Travel Guide - SAARC » Sri Lanka

Taj Samudra Colombo

Tour Guide — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:09:38 +0000

The Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka lies in the heart of the Colombo business district. Taj Samudra is one of the most luxurious Hotels in Colombo. A pleasant surprise is even though they spoil you with large rich classy rooms, the prices are not to steep. It is quite normal to fetch a deluxe room for under USD$ 150.00 to suits that pamper to your every need. Most rooms you would have a choice of either open views to the glistening blue sea or the pool side which is an excellent feature of this stately hotel.

Taj Samudra is also an excellent choice for business functions, the hotel is able to accommodate from 50 guests to a massive 400 guest board rooms and since its located minutes walking distance from the beach and the financial CBD of Colombo , the guests can work and play at the same location! In addition to these features the hotel boasts a fully equipped gym, saunas, spas and a comfortable pool area where u can relax and enjoy the tropical climate….

Bookings can be mad via the website or by phone:

25 Galle Face Centre Road

Colombo 03

Sri Lanka,

Tel: (94-11) 2446622

Fax: (94-11) 2446348

Email: samudra.colombo@tajhotels.com

Web: www.tajhotels.com

Picture courtesy of: Mayakaru

China Boosts Sri Lankan Tourism Arrivals.

Tour Guide — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:05:20 +0000

Pressure from rising oil prices, rising interest rates and a bust US housing industry threatens tourists numbers around the world. Sri Lanka too was stuck with a tourist arrival decline of 0.2 percent,but once again China came to the rescue. The Chinese tourism market, one of the fastest growing markets for tourism has travel agents around the world wooing the giant dragon. Decades of a booming economy has created a whole new league of tourists in China that wants to see the world. Despite the falling tourism arrivals, Sri Lanka had a growth of an impressive 7.3 percent increase in Chinese tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2008 (over the same period of last year).

This comes after a very rigorous campaign by Sri Lanka that has seen the country participate in several tourism expos in China. Sri Lankan Airlines also made a strategic contribution to the booming growth in Sri Lanka’s growth in Chinese tourism market by having a high amount of weekly flights to China (currently Sri Lankan Airways has four flights weekly to china). The airline is also planned to directly participate in travel fairs in China promoting Sri Lanka for tourism.

photo © www.saarc.com, photo artist:Nihan

Sri Lanka establishes Rent-A-Car Association.(RACA)

Tour Guide — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:13:38 +0000

Sri Lankan rent a car businesses have established the Sri Lankan Rent-A-Car Association to improve and set bench marks in the countries lucrative tourism industry. The newly formed association already has eleven members and more are inline to be accredited after passing the criteria into in this association.

Currently the basic criteria into the association is to manage more than five vehicles. To have been active in the business for a period lasting longer than five years. According to the first president of the association Kishan Perera ( from Kings Rent a car) one of the main reasons for this body it to rid the industry of the dodgy image of unprofessionalism that has been brought upon by just a few of the companies.

This new association in its first order of business has already begun lobbying the Sri Lankan Registra of Motors to speed up the endorsement process of the tourists to drive in Sri Lanka. Currently after applying for the endorsement it could take more than 24 hrs, but the industry is proposing on arrival on the spot for a hassle free trip for the thousands of tourists that drive around in this lovely country.

The RACA has expressed interests in working to reduce the current high premiums the industry faces mostly because there is an on going high rate of vehicle vandalism which also dramatically increases maintenance costs.They have pledged to work closely with the police, the Tourism board and other authorities in the tourism industry to improve customer service for the counries 12,0000 fleet.

Southern Expressway Hits a Road Block.

Tour Guide — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:00:52 +0000

A senior government official has confirmed that the southern expressway has face yet another obstacle. The expressway having had many setbacks and delays in completion date now lacks funding to be completed by the expected date of 2010.

The expressway deigned to connect the southern region of Matara with the capital Colombo significantly cutting down travel time costs several hundred millions of dollars.

According to R W R Premasiri, the General Manager of the Road Development Authority about 35% of the expressway has now been completed but more funding to the tune of 130 to 150 million US dollars would be needed to finish the project.

The manila biased Asian Development Bank (ADB) has nearly doubled its commitment to funding the expressway in March from US$90 million in 1990 to US$140 million for the project. The Nordic Development fund, The Japan Bank for International Corporation and the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency are all contributing for this project.

