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Foreign Heads of Mission tour the hills on ‘The Ella Odyssey’ (Pics)

Published

12 months ago

July 6, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized the Ella Odyssey, a familiarization tour of Nuwara Eliya and Ella for foreign heads of mission in Colombo, and nine heads of mission based in New Delhi who presented credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Ella Odyssey is part of Sri Lanka’s commemoration of 75 years of independence and 75 years of diplomacy – testament to the country’s enduring engagement with the international community.

This journey to the mesmerizing ‘tea country’ in the mountains of Sri Lanka took place from 1 – 3 July 2023.

The foreign heads of mission undertook a journey on board the Viceroy Special – a vintage train reminiscent of the country’s colonial past. The diplomatic envoys forayed into the country’s cool highlands – past Kandy to Nuwara Eliya en route to Ella – to experience Sri Lanka’s verdant beauty, hospitality and adventure tucked away in the lush and misty mountainous landscapes in the country’s interior, passing along the way the gushing waters of St. Clair’s Falls, the biodiverse Knuckles Range and Pattipola, home to Sri Lanka’s highest railway station. The passengers also witnessed a railway signaling routine from the bygone era, still meticulously adhered to on the country’s tracks – the Tyer’s Tablet System.

Those on board were able to feast their eyes on the changing panorama of the scenic route, including the engineering marvel that is the Nine-Arch Bridge in Ella, a railway viaduct that was built in the 20th century, and the turbanesque Demodara Loop.

Legendary Sri Lankan hospitality awaited the travellers at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, a national heritage building, steeped in colonial history and grandeur. The Pedro Tea Estate welcomed the visitors to a tasting of one of the world’s finest beverages – Ceylon tea.

The heads of mission also had the opportunity to call on President Wickremesinghe and First Lady Maithree Wickramasinghe at the official residence of the President in Nuwara Eliya.

Costs associated with the tour were borne by participating foreign heads of mission, and through sponsorship by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

The excursion to the hill country commemorates 75 years of constructive partnership with the international community and highlighted the country’s treasure trove of diverse and exciting possibilities for the travel enthusiast. It also highlighted the country’s return to stability, its excellent connectivity and open and friendly people.

(President’s Media Division)

Photo Story

India gifts spare parts worth US$ 1.2 mn. to SL Coast Guard Ship

Published

3 days ago

June 25, 2024

editor

Indian Coast Guard Ship Sachet, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, arrived in Colombo on June 19, 2024 for two-day visit.

The ship brought essential spare parts worth USD 1.2 million on gratis for Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.

On arrival, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Coast Guard Ship, Deputy Inspector General R Rajesh Nambiraj, TM called on the Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral TSK Perera and the Director General, Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vilthana.

The Indian Coast Guard Ship, in a ceremony, formally handed over the spare parts to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.

The ceremony was graced by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka – Santosh Jha, Secretary of Defence of Sri Lanka Gen Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral TSK Perera, Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana as well as senior officers from Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Navy. The ship departed on 21 June 2024.

SLCGS Suraksha is an Offshore Patrol Vessel donated to Sri Lanka by Government of India in October 2017.

India has donated spare parts for the ship earlier in June 2021 and April 2022 and also provided assistance in refilling of Halon cylinders in January 2024. Handing over of the large consignment of spares symbolizes India’s commitment to support capability building towards addressing the shared challenges of Maritime Security in the region.

Photo Story

Kusal’s ‘Humanist Without Borders’ launched (Pics)

Published

6 days ago

June 22, 2024

editor

‘Humanist Without Borders’, a book that celebrates fifty years of Mr. Anton Marcus as a Trade Unionist, was held in Colombo recently.

Mr. Marcus is currently the Joint Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and Public Employees’ Union (FTZ&GSEU).

The book, together with its Sinhala version – ‘Seema Mayim Nethi Maanawawaadiya’, were penned by political columnist and analyst – Kusal Perera.

A distinguished gathering including TU activists, FTZ&GSEU members and politicians were present at the launch.

Emeritus Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda and the former president and general secretary of New Zealand’s ‘First Union’, Mr. Robert Reed, delivered guest lectures.