During the second week of February 2013 several promotional events were held in India with a view to attracting investments and tourists to Sri Lanka. The High Commission actively supported and assisted in these events organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Colombo Stock Exchange, respectively.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTBP) along with a delegation of 32 leading Tour Operators and Hoteliers from Sri Lanka participated at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2013 in New Delhi from 14th – 16th February 2013. OTM 2013 is a mega Travel and Tourism event held annually focused on outbound travel in India. High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam attended the event as a Guest of Honor at the OTM 2013 Inauguration Ceremony on 14th February 2013, and was received by Chairman & CEO of the OTM. He visited the Sri Lanka Pavillion as well and interacted with the participants.
A promotional event entitled “Invest Sri Lanka” was held in Mumbai on 21st February 2013 attended by over hundred leading stock brokering agencies in Mumbai. The event aimed at promoting investments in Colombo Stock Market in particular and investing in Sri Lanka in general. After the welcome address by High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam, presentations were made by Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman, The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Mr. Krishan Balendra, Chairman, The Colombo Stock Exchange. The Keynote Address was by Mr. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Nine leading Sri Lankan stock brokering companies participated in the event as well and made company presentations followed by one to one interactions with their Indian counterparts.
A three day Sri Lanka Mega Promotional Campaign was held in Bengaluru from 21st – 23rd February 2013 under the theme “Get Sri Lankan’ed” under the guidance of the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa with the participation of the Export Development Board, SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka Tea Board, National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board, Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau and several other private sector companies and government institutions. The event included Sri Lanka Night at Vivanta Taj Hotel in Bengaluru which included a fashion show and a cultural performance together with a Sri Lanka food festival. Among other associated events were business meetings for tourism promotion and a Forum for promotion of trade. The “Get Sri Lankan’ed” campaign launched at the Garuda Shopping Mall offered an opportunity for the Indian public to taste Sri Lankan food and get a glimpse of Sri Lankan Cultural performances together with other traditional arts and crafts. Among the Sri Lankan celebrities who were present at these promotional events were cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara as well as Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez. High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam attended and welcomed the guests at the inauguration of the Mega Promotional event at the Sri Lanka Night with Deputy Minister of Economic Development Muthu Sivalingam.
Sri Lanka High Commission
New Delhi
26th February 2013
