Jan-2010
Sri Lanka Tourism is helping to organize and promote tours of Colombo, showcasing the sights and sounds of the capital to international visitors. The tours, provided by Ebert Silva Holidays, began operations on January 24, 2010. They include all important attractions in Colombo and Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte. A sample itinerary is provided below.
Sample Itinerary:
| 08:30 - 09:00 | Pick-up tourists from Colombo city hotels |
| 09:00 - | Tour commences from the foyer area of the Galle Face Hotel |
| 09:05 - | Proceed passing Ramada Hotel and reach Cinnamon Lake Hotel |
| 09:10 - | Pick-up at Hilton Colombo and Galadhari Hotel |
| 09:15 - | Pick-up at Grand Oriental Hotel |
| 09:20 - 09:35 | Ponnambalameshwaran Kovil |
| 09:40 - 09:55 | St. Lucia's Cathedral |
| 10:00 - 10:40 | Wolfendal Church |
| 10:45 - 11:00 | Travel through Fort, passing Fort Railway Station, Old Parliament, Gall Face, Sri Lanka Tourism, Temple Trees, and Gangarama Simamalakaya |
| 11:00 - 11:15 | Gangaramaya Seema Malakaya |
| 11:20 - 12:45 | National Museum and ODEL |
| 12:50 - 13:45 | Lunch |
| 13:50 - 14:00 | Dawatagaha Mosque |
| 14:00 - 14:30 | Proceed to Janakala Kendraya, Parliament and War Memorial |
| 14:30 - 15:45 | Janakala Kendraya/National Craft Council |
| 15:45 - 16:05 | Passing through BMICH, Aukana replica |
| 16:05 - 16:15 | Independence Square |
| 16:15 - 16:30 | Drive by Art Gallery, Royal College, Colombo University |
| 16:30 | Return to hotels |
End of “Colombo City Tour” |
|
| Mr. A. Damith | |
| Mobile | : 0717141412 |
| General | : 0112426900 |
| : damitha@srilanka.travel or damith.net@gmail.com | |
| Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). | |
Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project: Criteria for Registration of Tourism Businesses
Investors investing in the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project need to follow:
- Gazette of the Domestic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Extraordinary , Ref: No: 1,070/10 Published on 11th March 1999, Part 1: Section (1)-General; and,
- Ref. No: 1096/6 Published on 06th September 1999
in order to register their business, whether it is a hotel, guest house, restaurant, shop, or any other tourism establishment, before planning, designing and implementing their respective project proposals. All hotel developers are also required to follow the criteria for classification of hotels set out in the same Gazette.
The abovementioned Gazettes are available at the Standards and Quality Assurance Division of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority situated in No: 80, Galle Road, Colombo-03, Sri Lanka.
Six picturesque islands have been included in Stage II – Lease Bidding of the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Resort Project.
The islands, Periya Arachchalai, Sinna Arachchalai, Sinna Erumutivu West, Erumutivu, and Kaktivu, are surrounded by the lagoon waters of the Dutch Bay. They were selected for the high potential of eco-tourism products they can offer. Mangroves, thick jungle vegetation, beach strips, open grass lands, and mud flats, as well the rich variety of marine life, are a few examples of the diverse eco systems present on and around the islands. The extent of each island, where Erumutivu is the largest and Sinna Erumutivu the smallest, will also emphasize their unique qualities.
Investors are invited to construct and operate resorts and tourism products of different magnitudes with the appropriate auxiliary facilities, as indicated in the conceptual master plan prepared by the SLTDA.
Important criteria for classification of hotels 
A team of consultants headed by Mr. H.M.S Samaranayake, Former Chairman of the then Ceylon Tourist Board, prepared an Action Plan for the development of the East Coast. This plan, presented to the Honorable Minister of Tourism and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Board, identifies several activities and areas in the East for sustainable development.
Furthermore, much damage has occurred in the South and Southwest Coast as a result of haphazard tourism development. Honorable Milinda Moragoda, during his tenure as Minister of Tourism, had appointed a committee to examine possible impacts which may occur as a result of tourism. The committee, headed by Deshamanya, Vidyajothi Ashley de Vos, formulated guidelines that would ensure the preservation of the environment during tourism development. These guidelines were submitted to Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority will take steps to implement these recommendations as outlined in the Action Plan and in keeping with the guidelines.
Tourism Mobile Service – One Stop Shop of Standards and Quality Service Division
The Tourism Mobile Service was launched in Kandy in December 2005 by the Standards and Quality Assurance Division of the SLTDA. It was designed to provide services at the door step of tourist establishments, creating a new corporate culture that offers convenient support services to tourist establishments.
The service:
- Facilitates and expedites the registration process and obtaining required licenses for new establishments as well as renewal of licenses.
- Inspects tourist establishments and provides the necessary support. Monitors projects approved by the Planning and Resort Management Division and inspects proposed sites to ascertain suitability.
- Creates awareness about the tourism industry and its contribution to the national economy amongst the general public and school children.
The Tourist Mobile Service holds programs in various parts of Sri Lanka throughout the year. Last year, the Mobile Service was successfully carried out in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kalutara, Negombo, Beruwala, Bandarawela, Dambulla, and for the first time in Jaffna. Services were on January 21 and 22, 2010 in Kataragama.
The “Jetliner”, a ship formerly used for humanitarian efforts by the Sri Lankan Navy, is now a glamorous venue for hosting prestigious events. The Sri Lankan Navy will use the vessel, which can accommodate 600 passengers and 150 cars, for tourism related activities.
Effective from February 2010, the refurbished, water-jet driven passenger ferry can be booked for any event including weddings, corporate functions, and social gatherings. Amenities available on board include a banquet area for 250 guests, mini conference facilities for 50 participants, and ballroom facilities for 100 guests with exclusive bar facilities. The “Jetliner” also boasts an observational salon, which accommodates 50 guests and a deck area with a holding capacity of 250.
The “Jetliner” can be hired on an hourly or daily basis, for events hosted while docked at the Colombo Port or out at sea, and for weekend cruises. Tailor made packages can be arranged to suit the needs of the client.
For more information contact:
| Ms. Asheyra Mendis | |
| General | : 0112440001 |
Cleaning and Greening of Marine Drive
Sri Lanka Tourism and several state and private agencies, keeping with the motto ‘Keep the Environment Pleasant’, began cleaning and greening of Marine Drive, a program kicked off on World Tourism Day 2009.
On September 21, 2009, nearly 150 palm trees were planted, on the seaside, from Bambalapitiya Station to the Wellawatte Bridge; another 75 Kottamba trees now align both the landside and seaside from the Wellawatte Bridge to the end of Marine Drive. To care for these newly planted trees, Sri Lanka Tourism initiated the “Foster Guardian Scheme”. Through this scheme, individuals, vendors, households, and schools, comprising the community in the area, participate in the cleaning and greening of the Drive, a first in Sri Lanka.
A painting competition was also held. Students, participating from 22 schools, painted four different themes on the Bambalapitiya Railway Station parapet.
For more information, contact:| Mr. A. Damith | |
| Mobile | : 0717141412 |
| General | : 0112426900 |
| : damitha@srilanka.travel or damith.net@gmail.com | |
| Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). | |
Best wishes from SLTDA
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