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President declares 2011 as 'Visit Sri Lanka Year'

This is a momentous phase for the Tourism Industry. With terrorism defeated after three decades, our people can now travel freely in our motherland. Tourists should have no fear to visit our attractions. And, I believe, we have ended the need for Travel Advisories that crippled Tourism, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an address to the launch of the new image of Sri Lanka Tourism.
“As we have assisted the Tourism Industry through its most difficult period, I now assure the industry of every effort and all resources to meet a target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016,” he said in a digitized address to the event at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Hall, Colombo, yesterday (23).

Referring to the new opportunities for Tourism after the defeat of terrorism, the President said “we can now add Passikudah and Trincomalee, up to Kokilai Lagoon in the East, as major tourist attractions, and many locations in the North too, as part of the Uthuru Vasanthaya – the development agenda for the North.”


Here is the text of the President’s address:

No sooner our Motherland was united under our national flag; I invited all who had left the country because of terrorism to return home. Today, I invite visitors from abroad to come to our wonderful country to enjoy its charm and the hospitality of our people.

This is a momentous phase for the Tourism Industry. With terrorism defeated after three decades, our people can now travel freely in our motherland. Tourists should have no fear to visit our attractions. And, I believe, we have ended the need for Travel Advisories that crippled Tourism.

We can now fully use the assets of nature, history and culture for Tourism, to restore its contribution to development.

As we have assisted the Tourism Industry through its most difficult period, I now assure the industry of every effort and all resources to meet a target of 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

While developing Hambantota, Kalpitiya and Arugam Bay as major tourist resorts, we can now add Passikudah and Trincomalee, up to Kokilai Lagoon in the East, and many locations in the North too, as part of the Uthuru Vasanthaya – the development agenda for the North.

Tourist ventures must draw their strength from and contribute to the communities around them. Tourism must move to new opportunities with the people as its partners.

The Tourism Industry also has a major role as custodians of our environment, assets of nature, and traditions of our people. They must not be subordinate to the search for profit.

The launch of the new image for Sri Lanka Tourism comes when the entire island is open for tourists, to discover and enjoy the marvels of history, diversities of culture, and friendship and tolerance of our people.

I trust the new direction of Sri Lanka Tourism will position Sri Lanka as a premier tourist destination of Asia.

I think it is time now for us to Think Big of the many great attractions we have.

We are large in the diversity of attractions to offer.

We are a Nation with a great history. Our achievements in engineering, architecture and art are great. Our land has such variety in the attractions of nature.

Strengthened by our great past, the successes of the present, and promises of the future, I am pleased to launch to the world our new image, to promote our beautiful country, with its history going back into the mists of time. It is the new miracle that will soon be felt throughout the world.

Our commitment to developing tourism shall also be Maathrubhumi First, Second, Third … the true miracle of success.

Extending the warmest welcome to tourists to Sri Lanka, I am pleased to announce our decision to declare the Year 2011 as “Visit Sri Lanka Year”.

Courtesy: President Media

Ancient wonder
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Tranquility
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Luxurious spa
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Wildness
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Amazing sights
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Dazzling landscapes
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Fun adventure
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Spiritual journey
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Charming UNESCO sites
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Fun water sports
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Wonderful beaches
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Diving paradise
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Serene train rides
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Mirissa

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Nilaveli

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Pidgeon Island

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Arugam Bay

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Bentota


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Negombo

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Tangalle


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Amawella

i love beaches... beautifull...

Outstanding photo set!! :applause:

Kalpitiya Beach

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stunning shots, SriLanka is very nice :)

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/ArticleImages/kjif5z55c0vwig45lhik31a2_Main-pic-600.jpg
The champion of Champion Surf Competition 09’ was held at Arugambay over the weekend attracting many tourists. The picture shows a surfer in action.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/ArticleImages/kjif5z55c0vwig45lhik31a2_pic-1-600.jpg
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Aragam bay thongs for sale, newest surf brand
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beauty :drool:

Beautiful place!

Sri Lanka's Tourism Promotion Bureau has big plans for the surfing enclave. It wants to host a world championship event in the location next July.
http://www.lbo.lk/newsimages/09lbojuly06surfer.jpg
"Sri Lanka will be presenting the biggest surfing festival in South Asia along with the World Surfing Championship" says Dileep Mudadeniya, who heads the tourism promotion office.

"The second week of July has been discussed and agreed upon and 200 participants from 60 countries are set to take part in the contest."

Officials say the end of the war, good surfing conditions, a rural setting, improved infrastructure and the easing of travel warnings will help attract more surfers and fans to Arugam Bay in the future.

