Sir Arthur passes away at 90

Sir Arthur C Clarke, the renowned scientific visionary, writer of the "2001 Space Odyssey" fame who made Sri Lanka his home several decades ago, passed away this week at his Colombo residence at the age of 90. Sri Lanka Calling mourns his death not only for the void he leaves in the world of science fiction writing, but also as one of Sri Lanka's most prolific tourism ambassadors.

Sir Arthur arrived in Sri Lanka to savour the coral reefs and ship wrecks off Sri Lanka's coasts as a diver and decided to make the island his home for good. He lived his life contributing to the world with his science fiction writing and to Sri Lanka's colourful art scene as an actor, writer, producer and most of all, as one of the country's most sought after personalities.

Former Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike is no more

This week also saw the passing away of the former Tourism Minister, Anura Bandaranaike, after a brief illness. Anura B, as he was fondly known, was a controversial figure in Sri Lankan politics;  a former Speaker of Parliament, a Minister who held several portfolios in various governments of different political affiliations and a prolific orator.

Brother of a former President of Sri Lanka Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunge and of Ms. Sunethra Bandaranaike, of the Sunera Foundation fame, he represented the Attangalla electorate, where the Bandaranaike family legacy began. He was known to be an avid reader and a keen fan of the world of cinema.

Sri Lanka Calling offer condolences of the tourism industry of Sri Lanka, to the Bandaranaike family on his sad demise.

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This week Sri Lanka’s Muslims join other followers of the faith of the world, in commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohamed on the 20th while Buddhists observe Medin Poya and Christians will prepare for Good Friday and celebrate Easter Sunday. 

Hindu’s will attend the chariot festival at Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Sivan Hindu Temple  in Kochchikade where 10 days of religious festivities will conclude with the chariot festival on the 20th -  from 7 a.m. to 12 noon; concluding on the 21st of March. A week celebrating the diversity of this land like no other.  

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Valmiki’s epic poetic work composed in Sanskrit around 3rd century B.C. is followed through Sri Lanka by Hindu devotees unfolding many of nature’s treasures.

To the Hindu devotee it is a pilgrimage of awe and inspiration; to the uninitiated it is a trail through Sri Lanka visiting some of the most beautiful natural sites - some quaint temples, some majestic monuments, each confirming a unique aspect of Sri Lanka’s ties to Valmiki’s epic evoking a devotion beyond faith, by the sheer beauty of the places visited.

From coast to inland from South to North to East to West, the story takes you through Sri Lanka on the ‘Ramayana Trail’ viewing a landscape of rich diversity. For more information email info@srilanka.travel  

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Over 200 guests attended the Sri Lankan Evening event in Idar Oberstein in Germany last week, where destination Sri Lanka was presented by the Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka Tourism with representatives of industry showcasing their own unique products available in Sri Lanka.

Presentations on Sri Lanka a land like no other – with offers of nature, culture, adventure, the sun and sand, and the added feature of Ayurvedha therapy, intrigued and mesmerized the participants. A compelling call was made to the German public, to make a trip to sunny Sri Lanka. 

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Louise Gray is in Sri Lanka working with Ruk Rakaganno (Volunteers for the preservation of Trees) joining the thousands of tree loving Sri Lankans working at keeping Sri Lanka green.

“Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and I am having a wonderful time here” said Louise who went on to say “But what really make it special are the trees. The rain trees on the boulevards that keep the commuters cool; the kitul palm that Sri Lankans’ tap for toddy or treacle, the jack fruit for curries, the frangipani with its beautiful flowers and the fragrant jasmine. All make the country green and of course are helping towards cutting greenhouse gases by absorbing carbon dioxide. I am so pleased to be working for a charity that is protecting trees.”

‘Ruk Rakaganno’  long committed to the preservation of trees, will consolidate Sri Lanka Tourism’s initiative to plant a million more appropriate trees, within the next five years. Sri Lanka Tourism’s commitment to the environment “Towards being a Carbon Clean Destination: A Tourism Earth Lung”, a programme recognised by the UN World Tourism Organisation as a pioneering and proactive attempt in working towards mitigating the effects of global warming and climate change. 

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A team of 26 from the Dubai Airport Operating Committee was in Sri Lanka last week to assess the facilities for tourists travelling from the region to Sri Lanka. The group included chiefs of Dubai’s departments of Immigration and customs; general manger of Dubai Aviation; the Emirates Vice President for Terminals and other senior officials.

Team leader of the visiting group Ms Sherine Samarakone, Airport Service Manager Dubai International Airport T1, best summed up the visit when she said
“This DXB AOC trip was a huge success. All the members and government officials were highly taken up with all the arrangements and they were quite impressed with the country and the facilities available at the hotels”

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A recent gift by the Ministry of Tourism is an environment friendly electric car, to carry visitors to the site of the Sri Mahabodhi tree in Anuradhapura. Physical handicap or age will no longer be a barrier to foreign or local tourists visiting the Anuradhapura sacred area, the site of worlds’ oldest recorded tree.  

The car which can carry four passengers at a time, is operated on a rechargeable battery, and will not emit any smoke which can damage the sacred Bo tree, which is over 2500 years old.

Christina Mittermeier, Don Church and John Martin were in Sri Lanka last week preparing photography and video footage of the Eastern Sinharajah area.

Ms. Mittermeier and colleagues will be making a presentation on the Sinharajah Forest Reserve, to the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona in 2008 an event hosted by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Sri Lanka Calling say a big “Thank you” to the team whose efforts will further champion the cause of Tourism in helping preserve the Sinharajah Rain Forest.

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