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CONTENTS
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COVER STORY The Golden era of Sri Lanka Aviation Industry (Building a brand new airport in the southern Sri Lanka in the course of developing into an aviation hub.
28
ARCHEOLOGY Love overcomes everything at the Galle maritime Archeology museum. (Keeping history alive in the presence of future is a task that fulfills a global responsibility)
26
THEME STORY Elephants in Sri Lanka (Wild elephants and elephants in captivity the major attraction of wild life tourism in the island)
32 HERITAGE Dowa Temple in Bandarawela Sri Lanka
THEME STORY CONTD..
Elephants in captivity – Are we ready to preserve (A need for captive elephants is more than a mere consideration)
36 AGRO Agro-Tourism-A flourishing sector in Tourism (The importance of the strategic implementation of maximum utilization of response of a nation)
RACING MV HMS Fox – A ship that inspired a supercross. (The story of a prominent hillock that gave birth to a world renowned supercross)
42
48 DESTINATIONS The largest man-made reservoir and a whirlpool in the midst (The story of Senanayaka Samudraya and ‘Makaraya’ the dragons mouth)
52
56
MY DIARY
Pinnawala – The elephants orphanage (A visitor’s account of Pinnawala elephants Orphanage)
58 THEME STORY CONTD.. Elephants as ambassadors Sri Lanka Tourism A reveal of a zoologist who designs (The reveal of making ‘Udawalawa’ at Twycross zoo in England)
63
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
MARITIME Cunard’s Luxury Ocean liner Queen Mary 2’ makes Colombo maiden call (Passenger cruise Liners calling Sri Lanka a major sign of confidence of post war developments)
Contribution port events boost MICE tourism in SC (Public sector institutions role in developing a neighboring sector toward greater socio-economic development)
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66
DEVELOPING STORY
Lack of harming and practical application remain strategic failures against a booming industry (An interview with the most outstanding Chauffeur Tourist Guide, Nature and Wild Life) – 2012 to track possible obstacles to be overcome)
ECO Eco-Tourism-Promoting under special interest segment
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ARCHEOLOGY
Love overcomes everything at the
Galle Maritime Archeology Museum Text and pix. by Harsha Udayakantha Peiris
Being comparatively small in size, the existence of the ocean in the surrounding area that makes a natural barrier against the diffusion of the Indogenic trends outwards and the development of an indigenous essence of natural and cultural content that invariably results by the previous two straits reveals a number of identical characteristics inherited in the island civilizations.
Identifying such characteristics as the most essential ingredients to keep history alive in the presence of future is a task that fulfills a global responsibility. Located inside the old Dutch Warehouse Building within the gateway entrance to the Court complex in the city of Galle in southern Sri Lanka where time stands still making appealing invitations for the lovers of history from many nooks and corners of the globe is the Maritime Archeology Museum and Visitor Information Centre. The building conserved by the Central Cultural Fund under the guidance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs was declared open as a Maritime Archeology Museum and Visitor Information Centre with the financial assistance of the Kingdom of Netherlands under the Sri Lanka – Netherlands Cultural Programme, on 04th March 2010 by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa the President of Sri Lanka and Her Excellency Ms.Leoni Cuelenaere – the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands. 8 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
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Today, it is a treasure house that exhibits hundreds of historic artifacts and model demonstrations that depict the glory of an Asian maritime history. “Renovations of this building commenced and continued during the period 2008 to 2009. At present, the museum consists of 4 galleries, three on the first floor and one on the ground floor. It also has a laboratory that brings the findings to the exhibition standard and conducts regular maintenance of them according to international standards. The other important thing here, is the exclusive video centre that shows a 15 minutes video documentary on mega screen about the maritime excavations performed in the ocean in Galle. “We also have an event hall, an open area for exhibitions, an information desk, a bookshop, a souvenir centre and a cafeteria that serves soft drinks,” says Priyanthi De Silva – the Information Officer at the museum.
An exhibition gallery of the Museum
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Here, at the event hall, the staff conducts monthly seminars and lectures on timely topics related to maritime archeology and its developments. The lectures supported by the participation of professional resource persons are often for the school community, government officials as well as the members of Police and Armed Forces.
This wooden image of Lord Buddha was found after it was washed off to the eastern shore during the Tsunami in 2004. The right hand of the image depicts the ‘Abhaya Mudra’. The rest of the image including the upper part, left hand and lower part are badly damaged. The arrangements of the fleets of the robe of the image suggests that it could be a production of Indonesia or Myanmar.
This is another image of the Lord Buddha kept at the museum. It was also recovered from the eastern coast after the Tsunami in 2004. It is depicted as seated on a ‘Padmasana’ (Lotus Seat) in ‘Veerasana’ posture. The long head and the prominent protuberance and the rainbow type eye brow suggest the stylistic characteristics of the ‘Sukhotas tradition’ (14 – 15 centuries) of Thailand.
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Bottle Cluster found in Bottle Wreck. This Bottle Wreck kept at the museum for exhibition was found close to the Lighthouse in Great Basses. It was a British ship and sunk nearly in the middle of the 19th century. The name ‘Bottle Wreck’ is derived from the abundance of bottles at the site. The name of company has been inscribed on these bottles as SUPERIOR SODA WATER CLARKE ROMER & CO. CEYLON.
“These lectures offer a firsthand knowledge of why and how we should preserve and conserve our maritime history and everything that belongs to it that showcases the remnants of a proud history. These lectures also help to make citizens understand their Cooperate Social Responsibility to respect their history and conservation for the future,” she says.
The Maritime Archeology Museum and Information Centre in Galle is also the perfect venue to learn how Sri Lanka continued connections with the ocean since ancient times. The marine excavations performed during 1993 have identified 26 sites with ship wrecks around the Port of Galle as historical marine regions. Among the wrecks buried here is a ship named “AVONDSTER” – evening star - that had served the British and the Dutch East Indian Company. First it belonged to the British and later had been captured by the Dutch and developed. At that period the ship had been on a rotation between England, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Batavia for more than 65 times. It was wrecked and broken into two pieces at the Galle harbour on 02nd July in 1659, after a sudden accident.
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This is the coat of arms of the Dutch East India Company, which was established on 20th March 1602 at Batavia by the Dutch who engaged in trade activities in the Indian Ocean. The two lions on their hind feet depict the sense of guaranteed security of the trade activities of the Company. The designing of the emblems of the provincial forts of the Dutch are done by adding the provincial emblems to the upper part of this main emblem and the symbol of the cock on the rock seen here depicts the city of Galle.
Research activities on the “AVONDSTER” ship after 300 years of its tragedy, were initiated in 1993. During 1996 to 1999 archeological excavations conducted in this ship wreck have recovered a number of artifacts from the sunken ship which is now lying 50 metres away from the shore below 07 metres of the sea level. The Tsunami devastation in 2004 destroyed a large number of antiquities collected at this museum for over many years. But, it has also brought several artifacts of historical value from the neighboring countries ashore, which have now been kept for exhibition at the museum. W.M.Chandraratne
– the Officer In Charge of the Maritime Archeological Museum and Information Center in Galle
“We also performed underwater excavations for two months in last year from Trincomalee to Ampara where we found locations of 18 wrecks of archeological value that shows clear significance of extending the subject to other coastal areas as well. As an initiation we also have plans to commence underwater archeological tourism as a special programme in Galle in the near future. Here, we hope to provide scuba diving facilities for tourists who are interested to explore the sites,” 14 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
A Nineteenth Century Couple. The attire of the 19th century elites in Sri Lanka reflects European inspiration that prevailed for nearly 200 years. Contemporary style of the elite’s costume was an admixture of three principle traditions namely the Portuguese, Dutch and British with a mixture of the prevailing South Indian styles. ‘Kabakuruththuwa’ and ‘Osariya’ were prominent features of the female attire of the elite class of the period.
This bronze bell belonged to the Dutch ship ‘Hercules’ which sank in the Galle harbour on 22nd May 1661. It was recovered from a location in the northern sector off the shore of the Galle harbour. Exterior surface of this bell consists a phrase written in Latin language which reads as “AMOR VINCIT OMANIA ANNO 1625” which id translated as ‘Love overcomes everything – the year 1625 is of my Lord.’
The Tsunami devastation in 2004 destroyed a large number of antiquities collected at this museum for over many years. But, it has also brought several artifacts of historical value from the neighboring countries ashore, which have now been kept for exhibition at the museum.
W.M.Chandraratne – the Officer In Charge of the Maritime Archeological Museum and Information Center in Galle says. Chandraratne also leads a diving team to conduct archeological excavations in the ocean waters around the Port of Galle. Last year, the Maritime Archeological Museum and Information Center in Galle has recorded a total of 54247 visits at the venue by local and foreign visitors. Among them 6914 were foreign tourists whilst 47333 were locals. At a time tourism in Sri Lanka is being forecast to the fourth highest revenue earner in future, conservation of its maritime history in the highest standards would no doubt have a greater potential in promoting a worthy cause for a business with a vision for a winwin situation. (Special thanks to Mr.D.Ramanayake – Administration Officer of the Galle Port of Sri Lanka Ports Authority)
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COVER STORY
A GOLDEN ERA OF
SRI LANKAN AVIATION INDUSTRY
C
olonel (rtd.) Mr. Prasanna J. Wickramasuriya, the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services LTD reveals ‘Sri Lanka The Treasure Island’ his views and opinions of the new Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport (MRIA) as well as its strategic process and plans. did you see the necessity of Q : Why a second International airport for
Colonel (rtd.) Mr PRASANNA WIKRAMASURIYA
The Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services LTD Interviewed By- Mihiri N. Peiris
Sri Lanka? For the past so many years, many discussions were carried out by several governments to have a second international airport
A:
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in Sri Lanka. , H.E. the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa when he tabled his “Mahinda Chinthanaya” vision in 2005, understood the real importance of giving a boost to the aviation industry, as Sri Lanka is geographically located at a strategic location where we can get lots of economic benefits to the country by enhancing our aviation industry, because within eight hours we can get into any part of the world other than the American continent. Unfortunately everyone was only thinking of a second airport and finally in year 2005 this was highlighted. In 2010 when H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed for the second time as the President, he included aviation as one of the main five hubs; Commercial, Knowledge, Power & Energy, Maritime and Aviation. Right now we are in a rapid progress towards making it an aviation hub. We have completed 100 years in aviation industry in Sri Lanka. So I could say this is the ‘Golden Era’
of Sri Lankan aviation industry with the new MRIA and the infrastructure development in the sector in a rapid phase. BIA passenger handling capacity is 6Mn per annum. After defeating the terrorism, the arrival rate of tourists from 2009 to 2012 was immense. By the end of 2012, BIA has successfully handled 7.2Mn passengers. Therefore, there is a clear obligation of expanding the BIA in capacity wise. is it so important for us to Q : Why become an international aviation
hub? To become an international hub,we have to improve the aviation infrastructure, which is ready for passengers and enhance the air cargo handling capacity. This is a very lucrative area. In this point, worldwide passenger transportation is not only the main criteria of an airport. We have to strongly improve air cargo management. Currently, BIA has 250MT cargo handling capacity per annum. In 2012 BIA has successfully controlled 170MT aircargo. Another important point of delegating for a hub is enlightening the facilities for transit passengers.
