20
DEVOTION
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2014
THE MISSION THAT RE-AWAKENED SRI PADA THE SACRED FOOT PRINT SHRINE
EDITOR IN CHIEF Harsha Udayakantha Peiris CONSULTANT EDITOR Renuka Bandaranayake
12
DEPUTY EDITOR Rathindra Kuruwita
CULTURE
A CULTURAL SHOW THAT TOOK SRI LANKA TO CHINA
SUB EDITOR Rikaza Hassan CONTRIBUTORS FROM MAIDEN ISSUE Prof. Rohana P. Mahaliyanaarachchi Dept. of Agri Business Management of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka Dr. Iraj Ratnayake Dept. of Tourism Management of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka Dr. Ashoka Dangolla Senior Lecturer of University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka and Veterinary Specialist Anslem de Silva - The President of Amphibia and Reptile Research Organization of Sri Lanka (ARROS) Dr. Ruchira Somaweera – Senior Zoologist, BIOLOGIC Environmental Survey, Australia Vasantha Nugegoda – Zoologist and Animal Habitat Specialist Chamalka Kothalawala – Taxidermist, National Museums, Colombo Sri Lanka Chandima Jayaweera – The Most Outstanding Chauffeur Tourist Guide (Nature & Wildlife) SLTA 2012 Raju Vyas – Gujarat, India Sujitha Miranda – Veteran Journalist Indaka karunadasa – Journalist Teshani Wanninayake - Freelance writer Sri Lanka Tourism National Museums Colombo
AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT THAT GAVE A FACE LIFT TO REVERED SRI PADA AFTER HUNDREDS OF YEARS WAS SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE DEDICATED TIRELESS AND SCARIFYING LABOUR AND MANPOWER OF MORE THAN 47000 SRI LANKAN CITIZENS.
THE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE OF A SPECIAL DELEGATION FROM SRI LANKA INCLUDING ARTISTS OF SEVERAL SPHERES WHO LEFT TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF MAKING AN EXCLUSIVE SRI LANKAN PERFORMANCE OF DANCES, DRUMS AND SONGS.
34
SRI LANKA TOURISM HAS VALIDATED THE TOURISM ARRIVAL FIGURES FOR EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR 2013 AND ACCORDING TO THE LATEST VALIDATION; SRI LANKA IN TOTAL HAS RECEIVED 1,274,593 TOURISTS DURING THE YEAR 2013.
24
STATISTICS
SRI LANKA ATTRACTS A RECORD BREAKING 1,274,593 TOURISTS TO THE COUNTRY IN 2013
30
HOMESTAY
FARMSTAY
AGRI FAC FARM STAY OF SABARAGAMUWA UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA PADAVIGAMPOLA HOMESTAY REVISITING HOMELY EXPERIENCE OF SRI LANKAN RURAL LIFESTYLEA QUICK GUIDE TO HOMESTAY IN SL 'HOMESTAY' REFERS TO 'A STAY OF A TRAVELLER AT A PRIVATE HOUSE OUTSIDE HIS OR HER USUAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE'. IT IS ONE OF THE POPULAR OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR GUEST ACCOMMODATION WORLDWIDE AND HAS BEEN A WIDELY SOUGHT FORM OF LODGING AMONG SPECIAL INTEREST TOURISTS SEEKING LIVE AND AUTHENTIC CROSS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE FROM THE COMMUNITIES THEY VISIT.
36
MARKETING
MARKETING OF AGRI TOURISM PRODUCTS
PHOTOGRAPHY Aloka I de Silva Chandima Jayaweera Maheesha Mindula Warna Liyanawatte Sanju Samarasinghe Suranga Cooray K. Herath Achintha Dahanayake Upul De Zoysa
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DR.S.H.P. MALKANTHI REVEALS THE MOST LUCRATIVE INFORMATION TO MAKE A FARM STAY A BENEFICIAL VENTURE FOR THE CUSTOMER AND ENTREPRENEUR.
DR.ACHINI DE SILVA DISCUSSES ON THE SUBJECT AS A VERY IMPORTANT SUB SECTOR FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS URBAN AREAS OF SRI LANKA, TO PROVIDE SEVERAL ADVANTAGES; INCOME, EMPLOYMENT, USE OF ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION, RECREATION AND EDUCATION.
40
PARTNERSHIP
DEVELOPING RURAL AGRI TOURISM IN MEMBER COUNTRIES ADDRESSING TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE AGRI-TOURISM IN SRI LANKA JOSELITO BERNARDO SHARES HIS VIEWS IN SEVERAL KEY AREAS.
42
DEVELOPING STORY NATIONAL AGRI TOURISM CONFERENCE -2014 THE BEST PLATFORM TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AGRO-TOURISM IN SL PROF. ROHANA P MAHALIYANAARACHCHI IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BRINGS OUT EFFECTIVE MEANS OF ATTRACTING TOURISTS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR A FORM OF RELAXATION THAT FOLLOW THE GROWING TREND OF TOURISM THAT IS BOTH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL.
CONTENTS
46
HISTORIC
GOING ROUND THE MOUNTAIN TO SEE THE RED PAINTINGS OF THE BIRDS KURULANGALA LOCATED IN KARADAGOLLA VILLAGE BELONGS TO THE ELLA DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT DIVISION. IT IS ONE OF THE BEST TOURIST ATTRACTION DESTINATIONS FOR THE HISTORIC ROCK ART OF BIRDS.
50 ECO
52
POLWATTE ECO LODGES – STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN SUSTAINABILITY AND COMFORT NIHAL ELLEGALA WHO HAS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TOURISM TRADE HAS BUILT POLWATTE ECO-LODGES, DIGANA, KANDY IN A BID TO DEVELOP THE WEPATHANA VILLAGE THAT HE GREW UP IN THROUGH TOURISM, MAKING HIS ENDEAVOR TRULY SUSTAINABLE.
