Cathay Pacific Airways will recommence flights to and from Colombo from Sunday
March 30th.

“We are very pleased to able to resume services to and from Colombo.
Sri Lanka is an important market for both passengers and cargo and getting the destination back in to our network will certainly be beneficial for the Hong Kong hub” 
Said Augustus Tang, Cathay Pacific’s Director Corporate Development in announcing the daily frequencies operated between Hong Kong and Colombo via Bangkok and Singapore.

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Sri Lanka Tourism and Ashok Kainth will journey through Sri Lanka visiting the Ramayana related sites from 19th to 23rd February.

Travelling through the country following the trail of Ramayana; Ashok Kainth will guide you along as you discover and experience Sri Lanka and its historical connections as they unfold the mysticism of the Ramayana. 

For details to join in on the tour call Ms. Ruveni on 2437061

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The 2nd International Conference on Responsible Tourism will be held in Cochin, Kerala from the 21st to 24th March 2008. 

The conference will be inaugurated by Mrs Ambika Soni, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India. Renton de Alwis, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism has been invited to speak at the inaugural session and make a keynote presentation at the conference. Amongst the travel and tourism leaders addressing the sessions will be Prof. Harold Goodwin, of the Leeds University, Nicole Haeusler of mas contour, Germany, Angel B Colley, Secretary of State of Gambia and Fiona Jeffrey, Chairman of the World Travel Market, UK.

For details visit www.responsibletourism2008.org

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In a coastal village south of Colombo, a Tsunami ravaged village comes back to life. Unawatuna with its beautiful beaches has slowly come back to the life it knew before the big wave hit them.

And in this village a nearly six foot high 200 metre wall is seeing completion and Timothy Seneviratne and his friends want it to be a place of joy, reminiscent of the  beauty of the sea. He invites all who love the sea and art to come to Unawatuna on Saturday 23rd February and join in a day of fun, painting on the wall.

The project is themed “Under the Sea” and to join in to spread joy and create beauty and history visit http://www.unawatunasmiles.blogspot.com

Millions of CNN viewers across Asia Pacific watch a 30 second commercial with the message “In the fight against climate change, losing is not an option” as PATA is gearing up for the mega event-  PATA CEO Challenge to be held in Bangkok on April 29 - 30, to provide insights in being part of the solution to climate change and global warming.

Sri Lanka Tourism will present Sri Lanka’s ten year programme initiative to be a truly carbon-neutral destination through its Earth Lung initiative, driven as a partnership between private sector, consumer groups and other government departments. Among the presenters will be Srilal Mitthapala, CEO of Serendib Leisure talking about the initiatives of Sigiriya Hotel on Carbon foot print measurement and mitigation efforts.   

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Vasantha Perera captures on canvass images of ordinary people of Jaffna who go about their day to day business in the north of Sri Lanka. The smiles on the faces and hope in the eyes of the people of the northern centre is brought to life in vibrant colour by Vasantha, who travelled to Jaffna, armed with heavy doses of kindness and compassion.

The exhibition is on at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from the 15th to 17th of February and is open for the public.   

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Sri Lanka’s much visited and iconic department store ODEL was recently featured in the world’s leading retail magazine Retail Ad World; for the stores fashionable concept in traditional couture – the Sari Bar.

The Sari Bar –ODEL’s unique innovation in retail design features a stunning range of haute couture from big names in saree designing to the more affordable range with hand picked and exclusive designs.

Sri Lanka Calling congratulates the team at Odel on this demonstration of recognition of their creativity in presenting the saree as “Six yards of attitude” and being featured as being among the world’s best retail stores.  

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