A:
Also aviation related other industries should be developed to become an international aviation hub. Therefore, we have to improve in MRO (Maintenance Repair Operations) such April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 19
as aircraft painting, maintenance and repair shops, aviation academies to train pilots, aeronautical engineers etc. National carrier is planning to setup a MRO at BIA with another international airline. MRIA also will be establishing a MRO with the collaboration of another leading international airline. With this new enhancements not only our fleets, also the other airships in the region like 320, 330 could be called up for our MRO for maintenance and services. As such, when it comes to a hub, it is a wide scope of areas to be covered. This is principally lucrative as we are geographically positioned in an important location. Been in the same proximity especially in the sea-air cargo handling it is very much convenient. Investors in sea & air transportation tempt to come to Sri Lanka in this aspect.
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I’m happy to say that by the 3rd day of opening of the airport, there were 85 passengers boarding an early morning flight. Another very important fact is that 93% of the Sri Lankan foreign employees are from the areas of the Southern Province. - Mr. Prasanna Wikramasuriya
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is the current progress of Q : What MRIA? was timely commenced on A : MRIA 27th of November 2009 when H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa laid the foundation stone. Contract was mobilized at the end of March 2010 and within less than three years first phase was successfully completed. Total project area of MRIA is 2000ha. By the completion of the first phase, 800ha were completed. A 380 airbus could not land on Sri Lanka before as the BIA runway was 60m width. With the new runway of 75m width and 350m length at MRIA, A380 aircrafts can be successfully landed on this CODE4F runway. Sri Lankan air space is very safe without any terrorist conflicts. Hence, international pilots tempt to use Sri Lankan airspace. By utilizing our airspace we can generate a good revenue. From the current MRIA terminal building, 1Mn passengers can be handled. This is a very state of the art building. MRIA is a fully eco-friendly airport with eye catching natural surroundings. We ensure the passengers would feel very comfortable and homely with Sri Lankan traditional architecture. 22 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
If you take the control tower, it is 45m in height with the modern technologies. Our airspace is 250NM from Mount ‘Piduruthalagala’. We have used the cutting-edge equipment and technologies in the Fire section and are ready to face any emergency. Currently 503 direct in-house staff is working at the airport. In future there will be many more direct and indirect job opportunities. Also I’m happy to say that by the 3rd day of opening of the airport, there were 85 passengers boarding an early morning flight. Another very important fact is that 93% of the Sri Lankan foreign employees are from the areas of the Southern Province. do you have to say about the Q : What position and the benefits of MRIA? you take Colombo BIA, which is A : When located in Western province, it is bordering just Wayamba province. But MRIA is positioned in Hambanthota district, which is surrounded by three provinces namely Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Eastern. Hence, benefits of this project have to cascade down to the people of all these areas. Medium and small scale entrepreneurs get many opportunities like opening up new businesses such as small hotels, taxi services etc. Light and medium industries will develop around the area.
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Local and foreign heavy industry investors tempt to invest in large scales eg: computer manufacturing plants. With all these new opportunities there will be many work creations. Farmers can sell their perishable products without delay. is the direct impact of Q : What MRIA to the tourist industry? is located in an ultimate A : MRIA destination which is very important in tourists perspective. The passengers can reach hill country, Nuwara-Eliya within a 2hours & 45 minutes drive through EllaWellawaya route. Arugambay the world famous wind surfing area could be reached in 3 hours. Apart from that, Yaala wild life sanctuary where you can surely spot a leopard could be reached just in 35minutes drive. Therefore, undoubtedly Mattala can be named as an tourist destination un-doubtfully.
is the benefit for the future Q : What generation? we mentioned earlier with A : As the aeronautical academies and MROs, youth in rural areas will get the opportunity of becoming aeronautical engineers, pilots, air traffic controllers, etc. within their home area itself. So they can plan their higher studies focusing a future in aviation. All of us now will see in the near future how this MRIA will be a lucrative impact on Sri Lanka.
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HERITAGE
Dowa Temple in Bandarawela Sri Lanka When travel along the Colombo - Badulla road just passing the Bandarawela town one can come across the Dowa historical temple. It is mentioned in books that this temple was built by King Walagamba while he was hiding in fear of enemies. 26 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
Half completed Stone carved Buddha image at the Dowa Temple
Buddha Statues in the inner cave of Dowa Temple Stairway to the inner cave at Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya in Bandarawela Sri Lanka
The frescoes in the temple and the stream that flows by the temple add beauty to this historical place. There exists a tunnel that starts from this temple and leads to Nuwara Eliya and Hava Eliya. Even today the visitors to this temple can see this tunnel closed at its mouth.
Sacred ‘Bo’ tree at Dowa Rajamaha Viharaya in Bandarawela Sri Lanka
The Bo-tree which has grown attractively demonstrates the beauty of lush greenery. A tank could be seen with a fountain close by this Bo-tree. It has been used for bathing this ancient Bo-tree. The half built stone carved image of Lord Buddha could be seen beside the cave temple. Modern day cement constructions could be seen covering the half built image to offer it a sense of completion. April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 27
THEME STORY
F O S E I C E A SP NITY ETER
T
reign . During the ts n a h p le e and with the ght, tamed ssociation u a a g c n re lo e a w ey d le have ha , elephants orks that th p o w o g e a n p o rs ti n a c a e u k y tr n e cons r 2000 aid of he Sri La and massiv n kings ove ilt with the a u le k b a n c n a s e L e e ri b rg S e of the r the la oirs hav numbers fo vast reserv e d rg n la a s in le d p e us , tem n rge palaces ring the reig initiated. La ninsula. Du
na pe s and the Jaff ny purposes. The King astal areas a , m co ia r d w fo In fe d a t in tame them to untry excep caught and n exported co ts. re n ve e e a e w th h y p r e ts le n ve Th e a o h of wild asions. re ills, elep cc phants all h o tu l le s p a e u tr ca io n re e e lig ce th w re the nd re rize Initially the occasions a could autho who ruled in erson who yan Kings, ceremonial p d , n ly rs a n e K o d e e va th th in f o inst king was for war aga Egypt. The used them Burma and
elephants.
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ntinued to exist l symbiosis has co ra ltu cu sand nt rta po An im for over two thou ant and humans ph ele t its e ou th th n wi ee d tw te be comple s procession was s in ple m te t his years, no religiou dd Bu many large d an ts, an en ph be ele ve retinue of phants ha own elephants. Ele Sri Lanka had their the animals are e er wh a ns in Sri Lank sio es oc pr in ed us ve outfits. adorned with festi linked and since phant are strongly ele d an mother queen Buddhism to e Siddhartha his inc pr of ing eiv nc the co oth relic of Lord carrying sacred to to up y a, ay am ah M rt in many legendr ts were taking pa e th as m uis Buddha, elephan nd in Hi plays a major role d lor e th is he stories. Elephant e er an elephant wh is ad he ’s sh ne god Ga for wisdom. ning due to many population is decli The wild elephant lation, with its asing human popu reasons. The incre t from the en land for developm demand for jungle to the wild s lem causing prob is , at bit ha ts an eleph ats and the ion. Reducing habit lat pu po t an ph ele which records lephant Conflicts, resultant Human-E elephants, the humans and the deaths of both ld wi reat to Sri Lanka’s is the greatest th April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 29
Elephants wer e shipped fo r transporting 1971 ( phot in o Prague Zoo Archives)
elephants population. As a result of anthropogenic activities young animals have become orphans in the wild and for the conservation of such animals an institution was formed in 1975 under the Department of Wild life conservation. The Orphanage had started off with six baby elephants which formed its nucleus named as Kumari, Mathali, Jandura, Neela, Kadira and Vijaya. Except Vijaya and Kadira all the others are still living in the Orphanage. This facility was taken over by the Department of National Zoological Gardens on January 1982 with 16 baby elephants. Since then it has bread 65 babies in captivity and act as a conservation centre for Sri Lankan elephants. Breeding and conservation of captive elephants are the main objectives of this institution. The Orphanage recorded the first elephant birth in captivity for the first time in the world in 1984 July 4th. A baby calf named “Sukumali” was born to “Kumari” and “Vijaya”for the first time in the Orphanage. During 2011 there were 15 babies born in the facility and according to Sri Lankan customs a naming ceremony was held and both foreigners and locals participated suggesting names for the babies. This facility attracts both local and foreign visitors and generates income for the
Government and runs as an economically viable entity. Many captive elephants were exchanged or gifted to other countries around the globe as a part of animal exchange programmes.