LIFE AND ART
A SNEAK PEEK INTO LALITH SEYNANAYAKE’S JUNK ART RICH IN ITS HERITAGE, SRI LANKA HAS ITS OWN TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS, PRODUCED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ISLAND. USUALLY, THE SKILLS ARE PASSED FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER. IN MOST INSTANCES, SRI LANKAN ART ORIGINATES FROM RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, AND ARE REPRESENTED IN MANY FORMS SUCH AS PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE. ONE HAS TO BE GIFTED WITH VERY GOOD MANUAL DEXTERITY IN ORDER TO EXCEL IN THIS FIELD. LALITH SEYNANAYAKE IS ONE PROUD ICON HOLDING THIS EXTREMELY DEMANDING CAREER.
59
55
WAR TOURISM
PEACE OF MIND
KANDY WAR CEMETERY WHERE THEY REST IN PEACE
KANDE VIHARAYA: THE ART OF PEACE KANDE VIHARAYA, WHICH LITERALLY TRANSLATES TO TEMPLE ATOP MOUNTAIN, IS A FIVE-CAVE TEMPLE. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS RAKKITHTHAKANDA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA.
63
CELEBRATIONS
MICHELLE BOUTIQUE HOTEL BALAPITIYA COMPLETES ONE YEAR THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL LOCATED IN A STUNNING SETTING ON THE SANDY SOUTHERN COASTAL BELT OF BALAPITIYA CELEBRATES ITS FIRST YEAR THIS FEBRUARY
KANDY WAR CEMETERY OR THE COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERY BY THE MAHAWELI RIVERSIDE AT DODANWALA AREA IN KANDY RATES AS HIGH AS THE SIMILAR SITES A TRAVELLER FINDS IN GREAT BRITAIN, AUSTRALIA AND FRANCE. NEATLY LAID OUT IN A SMALL PICTURESQUE GULLY, A LOT OF TIME AND CARE HAS GONE INTO MAKING THIS A TRANQUIL RESTING PLACE. THE GRAVES HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY ALIGNED WITH SEATING FOR VISITORS TO SIT AND REFLECT.
70
HOSPITALITY
65
COMFORTS
FOREST ROCK GARDEN HOTEL THE MIRACLE GARDEN OF RAJARATA FOREST ROCK GARDEN HOTEL, THE FIRST PROPERTY IN SRI LANKA TO BE BUILT ON STONE BOULDERS AND CEMENT PILLARS, IS TURNING NEW CHAPTERS IN THE ANNALS OF HOSPITALITY.
LAKE SIDE AT NUWARAWEWA – ABODE OF LUXURY IN THE HEART OF ANURADHAPURA LOCATED PICTURESQUELY ON THE BANKS OF THE HISTORIC NUWARAWEWA TANK IN THE ANCIENT CITADEL OF ANURADHAPURA, ‘LAKE SIDE AT NUWARAWEWA’ IS SET OUT TO BE THE LATEST PLAYER IN THE HOSPITALITY TRADE.
71 NEWS
GUAVA ORIGINATED FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, GUAVA IS MAINLY GROWN IN TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL REGIONS OF THE WORLD. THE TERM GUAVA IS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN DERIVED FROM THE SPANISH WORD ‘GUAYABA’ WHILE ‘PERA’ IN SINHALESE IS PRESUMED TO BE A DERIVATION OF PEAR, FROM EITHER PORTUGUESE OR SPANISH. GUAVA HAS BEEN KNOWN TO OFFER A NUMBER OF NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTHFUL BENEFITS AND A CONSTANT SUBJECT OF STUDY FOR MANY DECADES. FOR MANY CENTURIES, THE GUAVA PLANT HAS BEEN USED IN ‘AYURVEDIC’ RITUALS. GUAVA IS RICH IN VITAMINS SUCH AS A AND C, DIETARY FIBRE AND MINERALS AND THE FRUIT IS ALSO FAMED IN SEVERAL ASIAN COUNTRIES AS A HEALTHY SOURCE OR TRADITIONAL TREATMENT AGAINST DIABETES. Pix by; Sanju Samarasinghe
CULTURE
A cultural show that took
to
Sri Lanka
China
Text by Harsha Udayakantha Peiris Pics. Digital album by Cui Heping / Stage performance close-ups by Nuwan Liyanage
F
ew years back a special delegation from Sri Lanka including artists of several spheres left to the People’s Republic of China with the objective of making an exclusive Sri Lankan performance of dances, drums and songs. This officially announced the Sri Lankan cultural expression at the special cultural performance that would be held parallel to the 16th Asian Games held in China. The special cultural performance that took place in Guangzhou in China had been organized by the Chinese authorities to enrich the city’s cultural life to showcase the diversity of Asian culture. The Sri Lankan component of the Guangzhou cultural performance was organized by the Cultural Wing of Sri Lanka-China Journalists’ Forum (SLCJF). The Sri Lankan component of Guangzhou presentation highlighted the country’s cultural aspects and authenticity at that special cultural performance that contributed towards the fast growing industry of tourism in Sri Lanka which has become a money spinning trade in the country at present. This opportunity extended to highlight the Sri Lankan authenticity at an international arena in China was also of high importance in view of building stronger bridges of mutuality between countries. 12 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
A welcome dance in the up country costume
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 13
14 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Gajaga wannama (the elephant dance) an up country dance item
The Sri Lankan component of cultural expression at the show presented nearly 14 items from up country, low country and Sabaragamuwa provinces in Sri Lanka that mainly expressed traditional drums, music, up country ‘Wes Netum’ as well as mask dances that were truly authentic to Sri Lankan culture. Guangzhou City, of the People’s Republic of China, which facilitated and hosted the 16th Asian Games in China, is one of the fastdeveloping and largest economic development zones in the country and is immensely contributing to its national economy. The latest infrastructure developments in the region have clearly depicted the desire of the authorities to let its dwellers grow with a qualitative and standard city life in order to enable them to participate in their fullest capacities to enrich the national economy through an efficient and productive performance in their field of work. The growing city infrastructure has mainly focused on developing its facilities amongst greenery and vegetation carefully grown in between the city developments to minimize the environmental pollution and to create a dust free atmosphere in the suburbs.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 15
Mask dancers
16 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Raban dancers
The well kept Guangzhou city
The beautiful city of Guangzhou in China during night hours from the hotel window
The beautiful city of Guangzhou in China during night hours from the hotel window JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 17
18 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Cui Heping (vice Chairman of Taiyuan Photographers Association, Shanxi, China) JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 19
DEVOTION
‘
Sri Pada’ also known in Sinhalese ‘Samanalakanda’ - iuk< lkao "butterfly mountain" in Tamil as ‘Sivanolipatha Malai’ - rptndhyp ghjkiy), is a 2,243 metres (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. The Christians call it the Adam's Peak or Adam's Mount. The mountain is well-known for the Sri Pada "sacred footprint", a 1.8 m rock formation near the summit, in Buddhist tradition held to be the footprint of the Lord Buddha.