The tourism promotion office is looking at introducing night surfing and to encourage domestic flights to cut short travel time from Sri Lanka's capital Colombo.
http://www.lbo.lk/newsimages/09lbojuly06surfers.jpg

LBO (http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=1113319518)

http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/sri-lanka-surf-champ.jpg
http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/day-three-1.jpg
Arugam Bay was firing for the final day of the UKPSA Sri Lankan Surf Championships.
An increase in swell overnight provided 4-6ft barrelling right hander’s for the remaining competitors.
http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/day-three-2.jpg
Arugam Bay was firing for the final day of the UKPSA Sri Lankan Surf Championships.An increase in swell overnight provided 4-6ft barrelling right hander’s for the remaining competitors.

In heat one of the quarter finals Micah Lester took full advantage of the conditions scoring the highest wave of the event (9.4) earning him the return ticket from London to Sri Lanka donated by Sri Lankan Airlines.

The remaining quarter final heats saw outstanding performances from Richie Sills (South Africa) and Newquay surfers Alan Stokes, Mitch Corbett and Tom Butler.
http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/day-three-3.jpg
In the first semi final Richie Sills and Sam Lamroy (Newcastle) surfed consistently to edge out Lee Bartlet and Micah Lester.
Four Newquay surfers made up semi final two. Alan Stokes dominated from the beginning with two high scoring rides. Mark Harris scraped ahead of Mitch Corbett to take second with Tom Butler fourth.

The final got underway in front of a packed crowd including the President of Sri Lanka’s son and the Minister for tourism.
In a tactical heat the four surfers struggled to find waves in the early stages.
Richie Sills found his rhythm and picked off two high scoring rides leaving the other three scratching to catch up. Alan Stokes was close behind in second and a final wave with two huge turns left the crowd guessing if he had done enough.
In the end Richie and Alan were tied for first place. A count back (best one wave scored) saw Richie take the title with Alan Stokes following in second, Mark Harris third and Sam Lamroy fourth.

http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/day-three-4.jpg

Richie Sills;
“I love Arugam Bay. The waves have been incredible and the local people have been so hospitable. The event would have been nothing without them. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this competition possible”

The Sri Lankan local’s final was also completed today. Local Arugam Bay surfer W.l Asanka led the final from the start with some impressive surfing including a 9 point ride which earned him the title.
http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/day-two1.jpg
Event organisers would like to thank SriLanka Airlines, Sri Lanka Tourism and Crystal Holidays for making the event such a great success.
http://www.ukprosurf.com/images/day-two2.jpg
Courtesy of UK PRO SURF (http://www.ukprosurf.com/ukpsa-sri-lanka-surf-championships-arugam-bay-day-three-i379.html)

Some nice pics of Yapahuwa...

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^^ Welldone Saradrope, Excellent photos, Your thread will encourage the foreigners to visit Sri Lanka.

When I have chance I will upload the Photo-shots of Sri Lanka. :okay:

bravo!

Sri Lanka is awesome!!

well...great things start from small beginnings :okay:

go sri lanka :banana:

Medirigiriya

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Nalanda gedige

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Ritigala

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Amazing places!! Regards.

good photos

Wow man they are so beautiful thinking to visit there....

I love the pics, its breathtaking and historic/ cultural remains are well preserved. Nice Job peepz.

Kelaniya Temple

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c'mon...more pics please!

I love Kelaniya Temple. Regards.

Pics from the beach fest! (was happening!)

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(images copyright: ME!)
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(kakeyzz-flickr)
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the biker gangs decided to show up as well!

HikkaFest 2009
www.hikkafest.com

The stick fishermen of Sri Lanka

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Monsoon clouds fill the sky at a beach south of Galle, Sri Lanka

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Sri Lankan fishermen, known locally as stick fishermen, sit perched on stilts fixed into the ocean floor

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A man sits perched on a stilt fixed to the ocean floor as he fishes

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He stands on one leg on his stilt as he takes a break from fishing. A fisherman will generally spend many hours on his uncomfortable perch

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A Sri Lankan fisherman walks into the water to take his place on the stilts fixed to the ocean floor...

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A fisherman wading out is hit by a wave...

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...but he manages to keep his cigarette alight

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A stilt fisherman takes a break

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Stick fishermen sit perched on stilts fixed into the ocean floor, as others fish from an embankment

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Stick fisherman work as the sun sets



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthpicturegalleries/5788929/The-stick-fishermen-of-Sri-Lanka.html