In 1971 “Kadira” and “Kumari” was shipped to Prague zoo Chezch Republic with a mahout from Sri Lanka. It was known that they have spent their entire life happily in Prague zoo under loving care. Subsequently, another two females named “Thamara” and “Janitha” Joined the Prague zoo on October 2012 and now they have moved to a new facility to join with the rest of the heard which had come from different European zoos. “Thamara” and “Janitha” were transported by airforce carrier of Sri Lanka and it took about 20 hours reach Prague international air port. They have been released to the old elephant enclosure and were there for three months under quarantine. Two Sri Lankan mahouts, a curator
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Elephants were loaded to Airforce flight in Sri Lanka to transport to Prague
and a veterinary surgeon accompanied the elephants and spent a month with them until the Prague zoo mahouts were familiar with the elephants. Both elephants have well adapted to the new environment and commenced to lead a new life in Prague.
Renuka Bandaranayake
– Deputy Director Department of National Zoological Gardens Dehiwala-Sri Lanka
THEME STORY CONTD..
TY I V I T P A C IN S T N A H P ELE
O T Y D A E R E W E AR
? E V R E S E PR
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lephants in captivity are always taken care of by their owners. But owning elephants is expensive as they eat a lot and need extra care when things go wrong. Privately owned elephants hold a lot of value and status in Sri Lanka. Some owners will simply keep an elephant in their compounds to show off their wealth. These elephants in captivity at any walk of life, should always receive the care of elephant experts on site to fulfill their physical and emotional needs.
Pix by: Maheesha Mindula
We have a need for captive elephants as there exist too many in the wild. Our forest coverage in the island today is limited to a mere 18% and its capacity to hold the existing wild elephant population is weaker than we ever think of it. If we take the digestive component of this big talk, it is the most problematic system common to all elephants. It is only a mere 40% out of the total consumption,” Senior lecturer of the Peradeniya University and Veterinary Specialist Dr. Asoka Dangolla says. “We have to see whether they are eating well, urinating and defecating well because an elephant easily gets affected by colic, especially the young ones. The period before they come into musk is the unpredictable time, because their blood hormone levels go up and they become boisterous,” he says. Elephants are one of the most important features in Sri Lankan cultural pageants who hold crowds in awe with their majestic size as they royally walk down the streets, decked in lights and colour. Their majestic presence make the Sri Lankan pageants colourful and famous the World over. However, behind-the-scenes a tedious discipline is required to maintain them, making sure that they are healthy and undisturbed to take part in these festivals. They also play a vital role in the tourist industry of Sri Lanka, which is a leading foreign currency earner. April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 33
“We are far ahead in honuoring and respecting the elephants in captivity than any other nation who keeps captive elephants. A majority of these elephants are captured from the jungle, while some elephants are gifts from other countries. As they all are always stereo type, they tend to repeat the same action over and over again. So, it is not merely that they dance to a tune when they were stopped during a pageant, but it is this stereo type behavioral pattern when in captivity that lures them to do so. It is very important that all their needs are provided promptly and they are kept satisfied so that nothing disastrous would affect them during the festivities. On the other hand they are not that clever, but they do have a very good memory,” he says.
According to Dr.Ashoka Dangolla, the estimate of domesticated elephants, in 15 of the 25 districts in Sri Lanka, is between 180 and 190. The largest number of domestic elephants belong to the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy in the Central hills followed by Gangaaraamaya Temple in Colombo and private owners. The long felt need of the elephant owners to form an association in Sri Lanka was accomplished in November 1999 by forming, “The Captive Elephant Owners’ Association for the welfare of the captive elephant. “ if we are to talk of elephants in the wild, it is interesting to see that male elephants do not have herds. and it is very rare that we get bachelors in herds. Male elephants come into the herd when the female is in heat.
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And more importantly, they mate not for pleasure but for the breeding of generation as they fight for evolution,” Dr.Dangolla says. Smell is the elephant’s most developed sense. His audibility is in a range below 20hrtz. An elephant’s ears are compared to a radiator of a vehicle. Ears cool them down. A grown-up adult weighs about 5000kg and lives for about 60 -70- years, but evidence have been found of elephants who lived for nearly 90 years.
Dr. Asoka Dangolla
– Senior lecturer of the Peradeniya University and Veterinary Specialist
AGRO
Agro-Tourism
A flourishing sector in Tourism Professor Rohana P. Mahaliyanaarachchi of the Department of Agri Business Management of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in an exclusive Q & A with Sri Lanka The Treasure Island reveals the strategic implementation of maximum utilization of the resources of a nation that owns a historic agricultural heritage.
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Why is tourism important to be treated as a sector-wise industry in the socio-economic development? Tourism becomes one of most important economic sub sector in development of a country. In the World, out of 12.4 jobs one is from tourism sector. The fastest tourism growing area in the World at present, is South East Asia and pacific region with a growth rate of 14.5%. After the ending of 30 years of civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009, tourism has been booming significantly. It shows the importance of tourism in the development of a country’s economy as a whole. The number of subsectors in tourism today includes, cultural tourism, eco-tourism, sustainable tourism, community based tourism, culinary tourism, heritage tourism, medical tourism, wildlife tourism, nature tourism, wellness tourism, geotourism, slum tourism, space tourism, religious tourism, pro-poor tourism, disaster tourism, sports tourism, doom tourism, city tourism, war tourism and also Agro-tourism.
Agro-tourism enterprises might include; outdoor recreation such as fishing, hunting, wildlife study, horse riding, educational experiences such as cannery tours, cooking classes or wine tasting, entertainment such as harvest festivals or barn dances, hospitality services such as farm stays, guided tours or outfitter services and on-farm direct sales such as you-pick operations or roadside stands. Agro-tourism is an innovative agricultural activity related to both tourism and agriculture. It has a great capacity to create additional source of income and employment opportunities to the farmers and to the people in tourism industry such as tour operators, airlines, transporters, tour guides, etc. One sector that currently does not appear to be tightly linked to the economic boom is agriculture. A key indicator of this is, while income in most other sectors have been expanding, income in agriculture have been declining. Therefore, alternative income generating activities from agricultural sector should be introduced. Agro tourism is one of these new sub sectors in agricultural development as well as tourism.
A greener environment
What is the strength of agrotourism in the assessment of the booming industry of tourism in Sri Lanka? Agro-tourism is a subset of a larger industry called rural tourism that includes resorts, off-site farmers’ markets, non-profit agricultural tours, and other leisure and hospitality businesses that attract visitors mainly to the countryside. It is a hybrid concept that merges elements of two complex industries—agriculture and tourism—to open up new profitable markets for farm products and services and provide travel facilities for a large regional market.
Agro-tourism can be defined as “a commercial enterprise at a working farm, ranch, or agricultural plant conducted for the enjoyment of visitors that generates supplemental income for the owner.” April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 37
With what examples can it be defined as a sustainable sub-sector in developing the industry?
Professor Rohana P. Mahaliyanaarachchi
– Department of Agri Business Management of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Agro-tourism is therefore, and on the other way round is helpful not only to farmers but equally to urban people. It has provided additional income sources to the farmers and employment opportunities to the family members and rural youth.
There is a large number of activities identified in Agro-Tourism. Some examples of appropriate Agro-Tourism enterprises include, farm markets/ roadside stands, you-pick operations, ice cream/bakery facilities, christmas tree farm/cut your own, wineries and winery tours and tastings,retail sale of local products such as local crafts and food products, with educational/ interpretation, farm-related interpretive facilities and exhibits, agricultural related educational and learning experiences, agricultural related events / fairs / festivals, on site farm garden and nursery tours, walking and bicycling tours and trails, farms stays, bed and breakfast establishments, recreation related operations like outfitters/cross country skiing/fishing and hunting facilities/bird watching as well as bullock cart riding and horse/ pony riding. Visitors arriving at a farm or ranch as agro-tourists like to see something unique to the farm, something to do and something to buy at their departure. Therefore, to have a successful agro tourism enterprise, the tour operators must take into these three requirements of the visitors seriously.
The blue beauty
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Agro-tourism is a way of sustainable tourist development and multiactivity in rural areas through which the visitor has the opportunity tobe aware of agricultural areas, agricultural occupations, local products, traditional food and the daily life of rural people, as well as the cultural elements and traditions. Moreover, this activity brings visitors closer to nature and rural activities in which they can participate, be entertained and feel the pleasure of touring. Agro-tourism is therefore, and on the other way round is helpful not only to farmers but equally to urban people. It has provided additional income sources to the farmers and employment opportunities to the family members and rural youth.
‘Wee Bissa’ or the paddy store house, at a traditional village compound.
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What are the closest utilizations of agro tourism activities that can be effectively and productively practised relating to farming activities? Farm tours in agro-tourism enterprises can be organized with the aim of publicizing the plight of the family farmer and create a positive image of agriculture for the next generation of urban people and consumers. The important point here is that the land is kept in as a family-sized agricultural production. At the same time, farm tour projects for school children can also be organized as a part of aiming to “re-invent agriculture” in a farming community on the edge of suburban sprawl. This type of tour is a part of an overall regional public education strategy, exemplifying comprehensive organization and far-reaching goals. At the other end of the scale, it can provide a package deal for its specialty— school tours. Owner can charge a reasonable fee per child, and the children get farm fresh food items and a talk on farming. Having several tour farms in close proximity is therefore, is desirable. Most farmers are interested in agrotourism as it develops an individual farm attraction. Many herb farms open to the public include a tour showcasing different herbs they grow, and may such include “nature walks” to show wild plants in their native habitat—riverbank vegetation, scarce examples of native prairie, rock outcroppings, or natural woods. Farm Bed and breakfast businesses provide lodging, breakfast, and hospitality. These businesses are found on farms and in rural communities. These are parts of a private residence,which offer short term overnight stays, including breakfast, and are known for the personal services offered. Farm vacation homes usually provide additional meals and activities for guests. Bed and breakfast and farm vacation homes are alternatives to other commercial forms of lodging; many have become attractions themselves.
