Sri Lanka’s Gangarama Temple Photo Becomes the “BEST PHOTO TAKEN ON A SMARTPHONE” Competition

The 'Best Photo Taken on a Smartphone' contest, launched by Celebrity Cruises, encouraged amateur photographers to submit their holiday snaps and has announced that a shot of the Gangaramaya Viharaya Temple, taken in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has taken top place.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Song - “Paradise Calling” Launched

Sri Lanka Tourism’s promotional song titled “Paradise Calling” was ceremoniously launched at a function held at “Ape Gama” in Battaramulla in the presence of Hon. M.L.A.M Hizbullah – Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Willie Gamage secretary to the Ministry of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation . Mr. Bhashwara Gunarathna Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism , Mr. Rumy Jauffer Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Dr.D.S Jayaweera – Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Mr. Nilmin Nanayakkara Board Member of SLTPB. The song’s Musical concept and Direction was done by Sri Lanka’s famous young artist duo Bathiya & Santush. The lyrics were written by veteran song writer Mr. Kelum Srimal. The launching ceremony was held with the participation of more than 24 young vocalists and many distinguished guests representing travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka. This is the brain Child of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development to produce a promotional song for Sri Lanka Tourism industry.

Santa Comes on the Double Decker this Christmas too

The Colombo City Tour brings Santa Claus to town once again on the open deck double decker this season from the 19th to the 23rd of December. These exciting seasonal packages offer a joyous ride around the city of Colombo with Santa on board, an educative live commentary and an unforgettable white Christmas experience with excitement and fun at the Excel World entertainment park, Colombo.

Sri Pada ("Adam's Peak") Annual Pilgrimage Season

Hatton Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada is an important pilgrim site. The devotees of many religions climb the mountain to invoke blessings. Buddhist believes the impression on the summit is the footprint of the Buddha. Sripada is the 4th highest mountain in Sri Lanka and it takes 4-5 hours to reach the peak by foot. The mountain is also named as Samanala Kanda or Butterfly Mountain. The area is rich in biodiversity and surrounded by the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. The pilgrimage season starts on Unduwap Poya.

The season begins in December and ends in April.

AN EXPOBITION SHOWCASE PARALLEL TO CHOGM - 2013.

SLTDA is organizing an exhibition for Tourism stakeholders to showcase best of Sri Lanka with parallel to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting - 2013.

Application to CHOGM Exhibition: Download

 

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013

CHOGM is held every two years and is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making body. Commonwealth leaders agreed on Sri Lanka as the 2013 host for the meeting when they met in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in 2009. They reaffirmed this decision at the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia.

The President said: “As a committed member of the Commonwealth family, Sri Lanka is pleased to be hosting CHOGM. The Commonwealth shares a strong commitment to the twin pillars of democracy and development. We look forward to welcoming all Commonwealth leaders and delegates to our country for what I am confident will be a successful and mutually beneficial summit in true Commonwealth spirit.”

 

Xi’an Tourism Road Show

The Road show held in Xi’an was successfully concluded parallel to the Beijing International Travel Fair 2013 (BITE 2013), with promising prospect to the future of Sri Lanka Tourism.

His Excellency Ranjith Uyangoda, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to the People’s Republic of China was the chief guest of this event which was targeted at the Tour operators and Hotels who took part in the BITE 2013. This event was conducted under the guidance of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, The Minister of Economic Development

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For further information reach: Sri Lanka Tourism News 

Koneswaram Kovil in Sri Lanka

Munneswaram, a slumbery, sleepy and normally inactive hamlet, lying in the outskirts of Chilaw, comes alive this season, with complex ritualistic festivities, ceremonies and processions, culminating with the water cutting ceremony, to be performed at the Deduru Oya, two miles off Chilaw, on September 16.
The Munneswaram temple, dedicated to Lord Ishwara, is reminiscent of other celebrated and renowned temples like Koneswaram and Thiruketheeswaram, in which, three Sivalingams are enshrined.
Munneswaram has preserved its sylvan charm and enchantment, with the scenic surroundings _ with vast acres of paddy _ and hemmed in by tanks, which irrigate all farming and cultivation there.
The main temple at Munneswaram has been revamped, largely due to generous donations and assistance by devotees, who throng the sacred precincts to invoke and implore the deities, and solicit spiritual succour and material comfort.

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Munnswaram Temple in Sri Lanka

Munneswaram temple (Tamil: முன்னேசுவரம் கோயில்) is an important regional Hindu temple complex in Sri Lanka, a predominantly Buddhist country. It has been in existence at least since 1000 CE, although myths surrounding the temple associate it with the popular Indian epic Ramayana, and its legendary hero-king Rama. The temple is one of five ancient temples (Ishwarams) dedicated to Shiva in the region

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Hantana in Sri Lanka

The Hanthana Mountain Range lies in central Sri Lanka, south-west of the city of Kandy. It was declared as an environmental protection area in February 2010 under the National Environment Act. The maximus height of the range is 3800 ft. The mountain range consists of seven peaks. The highest one being the Uura Kanda .The range is a favourite destination among the mountain hikers in Sri Lanka. University of Peradeniya is situated adjacent to the Hanthana mountain range.

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Embekke Dewalaya,Kandy in Sri Lanka

Around 13 km from the Kandy city, a Buddhist temple dates from the 14th century is situated in "Arathtana". It is decorated by wooden columns richly carved with animals, dancers, and wrestlers.

Gardener of the flower garden in Embekke of Queen Henakanda Bissobandara tried to remove a "Kaduru" tree from the garden. When he cut it a stream of blood began to flow from the tree. After knowing the miracle, drummer  perform the rituals there as he was ordered to do by the god. He built a small temple called the "Embekke Devalaya".After some days the king Wickramabahu in Senkadagala era, ordered to build a three story building there and  gave land, queens'  jewelry  and elephants as gifts. Since then the temple of Embekka is worshipped by people.Today, the drummers' relatives perform rituals 

in Embekke.

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