The Mission That
Re-Awakened
SRI PADA THE SACRED FOOT
“Sri Pada is revered as a holy site by Buddhists. Hindus, Muslims and Christians also revere this sacred mountain. It has specific qualities that cause it to stand out and be noticed; including its dominant and outstanding profile, and the boulder at the peak that contains an indentation resembling a footprint”.
PRINT SHRINE Conversational note by Harsha Udayakantha Peiris
Besides the period from December to May it is an extreme challenge to climb the mountain in the off season due to heavy rains, extreme wind and thick mist. Climbing the mountain at night will be a remarkable experience. The access is possible by six trails namely, Rathnapura – Palabaddala, – Hatton – Nallathanni, Kuruwita – Erathna, Murrayawatte – Mookuwatte and Malimboda out of which Nallathanni and Palabaddala routs are the most popular and well known. Four main rivers known as Mahaweli (the longest river in Sri Lanka), Kelani, Kalu and Walwe that make the main supply chain of water to life, power, agriculture and industrialization in Sri Lanka starts from the Sri Pada Mountain range. An innovative project that gave a face lift to revered Sri Pada after hundreds of years was successfully accomplished with the dedicated tireless and scarifying labour and manpower of more than 47000 Sri Lankan citizens. The whole project that was implemented and carried out by Thusitha Wijayasena – Chairman / CEO of the Property Finance & Investment Kandy (pvt) Ltd; (PFIK) under guidance and instructions by The Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada Temple Thripitakacharya Dharmakeerthi Sri Sumangala Rathanapala Dharma Rakhithabhidana Ven. Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thero included laying hard rock tiles to all pedestrian areas of the whole upper premises including the inner surface of the walls, establishing a fully stone made new bell tower also called a belfry or campanile, with a huge bell of resounding echo, a fully stone 20 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Sri Pada Mountain from air
made oil lamp that lights the whole year round (Dolos Mahe Pahana), a fully stone made copra lamp, two stone pillar structures with roofs for the protection of the two lamps, a nickel plated gate at the entrance to the shrine premises, a state of the art imported lighting system that showcases the revered site as one enters the country from the Sri Pada side by air during night time and other infrastructure such as power and water. “This is an idea that nourished my thoughts for the last twenty years. The concept was given boosts followed by several fruitful discussions with the Chief incumbent of the Gangarama Temple Ven. Galaboda Ganinssara Thero. The success of the whole project owes to the exemplary leadership, instructions and guidance extended by the Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada Temple Ven.Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thero through his visionary developmental arrays and plans to develop this whole revered site to offer reverence and upgrade facilities extended not only to Sri Lankan Buddhists but also Buddhists from all over the world, other religious communities who visit the site as well as travellers and tourists from many nooks and corners,” Thusitha says.
Ven.Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thero, Thusitha Wijesena and the team with SLAF helicopter
An aerial picture of renovation work in progress at Sri Pada premises
Accordingly, the supervision of the successful implementation of the project was handed over to the former Deputy Chief Valuer of the Department of Valuation – J.M.Senanayake Bandara. The implementation work of building, supportive constructions and transportation saw a continued collaboration through day and night with the extended power of man and machine of Sri Lanka Army, Air Force, the Police Department, Civil Security Department, regional health authorities, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), staff members of the Kandy City Centre and a labour force from Maskeliya area to bring the project to a successful completion. “Everyone who took part in this project to re-awaken this revered site to make it a marvel and a revered icon of our country made a whole heartedly dedicated and devoted presence in all areas of assignments regardless innumerous hardships challenged by the weather, climate and geography. Finally, the whole project was a total success story of endurance, self-confidence, manpower the utmost devotion and dedication via accurate leadership, team-work and collaboration,” says Thusitha.