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RACING
V M
O F S M H
d e r i p s n i t a h t A ship oss r c r e p u S
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X O A) demy (SLM Military Aca ka ill n w La ) R ri A S D e ers (SLA ed by th vers and Rid 013 organiz g ri 2 in D rk g a ss n m ro ci a a rc e R w of tala x Hill Sup Association track in Diya cular he 21st Fo Supercross the Sri Lanka most specta ill h e it H w x th n Fo o is ti e a ss th t ro a rc ar 3 e d p 1 n u 0 in associ le S 2 ril orts ca Fox Hill the 20th Ap cal motor sp g Colombo. lo n e lli th ca f be held on X o r FO e quart f MV HMS ring the first r 100 years o ld so far du e h t nt has so fa n ve e otorsport eve to the m motorcross l a u n n a n due as a d in 1993, al standard annually. f Internation was originate o SLMA and t t a s n u th ve io e ss ig g ro st n Superc of a raci of the pre ce le ie ous Fi rp d e n st a The Fox Hill a m nks ential impetu rning out a andants, Ra the most ess d e d vi resulted in tu rts of foregone Comm ro p have effo nd File who tremendous ant, Rank a d n dard. a n a m st m r o e C to a high its present ck a tr e th improve required to
T
April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 43
44 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
This event is exceptional for a unique reason that it is entirely organized by the staff and officer cadets of Sri Lanka Military Academy to generate funds exclusively to be made use of to improve the standards of the Institute that moulds young school leavers to be robust military leaders with character, leadership and intellectual foundation to assume the positions as Junior Commanders in the Army. By now, with the destruction of the world’s worst terrorist band, the LTTE, the entire World is aware of what these young Commanders are capable of through their dedication, professionalism and commitment. Diyatalawa first came into military prominence when the British Government opened a camp there for 5000 Boer prisoners of war in the early part of the last century. Thereafter, Diyatalawa served the Royal Navy, as a sanatorium for naval personnel of the Royal Navy’s East India station. A military training depot was also established here for the volunteer units of the then Ceylon Defence Force. With the advent of independence, the Ceylon Army was formed on 10th October 1949 and the military area in Diyatalawa became the obvious choice to train personnel for the fledgling Army, hence began an Army Recruit Training Camp. Following the successful and continued prestigious service rendered by the institution towards the progress of the military service in Sri Lanka through the years, Diyatalawa Army Training Centre was re-designated as the Sri Lanka Military Academy on the 20th August 1992.
The Fox Hill Super-Cross Track within the SLMA received its’ name from a prominent hillock in the area that could be viewed from a distance. Sri Lanka was one of the countries and colonies which were under the British domain in South and SouthEast Asia, when British were ruling most of the South and South-East Asia around the 19th and early 20th century. When the Boer war occurred in South Africa between Britain and the Dutch colonists of the Transvaal and the Orange State, Sri Lanka became one of the locations where Britishers brought their prisoners.
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Naming the Track:
The Fox Hill Supercross Track within the SLMA receives its name from a prominent hillock in the area that could be viewed in distance. Sri Lanka was one of the countries and colonies which were under the British domain in South and South-East Asia, when British were ruling most of the South and South-East Asia around the 19th and early 20th century. When the Boer war occurred in South Africa between Britain and the Dutch colonists of the Transvaal and the Orange State, Sri Lanka became one of the locations where Britishers brought their prisoners. A group of these prisoners were brought to Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, in the Ship ‘HMS Fox’ which was quite old and as a result had to be docked very often in Colombo Harbour for repairs. At one such occasion in 1913, whilst the ‘HMS Fox’ had been docked at the harbor, the Captain and its’ crew visited
Diyatalawa where there was a naval station. During their stay in Diyatalawa amidst salubrious climes and environs that resembled England, the group had fascinated the idea of having their ship’s insignia displayed on a hillock to remember their visit to the beautiful town, Diyatalawa. And at the very prominent hillock in the area, with the assistance of the Boer war prisoners stationed in Diyatalawa, the Captain and the crew of ‘HMS Fox’ placed pieces of white granite depicting a fox and below it the name of their ship, ‘HMS Fox’ followed by the year 1913. Since then, to the particular hillock has been called the ‘Fox Hill.” Text and Pix Harsha Udayakantha Peiris
DESTINATIONS
A perfect camp site for boat rides, sightseeing, explore, photography and bird watching
The largest man-made
Reservoir and a whirlpool
in the midst 48 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
T
he ‘Senanayaka Samudraya’ the largest body of water ever created in Sri Lanka is a pleasing sight at sunset and displays its inhabitant in their best with birds of vivid colours flying home and elephants gathering at the banks for a late dip in its’ waters. Cradled between Siyabalanduwa and Ampara this giant reservoir is bordered by the rising mountains of Inginiyagala creating a sight that is majestic and breathtaking. This reservoir that irrigates the dry lands of the east of Sri Lanka, remains a glorious testament to the most ambitious irrigation development project undertaken immediately after the Independence in 1948. Hence ‘Senanayaka Samudraya’, 9324 ha. in extent, was built by damming the River Gal Oya at Inginiyagala under the Galoya-Valley Multi-Purpose development scheme in 1949. The Gal Oya-Valley multipurpose development scheme colonized unoccupied areas in the Eastern province with nearly 250,000 people resettled to pursue means of agriculture. Most of the settlers were from the area surrounding Gal Oya and priority was given to those villagers from the Gal Oya valley, who lost their homes and farmlands to the reservoir.
Isolated beauty along the boat ride
The completed project resulted in opening up 40,000 hectares of land to the cultivation of paddy, sugarcane, chillies, potatoes, and other crops throughout the Eastern province. The reservoir also generates 11 MW of electricity, controls flood in Galoya plain and is a source of freshwater aquaculture, gaining a name as a multitasking giant.
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Crystal clear waters making the mirror image
Crains at an island in the middle of the reservoir
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Nearly 70,000 families in the East depend on the reservoir for water for their agricultural purposes while nearly 200 elephants roam the Gal Oya-Valley National Park; the catchment area of the reservoir. Makaraya - the whirlpool in the midst of Senanayaka Samudraya
Today, nearly sixty years after its construction the ‘Senanayaka Samudraya’ provides relief to man, bird and beast in the area by providing water, habitat and livelihood. Nearly 70,000 families in the East depend on the reservoir for water for their agricultural purposes while nearly 200 elephants roam the Gal Oya-Valley National Park; the catchment area of the reservoir. The islets within the ‘Senanayaka Samudraya’ reservoir, which was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1954, are nesting sites preferred by a variety of local bird species and are best viewed by a boat ride in the reservoir.
‘Makaraya’ a whirlpool in the midst of ‘Senanayaka Samudraya’
‘Makaraya’ – the Dragon’s mouth in Sinhala is a whirlpool created by water flowing into a natural tunnel, where Gal Oya river meets Senanayaka Samudraya reservoir . ‘Makaraya’ can be best viewed crossing the Senanayake Samudraya by boat from Inginiyagala as an alternative method of accessing the Gal Oya National Park. On this route is the Bird’s Island, an island amidst the reservoir used by thousands of birds for nesting. Elephants braving waters of ‘Senanayaka Samudraya’ to reach the island for feeding too is a common sight at dusk in the dry season. ‘Makaraya’ is also one of the four main camping sites at Gal Oya National Park and one favoured by ardent bird and elephant watchers. April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 51
THEME STORY CONTD..
Pix by: Maheesha Mindula
Vasantha Nugegoda started his career as a Research Assistant under the guidance of world famous Primatologist Suzan Ripley from the Smithsonian Institute Washington. Vasantha has served as the General Curator of the Dehiwela Zoo, for further learning and development on Zoo Management. He went to London zoo for three years and was traiend at the Jersey Channel island which was under the well-known Naturalist Gerald Durrell and at the Wildfowl Trust in Slim Bridge under Sir Pieter Scott.
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ELEPHANTS AS AMBASSADORS FOR
SRI LANKA TOURISM
A REVEAL OF A ZOOLOGIST WHO DESIGNS FOR LIFE
Text by: Harsha Udayakantha Peiris
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The first Sri Lankan themed elephant walkway and habitat ‘Uda Walawe’ at Twycross zoo in Leicestershire in England.
Vasantha joined Singapore Zoo to work as a Zoologist at the time the first Night Safari in the world was being set up under an international team headed by Lyn de Alwis. It was here that Vasantha also became the Coordinator for the National Parks of Singapore and the Wild life Reserves Native Animal Re-introduction Program, a first for Singapore under which several small mammals and birds were re-introduced to the forests there. This world renowned Sri Lankan zoologist,is behind the making of the Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire in England, the world’s first Sri Lankan themed elephant walkway and habitat - named ‘Uda Walawe’. Vasantha is a frequent visitor to his Motherland Sri Lanka; however he is based in Melbourne in Australia at present. During his brief visit to Sri Lanka recently, ‘Sri Lanka The Treasure Island’ visited him at his residence in Kandy. “Elephants at my ancestral residence during my childhood offered me the very first lessons of love, kindness and respect towards them. I felt them as inseparable companions of human existence” he says. The new £1 million home at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire in England for five Asian elephants was officially opened in July three years ago, by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner His Excellency Justice Nihal Jayasinghe. Today, this unique tourist venue gives the visitors an insight to the Sri Lankan elephants in their natural habitat as well as their interactions and reverence in the Asian Sub Continent. “ ‘Udawalawe’ is of course unique and is of significance to all Sri Lankans. Therefore, the Twycross Zoo is one of the very few if not the very first zoo of its kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere, I mean in the Europe and Americas” Vasantha says. Taking all important components of promoting Sri Lanka a worldly destination of travel trade, the UK office of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau facilitated
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this project from its inception and together with the Twycross Zoo helped plan the ceremonial opening of the enclosure giving the visitors a truly Sri Lankan experience. Since then, “Uda Walawe” in Twycross Zoo is promoting the conservation of the Asian elephants and acts as a shop window for crucial wildlife conservation programmes in Sri Lanka and today. There is a place in far off England dedicated to Sri Lanka.
