Sri Lanka awaits nod for delayed tourism zones

Sri Lanka is keeping its hopes alive to create tourism zones in Dedduwa, Kuchchaveli and Kalpitiya, with final discussions expected to be held this week, a top official said.

"We have to wait for a policy decision from the cabinet," Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General Upali Ratnayake said.

"We will have the final discussion tomorrow after which we will prepare a cabinet paper to be forwarded," he said on February 06.

Ratnayake said a decision has to be taken on how the lands would be allocated for investors.

The Dedduwa project will take up to 1,800 hectares, according to the SLTDA website.

Kuchchaveli Beach Resort, on the country's North East coast was to take up 445 acres. Earlier plans envisaged leasing land to investors for 99 years.

The Kalpitiya Dutch Bay Resort project was to give investors access to 14 islands, totalling 4,133.2 acres.

However, the projects have faced delays over the past years.

Two tourism zones in Passikudah and Yala were completed successfully, Ratnayake said. (Colombo/Feb07/2019 - SB)

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South Africa seek to continue home dominance as ailing Sri Lanka visit

HIGHLIGHTS

• The first Test of the two-match series begin Wednesday in Durban
• The second Test match is at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth
• Sri Lanka beat South Africa 2-0 in their own backyard last July
• South Africa will be expected to continue their recent dominance over touring sides when they host ailing Sri Lanka in a two-Test series starting at Kingsmead on Wednesday.
• Their recent 3-0 sweep of Pakistan was South Africa's seventh successive home Test series victory, a run that included a triumph over number one ranked India and a 3-0 whitewash of the Sri Lankans on their last tour in the 2016/17 season.
• Their supremacy has been built around a fierce fast-bowling attack and lively wickets, the opposite of the conditions they faced when they lost 2-0 in Sri Lanka last July.
• Although the Kingsmead pitch is expected to be slower and take more turn than it has in the past, the Proteas will be overwhelming favourites against a Sri Lanka side that were well beaten in Australia last month and have not won a game in any format since October.
• "Whichever team comes here we're pretty much going to try to dominate them," Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj told reporters.
• "Every series you play you want to be dominant and whitewash the opposition. Playing here, this should be our fortress. When people come here they should be on the back foot when they do take the field."
• Maharaj played the first Test against Pakistan but was dropped for the next two as selectors went for an all-seam attack.
• He may have more of a role to play in this series, which also includes a Test at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth, a wicket that traditionally takes turn.
• "At Kingsmead it's not your swing and fast bowling wicket that we were used to 10 or 15 years ago. The wicket will wear down and slow down significantly, I would say. I think it's just a patience game at Kingsmead now.
• "It's a little bit slower than expected. But with the sun about, it may make the wicket harden up and get a little bit quicker than what we're used to as well."
• DISARRAY
• Sri Lanka have arrived in some disarray, having dropped experienced captain Dinesh Chandimal and with media reporting there are rifts between the board and coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who has been removed as an on-tour selector.
• Whatever the nature of the wickets, Hathurusingha acknowledges that the series will depend on how his side handle South Africa's vaunted pace attack that includes Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Duanne Olivier.
• "I'm relying on the players who have been with us. Dimuth Karunaratne is the captain, so he has to lead from the front," Hathurusingha told cricket website ESPNCricinfo.com.
• "He's one of the best batters with Kusal Mendis. Him, Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella, who is in good form, have to stand up.
• "Lahiru Thirimanne, who has come back into the team, has a lot of experience.
• "I think we have to rely on experience on this tour. Those guys have to step up."
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Sri Lanka to take sports tourism towards new dimension

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) will be making inroads towards sports tourism, by supporting the internationally acclaimed adventure sporting event ‘Adventure Racing World Championship’ which will take place on 13 December this year.

This will be the first time Sri Lanka Tourism will be hosting an international expedition adventure race, consisting of many adventure activities such as trekking, cycling, paddling and navigation. Preparations are currently underway for this mega event, which will be vital in positioning the country as an adventure and sports tourism destination, whilst encouraging more tourist arrivals for the sporting event. 

A team representing the AR World Championships met the Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga recently in the presence of officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), representatives of the Tri-forces and ministry officials regarding the event. 

