Sri Lanka Tourism marks a grand entry at the WTM 2024 in London , UK Source : Sri Lanka Tourism LinkedIn Sri Lanka made a remarkable entry at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 held in London with record number of trade delegation of over 100 industry participants, highlighting the nation’s commitment to revitalize and strengthening its tourism sector. This record-breaking participation underscores Sri Lanka’s dynamic push to position itself as a top global travel destination. The grand occasion was attended by HE Mr. Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK, Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism, and esteemed VVIPs like The Rt Hon. the Lord Naseby PC from the House of Lords and Her Grace Emma Manners, Duchess of Rutland. Leaders from key tourism associations joined the occasion including Mr. Nalin Jayasundara, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO); Mr. ...
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A new book titled, ‘A Tale from a Promised Land’ has been released by Austin Macauley publishers in London. The author of this novel is Dr Palitha Ganewatta, resident in Sydney, Australia. This novel tells the story of three generations of an Australian-Sri Lankan migrant family. After a bomb explodes near two leading schools in the city of Colombo, he persuades his wife that for the sake of their children they must leave and start a new life in Australia. After her mother passes away, her father — a retired school principal — agrees to join them in Australia. The novel identifies the travails that beset new migrants from traditional conservative Asian backgrounds to a western oriented materialistic culture, which now accepts migrants from multi-cultural and multi-lingual backgrounds but expects the new arrivals to assimilate and integrate with the society of which they now form a part. This novel provides ...
How this city became the most expensive in Europe for tourists – By Hannah Boland Source : theage At Mayfair’s luxurious Indian restaurant Benares, it should have been a week for celebration. “Our Michelin plaque has just arrived,” Sameer Taneja says proudly. It marks the second time the executive chef – regarded as one of London’s most exciting culinary names – has retained the accolade of one Michelin star. But Taneja has other things on his mind. “The owner is having to take a hit on some of our dishes,” he admits. Benares, like other high-end restaurants, has not been immune from soaring food costs. Taneja has been loath to pass higher prices on to customers over fears they could deter some from coming altogether. Those efforts may ultimately be futile. “When I hear that overseas visitors are going elsewhere in Europe because of policies like the tourist tax, it does ...
Kallady Bridge in the land of “Singing Fish” – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Prefabricated in 1924 in the United Kingdom and imported to Sri Lanka, Kallady Bridge was the longest iron bridge in Sri Lanka in the past. Kallady Bridge connects *Kallady to *Batticaloa and it is a unique bridge shrouded in history and legend. The Bridge is officially known as “Lady Manning Bridge” and was named to honor Lady Manning, the wife of the former Governor of *Ceylon William Manning. The view from the Bridge is spectacular and serene… The massive truss bridge had been prefabricated at Patent Shaft & Axletree and transported by steamship from London. During that period, it had been a challenge for engineers to set up the Bridge over the flowing waters of the Lagoon. Although, it has been constructed in 1924, it has been installed 1928. Constructed during the British Colonial Era, the Bridge served ...
“PRECIOUS MEMORIES” – by Des Kelly I remember her so well. It was 1954, one day prior to her 28th birthday, when the most beautiful Queen of the Commonwealth of Nations set foot in Ceylon, with her Prince Consort, Phillip, to review her “troops” before heading on to Aden. Being in The Royal Ceylon Navy at the time, I was lucky enough to get just a glimpse of one of the most beautiful women on Earth, (and she was, believe me), being 18 years old, and in HER ‘Senior Royal Service’, I, like so many others in the Navy, could not take our eyes off her. Queen Elizabeth ll was a veritable picture, outside a golden frame. I was PROUD of her then, going on, to be prouder still, of this very young Queen, going on & on through life, keeping the promise she made to her people, come what ...
Queen Elizabeth II has died. She was 96 – By Rob Harris Source : smh London: Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch and a symbol of continuity and stability from the postwar era into the 21st century, has died. She was 96. Her death at Balmoral Castle, in the Scottish Highlands, was announced at 6.30pm London time (3.30am AEST) – just three months after Britain held four days of public celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee, which marked her 70 years on the throne. On Wednesday, the palace announced her doctors had ordered the Queen to rest just a day after she appointed the 15th British prime minister of her reign, Liz Truss. Less than 24 hours later it was confirmed her doctors were “concerned” for her health and recommended she be put under medical supervision. All of her children and several other family members travelled to Scotland to be by her side. In ...
Last Night of the Proms 2015 Royal Albert Hall, London It was a delightful performance, watched by millions in the UK, Europe and around the world !. Her brothers were Peterites. Her grand parents – Douglas and Estelle were choristers at St. Mary’s Dehiwela. Last Night of the Proms 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall, London packed with 6,000 people. Soprano, Danielle de Niese, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop at the Last Night of the Proms 2015. An performer of Sri Lankan heritage – Her mother and father are Sri Lankans. The performance was broadcast live at halls in other major cities. Note the joy and nationalist fervor of the fans waving British, English, Scottish and Welsh flags! ...
Legendary singer Desmond de Silva passes away Source:-adaderana.lk Veteran Sri Lankan singer and entertainer Desmond De Silva has passed away at the age of 77 in Melbourne, Australia. Regarded as the ‘King of Baila’, the legendary singer was born in Matara in 1944 while he launched his career in popular music in 1963 as the lead vocalist of the Fire-Flies. He also performed with leading Sri Lankan pop groups – ‘Spitfires,’ ‘Gabo and the Breakaways,’ and the ‘Jetliners.’ In 1976 he decided to form his own band, “Desmond and the Clan”, which performed in various countries in Southeast Asia, including the Maldives. Known for his popular renditions of Sri Lankan ‘baila’ music, Desmond celebrated 40 years in show business in 2019. He has had a string of baila hits including: ‘Polkatu Hande,’ ‘ Yaman Bando (Wally Bastiansz),’ ‘Chuda Manike,’ ‘Mamma No,’ ‘Miss Sri Lanka,’ ‘Hai Hui baby Achchi (Wally Bastiansz),’ ...
Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at 80 – by Upali Obeyesekere Charlie Watts, widely regarded as one of the coolest men in rock during his nearly 60 years as a drummer with the Rolling Stones, has died peacefully, surrounded by his family in a London hospital at the age of 80, his spokesperson said on Tuesday (Aug.24) A member of one of the first British bands to properly break into the American market and a symbol of 1960s London, Watts and his fellow band members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman broke records with multi-million-pound grossing global tours that continue to this day. “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family,” the spokesperson said. “Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also as ...
A bit of sweet memories from good old holidays in Sri Lanka – Dr Hector Perera, London Many years ago majority of Sri Lanka people had no facilities such as gas and electric cookers, microwaves and ovens for cooking and baking. Now all these are there even in any average house so cooking cannot be that difficult at all. Those days they employed some poor people to do their cooking. I can remember we also had those so called servants for cooking even my mum as well cooked with them in the firewood kitchens. My mum was a school head teacher and dad was a medical doctor. They had to work all over Sri Lanka and we were everywhere. Sometimes I was with the mum and sometimes with the dad. To have one or two servants at home was a normal thing and we didn’t see any different. ...
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