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They made news and made us proud!
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Sri Lanka stood out as greenest in the region, at a recent rating conducted by the World Economic Forum and researchers at Yale and Columbia Universities, on 141 countries.
In the Environmental Health category at the 36th position Sri Lanka was ahead of Australia and Malaysia. In the Green House Gases category where carbon emission per capita and by GDP is measured, Sri Lanka occupied the 37th position and measured well for a country, which has registered an economic growth rate of 6.5% in the last two years. All other fast developing countries and the developed west are far down in this category. In the energy efficiency rating too, Sri Lanka maintained the 36th position. In the overall ranking where both social and environmental factors were considered, Sri Lanka’s ranking was the 66th position, still ahead of our neighbours in the region. Full country and city rankings are available on RDASIA.COM
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‘Sri Lanka Calling’ is proud to announce that, out of the works of 55 world renowned photographers including 11 Thai photographers, the creative excellence of Dominic Sansoni’s photography was recognised and earned the distinction of being featured on the cover of ‘Thailand: 9 Days in the Kingdom’ . A pictorial book, on contemporary Thailand, published in honour of the country’s monarch His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrates his 80th birthday in December.
The photographs featured in this book were taken over a period of nine days from 14th to 22nd January this year in Thailand and encompass a wide range of areas from photojournalism, wildlife, landscape, underwater, aerial, portraits and architecture.
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Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in its recent expansion which includes a modern terminal, aerobridges, comfortable lounges and a well stocked duty free shopping complex is fast earning the reputation of being one of South Asia’s best airports.
The change was best explained by an expatriate Sri Lankan “It was such a nice experience coming in to Colombo this time round, totally unexpected. It feels good to be back and the feel good factor started at the airport” said Seetha Narendra from Brisbane
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With Sri Lankan Airlines adding Coimbatore to the existing Indian cities of Trivandrum, Calicut, Kochi, Chennai, Trichy, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Goa, Colombo becomes an important link in tourist traffic from Middle East to South East Asia and the Far East and is set to be the gateway to India.
With Colombo’s increasing popularity as a meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) destination in South Asia, the Sri Lankan Airlines decision to add key Indian cities to their list of destinations, is welcomed by all in the travel and tourism industry.
While transit passengers from India will enjoy the comfort of the Colombo airport facilities with attractive value for money duty free shopping, the more discerning travellers can venture out and take time to experience the culture and geographical diversity of a country with close religious and cultural ties to that of India.
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‘Singer Rugby Asiad 2007’ kept its promise to deliver exciting Rugby. Visitors from Asia’s leading rugby playing nations China, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and hosts Sri Lanka made up division one while India, Qatar, Pakistan, and Iran competed in Division two.
Hosts to the games after 17 years, the 128 year old Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, proved to be great organizers, making the tournament a remarkable experience for the 300 odd players officials, and spectators who flew in for the event. While Rugby remained the winner, destination Sri Lanka - a land like no other charmed visitors in true Sri Lankan style, making their visit an unforgettable experience.
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Mary Wilson of Supremes fame, also known to be an inspiration to the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg enthralled audiences in Colombo with a superb performance at the Cinnamon Grand, last week, at a charity concert, in aid of victims of landmines.
Ms Wilson also engaged in life in Sri Lanka away from the limelight when she took her message of hope and endurance, to those rebuilding shattered lives, in a visit to Ranavirugama; a housing estate for soldiers disabled in war.
Captivated by a troupe of Sri Lankan Kandyan dancers, the iconic singer took a few steps and swayed to the beat of drums, showing an appreciation of local dance forms; leaving behind an abiding memory of a warm human being.
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Malaysian Airlines added a 4th weekly frequency every Thursday on the Kuala Lumpur- Maldives –Colombo-Kuala Lumpur route effective 28th October, in a show of confidence in Colombo airport’s return to normalcy. |
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Zonta International District Conference “SthreeLanka 2007” was held in Colombo last week. Over a hundred Zonta Ambassadors and members of District 25, from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, met to discuss issues related to the key topic “Equal Opportunity for Every Woman” with the call to action slogan “Let it begin with me”. Mrs Manonhari Muthukrishna Candappa was conferred with the ‘Zonta Woman of Distinction’ award at this conference.
Zonta is the leading global association for Business and Professional women with a membership of thirty three thousand Zontians, in one thousand two hundred clubs, around the world.
Started in 1967 the Sri Lanka branch has three full fledged clubs and two youth clubs with a strong membership of eminent Sri Lankan women, committed to the cause of all women.
The Chief Guest at the event was Sri Lanka Tourism’s Renton de Alwis.
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Please note that a major web upgrading initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism is also underway. We call on all tourism industry stakeholders to keep sending us snippets of news so we could include them in the weekly newsletters, we will bring to you on an improved format.
Sri Lanka Tourism wishes to thank all stakeholders for their wonderful support and assistance and wishes to invite them to get involved with 'Sri Lanka calling'. Please send your articles to stories@srilanka.travel
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