The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta, in collaboration with the SriLankan Airlines, Jetwing Travels, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organized the first familiarization tour after the Covid-19 pandemic with a view to promote Sri Lanka as a preferred tourist destination for Indonesian Buddhists. The tour group, comprising 11 enthusiastic travelers, will embark on a journey to explore the cultural and spiritual wonders of Sri Lanka from 31 July to 09 August.
Although majority of Indonesians are from Islam religion, the Buddhist population is also quite significant in Indonesia. It is accounted for more than 2 Million people and these Buddhists of Chinese origin play active role in business world of Indonesia. This initiative aims to deepen the cultural ties between the two nations while showcasing the rich heritage and serene landscapes that Sri Lanka has to offer.
The familiarization tour will take the participants to several iconic destinations, including the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, the breathtaking town of Ella, the picturesque coastal city of Negombo, the historic city of Galle, the cultural hub of Kandy, the enchanting Nuwara Eliya, and the awe-inspiring Dambulla Temple.
One of the highlights of the group is the presence of Alicia Yudos, a prominent social media influencer, who will share her experiences and captivating moments throughout the journey, further promoting the beauty of Sri Lanka to a wider audience. Additionally, the group is honored to include Wenny Lo, an honored leader of the leading Buddhist Association in Indonesia, known as "WANDANI," whose participation signifies the strong bond between the Indonesian Buddhist community and Sri Lanka.
It is noteworthy that the cost for this familiarization tour has been solely borne by the enthusiastic travelers themselves, reflecting their genuine interest in exploring the wonders of Sri Lanka and promoting meaningful cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Under the guidance of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, Second Secretary (Commercial) Heshani Premathilaka and the team of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta, Manager/Indonesia for the SriLankan Airlines Amila Wijesekara and SriLankan Airlines team, Manager Jetwing Travels Chathura Fernando and Jetwing team, Chairman/SLTPB H. Chalaka D. Gajabahu and Assistant Director – Marketing/SLTPB Chami Lanka Gasnawage supported in making this journey possible.
As the group sets out on this exciting adventure, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta looks forward to welcoming more Indonesian Buddhists to experience the warmth and hospitality of Sri Lanka in the near future.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Jakarta
02 August 2023