SLAF helicopter carrying a heavy structure to Sri Pada during the renovation project
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 21
The new bell and the belfry
It was the first time such an under slung operation was carried out at Sri Pada. An SL Air Force helicopter was used to transport the huge stone made structures, brass and bronze constructions and equipment and the stone pillars to the Sri Pada Premises. Continued mist and extreme wind conditions were the largest barriers in front of them. Due to these extreme conditions, there were times the under slung operations came to the verge of collapse. At times, these extreme weather conditions of thick mist and wind forced and challenged the pilots to seize the operations at the very point of the top of the mount. “But we saw miracles there,” Thusitha says. “Each time a barrier was met, the final attempt to end each task became a success at the mount peak at the very last moment,” he says. “We started this mission in December in 2012. It took slightly more than one year for us to see the successful completion of the total project. Now the devotees have a compound fully tiled with stones at the upper premises. We established a new water and power system as well. With the assistance of the Minister of Power and Energy Pavithra Wanniarachchi, we also established a lightening arrester at the peak portion of site which was a long awaited necessity at an elevation like this. Brand new fully gold offer bowls and other utensils were also offered for ‘Puja’ activities (offerings such as alms) performed day and night here, to the sacred foot print of the Lord Buddha,” Thusitha says.
22 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
The copra lamp
Renovated walls and compound at the upper premises The newly erected fully stone made bell tower at the Sri Pada premises depicts the true Sri Lankan identity. The bell that has a weight of 495 kilo grams hangs on it. The pillared constructions made of stones and wood at the premises to give shade and protection to the two huge lamps; the oil lamp and the copra lamp depict the iconic identity of Sinhalese culture of architecture. The Stone oil lamp that lights around the year; commonly known as ‘Dolos Mahe Pahana’ consists of a fully bronze covering vessel at the top part to minimize the color deflagration to the original stone structure. This lamp constructed with three levels also consists of a pouring hole and four wicks each with a diametre of an inch. The whole structure weighs more than 1500 kilo grams. The yellow color lit electricity bulbs added to the newly erected lamp posts here withstand a life of around 100,000 hours and were imported directly from Germany to add to the new power system constructed at the premises. They can sustain the fog and are visible from air during dark and night hours as one enters the island via the western air channels. “Our vision here was to make Sri Pada, this revered mount of world Buddhists, a historic and an iconic land mark that takes Sri Lanka to the rest of the world as a sacred Buddhist country and an identical destination,” Thusiha Wijayasena the one man who directed a visionary concept to change the face of a revered site to bring identity through a mission of devotion for the wellbeing of a whole nation proudly says.
Stone laying at the upper compound
A heavy structure being prepared for air lift to the site
Sri Pada location information: N 06.80933 latitude E 080.49933 longitude Elevation: 2243m
The newly reconstructed stairway
During constructions at the upper compound JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 23
STATISTICS
Sri Lanka Attracts a
Record Breaking
1,274,593
Tourists to the country in 2013
Media Unit. of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau The latest infrastructure projects launched by the Government of Sri Lanka, led by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given boost to many spheres island-wide to efficiently work towards the development of socio-economic sectors including the development of travel trade and tourism in the country. With such developments tourists and travelers from abroad can now take the maximum advantage of time and transportation to visit many picturesque destinations throughout the country enabling the maximum utilization to make their visit to this beautiful island a beneficial success story as never before. Following is a pictorial essay of very few of such places one may catch on his or her third eye during a happy journey around Sri Lanka.
The bliss of slitude - Hambantota 24 â&#x20AC;˘ SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND â&#x20AC;˘ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
TOURIST ARRIVALS BY MONTH - 2012 & 2013 Month
2012
2013
% Cha.
January
85,874
110,543
28.7
February
83,549
113,968
36.4
March
91,102
113,208
24.3
April
69,591
80,737
16.0
May
57,506
74,838
30.1
June
65,245
90,279
38.4
July
90,338
107,016
18.5
August
79,456
123,269
55.1
September
71,111
90,339
27.0
October
80,379
107,058
33.2
November
109,202
109,420
0.2
December
122,252
153,918
25.9
1,005,605
1,274,593
26.7
Total
S
ri Lanka Tourism has validated the tourism arrival figures for each month of the year 2013 and according to the latest validation; Sri Lanka in total has received 1,274,593 tourists during the year 2013. The new validation was carried out based on the statistics provided by the computer data collection method of Immigration and Emigration Department of Sri Lanka. The new system is a joint effort of both the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Emigration and Immigration Department of Sri Lanka to ensure that the country accurately captures the tourist arrival figures. Sri Lanka Tourism follows the standards set by the UNWTO for defining a tourist when calculating the tourist arrivals figures, which says “a person who stays at least one night in a country and does not exceed his stay period for more than 12 months”.
A distant bridge across Rantaembe reservoir Being victorious at the Sigiriya tracks in the vicinity of Sigiriya Rock Fortress
The newly established Electronic Data Capturing System is expected to help reduce the errors which take place when calculating the data manually. This system will come into full swing during the year 2014. Accordingly Sri Lanka Tourism took steps validate 2013 arrival data using the new system.
