We at Sri Lanka Calling join millions of admirers the world over in wishing many more happy birthdays and good health in the years ahead, to British born visionary, science fiction writer Arthur C Clark who celebrated his 90th birthday on 16th December.

A citizen of Sri Lanka since 1956 Sir Arthur C Clarke was famously drawn to Sri Lanka by his love of the sea and underwater diving. He founded Underwater Safaris in 1959 which pioneered professional diving in Sri Lanka and his love of the sea and the island has remained constant throughout.    

Sir Arthur has contributed in numerous ways to enrich the lives of Sri Lankan’s and is renowned for his contribution to education and higher education, science and technology and in showcasing to the world the beauty and richness of the Sri Lankan heritage and its bio diversity.

By his close association and work with eminent Sri Lankan archaeologists late Dr Senarath Paranwitharana, late Charles Godakumbura, and Dr Senaka Bandaranayake Sir Arthur was instrumental in throwing the spotlight in Sigiriya as one of the most advanced technological accomplishments of the ancient world.

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Sri Lanka Tourism sends a message of a million thanks to the Rotary movement of Sri Lanka and the team at Rainforest Rescue International, for sharing a commitment and passion to keep Sri Lanka Carbon Clean by joining in Tourism’s crusade to plant 10 million trees.

Once again it was the cricketers who added glamour and popularity in leading the way in the campaign in Galle at the stadium and in the Fort in making Galle Sri Lanka’s “Rainforest City.” After a day of popularising tree planting the visiting English test team together with their Sri Lankan counterparts and the English cricket media went on to a time of fun and entertainment at the Light House Hotel, Galle, where they were hosted, by Sri Lanka Tourism and Jetwing Hotels. Visitors to the event will long remember Sri Lanka Tourism’s call to them to forget travel guilt as we in Sri Lanka will work with a strong commitment to further greening our environment as we promote ‘ Towards a Carbon Clean Sri Lanka; A Tourism Earth Lung’.

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The Eco Tourism Foundation of Sri Lanka founded way back in 1998 to promote Sri Lanka as the most sought after eco destination in Asia and the pacific region is a body of people drawn from the tourism industry, academia, environmentalists, and environmental journalists. 
In its commitment to the environment, the foundation is in a continues pursuit of educating and disseminating knowledge amongst the industry and the community, in how best to preserve the  environment, while promoting tourism for the economic benefit of the community.

A workshop for hoteliers on ‘Good Environmental Practises’ was held last week in collaboration with Kuoni Travels and was conducted by eminent resource persons who emphasised the importance of water saving measures and energy efficiency for the hotel sector with a special focus on sustainable development business strategies. 

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Popular French TV channel, TV 5, presenter Sophie Jovillard in her programme best of all destinations, featured Sri Lanka last week under the title ‘Echapees Belles’ : Beautiful Escape. This one and half hour duration programme caught Sri Lanka a land like no other and its myriad wonders including precious gemstones, beautiful beaches, nature’s magic and the exotic flora and fauna to the delight of its nearly six million viewers.

This was the collaborative effort of Sri Lanka Tourism, Sri Lankan Airlines, Connaissance de Ceylon Travels, Amaya Resorts, Galle Face Hotel, Trans Asia Hotel, Tea Trails, and The Palace Hotel in promoting destination Sri Lanka. 

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Born in Australia to Sri Lankan migrant parents Christopher and Beverley de Niese, Danielle first made an impact on the music scene way back in 1988 in Victoria, Australia on winning the coveted ‘Talent Discovery of the Year Award’ at the tender age of nine.

Danielle’s musician parents took her across to New York and today Danielle has made a name for herself and made her countrymen proud by her virtuosity and talent. Soprano Danielle de Niese showcases her talent in the Decca debut Album ‘Handel Arias’ in this exclusive video performance and interview. To hear the rich timbre of her voice visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcVg1UtQLNQ

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Sri Lanka Calling congratulates the team at Grand Hotel for winning this prestigious award. SAGA Holidays, in its, over 50 years of existence boasts of an expanding and exclusive clientele and the SAGA Awards are voted in by discerning British visitors, which speak volumes for the award and the quality of food at the Grand Hotel.  

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Sri Lanka’s champion racing driver Dilantha Malgamuwa created more history when he became the first man to clinch the Malaysian Supercar championships, last week.
Japan based Malgamuwa who is the first non – Malaysian to win the title, retained the title which he first won last year, writing a new chapter in racing history in Malaysia.   

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Sri Lanka Calling proudly announce and congratulate Brandix Finishing, on winning the Gold award, for the company’s innovative efforts to achieve zero disposal, of solid waste and sludge, to landfill, by converting its effluent in to environmentally, economically and socially relevant by products. The award was accepted on behalf of Brandix Finishing by Francis Surtees at Britain’s House of Commons.  

The Green Organization is an independent non- political, non- activist, non- profit  environmental group, dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental endeavours and initiatives around the world, the award is the organizations top accolade for environmental best practise at international level.

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