Sri Lankan flags fluttered from office buildings, homes and vehicles as the official commemoration ceremony was held with pomp and pageantry in the commercial capital Colombo. In all other provinces too the National Flag was hoisted and the day commemorated with dignity and pride.  

Sri Lanka gained independence from the British in 1948 after nearly five decades of western foreign rule. The Portuguese came in 1505, the Dutch in 1656, and finally the British in 1796, all following the spice route and the strategic location. A nation absorbing over four centuries of varied influences has retained its unique cultural identity while radiating a diversity, like no other. 

A country of 19 million people of different ethnicities and religions, on the threshold of a new era, an era of celebrating its myriad treasures, truly a land like no other.  

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Millennium stage, Kennedy centre, Washington D.C became a riot of colour, with dancers moving in rhythm to the cadence of the drums, the audience is held captive; Sri Lanka’s State Dance Ensemble performs in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Independence. Later, choreographer and artistic director Ravibandu Vidyapathi, led his troupe in dance at a public performance to an equally appreciative packed house in Maryland moving on to captivate audiences in Minnesota. The ensemble will then go on to enchant Canadian audiences in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Montreal.  

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Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 the Sinharaja Forest Reserve is now poised to earn another laurel.  

Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a densely forested reserve, home to an incredible number of different trees and animal species, including amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and insects. This hilly virgin rainforest was saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility.  

The ‘New 7 Wonders Foundation’ under the leadership of Prof. Fredrico Mayor, former Director General of UNESCO will choose the New 7 Wonders of Nature that will be declared in 2010.  

If you know the Sinharaja or have heard of it click on http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/ and vote to make Sinharaja a ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’

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Currently the most popular destination of Kuoni Weddings; Sri Lanka’s rating in the most popular destination category for Kuoni is set to move up 3 places in 2008, from 8th place to 5th place.

We are delighted to hear and congratulate Galle Fort Hotel for once again putting Sri Lanka on tourism’s map; by being listed among the best 100 luxury hotels in the world.  

In 2007 at the Asia Pacific Heritage Conservation awards, the Galle Fort Hotel, beat 25 entries from 10 countries to bag the coveted UNESCO Award for ‘Outstanding Conservation Achievement’. The Hotel’s restoration was described by the award committee as “A carefully considered transformation of an abandoned historic residential compound into a stylish boutique hotel has evocatively captured the spirit of place of the colonial world heritage fortified town of Galle. The restoration has been carried out with sensitivity to the historic fabric and the surrounding urban context, retaining the buildings modest scale and street facade.” 

For more details log on to www.tripadvisor.com 

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Ms. Sachiyo Iwase, travel writer, counting over 20 years experience as a journalist, currently writing for Japan’s most prestigious travel magazine the Travel Journal, is on her 12th visit to Sri Lanka. This year her trip was made more memorable, in view of her attendance at the first ever Sri Lankan Presidential Awards for Tourism, held last month. Ms Iwase won the award for ‘Best Destination Loyal Partners’ for her writings on Sri Lanka. 

“After many visits to many countries, finally Sri Lanka became my favourite destination which I have visited 12 times. Ayurveda of Sri Lanka attracted me to

Sri Lanka. So, I started to find out more and more on Ayurveda. I think we need to create opportunities for the Japanese to know about Ayurveda and other beauties of Sri Lanka” said Ms Iwase of her experience in Sri Lanka.   

The first organized group of visitors from Bethlehem and Ramallah arrived in Colombo on an initiative by Dr T Jayasinghe Sri Lanka’s representative to Palestine. 

Raha Travels in Ramallah is making special arrangements and manning a separate counter to facilitate the comfort of these visitors travelling to Sri Lanka for the first time.

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Friends of Sri Lanka a land like no other, have launched a website www. RightPix.com. Opening a window in to what is happening in this sunny island nation surrounded by the Indian Ocean full of captivating scenic beauty.  

Issues ranging from Government and Politics, Health and Safety, National Security, Business, Investment, Sports, Leisure, Development and Tourism is presented, as is, in a fair and impartial overview of the country’s happenings.  It provides you with video footages on Sri Lanka, blogs and polls to express your opinion, regularly updated news and breaking news as it happens, RSS feeds to keep you constantly in the know. If you wish to share some thought provoking news item, or find an entertaining video footage, just mail it direct from the site www.rightpix.com and participate in facilitating a new look at Sri Lanka.