In the heart of the city of Colombo on a relatively quiet and wide roadway, where its formal Art Gallery is located in a picturesque setting, one finds creations of immense talent on canvass.  These paintings mostly acrylic on canvass and some oils on canvass display the artistry of the painters who are personally present explaining their creations to the keen visitors. To the widely travelled tourist or those coming from Europe it may be a reminder of Montmartre in the outskirts of Paris.

At this informal, makeshift gallery in the open air, one young artist Thushara has been exhibiting his paintings for over four years. Travelling nearly 30 kilo metres to Colombo bringing his canvasses rolled up and mounting them on chip board frames he speaks proudly of his creations. “Painting is my life. I paint abstract and real life stills too. My inspiration is my surrounding. I use my brush to express my feelings. I come every Monday the rest of the week, I am at the easel at home in the village.” He continued to add “These paintings may not be master pieces but they bring joy to those who buy them and are a positive reminder of life in Sri Lanka”. Others like Thushara are students at the nearby School of Art affiliated to the University. To them this is a dual opportunity of exhibiting their work and earning the much needed funds to continue as students of art.

For the visitors, the Art Street Fair is a rare treat, where it peaks up during weekends.

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 Sri Lanka Calling is happy to announce that Sri Lanka Tourism has been invited to present its “Towards a Carbon Clean Sri Lanka; A Tourism Earth Lung Initiative” at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008 to be held later this month in Bangkok.  Renton de Alwis of Sri Lanka Tourism has been invited to be a featured speaker at the event.

His presentation on Earth Lung, discusses the need for the tourism industry to be proactive in both assisting the process of mitigating the causes of climate change while preparing to meet  the impacts global warming will have on the business of tourism. The presentation will focus on the response of a tourism destination and its industry in preparing itself, to face these challenges in a proactive way. It outlines practical actions that destinations and tourism can  take to stay on top of the issue of global warming highlighting the various initiatives already in place in Sri Lanka.

For more details visit http://www.atf2008thailand.com/asen_tourism.html

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The fortnight from Friday 21st March to Friday 4th April 2008 the skies over some parts of Sri Lanka will see an unusual sight, when over 80 to 100 balloonists, take to the skies in 25 hot air balloons.

The Sri Lanka Balloon Festival’s ballooning excursions will cover the Uda Walawe area, the Cultural Triangle and the air space surrounding Sigiriya, with a trip to Nuwara Eliya also being a part of the tour. A journey to the highlands on the Viceroy Express – the steam engine powered vintage luxury train and for the more adventurous parachute jumping from the balloon are other attractions on offer.

The tour is scheduled to start off in Colombo with  “Night Glow Musical Show” with the balloons tethered, lit up and glowing like large light bulbs against the evening darkness, providing a spectacular sight to the viewers. Music, food and beverages are available for spectators in a carnival-like atmosphere allowing many families to enjoy a quality evening of entertainment.

The Sri Lanka Balloon Festival will not only be about flying and is also a celebration of a visit to Sri Lanka a land like no other.

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Soul Sounds the all girl choir which bagged two silver medals at the World Choir Games held in China in 2006, competing with more than 60 other countries, having the distinction of producing a record with international artists Cliff Richard, Bill Wyman, Russell Watson, Robin and Barry Gibb to raise millions for Tsunami victims, is currently rehearsing with Prof. Mark Wilson Music Director of the UC Berkley Gospel Choir USA.  

Prof Wilson, speaking of the choristers “This is a great group of very talented singers, from many ethnicities in Sri Lanka and from many religions. Though they are singing gospel music, they typify my belief that cultures and nations of people are united through song”

"We are all set for the event with tickets for most of the events sold out. More than one third of our tickets sold for the festival are to travellers coming from abroad. All hotels within the region are at capacity or very near being fully booked. The presence of the international media at the festival will draw attention not only to the festival but also send positive news stories promoting Sri Lanka as a key tourist destination highlighting its literary talents, culture, nature and sheer beauty.”

Libby Southwell Festival Director www.galleliteraryfestival.com fd@galleliteraryfestival.com
Ph: +94 773918207

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Sri Lanka Calling congratulate Renuka Balasuriya and Somaratne Dissananyake for their award winning productions, Samanala Thatu awarded the Silver Elephant Award at the Hyderabad International  Film Festival and Sanakara,  for earning a special mention at the Turkey International Film Festival last month.

The Duruthu Maha Pererhera  of the Sri Jayasudharshanaramaya Temple, in Bolawalana , Negombo  is a pageant with all the features of the renowned Kandy perahera including traditional dancers, drummers and the majestic tusk elephants. It attracts large crowds of viewers and among them are visitors and tourists to this coastal town, who welcome the diversity offered by a cultural event, after a day spent relaxing and enjoying the sun and sand offer for which this town is most popular.

Belgian traveller Luke Devos was in Colombo on January 1st on his 6th visit to Sri Lanka having first visited in 2005.

“Asia is a cultural mystery for us from the west. On coming to Sri Lanka, I found its beauty captivating and magical. I got to know of how beautiful the country is only after coming here and I keep coming every time I get a chance. I particularly love your culture of family unity and the extended family system. It is a wonderful experience, even the security check points cannot take away the charm of your country. You are lucky to be born in this beautiful country” said Luke Devos. He is contactable at luc.devos@hotmail.com

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