This 178 kilometre expressway when completed would have a combination of 2 and 4 lanes of traffic and is expected to lower food prices especially in Colombo as a significant amount of food and other basic items are transported painstakingly slow along the current roads that are jam packed and pot holed while giving new blood to the markets of the rural southern regions.

Sri Lanka in recent years has started to rebuild its infrastructure that has been neglected for the past 20 years mainly due to the war in the North.

Government forces of Sri Lanka advancing into the LTTE held area. Colombo

Tour Guide — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:03:25 +0000

After two decades of fighting between the government forces and the separatist LTTE (Lanka Tamil Tigers Elam) the stall mate seems to be ending. There has been intensive fighting between both sides in the recent years after the Norwegian brokered peace deal failed.

LTTE in a recent act of temporary cease of offensive released a press statement declaring that they would not attack and targets in Sri Lanka for the duration of the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Corporation) meeting held in the capital Colombo. The government however did not give any definitive response to the LTTE but reaffirmed their commitment to bringing about an end to the war by means of military action.

In recent years Sri Lanka has limited western observers and media acess to the war torn north of the country. After the peace deal broke down western countries have been pressuring Sri Lankan government and the LTTE back to the negotiating table.

The Sri Lankan armed forces have been having an unusual stroke of luck for the pass few months with a steady movement upwards into the rebel held territory. After a crushing defeat in the 1990’s with the fall of the elephant pass in the north this has given new hope to the government in winning this war.

Traditionally LTTE held vast areas of this jungle island with extensive training grounds and a taxation system on the people living in their area to fund the war. This in turn gave the LTTE the funds to carry out this decades long war. This has however changed with shrinking areas for training and taxation income the LTTE is getting desperate for new recruts and money. They have reportedly started a campaign to persuade to enlist at least one member in every family irrespective of age or gender.

The Sri Lankan government has seen this as a huge success to their campaign. At the recent SAARC meeting the Sri Lankan leader Mahinda Rajapaksa met with the Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh, this meeting opened a new door for a different direction in India’s role in the war. Historically India has remained neutral and officially does not condone any side except for periodic notices of regret over certain incidents. It is viewed India’s corporation is very important as most analysts believe that LTTE gets a significant amount of their war machinery imported from Tamil Nadu (south Indian state).

Sri Lanka holds provincial elections.

Tour Guide — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:02:00 +0000

Security has been beefed up around Sri Lanka especially in the provinces that elections are going to be held soon. More than 8,000 security personnel will be watching over as the North Central Province and South Eastern (Sabaragamuva) Province goes to the polling booths on 23rd August.

So far election watch groups in Sri Lanka had put forward 17 incidents of election related violence in the town of Anuradhapura. The police superintendent of Anuradhapura (the capital of Northern Central Province) has assured that more security forces will be deployed and additional security measures would be takes as the election nears.

The Kandy Perahera (also called Esala Perahera )

Tour Guide — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:28:52 +0000

This is one of the highlights for the travellers visiting the pearl of the Indian ocean. It is a festival that has been celebrated since 300 B.C in the old capital of Kandy in Sri Lanka to honour its Buddhist traditions. This even marks the public viewing of the sacred tooth of the Sri Dalada Maligawa . This year the festival is set to be celebrated in August.

The whole town of Kandy is buzzing with excitement for this festival . Kandy Municipal Council Commissioner, Wimalasiri said “a committee has been appointed to look into beautifying the Kandy town and many projects approved are already under way”. Hotels and businesses across the town has been preparing for this annual even all year, while organisers are setting up extra sanitary facilities and assistance desks across town to help the sudden influx of visitors from near and far.

This year like previously it is going to be an extravaganza of lights, fire and flamboyantly dressed dancing elephants marching with flame throwers accompanied by traditional Kandian dancers. Lines and files of traditional drummers turn up the heat with the ecstatic beats that races your heart and the whole ground shakes as they pass.

The town of Kandy boasts a variety of accommodation styles ranging from backpacking hostels to world class accommodation. Some of the hotels are Hotel Tree of Life (4 star), Queens Hotel (3 star) and Hotel Earls Regency (5 star). Many International travellers have booking facilities direct to many hotels in this beautiful hilly town of Kandy.