Anusha the star
Anusha currently in Singapore Zoo is the oldest living Sri Lankan elephant in a foreign zoo. She was presented to the zoo in 1972. This was the first elephant to arrive in Singapore and her arrival made headlines. Singaporeans were given a rare opportunity to touch an elephant for the first time in their lives. Very soon Anusha became the star of the zoo for her gentle nature and love for Children. She has greeted many international and local dignitaries. A frequent visitor of Anusha was the former Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Konoye along with his grandchildren. Sam Alagapa the present Director of the Singapore zoo who accompanied Anusha when she was 8 years old from Sri Lanka says she is a gentle giant to the keepers and the visitors but is a strict matriarch who keeps the 5 young Indonesian elephants who are in the zoo well behaved. More importantly, by sending elephants as ambassadors of the country, Sinhalese has become a universal language, as it is the most recognized form of commands used for elephants in the zoos of the world today.
Vasantha Nugegoda (Extreme Left)
‘Uda Walawe’ is of course unique and is of significance to all Sri Lankans. Therefore, the Twycross Zoo is one of the very few if not the very first zoo of its kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere, I mean in the Europe and Americas
“It is time therefore, to evaluate if we have rightly and accurately taken the full advantage of sending elephants abroad as ambassadors. At present International regulations deny exchange of wild elephants between countries. We have been lucky with a successful breeding program at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage; we are one of the few countries that can send elephants to the international zoos. These “priceless” elephants should only be given on breeding loans and packages which promote Sri Lanka as a destination to see the Asian elephants in the wild and captivity. Through this funding of conservation projects, animal exchange programs, staff training, upgrading of animal facilities will all be increased in Pinnawela elephant Orphanage and at the Dehiwela zoological Gardens,” Vasantha says. We should be tremendously proud of the fact that we have in our small island the world’s largest land mammal and religious icon to many, the elephant.
Vasantha Nugegoda
– Zoologist and animal habitat specialist
MY DIARY
Text by: Agra Yayathi
age Pinnawala – the Elephant Orphan watching elephants and watching
y that There is a popular saying among the Sri Lankan societ math Bali Baeleemath Epa Nowe’). Baelee (‘Ali mind one’s to haste brings never devil dance culture and tradition of the Sri the in part However the elephant species’ is an important nd years up to now there are thousa three or nd thousa Lankan society. From beyond two tors and as well from other sources; historical events and stories that we hear from our ances nts. So from all these pieces of relating the bond between the human kind and the elepha ge between Elephants’ and Man. bonda close valuable information we get to know about the a holiday. I took my trip to the on nts elepha visit go to Then a thought came to my mind; two and a half hour from Colombo. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage; a journey which took me
nage at first sight clearly pictures out that The meaning trapped to the words the Elephant Orpha of. care taken are of a place where orphaned elephants an entrance ticket from the counter, I at And as soon as I entered the orphanage after receiving g milk from a feeding bottle with great first glance was attracted by a cute baby elephant drinkin eyes met those dark eyes as those my when mischief. But then I was able to realise; that was d the mischievousness of the baby, beyon , clouds rain of the been there laid a sensitive and heart touching story. She had was r mothe her when herd the brought here, when she lost shot dead.
of violent behaviour? How do you control elephantsMr.San jaya Rathnayaka.
I asked this question from the Assistant curator do. They act violently after “Female elephants normally don’t act wildly, but the males the other elephants in the they complete the age of fifteen. They start fighting with are appointed with a special they herd. They start troubling people, and at such times elephant care taker; a mahout”.
elephants? How is it easy to take care of the to leave.
We questioned again when we were ready elephants who come “Now that we are bonded with the elephants’. There are cteristics and Chara proud. very some and us, see they running to us when used to their are we as qualities differ from one elephant from the other. So s. dislike and likes their qualities we act systematically knowing with us. Every morning Apart from that we have a specialized group of doctors they provide the elephants with a medical check-up. nts who are These elephants are very fond of people. Sometimes elepha people very with t interac to like abandoned by people or by other reasons, ers.” strang more no are much. We to them-them to us
A post script:
by the Department The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was started in 1975 Maha Oya river of Wildlife on a twenty five acre coconut property on the afford care and to ed design at Rambukkana. The orphanage was primarily without their jungle the in found nts protection to the many baby elepha or been killed. In died either had r mothe the cases mothers. In most of these mother had the some instances the baby had fallen into a pit and in others al Park, Nation tu Wilpat the fallen in and died. Initially this orphanage was at ala Zoo. Dehiw the to then and ta Bento then shifted to the tourist complex at 56 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
From the Dehiwala Zoo it was shifted 1975 to Pinnawala. At the time it was shifted the orphanage had five baby elephants which formed its nucleus. It was hoped that this facility would attract both local and foreign visitors, the income from which would help to maintain the orphanage. There are only a few elephant orphanages in the world. Pinnawala has now become one of the bigger orphanages and is quite well known world wide. In 1978 the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was taken over by the National Zoological Gardens from the Department of Wildlife and a captive breeding program launched in 1982. Today, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is the home for about 79 elephants, out of which many are baby elephants found, abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. One could also accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see the elephants having their daily bath in freedom.
MARITIME
Sri Lanka has recorded a 16.5% year-on -year growth in tourist arrivals for the period of January to November 2012 attracting 883,353 tourists” -Dr.Priyath B. Wickrama -Chairman of SLPA
QUEEN MARY 2 being berthed at JCT 1 of SLPA
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Cunard’s Luxury Ocean Liner
“Queen Mary 2” Makes Colombo Maiden Call Text by: Harsha Udayakantha Peiris | Pix. by: Aloka I de Silva
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Cunard Line’s world largest Ocean Liner “MV QUEEN MARY 2” made her inaugural call to Colombo recently, marking the fourth inaugural vessel call to Colombo made by the cruise liners operated by the parent company Carnival UK since mid 2012. “MV QUEEN MARY 2” is a transatlantic Ocean Liner and is the first major Ocean Liner built since “QUEEN ELIZABETH 2” in 1969. The new vessel was named QUEEN MARY 2 by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 after the first RMS Queen Mary, completed in 1936. Incidentally, “MV QUEEN MARY 2” followed the inaugural calls by the Cruise Liners “MV QUEEN ELIZABETH”, “MV ARCADIA” and “MV AURORA” made to Colombo in 2012. The agency services for these cruise liners were provided by Messrs. Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) Ltd., a highly reputed Sri Lankan Shipping Company. Cunard Line is a combinedly-owned BritishAmerican company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England, and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century. 60 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
A plaque exchange ceremony was held on board of “MV QUEEN MARY 2” in celebration of the inaugural call at the Jaye Container Terminal of SLPA on the 4th of February 2013. To mark the significance of this move plaques were exchanged between the Chairman of SLPA Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama and the Master of the cruise vessel “MV QUEEN MARY 2” Capt. Christopher Rynd in the presence of senior officials of SLPA and the officials of Messrs. Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) Ltd., including Executive Director, Capt. L. N Jayasooriya. Commenting on the significance of the occasion, Dr. Priyath B. Wickrama, Chairman, SLPA remarked, “This is the fourth inaugural vessel call made by the cruise liner Carnival UK since mid 2012. It is encouraging to note that according to the statistics released by the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka, the GDP is on a growing trajectory with the per capital income too growing satisfactorily. In the tourism sector, Sri Lanka has recorded a 16.5% year-on-year growth in tourist arrivals for the period from January to November 2012 attracting 883,353 tourists, outstripping Maldives, a key tourist attraction in the South Asian region. The booming economy of the country resulting from the dawn of peace has created a conducive environment for a boost in the oncelucrative Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka. This trend heralds a new era for the tourism industry in Sri Lanka, which is on the threshold of an economic renaissance with huge maritime-related infrastructure development projects in the port sector. In this context, whilst working in tandem with the tourism sector, Sri Lankan ports have vitally important roles to play”.
2013 with a total passenger capacity of 14,074. From 2014 to 2015, a net of 13 more new cruise ships will come online adding 39,297 lower berths or 8.7% of passenger capacity. The ships from 2014 to 2015 will add $3.2 billion in annual revenue to the cruise industry. Therefore, it is important that our ports and coastal destinations are carefully managed and smartly promoted for the sustainable growth of this important market. It is quite an encouraging piece of news that the representative of Carnival UK, who visited Sri Lanka, has predicted the possibility of their luxury vessels calling the Port of Hambantota in the future. I can assure you that your vessels and their passengers are safe in our harbours. I most heartily thank Carnival UK for choosing Colombo as one of their cruise destinations, knowing very well that Colombo will be ready soon with iconic landmarks, world-class dining and unique hospitality to delight the discerning traveller”. Executive Director, Shipping Agency Services (Pvt) Ltd., Capt. L.N. Jayasooriya said the Company was proud to represent the Cunard Lines. “We as Agents in Sri Lanka consider it a great privilege to be representatives of this prestigious Principal and are happy about the contribution made by these vessel calls towards the Sri
Lankan economy. We look forward to having some additional calls in 2014, which is a clear indication of the Line’s confidence in the Sri Lankan ports and tourist attractions. We have also introduced the port of Hambantota to them, with a view to the large cruise vessels calling there as well, in the future. Her visit reflects the commitment of Cunard Lines to Sri Lanka following the on going developments as one of the safest tourist destinations in the World,” he added. He also said that Carnival UK had decided to send their vessels back to Sri Lanka last year, after a lapse of many years. “In 2012, they had 3 vessel calls, namely “Arcadia”, “Aurora” and “Queen Elizabeth. This year the “Queen Mary 2” and “Queen Victoria” have also been scheduled for Colombo. Next year, Carnival has planned five vessel calls in Colombo and one in Galle,” said Capt. Jayasooriya.