Greenery through the portholes of the observartion saloon of the Colombo Kandy intercity train at Kadugannawa during the morning hours
Tamil girls from Kovil Puja at a misty morning at Haputale Sun set at Nuwaraeliya on the way to Kandy
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 25
Beautiful cyclists on the way to Kandy from Matale
Distant paddy fields seen from the train
To be explored
The color of love - Hambantota 26 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Way side comforts of a cup of tea to quench thirst at a tranquil village side home shop
Tea estates on the way to Nuwaraeliya
One of the many bests for a rock climb seen off Kadugannamwa while travelling by train
Tranquility - Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Through mist of dawn near Rambukkana on the way to Colombo from Kandy by train
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 27
HOMESTAY
A truly unforgettable experience of a farm homestay in Sri Lanka 30 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Padavigampola
Homestay
Revisiting homely experience of Sri Lankan rural lifestyle A quick guide to Homestay in Sri Lanka By Dr. Iraj Ratnayake
WHAT IS HOMESTAY? 'Homestay' refers to 'a stay of a traveller at a private house outside his or her usual place of residence'. It is one of the popular options available for guest accommodation worldwide and has been a widely sought form of lodging among special interest tourists seeking live and authentic cross cultural experience from the communities they visit. As a result the demand for homestay encourages host communities to enhance access to tourism taking place in their own community. In practice the stays with host families may also include family-run farm stays, inns and other forms that provide bed & breakfast. BENEFITS OF HOMESTAY ‘Host-guest’ interactions benefit both parties when a visitor from outside the community is provided with a room plus other basic facilities by a local family; it provides first hand experiences of local culture, lifestyle, food, or language. More than anything else it is a shared experience. Meanwhile it may augment the income levels of the host families. There are other benefits as well. The homestay presentation helps persevering cultural heritage and magnifying community pride. Obviously it is not a one way process of transfer of 'dominant cultural artifacts to the recipient. So the concept of the homestay thus differs from those other forms of accommodation practiced widely in commercial tourism. TRENDS THAT FAVOR 'HOMESTAY' Forecasts show a considerable growth in special interest market segments such as health, wellness, and adventure tourism. The latter has a very close connection with cultures and physical undertakings. According to a recent study conducted by the George Washington University, this form of tourism has increasingly become popular among people who are in search of leisure or holiday destinations with lively cultural and natural experiences. This trend favors product presentations like homestay. As adventure tourists are also seeking experiences of unfamiliar cultures, homestay provides access to fulfill their desire. In conclusion, homestay exposes visitors to close experience; they help visitors to move freely and feel comfortable in a foreign culture. The search for different cultural experiences also encourages the development of cultural and heritage tourism in destinations, in order to provide more authentic encounters for tourists. This ultimately develops an environment which is conducive for longterm sustainability of the industry
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 31
with a desirable element of local control. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to make every effort to make this happen and turn the industry economically viable, culturally respectful and socially acceptable for both hosts and the guest. SRI LANKAN HOMESTAY In Sri Lanka this form of accommodation has been a recent development; some developments have taken place to offer this product in an organised manner. However, homestay concept is not something new to us. In this postconflict era with sustained peace, the country experiences a steady influx of international tourists. As a result of this, a favorable situation has arisen to create a demand for tourist facilities such as accommodation. The industry had to adopt short-term measures in the absence of the existing infrastructure and capacity to meet the growing demand. It is within this background, homestay has been recognized as an alternative. Subsequently, a standardization programme has been introduced by the national tourism organization. In line with this initiative, the registration of homestay providers was started and a scheme of financial incentives was proposed. However, the essence and the uniqueness of homestay concept should be maintained when translating it into a commercial purpose.
32 â&#x20AC;˘ SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND â&#x20AC;˘ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
PADAVIGAMPOLA HOMESTAY
WHAT DO GUESTS EXPERIENCE?
Padavigampola is a village located just few kilometers from Pinnawala and Rambukkana in Kegalle District. Its name is widely known for the prehistoric dolmen which is the only known example in Sri Lanka of the structural work of that kind. Padavigampola homestay is an initiative by the Ministry of Tourism of the Sabaragamuwa Province. This effort marked one of its several activities towards the development and promotion of tourism in the province.
Literally speaking Padavigampola homestay is a typical experience of Sri Lankan rural lifestyle. With its hypnotizing scenic beauty, it adds up yet another excitement to the wide range of tourism attractions currently available in Sri Lanka. A stay here is a completely fresh and authentic experience for the visitors. Most of its village landscape is still untouched and the exotic beauty of it is as yet waiting to be explored.
Because of the relative newness of tourism to most rural communities in our country, it is not easy to tap benefits of tourism to these areas. Attentive planning backed by necessary technical support contributed substantially in this homestay presentation. Organizing the village and empowering the community from the outset was clearly evident. In addition, it was more importantly a coordinated activity of stakeholders other than the community. In this case, the other sectors like agriculture, cottage industries, and indigenous medicine also collaborated. Above all, motivation and commitment of the community and its leadership now open doors to offer an opportunity for the travellers to experience their proud life style and esteemed tradition of hospitality. The rural private houses are easily accessible and ready to offer the best service possible to satisfy the visitors. These houses have one or more rooms for accommodation ensuring the liberty and the privacy of the guests. It is a more sincere way to get to know the true country life.
The guests will experience a spectrum of village life which is flowing at a slower pace than in the life in bustling cities. Witnessing the traditional farming activities will offer an amazing experience. Not only you can taste the immaculate flavours of traditional, indigenous herbal food and drinks but also they would learn how to prepare them with the local expertise. A huge variety of carefully prepared traditional dishes and traditional handicraft industries can be memorable components during a stay in Padavigampola. In the evenings, guests will enjoy cultural dances, ritualistic performances or perhaps they can explore the spiritual aspects of rural life. The activity seeking visitors can also explore the surroundings by spending the time, cycling in the rural roads, dipping in natural streams, or if guests are too adventurous, they can choose staying a night in a natural cave in the nearby mountain whilst enjoying open fire cooking. Surely, there are much more to explore.
