Sri Lanka's cabinet approved issuing free tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries including China, India and Russia, a top official said on Thursday, in an effort to boost tourism and help revive its crisis-hit economy. Tourists will be given 30-day visas under a six-month pilot programme that will start from Oct. 1, said Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana. "The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry," Gunawardana told reporters at a weekly cabinet briefing. The extensive list includes India, China, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nepal, In...
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With international travel to Sri Lanka once again possible, Avani Kalutara Resort is ready to welcome overseas travellers back with ‘Rediscover Avani’ — a new stay package offering savings of 40% on all rooms and suites, complimentary spa moments and savings on high-adrenaline thrills. Originally designed in 1994 by Geoffrey Bawa, one of the most influential Asian architects of his generation, Avani Kalutara’s triton-like layout makes the most of the property’s location in a spectacular lagoon at the confluence of the Kalu River and the Indian Ocean. The resort’s fully-renovated suites, as well as brand-new pool suites with private plunge pools, are dressed in modernist white, accented with purple and cobalt blue. Guests can grab a tropical concoction and settle in by the pool o...
Read MoreFrom a 17th Century townhouse in the legendary Galle Fort to traditional tea planters’ bungalows high up in the hills, the Teardrop collection of beautifully renovated, historic properties are sewn together by three founding principles; genuine Sri Lankan hospitality; fabulous Sri Lankan and Asian fusion cuisine using locally sourced fresh ingredients; and experiences that put guests face to face with the warm and colourful sights and sounds of Sri Lanka, the teardrop island. Now, Teardrop Hotels, a chain of luxury boutique hotels in Sri Lanka has got a new representation in Indian market. It has appointed BRANDit, a specialist in tourism marketing, as its representation partner in India. BRANDit will be responsible for shaping the travel trade strategy, promoting sales and executi...
Read MoreAn elephant in Sri Lanka gave birth to twins on Tuesday for the first time in nearly 80 years, wildlife authorities said. The twins, both males, were born to 25-year-old Surangi at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in the central hills of the country, an orphanage spokesperson said. Their father, 17-year-old Pandu, is also an orphanage resident. Video footage from local Hiru TV media showed the grey calves on their feet and eating leaves around their mother's legs. Sri Lankan elephant experts said twins were last born to a domesticated elephant in the country in 1941. One of Sri Lanka's biggest tourist attractions, Pinnawala was set up in 1975 to care for wild elephants that needed to be rescued or treated for injuries. There are around 7,500 wild elephants in Sri Lanka, whi...
Read MoreSriLankan Airlines the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of oneworld alliance in a bid to promote greater travel opportunities from India to Sri Lanka, is strengthening its presence in India with more destinations and frequencies offering travelers to enjoy the freedom of travel. SriLankan Airlines currently operates four flights a week from Chennai, three flights a week from Mumbai, and once a week from Bangalore to its hub in Colombo. To strengthen ongoing operations SriLankan will be introducing a host of frequency enhancements out of key Indian cities into Colombo effective September 1, 2021. Currently, India accounts for over 120 million fully vaccinated citizens which has resulted in the reawakening interest in travel. Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines has announ...
Read MoreAnantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas’ award-winning Sri Lankan properties are joining the Indian Ocean island nation’s efforts to lure international travellers back after the reopening of its borders on 21st January 2021. Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and Anantara Kalutara Resort are among the few internationally branded five-star hotels that have been certified by the government as Level 1 ‘Safe and Secure’ to welcome international travellers as part of the country’s ‘bio-bubble’ approach to kick start tourism. Anantara Kalutara Resort is set welcome international guests from 6th February 2021, and Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort from 22nd February 2021. Under Sri Lanka’s new tourism safety protocols, international travellers have the flexibility to stay in several of ...
Read MoreSri Lanka is ready to receive foreign tourists from January 2021. But all travelers will have to be in quarantine for 14 days. The Sri Lankan government has also proposed to issue six-month visas for tourists instead of the current one-month visas when the country re-opens its international airports for travelers next year. A proposed travel bubble to reopen Sri Lanka for foreign tourists has received the green-light from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, actual date for allowing international tourists is yet to be fixed. Sri Lankan authorities are currently considering introducing new rules in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said. A new set of guidelines had been prepared by the COVID-19 Clinical Management Expert Committee of the Ministry o...
Read MoreAustralia’s second-largest city welcomed its first international passenger flight in five months on Monday, an arrival that will test the state of Victoria’s revamped hotel quarantine system. Australia has since March closed its borders to non-citizens, but airports serving Melbourne, Victoria’s capital, stopped accepting any arrivals in late June after an outbreak of COVID-19 that begun at two hotels where arrivals were quarantining. More than 20,000 infections were recorded in Victoria when hotel staff contracted the virus from people returning from overseas. The outbreak has been widely blamed on failures of private contractors to follow protocol. With hundreds of people expected to arrive in Victoria each week, state authorities have said police officers will now enforce ...
Read MoreAs we become more conscious of how we travel, we tend to choose experiences that not only feel good but also benefit the locals all while minimising negative environmental impacts. From Africa to Thailand, Avani Hotels have been encouraging eco-minded tourists to explore game-changing community projects helping to make sustainable travel mainstream. Distilling coconuts at Sri Lanka Arrack, a traditional spirit made from the fermented sap of coconut flowers or sugarcane, is pure Sri Lankan tropical vibes distilled in a bottle. Admittedly an acquired taste, some describe it as a cross between bourbon and rum but with a lot more kick. Rockland Distillerie), a heritage distillery dating back to 1924, is on a mission to bring arrack to the world. Their upmarket product, a barrel-aged...
Read Moreप्रकृति के करिश्मों की अजब-गजब दुनिया में इस बार बात एक ऐसी जगह की जो बहुत अनूठी तो नहीं लेकिन बेहद शानदार है। हम जिक्र कर रहे हैं श्रीलंका में गॉल के विश्व विरासत स्थल किले से थोड़ी ही दूर टैप्रोबेन द्वीप की। तट से बस फर्लांग भर दूर यह द्वीप छोटा सा है (कुल ढाई एकड़ इलाके में फैला) लेकिन यह श्रीलंका का अकेला निजी स्वामित्व वाला द्वीप है। समूचा द्वीप एक होटल में तब्दील है। टैप्रोबेन का नाम इसलिए पड़ा क्योंकि यह सीलोन का प्राचीन ग्रीक नाम है। इस द्वीप की शक्ल सीलोन (मौजूदा श्रीलंका) से मिलती-जुलती होने के कारण ही इसे यह नाम मिल गया। कोलंबो गॉल हाइवे से लिया जा सकता है इस द्वीप का नजारा खासे रूमानी माहौल वाला यह द्वीप फुर्सत के कुछ दिन बिताने के लिए दुनिया की सबसे खूबसूरत जगहों में से एक माना जा सकता है। विवाह, पार्टियों व खास मौकों के लिए भी यह बेहद माफिक जगह है। कहा जाता है कि इस अ...
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