Exchange of plaques between Chairman of SLPA – Dr.Priyath B.Wickrama and Commodore Christopher Rynd. Managing Director of SLPA – Capt.Nihal Keppetipola, Chief Manager (Container Operations) of SLPA Mr.Upali de Zoysa, Chief Manager (Marketing and Business Development) of SLPA – Mr.Upul Jayatissa are also in the picture.
Expressing his views on the occasion, Capt. Nihal Keppetipola, Managing Director, SLPA said, “I chanced upon an interesting read posted by Cruise Market Watch in their website. They have estimated cruise revenue and expense per passenger for all cruise lines worldwide for the year 2013. The average expense per passenger per day is projected to be $200.85, with $152.39 ticket price and $48.47 on board spending. According to them, a total of 6 new ships will be added in April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 61
The Old Lighthouse on the Breakwater at the Colombo Harbour
The 148,000 ton “QUEEN MARY 2” carried 2670 world’s most affluent and privileged passengers. Queen Mary 2 World Tour 2013 ports of calls include Barcelona, Athens (from Piraeus), Port Said, Suez Canal, Port Suez, Port Sokhna, Safaga, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, India (Cochin), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Malaysia (Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur (from Klang), Singapore, Thailand (Ko Samui) and Bangkok (from Laem Chabang), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh), China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), Australia (Yorky’s, Brisbane and Sydney), New Zealand (Bay of Islands, Auckland), Wellington, Christchurch and Fjordland), AU again with Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle), Mauritius (Port Louis), in South Africa (Durban), Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Namibia (Walvis Bay), Canary Islands (Gran Canaria), Madeira (Funchal), Vigo and Southampton. Meanwhile, the Port of Colombo is also to be highlighted for one of its Lighthouses at the main Breakwater on BBC Scotland in January 2014. In an exclusive television documentary with a working title ‘Robert Burns and the Commonwealth’ for broadcast in the United Kingdom, to coincide with the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the producers of the programme will highlight the Old Lighthouse on the Breakwater at Colombo Harbour. The programme concerns Scottish groups and societies in various worldwide locations and the communities in which they are based. “In this instance we are filming with the Caledonian Society of Sri Lanka,” the producers say. The Old Lighthouse on the Breakwater at the Colombo Harbour has a historic Scottish connection having originally been built and stationed at Port Patrick, in the south of Scotland, before it was disassembled, sold and exported to Colombo in 1893.
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Shared Responsibility
Port Events Boost
MICE Tourism in SL
W
ith a busy agenda at hand to develop Sri Lanka as the regional maritime hub as clearly depicted in ‘Mahinda Chinathana’ Policy document of the present Government, the role of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) in promoting MICE tourism in Sri Lanka has been eminent during the recent past showcasing a distinctive characteristic of a public institution in the country towards the boost of an emerging trade which does not directly supports its existence. Characteristics of a vivid difference
The tourism of Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions spherically named as MICE tourism usually include a well-planned agenda centered around a particular theme or topic, such as professional trade organization, a special interest group or an educational objective. Such tourism is often a specialized area with its own exhibitions and practices such as IMEX, EIBTM, GIBTM, AIBTM, CIBTM and AIME. Location of MICE events are normally bid on by specialized convention bureaux located in particular countries and cities and established for the purpose of bidding on MICE activities. This process of marketing and bidding is normally conducted well in advance of the actual event, often several years. MICE tourism is known for its extensive planning and demanding clientele. Most components of MICE are well understood, perhaps with the exception of incentives. Incentive tourism is usually undertaken as a type of
employee reward by a company or institution for targets met or exceeded, or a job well done. Unlike the other types of MICE tourism, incentive tourism is usually conducted purely for entertainment, rather than professional or educational purposes. The Sri Lankan experience for the MICE traveller is therefore, much inspiring with the country offering the MICE traveler an inspiring landscape, a culture that can motivate and a terrain that can revitalize. As a MICE destination, Sri Lanka is equally fully equipped with boutique and star class hotels Island-wide, while also having sound infrastructure to host a corporate event of any magnitude.
Recent port events in SL that boosted MICE travelling
The 13th Conference on International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) organized by SLPA and held on 24th and 25th of August 2011 at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo
upon the theme ‘Bridging Global Regions Through Affiliated Ports for Mutual Cooperations saw the participation of six countries that included Japan, Philipines, Indonesia, South Korea and China. Since the first International Symposium of the INAP held at the BMICH, in Colombo, in November 1998 the INAP has done an unprecedented amount of work for the past twelve years since its inception,
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making a tremendous contribution to the maritime industry, regional/ global trade and regional/global peace. Taking this tremendous contribution into account the INAP Secretariat aptly decided on the theme for 2011 conference as “Bridging Global Regions through Affiliated Ports for Mutual Cooperation” with a clear definition to the myriad of regionalisms based on trade, economic, security and various other considerations. The 12th Asia/Oceania Regional Meeting and Port Forum of the IAPH, hosted by Sri Lanka Ports Authority at BMICH on March 8 and 9 in 2012 also became another successful destination for the MICE travellers around the globe. Simultaneously and in connection with this forum, an exclusive International Exhibition on Air Freight, Shipping and Logistics was held for three days commencing from March 8 at the same venue and it showcased a unique feature of this forum. This event was of great significance to Sri Lankans because this also became the first time in the history that an IAPH event took place in Sri Lanka. In addition, it gave the country an opportunity and a forum to showcase its potential and service excellence to the stakeholders of port industry. Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has currently embarked on a huge marketing drive
in search of new market places offering excellent potential for increasing business. SLPA recently participated in the 9th ASEAN Ports and Shipping Conference and Exhibition held in the Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In its history, this was the first attempt made by SLPA outside the Indian Subcontinent with a view to forging synergies with the players in the industry through showcasing Sri Lanka’s maritime development projects. Sri Lanka Ports, Trade & Logistics two day Conference and Exhibition that commenced on the 10th July 2012 at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo and supported by Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA),was another important annual fixture in the international maritime events diary. Concentrating on the salient issues that would drive economic, investment and business activities in Sri Lanka, this timely conference and exhibition was also set to become a knowledge platform to propel Sri Lanka’s economy.
A positive note of conclusion
The spouse programmes, Golf tournaments in the city suburb and many a cultural component that were organized parallel to these international port events in Sri Lanka became distinctive features that characterized the bio-commercial and socio-economic diversity of the country that brought a truly authentic experience to the accompanied MICE travellers during the events. In conclusion, the recent international events coordinated and supported by SLPA has set inviting appeals from the global community to make Sri Lanka the next destination for its corporate forum in paradise allowing all MICE travellers around the globe to be rejuvenated by the experiences Sri Lanka has to offer.
Text by; Harsha Udayakantha Peiris. (File information of press releases and pixs;– by courtesy of CPRD media section of SLPA)
A teenage girl who accompanied a MICE participant interested in local hand crafts
DEVELOPING STORY
LACK OF HARMONY AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION REMAIN
STRATEGIC FAILURES AGAINST A BOOMING INDUSTRY Chandima Jayaweera
The Most Outstanding Chauffeur Tourist Guide ( Nature & Wildlife ) - SLTA 2012
At the 5th Annual Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2012, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Chandima Jayaweera was recognized as the Most Outstanding Chauffeur Tourist Guide ( Nature & Wildlife ). He has been in this field for the last 22 years and has given his services to most popular birdwatchers in the world. Responding to an exclusive questionnaire tabled at his busy desk of agendas, itineraries and inquiries, Chandima willingly spared several golden minutes to express himself with ‘The Treasure Island’ the reasoning for a worthy cause for a better tomorrow in the trade of travel and tourism in Sri Lanka. Interviewed by; Harsha Udayakantha Peiris
Why Sri Lanka should be treated differently in making it as the best tourist destination?
“Sri Lanka can be placed as a high end tourist destination compared to many a global competitor in the trade of travel and tourism. Unfortunately, at present, we do not have an effective mechanism to show this the fact to the rest of the world. Though we have a number of public and Non-Governmental bodies in and outside the country to address matters pertaining to this field, the question still remains whether we have accurately lured the customers to visit us to purchase the best product or service. Once an executive representative of a public institution appointed abroad to work for Sri Lanka stated that they did not receive enough funds to launch sufficient and effective programs to take our country’s name to the global arena as the best spot to be visited for holidays. 66 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
Taken as a high end tourist destination, Sri Lanka is the richest in offering every sphere of attraction to our customers. For example, take culture, heritage, wild life and beach. Where else do you find all these components together? Any visitor can experience the authenticity of these components throughout the year round without any obstacle. This is a high end advantage anyone may expect”.
Why is it necessary to keep pace with ongoing developments and actual needs in developing the industry?
“The Maldivian Islands where you find only the beach as the prime tourist attraction, today, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Anyone around the globe knows where it is. Eventhough the atolls do not have anything other than the beach, yet they offer the best image of sun and surfing. Taking the advantage of 30 years of armed struggle prevailed in Sri Lanka, Maldives campaigned themselves to be the best tourist destination. And they achieved it. Today, after more than three years of sustainably completing the struggles and unrest, have we been able to successfully fight back to regain this status? And why not? Here, infrastructure still remains a threatening issue. Apparently, the authorities are taking the maximum possible means to develop the road network around the island with state of the art highways. A fruitful mechanism to minimize the time factor between inland destinations. Yet, the lack of an effective device to control the alarming rise of traffic jams along the course and loss of discipline
on the motorways have made the efforts a failure at many places”.
Why do we trace better tracks to enhance wild life tourism as a booming sector within the industry?