Dr. Iraj RatnayakeSenior Lecturer of the Department of Tourism Management at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka - 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 mainly in the field of development and promotion of Special Interest Tourism. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND â&#x20AC;˘ 33
FARMSTAY
Agri Fac Farm Stay
of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
In an exclusive interview with Sri Lanka The Treasure Island, Dr.S.H.P. Malkanthi reveals the most lucrative information to make a farm stay a beneficial venture for the customer and entrepreneur. COULD YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT AGRI-FAC FARM STAY IN THE FACULTY FARM OF THE SABARAGAMUWA UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA? Agrifac Farm stay is a type of agro-tourism enterprise located in a farm. Farm recreation refers to activities conducted on agricultural lands private or public , which might include overnight stays, educational activities, you pickups, farm tours and involving in different farming activities. 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 to the countryside. Agro-tourism is "a commercial enterprise n the other hand, at a working farm, ranch, or agricultural plant conducted for the enjoyment of visitors that generates supplemental income for the owner." The main objective of establishing Agri Fac Farm Stay is to use as a teaching and learning unit for the students in the faculty who follow the course unit “ Agricultural tourism”. WHERE IS IT LOCATED? It is located at the Faculty Farm at Sabaragamuwa University,in Belihul Oya. Agri-Fac Farm Stay is a perfect stopover on the Colombo-Badulla Highway. It is 2 km inside from the Pabahinna Junction. HOW THE CONCEPT OF AGRI- FAC FARM STAY WAS ORIGINATED? In the year 2002, Prof. Rohana P Mahaliyanarachchi was in Midlands ( near Birmingham) of England and had been staying in a farm on BB. It was owned by a lady and he stayed at her farm house which was used as a farm on BB. All the food and beverages were home made from the farm products. He was interested and had discussed with her about her experiences and finally he decided to introduce agro- tourism as a course unit to students of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Sabaragamuwa University as an initial step of promoting agro-tourism in Sri Lanka. When he became the Vice Chancellor of Sabaragamuwa University in 2005, Prof.
Students listening to lectures during field work Mahaliyanarachchi planned and started the constructions of Agri- Fac Farm Stay at the Faculty Farm. The credit of establishing the Agri Fac Farm Stay and academic discipline of agricultural tourism therefore, must go to him. WHAT IS THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGRI– FAC FARM STAY & A TYPICAL HOTEL? In Agric Fac Farm Stay, a tourist enjoys rural life, fresh air, fresh food, nature, calm and quiet environs, and many more in natural environment. In a typical hotel you don’t get these. People from busy cities, can feel their rural roots whilst in farm stay. WHAT ARE THE ACTIVITIES VISITORS CAN ENJOY IN AGRI - FAC FARM STAY? Visitors can enjoy ongoing farm activities and other activities such as, Organic Farming, Herbal Gardening, Feeding Farm Animals, Milking, Animal Restraining, Guided Farm Tours, You Pick Operations, Protected Agricultural Practices, Bird Watching, Jungle Tracking, Hiking ,BBQ, Fish therapy, Foot therapy and Tree house relaxing . WHAT IS IMPORTANT OF AGRI- FAC FARM STAY? A term ‘Agro-Tourism’ is a new face of tourism. Agro-tourism is a farm based business that is open to the public. These specialized agro-tourism destinations generally offer things to see, things to do, and produce or gifts to buy, and are open to the public. Agro-tourism is a way of sustainable tourist development and based on multi-activity programmes in rural areas through
34 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Bicycle tours around tha farmstay vicinity
A term ‘Agro-Tourism’ is a new face of tourism. An agro-tourism is a farm based business that is open to the public. These specialized agro-tourism destinations generally offer things to see, things to do, and produce or gifts to buy, and are open to the public. Agro-tourism is a way of sustainable tourist development and multiactivity in rural areas through which the visitor has the opportunity to get awareness of agricultural areas, agricultural occupations, local products, traditional food and the daily life of the rural people, as well as the cultural elements and traditions. which the visitor has the opportunity to get awareness of agricultural areas, agricultural occupations, local products, traditional food and the daily cores of the 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. WHAT MORE AND WHAT WILL BE OF FEW EXCITING EVENTS OF AGRI- FAC FARM STAY? Fish therapy, Tree House Relaxing, Bird Watching - there are around 5 bird species who are endemic to this area according to birds watching experts; we have 3 cabana type houses which can accommodate 6 adults; 2 in a cabana and 3-6 Children. We also provide meals, guided farm tours as well as You Pickups. The whole thing is managed by the Department of Agri business
Nicely kept walk-ways amidst well grown farm yards
Farm cabanas and facilities
Management of the University. HOW WILL AGRI- FAC FARM STAY HELP THE STUDENTS IN THEIR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES? This is used to train the students and do their practical work in agro-tourism. Students are divided into groups of 5-6 students in one group and each group has to submit a proposal on their practical work. The proposal is in two sections such as hard skills development and soft skills development . In hard skills development they have to plan and execute a program to develop the enterprise physically. In soft skills development they have to plan a program like, promotion of farm stay, marketing programmes, etc. In the near future we will promote this more and more among the locals and overseas visitors and school children, adding more attractive infrastructure including a totally village type house with
“ Dum massa, pila, Mana roof, Floor with cow dung and clay, etc “and other features of it. (For more information regarding Agri – Fac Farm Stay, please visit the website www.sab.ac.lk/agri/agrifac.htm or by Telephone : Weekdays:- +94 45 2280073 Weekends:- +94 45 3469440) Dr.S.H.P. Malkanthi - Senior Lecturer of Agri Business Management of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lank. She is also the Coordinator of Agri Fac farm Stay of Sabaragamuwa University. She is the first doctorate degree holder in Agro Tourism in Sri Lanka. She completed her Ph.D in Agro Tourism at Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand in 2013 and she the coordinator of the Agrifac Farm Stay of the Sabaragamuwa University
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 35
MARKETING
Marketing of Agri Tourism Products
A
By.Dr.Achini De Silva
gro tourism is very important for rural communities as well as urban areas of Sri Lanka. It can provide several advantages; income, employment, use of accommodation, activities, natural resource conservation, recreation and education. Agro tourism intends to obtain higher standards of living for rural communities especially through increased income for people who work in agriculture. Growing interest in spending leisure in a greener environment is common across the globe. Tourists are looking for exciting farming experiences in a relaxing environment. Sri Lanka is a famous tourist destination with a variety of alternative tourism activities and attractions. Agrotourism brings promising future opportunities to the tourism industry while opening up new avenues.
