Though rain and shine played games and was a dampner on the 3rd and final test match between England and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium, the English team and fans captured the hearts and minds of the local people.

British flag carrying trumpet blowing supporters the – ‘Barmy Army’ added colour, glamour and filled the hotels in the southern coast igniting a revival in tourism, after the ravages of the Tsunami. Cricket brought over 7,000 spectators and the world’s sport media, to Sri Lanka this month filling up hotel rooms. The legendary greeting ‘Ayubowan’  and the smiles on the faces of thousands of people, said it all in Galle. 

From Asgiriya in Kandy, in the hill country, to Colombo and finally to Galle, cricketers travelled taking hope and goodwill to an industry poised to delight visitors. Many would remember the visits of the English this season and how Sri Lankans delighted them and truly lived up to the image of being an island of smiling and warm people.

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US based, popular ‘Travel and Leisure’ magazine, in a survey conducted in collaboration with Conservation International of USA, named Heritance Kandalama to be amongst the top 15 Green Hotels of the World, lifting Sri Lanka’s profile as an eco-tourism destination.

Designed by internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, Heritance Kandalama’s high environmental standards have been commended many times over both locally and globally.

Situated in close proximity to two world heritage sites of the Sigiriya rock fortress and the Dambulla cave temple in the cultural triangle with nature at its best surrounding it, The Heritance Kandalama is a testimony to Geoffrey Bawa’s foresight in creating eco friendly resorts.

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The Neemrana Music Foundation will perform “The Pearl Fishers” at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Hall in Colombo on 9th and 11th January. An opera of love, betrayal and rituals will be performed by a cast of 150 from Sri Lanka, France, India and Korea. The performance will attract international and French media LCI, MEZZO and FRANCE 24, covering the performance from Colombo.  

Composed in 1863 by Georges Bizet, the French composer who also composed Carmen, the Pearl Fishers is a love story, set on an island off the coast of Sri Lanka. Set amongst simple fishing folk, a story of a priestess having to choose between love and her sacred vows.

It will be the universal language of music, that will now draw world attention to Sri Lanka in January when the ‘Pear Fishers’ takes the stage in the new year. 

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The Galle Literary Festival - a four day programme of writing workshops and competitions, panel discussions, topical debates on issues varying from climate change to poetry readings will keep participants engaged at events, where world famous authors will gather.

Dubbed the “No.1 literary festival in the world” by Harper’s Bazaar, in its inauguration year in 2007 , the event is set to be even more successful this time round with a longer list of world famous authors having confirmed their participation. Highlights include a talk by Gore Vidal amongst other writers and the event is not just about reading books but a celebration of the English language, be it, written, spoken or listened to.

The festival will extend beyond the four days of the event, when language and communication will be showcased as an essential tool in improving educational opportunities, stimulate debate, and be a force for change. A platform for writers, a forum for ideas, creativity, sharing of perspectives, knowledge and experiences among the community in Galle.
 

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Khun Ratana Poopitakchatkaew PATA’s Director – Board and Foundation Relations was in Colombo recently when she finalized the venue and other arrangements for PATA AGM 2008. The annual general meeting will be held at the Cinnamon Grand from the 4th-7th of April hosted by Sri Lanka Tourism. With key international tourism industry leaders participating at the event in April 2008, it will be another boost for Sri Lanka Tourism’s efforts to draw MICE events to Sri Lanka.

Khun Ratana also visited ‘Thal Aramba’  playschool, near Mirissa beach on the southern coast which was built by the PATA Foundation Tsunami Recovery. The playschool facilitates a safe leaning environment and care facilities for children, while the parents are rebuilding their homes and livelihoods

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Situated within the halls of the 400 year old UNESCO protected Galle Fort, the Amangalla hotel, in its monthly talks – Amangalla Salon, will feature world renowned architect Ashley de Vos on the first Saturday in January when he is expected to share his wealth of knowledge on Galle Fort and architecture.

For more details on these forums visit www.amanresorts.com or email amangalla@resorts.com

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