“In a foreign destination where wild life is the theme of tourism, proper infarstructure could always be experienced by the visitor. Well -equipped safari jeeps are the only mode of transport. But a simple visit to an inland wild destination here showcases a variety of luxuries ‘limousines’ and even pilgrim caravans along the tracks and untraded paths disturbing the existence of natural habitat. When the nature is disturbed it rewards nothing. When asked from a local officer at a wild life park in Sri Lanka, the simple answer was
April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 67
that the local visitors are allowed to use private modes inside with a tracker, as most of the time they cannot afford to take the rented service due to high rates of safari jeeps. Yet, permanent maintenance of a standard is required at any spot if we are to achieve our goals. We cannot gain the hub status if we lose interest of such developments. At the end of the day, there will be no sufficient financial contribution to nourish the national economy, but mouthfuls of disgrace around the world, as a troubled destination to tour. That’s all we would achieve”.
Does there exist an important requirement of timely understanding better purchasing powers? “As per my experience the tourists with greater purchasing powers are hardly seen nowadays. One reason might be the economic downfall everyone is facing due to global financial melt down. In the past a tourist, when he visited brought an apparent budget that included a shopping budget as well. But nowadays, their budgets are limited. In many occasions, they only spend for the most essentials. On the other hand, many visitors here have experienced the Asian authenticity and its diversity prior to their arrival to Sri Lanka. At such occasions, they are reluctant to go for higher offers that do not allow effective bargain. They do posses a sense between the cost and value, though we do not take care of it. Gem and jewelry, wooden craft industry, spice industry and even the brass ware industry face the same threat today, as a result of not having a sense of understanding with the competitor outside the country. Competitive pricing should not only be with the next door vendor but more importantly with the distant market, which the technology has brought closer”.
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Is branding merely exemplary when it applies to us in the industry?
“If we accurately understand our capacity and to which areas we hope to cater time to time, there is no need of promoting as a branded destination. Branding is an essential factor in most artificial destinations where you create luxury for competitive prices. But here, what we need is to lure our customer with accurate understanding. If you showcase your rituals, you will lose, but if you allow the visitor to witness them at his convenience and yet with control you will gain. This is the simple strategy. That is why the boutique hotels are always seen leading the way. When the guests asks for a writing pad at the bar, the barman will also offer a pen. Hospitality matters a lot where word of mouth is most powerful”.
Can MICE serve to create a greener pasture in the industry in Sri Lanka?
“Sri Lanka is rapidly becoming one of the best destinations for MICE Tourism. Following the successful completion of unrest of thirty years, now the country is booming in all sectors of infrastructure. Peace has come here to stay. Yet, there are a number of things waiting timely accomplishment. If the proposed mega infrastructure projects are getting delayed we cannot achieve success. “If we properly address this issue, the arrival of more MICE visitors will create ample space for a booming leisure sector”.
April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 69
ECO
Dr. Iraj Ratnayake is at present, attached to the Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department. He has obtained his PhD in Tourism Planning from the University Utara Malaysia. Dr. Iraj has many scholarly publications to his credit and his expertise is mainly in the field of development and promotion of Special Interest Tourism. Dr.Iraj Ratnayake reveals the potential of an exclusive brand promotion category that has ample capacity to boost the country’s flexibility towards making it the next tourism hub.
Eco Tourism
Promoting under Special interest segment
A liitle child who has joined the household chores to make paddy while the village is at the apext of the midday heat
70 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
(Q). What is the importance of making Sri Lanka a role model of environmentally friendly tourism? Well, let me take a little time to give you a broader perspective of this scenario. Environment is the base resource for any form of tourism and it comprises both physical and cultural resources. Technically speaking, this is physical and cultural topography. There is a possibility to develop and promote tourism provided that such resources have a tourism, potential or tourist appeal. However, in tourism development change is obvious. This change could be either positive or negative or both.
April-May May 2013 • THE SRI LANKA SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 71
Therefore, the impact is different on the environment, which is physical and cultural as I explained before. It is the responsibility of the planners and developers or operators to understand, evaluate and take corrective measures to mitigate if there are any negative repercussions of tourism development, while optimizing the positive ones. We call this the sustainable and integrated development approach, which is of paramount importance to guide our tourism industry towards a better future. Thus, environmental friendliness is nothing but taking not only the natural environment but also the economic, social and cultural dimensions of a destination into consideration. And adhering to sustainable principles from planning through operations it is the only option available for Sri Lanka as a destination to make it as a role model of environmental friendly tourism. It is the most important aspect to make our industry competitive by enhancing and maintaining the recreational opportunity of our resource base. (Q).Why is there a distinctive need for such a specific model to promote eco-tourism in Sri Lanka? The sustainable development approach that I introduced before is nothing new. It is not something that we only need to consider when developing and promoting alternative tourism such as nature tourism, cultural tourism or ecotourism but also in mass tourism. We must understand what is crucial in certain development activities like tourism. Here we clearly see development and tourist activities taking place in environmentally fragile areas and in culturally sensitive communities. At present, tourism is increasingly being introduced in many parts of the country as an option for local and regional development, apparently exposing new natural environments and communities.
how important it is to keep the impact within acceptable limits, which is possible only by promoting responsible travel. While providing positive experiences for visitors, we must make sure that local people are empowered to access the benefits of eco-tourism operations. In order to make this a reality, this form of development must comfortably be accommodated within the natural and social setting. To do that, understanding about the environment and the community is vital. So, this process should start from making the community aware of what is going to take place in their local environment. TIES also believes that eco-tourism is one that unites conservation, communities and sustainable travel. It means that those who implement and participate in eco-tourism should prominently follow the guiding principles that assure environmental friendliness, social acceptability, cultural sensitivity and economic viability.
Tranquility of a natural footpath towards a rock temple - a hermitage
Since your main focus is on ecotourism, it is good to look at one of its definitions. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines it as; “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people” (TIES, 1990). This definition has several important implications. It tells 72 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
(Q). What can be identified as different components of ecotourism that could effectively be promoted here? There is a tremendous potential in our resource base, which has wide appeal for developing special interest in tourism. For example, Sri Lanka is considered as one of bio-diversity hot spots in the world. Apart from that, our cultural diversity which reflects centuries old heritage and existing traditional rural life styles, mainly in agro-based communities, are important assets in promoting eco-tourism. Given this condition, the possibility of promoting eco-tourism is undeniable. Some attributes in eco-tourism that could be effectively promoted in Sri Lanka are nature, culture, scientific and educational, adventure and agrotourism. However, product development and promotion must be compatible with philosophy and principles of eco-tourism. This process must be approached in a systematic manner. And it is of course a challenge. It has
been well proven that an ad-hoc or haphazard approach to development and marketing is unlikely to produce the desired results of eco-tourism. (Q). Can we promote eco-friendly tourism almost in every part of the country? If so, how can we strategically implement such a procedure? Well, personally, I do not agree that there is a possibility and need of introducing eco-tourism in every part of the country. Infact, that is what we see happening these days. We have to be realistic about the appeal of any area for visitors. If you do not have the appropriate products, services and experiences to attract the particular segments of the visitor market, no amount of promotion will ensure visitation sustainability. Our experience is such that most locals are not much aware of all the resources and other assets offered by their community. Locals are often surprised when the tourism products are identified, and often something locals see as unimportant may offer a whole new experience for visitors. This happens because tourism is still relatively new to many parts of the country. On one hand, what is important is when we wish to develop eco-tourism, we must see our resources from a visitor’s viewpoint. On the other hand, we need to ignore the ‘me too’ syndrome, which comes to surface when a particular place or an area insists on being mentioned in the tourism development agenda, simply because they think that what they have is unique for visitors. To avoid this happening, we must focus on the area’s product strengths because they are the features and attractions that will draw visitors. In addition, from the outset, managing stakeholder expectations are also vital and everything depends on that. (Q). What are the global trends in promoting eco-tourism for better destinations? Generally speaking, there are promising trends in the global eco-tourism market. Projections show that consumer demand for eco-tourism is increasing. There is both good and bad in it. In some countries and communities ecotourism is a strategy for sustainability,
encouraging better utilization of natural resources, promoting sustainable livelihood options, and environmental conservation. There are cases of good practices from many parts of the world including South America, Africa and Asian regions. However, the interests of local communities involved, on one hand, and the interests of the operators with profit motive, on the other hand, are not always compatible, leaving little direct benefit to the local community. We see some communities are sidelined since they are not empowered enough to make use of available opportunities within the existing market economies. Sri Lanka’s experience is more or less the same, for example.
Since your main focus is on eco-tourism, it is good to look at one of its definitions. The International Eco-tourism Society (TIES) defines it as; “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people” (TIES, 1990).