"
E - marketing, mobile marketing, and social marketing are widely utilized strategies to promote agro-tourist ventures around the globe. Availability and access to the technology, infrastructure and resource scarcity affect the promotional campaigns. Further, small and medium scale ventures pay less concern on promotion of their work. Moreover, owners, and managers of agri-tourist ventures need identify unique features of their operations to promote and select economic promotional strategies.
"
36 â&#x20AC;˘ SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND â&#x20AC;˘ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE USED IN PROMOTING AND MARKETING OF AGRO TOURISM IN SRI LANKA Tourists’ demands on; experiencing the food production systems, joining farm life to know where and how their food comes, introduction to traditions, knowledge and experiences to young generation, spending relaxing leisure in greener environments as well as exposure to unique farming systems. Marketing of agro-tourism essentially needs to focus on four elements, product, price, place and promotion. Individuals and firms engaging in agro-tourism activities concern much on selected elements of the marketing mix rather than holistic view. A product, bundle of attributes, in agro-tourism industry vary from various places to services. Products in agro-tourism should have "soul and body". Intangible elements are service, pleasure, satisfaction, trust etc; and tangible are the natural beauties, places, accommodation, transport, service staff, etc. Agro-tourism product types are agro-trade, farm based and agro-ecotourism, community tourism, health and wellness tourism, culinary tourism and agro heritage tourism. Popular examples of agro-trade comprised of producer markets, craft markets, floriculture, agro processing and marketing ventures to hotels and restaurants. Museums of Tea, cinnamon, plantation tours, craft making, indigenous art showcases, agricultural festivals, etc are the living components of agri heritage tourism. Agricultural markets and related activities are visits to food production and processing places, animal farms, annual farm festivals, overnight stays (camping, farm vacations, etc.), farm weddings, birth day parties, etc. Entrepreneurs who are engaging in agro-tourism ventures essentially need to identify their clientele, demand for their products and services, market segment, product, price and distribution strategies. Marketing strategies should focus on market segments and urgent need to develop segmental marketing strategies. Promising market segmentation strategies are geographical, demographic and psychographic. Sustainability of agro-tourism industry depends on developing innovative agro-tourism products and services by using unique natural resources to satisfy the wants of identified market segments whilst ensuring environment and economic sustainability. Place in marketing mix elements concern on distribution strategies that bring the product to the customer’s door step. Small and medium scale agri-business operators pay less attention on distribution element. It includes various activities undertaken to make the product accessible and available to target customers. Major concerns are on access to the service destination. Common questions that are important to service providers are such as; ‘is your location one that is easily found by consumers?’; ‘ will potential customers notice your agro-tourism business in passing?’ or ‘ are there other beneficial aspects to your location such as impressive natural scenery?’ In general, agro-tourism destinations need to manage convenient access routes, closed to urban centres, hospitals and other essential services as well as support from the surrounding communities.
Farm grown fruits and vegi
Where and how to promote and advertise your business are important considerations. Advertising in agro-tourism has traditionally come mostly from customer to customer word-of-mouth communications. Advertising through various forms of media (mass media, websites, brochures, business cards, signs, direct mailings, social media, other means of new media etc.) can also be effective in getting the word out, about your agro-tourism operation. Membership in agro-tourism organizations and business associations, such as your local chamber of commerce, professional forums, agricultural institutions, social networks, etc. can help publicize agro-tourism ventures and inform consumers specifically seeking the services that destinations offer. Social media networks and e-marketing especially via new media plays an important role in promoting rural but unique agro-tourism ventures.
Pabahinna mountain in the background JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 37
and access to the technology, infrastructure and resource scarcity affect the promotional campaigns. Further, small and medium scale ventures pay less concern on promotion of their work. Moreover, owners, and managers of agri-tourist ventures need identify unique features of their operations to promote and select economic promotional strategies. Social media networks, Face Book, Twitter, and online travel guides (Trip advisor, Agoda..etc) supply faster promising channels to promote agribusiness ventures across the globe.
A farm stay green house
THE KEY FEATURES OF SRI LANKAN AGRICULTURE AND FARMING COMMUNITY THAT CAN BE USED IN PROMOTING AND MARKETING AGRO TOURISM Sri Lanka is endowed with rich natural resources, climatic conditions as well as unique farming systems across various agro-ecological zones. Farming communities are conversant with unique traditional know-how and modern technological knowledge. World famous tea gardens, amazing landscapes with tea processing plants provide the country with specific attractions to travelers and tourists. Institutional support together with proper policies and guidelines will facilitate the smooth functioning of promotional activities.
A farm stay green house FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN PRICING OF AGRO TOURISM PRODUCTS IN LOCAL CONDITIONS Pricing strategy is the most important competitive weapon that agro-tourist organizations use. Pricing strategy should focus on location and develop specific price mix decision included strategies and tactical decision making about the average level of price to be charged, discount structure, term of payment and the extent to which price discrimination between different groups of customers. Price of agro-tourism products is the sum of monetary and non-monetary elements, such as products, services plus natural beauty, social hospitality and knowledge. Pricing strategies vary on destinations, market segments, seasons, and special arrangements. THE BARRIERS SRI LANKA IS FACING IN PROMOTING AND MARKETING AGRO TOURISM PRODUCTS
Ample space for animal husbandry
E - marketing, mobile marketing, and social marketing are widely utilized strategies to promote agro-tourist ventures around the globe. Availability
38 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
MAIN SEGMENTS OF AGRO TOURISM VISITORS AND STRATEGIC ATTRACTION TO AGRO TOURISM DESTINATIONS A geographic criterion can identify a destination as an urban or a rural/ peripheral area. Destination attributes, such as cultural/historical heritage versus natural/beach is another criterion that “pull” tourists into the local areas. Demographic, socio-cultural, product related segmentation strategies are other essentials. Identifying the consumers with similar wants and design service packages to cater their needs are important. Important segments are geographical segments/ locals vs foreigners, professionals, urban dwellers.. etc. Dr. Achini de Silva - Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agri Business Management in Sabragamuwa University of Sri Lanka - She is the current Head of the Department of Agri Business Management. Her expertise field is food value chain and agriculture marketing. She has conducted research studies on marketing of agro tourism products.