Iran becomes Sri Lanka’s biggest donor

Tour Guide — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:15:16 +0000

Sri Lanka has received 1.05 billion dollars (USD) in total as foreign aid so far this year with loans for projects (959 million) and grants (90 million). This year aid from Iran has surpassed Japan. Traditionally Japan has been the biggest donor of this island nation followed by the manila biased Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The increase in aid to Sri Lanka by Iran is due to the growing friendship between the two countries. In April Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Sri Lanka to inaugurate various development projects initiated by Iran. Iran has pledged 450 million dollars to build a 150 megawatt power plant and upgrade and modernize the only oil refinery in the country.

Sri Lanka has seen a long civil war spanning more than two decades and has resumed engaging in battle with the armed forces of Liberation of Tamil Tigers Elam (LTTE) after the Norwegian brokered negotiations broke down.

Mysteries of Sri Lanka the Adams Bridge

Tour Guide — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:11:34 +0000

Pictures from space by NASA have revealed a great hidden secret of this island nation. A 1,750,000 year old bridge between Sri Lanka and India. The recently discovered bridge is called Adams Bridge and is 30 kilometres long and is made from a chain of shoals.

It is believed that this bridge has been submerged and re surfaced (as weather patterns and sea levels fluctuate) many times over millennia’s that have passed the human civilization. Archaeological studies have suggested that the first human civilization of Sri Lanka date back 1,750,000 years ago to primitive age. After studying the pattern of formation and curved of the bridge it’s determined that it definitely is man made.

This bridge is mentioned in the legend of Ramayana in this epic tale this bridge was built between India and Sri Lanka under the command of Rama (Rama is believed to be the incarnation of the supreme god). This gives new blood to the archaeologists, anthropologists and historians that have been scouring this beautiful mystery filled island over centuries to unlock the origins of humanity.

A lot of critics of history have been amazed that no one has explored the myth of Ramayana before this discovery. This could mean that this tiny island nation has witnessed a whole civilisation (Indian civilisation) that we have yet to unravel the wonders that have left for us.

The Sri Lankan king built the mountain rock fortress of Sigiriya in the 5th century is a engineering marvel and is a world heritage site by UNESCO and on the list of 70 wonders of the world.

This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA. NASA copyright policy states that “NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted“. (NASA copyright policy page or JPL Image Use Policy).

Transport in Sri Lanka

Tour Guide — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:15:05 +0000

There are many ways to travel around in Sri Lanka. Transport ranges from train, bus, taxi, car rentals, sea planes and helicopters.

The country has about 96,695 km of roads. Total length of roads is 11,285 km from which 10,721 km are paved and 564 km are unpaved. As many roads are narrow, government has now launched several projects aiming to bolster the economy and the transport system. The plan includes Colombo – Katunayaka Express way, Colombo – Kandy Express way, Colombo – Padeniya Express way and outer circular high way. However still the main roads in Colombo and around the town are in good condition and the roads that are commonly used are upgraded and repaved.

Bus transport which is provided by the state-run Sri Lanka Transport Board known as CTB is the principle mode of public transport in the country. However there are privates and air conditioned buses too.

Cars are very easily available in Sri Lanka for hire. Air conditioned and radio cabs are also available in Colombo. These car rentals services provides with a driver for a day or more tours. Moreover international rent a car companies are also represented in Colombo. This includes AVIS, HERTZ, EUROPE CAR and many more companies.

Sri Lanka’s most of the cities and towns are connected by railways. Sri Lanka Government Railway operates the country’s railway network. The railway which developed during the British colonial period now connects the main cities of Kandy, Galle, Matara, Anuradhapura, Gampaha, Negombo, Kurunegala, Avissawella, Kalutara, Polunnaruwa, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Badulla, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Matele, Vavuniya, Puttalam and Chilaw with capital Colombo.

Planes are also a means of transport in Sri Lanka. The major domestic airport is Ratmalana at Colombo. They have daily scheduled flights to other small airports. There are 14 airports in Sri Lanka (est. 1999). Sea planes from Sri Lankan airlines offer the most convenient way of travelling around the country, which reduces the travelling time. Helicopters are also available for hire. Helicopters can be booked and land anywhere outside restricted areas.