From the operational perspective of eco-tourism, some researchers have observed that eco-tourism development and practice exists in a symbiotic relationship with mass tourism. Today what we see in certain destinations like Costa Rica, Rwanda, Kenya or Galapagos Islands may be the best examples. This trend may decrease the required level and quality of development in the ecotourism segment. It is apparent that conflict and stress on the natural and socio-cultural settings happens as a result of trying to increase numbers of visitors beyond threshold levels. If I say in other words, due to inadequate
environmental concerns, many eco-tourism destinations tend to be self-destructive. Therefore, deliberate planning and promotion is the key for any destination to remain in the world eco-tourism map. (Q). In comparison to such destinations in the world, can we be competitive within the existing eco packages for the global traveller or tourist? Becoming competitive as a destination for eco-tourists is all about how well we are capable of offering quality or outstanding visitor experience to that segment of the tourism market. But I personally believe that we need to focus and concentrate a lot on the management of both activity and impact of visitors. In addition to our existing enforcement mechanism of safeguarding our resources, there are clear guidelines in this respect that every stakeholder should be aware of and adhere to. High quality interpretation, responsible operations and active community participation are some of the decisive ingredients of the process to become competitive. There are issues that need immediate attention. Let’s see the way we operate or conduct some visitor activities, for example. Whale watching, diving, snorkeling, wilderness camping or operating nature trails may lead to serious negative repercussions with an intensity of activity. We know very little about the increase of human contact with fragile ecosystems. There were records of non-native plant which seeds which can spread with what the tourists carry with them or with unrestricted cargo handling. Most of these alien species can have catastrophic effects on existing ecosystems. So, we need to respond to those environmental concerns before it is too late. It is the only way to become one of the most sought after eco-tourism destinations in the world. Otherwise there will be a different story to tell. Then it will be all about missed-opportunities because of the identity crisis. (Q). Can we be an effective gainer of carbon offsetting if we are to proceed hand in hand with the eco-tourism sector in the long run? Well, as a result of the growing
April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 73
A creaper teams beauty
concern on environment, now tourists, destinations and operators pay more and more attention to carbon offsetting practices. Ecotourists undertake low impact activities as a part of their total experience; however, they are increasingly dependent on air transport and consumption of services such as accommodation, that may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Some researchers have highlighted that in cases like flying to destinations, ecotourists cause same level of impact as mainstream tourists. There are numerous initiatives at local, national and global levels that could help stabilize or reduce emissions in order to maintain green standards in destinations. But some argue about the credibility of systems that are implemented to achieve carbon neutral status by industry players and the practice of using the information on carbon offsetting programmes to attract more customers to their products and services while there are serious
74 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
questions about what they have really achieved. The challenges that we face today are colossal, resulting from our consumption patterns and everincreasing volumes. For example, the repercussions of climate change which is now a global crisis directly affects tourism industry on many fronts. There is much disappointment as it is now reaching an alarming level. So, this situation demands a genuine and substantial global movement to rectify things back as soon as possible. It is everybody’s responsibility to do their part at this crucial juncture.
Dr. Iraj Ratnayake
Department of Tourism Management, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, as a Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department
NEWS
HNB recognized as the ‘Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka’ for the sixth consecutive year Hatton National Bank was named the ‘Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka” by ‘The Asian Banker’ for its performance in 2012 at the 12th International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards Programme. The Bank received the award at ‘The International Excellence in Retail Financial Services 2013 Awards’ ceremony, held in conjunction with the region’s most prestigious retail banking event, the Excellence in Retail Financial Services Convention. The ceremony was held at the Westin Chosun, Seoul in South Korea on March 21st 2013. Jonathan Alles, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HNB accepting the award commented that the award is testimony to HNB’s leadership position amongst private sector commercial banks in retail banking. He said that HNB is the only Sri Lankan bank to win this award for six consecutive years from the year 2007 to 2012 and that the Bank’s unwavering strategy towards profitable balance sheet growth, building a robust electronic banking platform to provide customer convenience, maintaining lowest ever NPA levels witnessed over the past decade, driving impressive growth in fee based income as well as significant improvement in its cost to income ratio contributed towards HNB being recognized as the ‘Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka’.
Officer, HNB with Mr Alles, Deputy Chief Executive Picture shows Mr Jonathan , Asian Banker and mit Board of Advisory Com tee the of an irm Cha t, llar Pai Philippe ing Editor, Asian Banker. Mr Boon Ping Foo, Manag
Commenting further, Alles stated that the award is a reflection of over two million HNB customers placing their trust in the bank’s safe and sound banking practices while enjoying a very comprehensive portfolio of products and services led by its flagship ‘Pathum Vimana’ deposit product.
Around 150 senior bankers from award-winning banks in 29 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa attended the glittering event that recognizes their efforts in bringing superior products and services to their customers. The awards programme, administered by ‘The Asian Banker’ and referred by prominent global bankers, consultants and academics, is the most prestigious of its kind where a stringent three-month evaluation process based on a balanced and transparent scorecard determines the winners and the positions of various retail banks in the region. Hatton National Bank is the first Sri Lankan Bank to obtain an international rating from Moody’s investors which is on par with the sovereign rating and was named as the Bank of the Year 2012 by the prestigious Banker Magazine of UK.
The Kingsbury inspires guests and staff during Earth Hour The Kingsbury, the landmark of luxury living in Colombo, participated in observing Earth Hour 2013 by turning off nonessential lighting and unplugging electrical devices on stand-by mode during 8.30pm -9.30pm on 23rd of March 2013. The Kingsbury staff and guests gathered in the lobby and lit candles to signify their support in Earth Hour’s cause, which is to raise awareness on energy conservation and climate change. Earth Hour took place on 23rd March and was participated in by more than 100 countries across the world. Organised by the World
Wildlife Fund, the initiative continues to gain millions of supporters around the world. Earth Hour was first put into practice in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. Over two million people and 2,000 businesses turned off their lights for an hour. By 2008 what had begun as a country based event had panned out into a ‘Global Sustainability Movement’ with the participation of 370 cities and towns in over 35 countries crossing 18 time zones. By 2010 Earth Hour had become a phenomenal environmental event with the amazing record of 1.3 billion persons taking part in 4,616 cities in 128 countries, and more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries in 2011. 2010 also marked the beginning of Sri Lanka’s participation in this exciting event. Last year, more than 7,000 cities and towns in 152 countries across all seven continents took part in the initiative, with hundreds of millions taking part – making it the biggest growth since 2009.
DFCC website goes trilingual As the internet audience continues to grow rapidly worldwide, including large bases of users wanting to ‘get mobile’ through mobile broadband services, businesses are motivated to innovate and offer an ever-evolving array of online services. Today more than ever consumers are focused on getting the best value, saving time and being able to access information and engage in transactions while on the go. The internet makes this possible, giving users the added advantage of accessing information from anywhere in the world. DFCC Bank’s re-launched website was supplemented by the Sinhala and Tamil options and introduced recently at their Branch Managers meeting. Not many websites in the country offer trilingual sites and the opportunity to capture an inclusive online community. Visitors to the DFCC site can select their preferred language on alighting at the home page and access information or perform transactions with ease from any part of the world. The website, which integrates DFCC’s banking services for businesses as well as individuals, was recognized at the Best Web Competition organized by the LK Domain registry, winning a bronze in the Corporate Website Category. It boasts of a modern, refreshing and user friendly interface, and this enrichment is a part of DFCC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of services to their customers from all spheres of society. “This is one of the many efforts taken to provide seamless banking services to our customers at the click of a button, in order for them to thrive in today’s dynamic climate. The website really is a reflection of our drive to be ‘the Bank for changing times’ ” observed Rosheeni Wijesekera, Vice President of Group Corporate Communications.
76 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • April-May 2013
DFCC Bank ranks as one of the country’s top banks with sustained profits and consistent growth. Set up by an act of Parliament in 1955, the Bank has pioneered many innovations in Sri Lanka’s financial sector, and has been the financier of trail blazing Lankan entrepreneurs. Today the DFCC Group’s total asset base is LKR 136.4 billion. DFCC Bank and it almost wholly owned retail banking subsidiary Vardhana Bank together, functions as an effectively integrated entity in the financial services sector offering the full range of business and personal banking services seamlessly through a unified distribution channel.
BOC awards NRFC customers Bank of Ceylon (BOC) held its Cash Remits and Remits Vasi 2013 awards ceremony at the Rainbow Ballroom of the Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH) in Colombo on 04th April 2013 with the presence of a number of distinguish banking personages and more than 50 award winners. The final draw held on the 31st December last year for this grand award ceremony had also selected winners among BOC NRFC account holders for five rewards of Rs.100,000.00 and five rewards of Rs.50,000.00 each. The draw had also selected winners for five 32 inch LED TVs and five valuable home theatre systems. Besides, the Cash Remits draw held last year island-wide, had awarded 200 cash prices of Rs.10,000.00 at the all island level and 50 cash prices of Rs.10,000.00 at the provincial level. The draw had also rewarded valuable digital cameras to the winners Manager (International of NRFC account holders of BOC. P.A.Lionel - Deputy General aking at the ocassion Expressing views at the ceremony, S.M.W.Samarakoon - Assistant Treasury Division) of BOC spe General Manager (International Division) of BOC stated that the bank had held several rounds of annual awards ceremonies even last year, that had extended awards worth more than 15 million to winners selected among its NRFC customers around the country. “ The bank is very much pleased to have this awards ceremony at the dawn of Sinhala and Tamil New year as a token of goodwill and unbounded relationship between the bank and its customers,” he said. BOC Cash remits and Remits Vasi - 2013 awards ceremony was organized by the staff of the Trade Promotions Unit of the International Division of the Bank of Ceylon with the initiative of its Senior Manager W.G.Jayawickrama and Manager - A.D.K.Guruge. Distinguish professionals of the BOC including Russel Fonseka - DGM (Finance and Planning), H.M.Mudiyanse - DGM (Channel S.M.W.Samarakoon - Assistant General Management), Manager (International Division) of BOC Dayani speaking at the ocassion Fernando - DGM (Co-operate Branch), Senarath Bandara - DGM (Product and Development), Priyal Silva - Chief Manager (International Division) and a number of Executive Staff Members of the BOC were also present at the ceremony. ceremony Award winners at the April-May 2013 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 77
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and Sri Lanka caught, tamed years ago, elephants were Welcome To Treasure Isl with Lankan kings over 2000 reservoirs have been built During the reign of the Sri the elephants. ces, temples and vast had a long association with they initiated. Large pala The Sri Lankan people have sive construction works that for the large scale and mas bers num large in used and the aid of elephants. Assistant ed his career as a Research Vasantha Nugegoda start n Ripley from d famous Primatologist Suza under the guidance of worl served as the has ntha Vasa ton. hing Was the Smithsonian Institute ing and develiwela Zoo, for further learn General Curator of the Deh London zoo for three to t wen He ent. agem opment on Zoo Man d which was under the Jersey Channel islan Trust in years and was traiend at Durrell and at the Wildfowl ld Gera t ralis Natu n the well-know r Scott. Piete Sir r unde ge Brid Slim
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