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.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during his address to the Tri Forces & Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base, Anuradhapura, as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.
He emphasized the importance of doing the right thing, and mentioned that they presented the International Monetary Fund agreement to the parliament to assess whether the parliamentarians had the courage to make the right decisions for the betterment of the country.
The President referred to the International Monetary Fund agreement as an example and expressed his expectation for everyone’s assistance in making the IMF program successful. He also stated that if the country adopts a fresh approach and embarks on a new journey, it can achieve significant development within the next 25 years.
The President asserted that Sri Lanka will win the economic war, similar to the successful fight against terrorism, adding that measures would be taken to establish economic independence in the country.
The President acknowledged that the armed forces and police will continue to play a crucial role in achieving economic independence, and also assessed the actions of the armed forces and police in maintaining law and order during the previous year.
The President expressed gratitude towards the armed forces for fulfilling their responsibility, as without their efforts, Sri Lanka would have become an anarchic state. He also mentioned that the ongoing competition between world powers is affecting the Indian Ocean, and he intends to take action as the President to protect Sri Lanka from this influence.
The President emphasized that future military situations can be shaped by technology and knowledge, unlike in the past. He highlighted the need for the armed forces and police to be equipped with modern technology and knowledge to overcome future challenges. The President initiated the Defence 2030 program, aiming to strengthen the defence forces of Sri Lanka.
The President also announced that stringent laws will be introduced to combat the drug scourge, and no amnesty will be granted to drug offenders.
The President said that he had instructed the Minister of Law and Order Tiran Alles, and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha to take strict action against such offenders and to utilize the support of the armed forces in this effort.
Minister of State for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence GeneralKamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshan Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Inspector General of Police Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne and around 1200 other rankers of the Tri Forces and Police were present on this occasion.
At least 39 Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Aluthgama police in connection with an online financial fraud.
Police said the suspects had defrauded millions of money over several months through the internet from the accounts of people in different countries.
The group had been staying in a tourist resort in the Kaluamodara area in Aluthgama and Police said they were arrested based on complaints received through several embassies.
While the arrested Chinese nationals were taken to the Alutgama police, several smartphones and cash in their possession were also taken into custody by police.
Two students were killed and seven others injured after a cab toppled during the vehicle parade held in view of the big match between Uva Paranagama Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha College this afternoon, Police said.
The injured were admitted to the Badulla Hospital.
The accident occurred when the vehicles paraded around the ground during the match.