in the promise of high interest rate returns. The CBSL added that their Non-Banking Financial Institutions Supervision Department has initiated a comprehensive investigation on such companies.

Speaking,  Assistant Governor of the CBSL – K.G.P. Sirikumara had said that it was a criminal offense to go against the rates implemented by the CBSL and accept deposits from the public.

Only companies authorized by the CBSL are legally allowed to accept such deposits, he pointed out.

The CBSL further disclosed that they are looking into details pertaining to the former cricketer’s project.

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Showers expected after 2pm

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Showers or thundershowers can be expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces after 2 p.m., the Department of Meteorology says.

Showers or thundershowers may occur over the coastal areas of Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota during the morning.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces in the morning.

The general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Sea areas:

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Pottuvil to Matara via Hambantota. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle in the evening or night.

Winds will be south-easterly or variable and wind speed will be 20-30 kmph.

Sea areas around the island will be slight.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

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Man who jumped off from Sri Pada, found alive

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Nallathanniya Police said that the 33-year old Sri Pada pilgrim who went missing after jumping off the protective fence at the Mahamaluwa was found yesterday evening.

An official of the Nallathanniya Police Station said that this person in question is among a group of pilgrims from Suriyawewa, Hambantota who climbed Sri Pada mountain on April 19.

He had participated in religious observances before jumping off the protective fence at Mahamaluwa and thereafter went missing.

Security personnel from the Laxapana Army camp and Ricarton, STF camp in Nallathanniya launched an operation to trace the missing youth. But they couldn’t find him.

But a group of people from the Rajamale estate had informed the Nallathanniya Police about the recovery of a missing person yesterday. Nallathanniya Police took the man who was injured and admitted him to the Maskeliya Regional Hospital.

He was later transferred to Dickoya Hospital for further treatments.

The individual, Dinesh Hemantha, has informed the police that he cannot remember the incident involving leaping from the Mahamaluwa.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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