During their stay in the country, the AR World Championships team, will fine tune the best possible course, prepare for the safest delivery of the race, and meet with event partners. The entries for this event will open on 15 February, where teams from all around the world will be encouraged to apply. The participants are poised to have an unforgettable experience that will see a fusion of the best of Sri Lankan cuisines, the most picturesque locations in the country, a dose of culture and the warmth hospitality of its people. 

The team is lead and coordinated by Craig Bycroft and Louise Foulkes, Directors of the AR World Series with a team that they have handpicked and put together for the event. 

The pair have managed the AR World Series across six continents for many years now and planned and staged two previous World Championships. Bycroft will be the Race Director and Foulkes will manage the media and live coverage of the event. Other officials include Santiago Lopez, Logistics Manager, Igor Dorotic, course manager, Brad Baumber, Medical and communications manager and Safety Officer Jarad Kohlar. 

The AR World Series unites in competition the world’s best endurance athletes at premiere Qualifier events around the globe. The racing calendar culminates annually at the AR World Championship where these teams compete for the title of World Champion. Over 500 people travel to the AR World Championship including 75 teams of four athletes, (300) media, staff, volunteers, family and friends. With an estimated visitation of 6,000 bed nights, this event brings a value of $ 1.5 million spent in the local economy. This will no doubt boost the country’s economy as well as enhancing the tourism sector. 

The AR championship is watched live through the online tracking portal by an international audience over 100,000 spectators. A one-hour television documentary, distributed to sports and lifestyle networks, will be aired over 100 countries and to one billion homes worldwide, giving an exclusive media coverage to Sri Lanka by including extensive post card shots of the destination. 

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Sri Lanka tourist arrivals grows 2.2% in Jan.

 

Colombo, Feb 12 (newsin.asia) – Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka grew 2.2 percent in January compared to the same period last year with the arrival of 244,239 tourists, statistics from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed here Tuesday.

The leading markets for Sri Lanka tourism were India, China and Britain.

China accounted for 11 percent of the total traffic, while India accounted for 16 percent and Britain also 11 percent.

This year, the Sri Lankan government has set a target to attract 3 million tourists with an earning of 5 billion US dollars.

In 2018, Sri Lanka welcomed 2,333,796 visitors, up 10.3 percent from a year earlier.

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Great Ancient City of Sri Lanka - Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka is full of Ancient Cities only. Every year thousand of tourist visits this great Ancient Country to know the history behind this country. Polonnaruwa is one of them. Today Polonnaruwa stands as one of the most important ancient cities of Sri Lanka. This city served as the second capital of the country Sri Lanka after the fall of Anuradhapura in the year 993 which means in fully ancient days. In today's date, tourists flock to Polonnaruwa to behold the fascinating monuments of the beautiful garden city, which was mostly created in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu I. The city serves now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also holds high historic importance because it saw the rise of many civilizations ruled over there including the Sinhalese, which took over during the 12th and 13th centuries. Polonnaruwa is considered a unique and exceptional urban creation because of its unusual layout and the relationship of its buildings to the environment. There are many things to know about Polonnaruwa. Before that one thing is very important to share go for your Sri Lanka Visa Online. Don’t forget to have a proper validate with yourself. As a tourist this thing is very much important to you. 

 The city was also once a venerated Buddhism site because it became home to the most Sacred Tooth of the Lord Buddha souvenir. Located in the north eastern central region of Sri Lanka, the Polonnaruwa city you see today is a medium-sized city.
 

Now the government has made a transport route that goes to capital city Colombo by this city route. 

So it is important to stop on the land transport route between Batticaloa and the capital city of Colombo because some place it is destroying this beautiful city. To remain its beauty I am sharing this line over here. 

 The ruins of Polonnaruwa are nearby located in one compact complex on the eastern shore of the artificial lake called the Top Wewa Lake. This walled region compound follows a rectangular shape and houses a cluster of palaces, temples dagobas, and few other religious structures.

 One of the ancient ruins you can find over this city is tucked in the complex is the Royal Citadel which is also known as the Palace of King Parakramabahu. This palace originally rose to the seven levels and was finely decorated. Today, only its thick walls and exquisite facade are remained.
 

