Feature
Sri Lanka is a land of promise and potential. An old name for the country, Serendip, inspired the English author Horace Walpole to coin the word “serendipity” and write a fairy tale called The Three Prices of Serendip, about three princes who keep making accidental discoveries during their travels.
Property of the Month
The best deal on the South Coast
Probably the best deal on the south coast, this spacious half built beach house located five minutes south of Mirissa beach (40 minutes drive from Galle) is currently under renovations to convert an old two-storey house into an attractive and modern beach bungalow. With extended balcony and fantastic views over the Indian Ocean, this 5,000 square foot house with staff quarters rests of 72 perches (1,800 square metres) of prime beachfront land.
Villa of the Month
41 Lighthouse Street
Enter through the inconspicuous teak doors of this magnificently restored 300-year-old Dutch villa to indulge in a little piece of private luxury. ‘Forty One’ - located at the heart of historic Galle Fort - is a large private three-bedroomed house that has been intelligently and stylishly converted into a romantic boutique villa by one of Sri Lanka’s leading architects and interior designers.
This Month's Top Story
by Jamila Najmuddin
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is likely to arrive in Sri Lanka in 2013 to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting which Sri Lanka will host that year, well informed sources told Daily Mirror online.
Sources added that the Queen may arrive in the country to open and attend part of the meetings which will also be attended by the Heads of State of the countries representing the Commonwealth.
Book of the Month
A Dictionary of Sri Lankan English - Wonderful representation of the nation's soul
Reviewed by Manuka Wijesinghe
Shortly after Michael Meyler's Dictionary of Sri Lankan English was released, one of the first remarks made to me by a fellow Lankan was, does this chap have nothing else to do?
In retrospect, it is not the ignorance of a fellow countryman that saddens me, but my own inertia in not giving an adequate response.
Recipe of the Month
Dallo Maluwa (Stuffed Calamari Curry)
Sri Lankan fare is often mistaken for yet another Indian regional cuisine. Yet to the culinary explorer, Sri Lankan Food is as intriguing and unique as the many other customs of this island paradise. In spite of its tiny size, Sri Lanka boasts an amazing variety of food and styles of cooking. The island has a rich heritage of indigenous dishes and its regional cooking is strongly individual and varied.
NEWS
Floating Hotel - Sri Lanka to hire cruise liner for World Cup fans
Sri Lanka plans to hire a cruise liner to accommodate cricket World Cup fans and spectators at the newly built stadium in the island's south, an official said on Tuesday.
The six-million dollar stadium in Hambantota, President Mahinda Rajapakse's hometown, lacks hotels to accommodate thousands of fans expected to watch the games in February-April next year.
Heritance Kandalama rated Best 5-Star Resort in Sri Lanka
Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka's most awarded hotel, was rated as the Best 5-Star Resort in the island for the third consecutive year and was welcomed to the prestigious Hall of Fame, at the Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism, held last week.
The objective of this prestigious awards ceremony is to recognize and reward excellence among industry stakeholders of past and present and to encourage and ensure an even greater contribution in the future. The awards criterion is designed to motivate industry stakeholders to work towards the primary goal of sustainable development of the tourism industry.
Sri Lanka vows to double tourism income by 2015
Sri Lanka expects to double its tourism income by 2015 as most of the countries have relaxed their travel advisories to Sri Lanka following the conclusion of a bloody civil war, a government minister said.
Laskman Yapa Abeywardena, the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Economic Development told reporters that Sri Lanka's present income earned from tourism is 400 million U.S dollars annually.
SriLankan to double fleet 2015 – More destinations, additional flights
SriLankan Airlines has drawn up a new five-year plan, which is targeted towards bringing the National Carrier to profitability while at the same time acting as the catalyst for growth.
“SriLankan Airlines has a well defined plan and is ready to deliver. With fleet expected to be doubled by 2015, SriLankan Airlines is geared to re-live its past glory”, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe said.
Sri Lankan govt taking steps to boost tourism in north and east
Sri Lanka to revive cruise links with India
Ripe Region - Sri Lanka north-east ripe for tourism, agriculture
Publis - Tourism Legend of 2009, more than a Chef
Port Move - Sri Lanka in port expansion deal with China
Port expansion makes headway - Three more terminals for Colombo Port
Odel IPO makes debut on July 5
New website promotes Alien book and tourism in Sri Lanka
Malaysia vows to assist Sri Lanka's development drive
Lofty Plans - Sri Lanka's Odel may consider a high-rise shopping mall
Khan arrives in Sri Lanka
John Keells Group leads in Sri Lanka’s Tourism Sector
JKH Group posts record profits - tops Rs 5.20 billion
Investors highly inspired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa - Indian business leaders keen on investing in Sri Lanka
Indian tourist arrivals up
Higher Level - Sri Lanka Ceylon Hotels Corp to upgrade hotels
Hot Numbers - Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up 42% in May
Growth in Lankan economy
Fun Waves - Sri Lanka's Arugam Bay surfing paradise hosts ASP World Tour
Expo Aviation Launches Expo Pavilion, a Motel in Jaffna
Eco Team wins big at Presidential Tourism Awards
Bright prospects for Lanka’s economy - IMF
Beer Cheer - Sri Lanka tourism revival, exports, elections drive beer demand
Quote of the month
“... My ideas and my poetry owe much to this island. I have known and loved its generous people.”
- Pablo Neruda, speaking about Sri Lanka.
