Sri Lankan News

22.08.2009

Greetings from a united Sri Lanka!

............................UK survey finds Sri Lanka a happy place 

The New Economic Foundation a British non governmental group found Sri Lanka the 22nd happiest place to live in from 143 countries that are home to 99 percent of the world’s population. It also revealed that Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world. The New Economics Foundation had devised an equation that weighed life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

In the Happy Planet Index ratings Sri Lanka scored favorably in terms of life expectancy, losing ground on life satisfaction, but a very good rating on eco footprint.

For more details visit www.happyplanetindex.org

Other news....

Colombo to host Art Biennale

 “Imagining Peace” Sri Lanka’s first ever Art Biennale is to be held in Colombo from September 10th to 14th. Already a popular event in Dubai, Bangladesh, Singapore, New York, Sydney and Venice, the Biennale will give the art loving public in Colombo an opportunity to view contemporary art of both local and foreign exhibitors.

The event is set to draw many to the Park Street Mews where five pavilions, each managed by a curator showcasing a different artists collective, will be present, to give insights into the paintings. Knowledgeable art experts Jagath Weeresinghe and Chandragupta Thenuwara, along with Nazreen Sansoni and Saskia Fernando are among those involved in the event which is being organized by Annoushka Hempel.

For more details visit http://whatson.srilankainstyle.com/2009/06/art-biennale-arrives-in-colombo.html

Alternative remedies  
The 3rd International Conference on Ayurveda and Complementary Systems of Medicine, organized by the Thathagat Ayurvedha Research Foundation of India, was held in Colombo last week.

While the conference attracted a large number of Ayurveda practitioners from both India and Sri Lanka and the spirit of sharing knowledge and expertise prevailed, it also put the spotlight on the destination as being one that offers Ayurveda for the treatment of ailments and a holistic approach to wellness. 

Focus on Climate Change and Global Tourism  

Climate change and its relationship to global tourism is the focus of the third forum organized by the Tourism Society and the Royal Geographical Society of the U. K. scheduled for 22nd September.

Dr David Viner, Programme Leader on Climate Change at the British Council, will deliver the keynote address with complementary presentations from Ufi Ibrahim the Chief Operating Officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council, Professor Geoffrey Lipman, and Stephen Farrant, Director of International Tourism Partnership. Dr. Farah Faiza High Commissioner representing the Maldives and Sanjika Perera, Director of Sri Lanka Tourism representing Sri Lanka will be the guest speakers who will provide information on climate change affected tourist spots and where tourism is having the most global impact. They will also speak on what steps are being taken to further reduce the impact on climate change and on how and where damage is minimal. 

Those unforgettable Tuk Tuk’s

‘The Lankan Challenge 2009’ will see everyone rallying around those unforgettable Tuk Tuk’s a mode of transport unique to this part of the world. A three wheeler driven by a licensed driver with a cylinder capacity of a motor cycle, these tiny carriages will challenge each others driving skills and the machines capacity to do more than just take you on a few kilo meter ride within the city.  

This year the challenge will draw 42 competitors who will be divided into 20 teams and will cover 1200 kms in 10 days, giving an opportunity to  win 1000 USD. The runner-up teams will receive 500 USD and 250 USD respectively. The winners will also automatically receive a complimentary transferable passes for a team of 2 to ‘The Lanka Challenge 2010’.   

SriLankan Airlines, the country’s award winning airline, which now flies to 43 destinations in 29 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia joins in this event as airline partner flying in some of the competitors.

For more details log onto www.lankachallenge.com

Air Asia launches daily flights   

AirAsia will fly in daily to Colombo with effect from August 15th. Colombo is AirAsia’s third destination in South Asia the other two being Dhaka in Bangladesh and Tiruchirappalli in South India.

Dato Sri Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia, at the launch said: “Colombo has long been on our network radar and we are very proud to liberalize the market to the world. We have sold approximately 30,000 seats since we opened for sales about two months ago."

"This is indeed a clear testament that AirAsia’s low fares have empowered people to fly. We are excited to play a key role in promoting Colombo’s beautiful city and people to the rest of the world.”

For details visit www.airasia.com