For more information about this city Polonnaruwa you can go for our site https://www.etavisa-srilanka.org/cities.php . Here you can find some more information about Sri Lanka cities and states. Sri Lanka visa information you can visit our site Apply ETA Sri Lanka.

Walk the Kottawa Rain Forest in Sri Lanka!

Among the various destination in the Island country of Indian Ocean, the walk made in the deepest woods of Kottawa Rain Forest is known to be the most exciting of the entire tour.
 

Let us see what makes it so exciting. 

There’s a Swimming Pool inside this Rain forest?

The aspect that makes it a wow factor is that, there is a man-made Swimming Pool right in the middle of the forest. The tourists pay a visit here especially to have a swim in this pool that lurks amidst the wildlife of the jungle.
 

The ticket is open at comfortable shifts-Morning Batch & Night Batch

Rain forests tend to be unsafe for tourists after the sunset due to the wildlife and perilous tracks that are undomesticated. But the tourism here offers enough time for the tourists to explore this area by opening the entry at 7:30 am in the morning which ends at 2 pm. Few have an option to choose their 7 hour walk in the evening, which starts at 2:30 pm and ends at 9:30 pm. Travelers are requested to find the exact timings allowed based on the weather conditions.
 

Breakfast & Lunch available inside the Rain forest-On Request!

At the time of starting the tour itself, the traveler is requested to mention if he/she wishes to have the Breakfast and Lunch, which is not included in the tour price. A simple Sri Lankan Meal is served which is quite delicious and nutritious as well.

 Tourists are requested to carry a leech resistant socks pair, comfortable footwear and a hat. Pick-up and drop facility is provided from the Hotel you stay at.
 

What are you waiting for? Apply for a Sri Lanka Visa and plan you trip right away. To know all the visa requirements for Sri Lanka, visit the website.

Sri Lanka Trekking Holidays

 The Sri Lanka trekking holidays will bring you to the Esortic Island that has caught the eye of many adventure seekers and many travelers. Who can maintain the overflowing beauty of the landscape, the culture and the people of Sri Lanka? The country has one of the oldest cultures tracking back to 2500 years ago. As Sri Lanka, is known as the pearl of Indian Ocean or the "Pearl of the Orient", the "Resplendent Isle", And the "Teardrop of India" which has no wonder of visitors those flock to Sri Lanka every year. Sri Lanka is especially popular among holiday goers. They attracts to the mysticism that seems to besiege the island of Sri Lanka. Why it attracts there are many reasons to explain. Because it is near to the equator, it receives sufficient or abundant sunlight which gives the island general tropical climate that brings about green valleys and luscious jungles. There are plenty of natural sceneries that Sri Lanka use to boast it by number of tourists this is why many people spend their holidays here.  Plan this month or next month for Sri Lanka tour because this is the month when most of the tourists visit this place. Have your own Sri Lanka Tourist visa and stay or spend your holidays according to your Sri Lanka visa validity.  Most of the tourist trekking tours usually go around the many rice terraces, mountains, cultural villages, plantations and temples that are spread around the island. Now why they are spread let me explain:

Here Kandyan Kingdoms is one of the popular trekking tours place. It is a gentle hike around the coast where you can see the pathways, the cultural icons and the view of the Knuckles Mountains. It usually includes a visit to some of the sanctuaries hidden in the Buddhist forest. Most of the trekking tour includes trails featuring the Anuradhapura and the Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital places of Sri Lanka. You can go for a walk around the cultural villages or gaze at the Indian Ocean where you can easily spot whales swimming in the sea and all other kinds of sea creatures.

Now a day’s most of the travelers like to have an off the rack experience during their holidays. They want more adventure and some new experience that is different from their usual day. This island is already an exquisitely beautiful and the place itself, unique on its own. With the unique composition or blend of culture, Sri Lanka naturally attracts adventure seekers. The trekking holidays is a great way to get to know any island features and see its many wonders while enjoying outdoor trekking.

In Sri Lanka, the plus point is its weather which is generally tropical so the whole year is ideal for trekking. Pack your bags with all of your needed trekking items and visit to Sri Lanka. Don't forget to put Sri Lanka online visa in your trekking bag.