PARTNERSHIP
Bamboo based tourism enterprises in Taiwan
DEVELOPING
RURAL AGRI - TOURISM
IN MEMBER COUNTRIES
ADDRESSING TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE AGRI-TOURISM IN SRI LANKA JOSELITO BERNARDO SHARES HIS VIEWS IN SEVERAL KEY AREAS TO A QUESTIONER PRESENTED AT HIS BUSY TABLE. Agro tourism in ROC/Taiwan
"THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE COULD SERVE AS THE CATALYST FOR CREATING AWARENESS AND INTERESTS FOR DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT AND REALIZE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS FROM AGRI-TOURISM" 40 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP RURAL TOURISM IN ASIAN COUNTRIES LIKE SRI LANKA? Farms in Asia are quite small and farm incomes are not sufficient to meet the farm household needs. There is a need to increase productivity of farms and optimize the use of farm resources to generate additional income. Agri-tourism is one way of creating alternative or supplementary income for farming households. There is tremendous opportunity for agri-tourism also because increasingly the bulk of the population are moving to urban areas; by 2050, the bulk of the population will be living in urban areas. This creates opportunities for rural areas as urban population will be looking at rural experiences, and specifically farm experiences for their family vacation. They will be nostalgic and would like their kids to experience the rural and farming lifestyle.
CAN YOU GIVE FEW EXAMPLES IN SUCCESSFUL RURAL AND AGRI - TOURISM PROJECTS IN ASIAN COUNTRIES? a) Malaysia – Home Stay Program with agro-tourism b) Republic of China/Taiwan – Leisure Farm c) Japan – Green Tourism will be few best practices. WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNT FROM THESE RURAL AND AGRI-TOURISM PROJECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM IN SRI LANKA? Development of rural areas and farms for tourism purposes will have two impacts on the future: Firstly, it can increase the income of farm households; and next it can revitalize the rural economy to the creation of rural enterprises resulting from tourism activities; such as accommodation, food enterprises, handicrafts, transportation, etc. This could also decelerate the flow of rural population to urban areas if more job opportunities are created in rural areas. WHAT TYPES OF SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE CAN BE GIVEN BY ASIAN PRODUCTIVITY ORGANIZATION (APO) IN DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AND AGRI -TOURISM IN SRI LANKA? APO provides support to its member countries, like Sri Lanka, in terms of knowledge transfer and best practices sharing. APO can also support national initiatives through the provision of experts from other countries to support local tourism industry, and study missions to other countries to enable stakeholders form Sri Lanka to learn from best practices in other countries.
sharing among participants is an important aspect of APO programs. HOW DOES THE “ NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF AGRI-TOURISM EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY IN SRI LANKA” BECOME USEFUL FOR THE PROMOTION OF AGRI-TOURISM IN SRI LANKA? The national conference could serve as the catalyst for creating awareness and interests for different stakeholders to understand the concept and realize the potential benefits from agri-tourism. We expect officials of the government to attend this conference to understand the role of government in developing agritourism based activities on the models in other countries that will be discussed. The participants from the private sector, will also be able to understand the issues, challenges and opportunities in investing in agri-tourism and related enterprises. Several countries in Asia, notably Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan, among others are actively pursuing towards the development of agri-tourism.
Rice based green tourism in Japan
Peach – Grapes based green tourism in Japan Tea based tourism enterprises in Taiwan
HOW SRI LANKA CAN DEVELOP AGRI - TOURISM PRODUCTS SUCH AS TEA TOURISM AND CINNAMON TOURISM WHICH ARE UNIQUE TO SRI LANKA AND WHAT TYPES OF BENEFITS CAN WE GET THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT THIS SECTOR IN THE COUNTRY? A strategic plan may be formulated to develop these areas and market them. If local expertise are not able to support entrepreneurs, international experts maybe engaged with support of the APO. There should be continues information dissemination to stakeholders on the concepts and the government may also help in terms of enhancing the policy environment to make investments in agri-tourism and rural tourism attractive. Continued participation in relevant APO programs will enable local stakeholders also to learn from other participants and learn what other countries are doing as well as the global trends. Knowledge
Bamboo based tourism enterprises in Taiwan Joselito Bernardo - The Director of Agriculture Division of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) , Tokyo, Japan. Bernardo has worked on developing Rural Tourism including Agro Tourism in member countries of APO. He is also a veteran on improving productivity in agriculture sector by introducing new conceits such as agro tourism.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 41
DEVELOPING STORY
T
here are a number of definitions given for agro-tourism. Agro-tourism is the practice of attracting visitors to an area used basically for agricultural purposes. It attracts tourists to rural communities for a form of relaxation that follows the growing trend of tourism that is both educational and recreational. Also it is another option for farmers wanting to diversify their farming operations that will bring more economic activities to rural areas. Agro-tourism can be viewed as small-scale, low-impact, education focused and recreational. Further, agro-tourism is a direct marketing activity which provides additional opportunities to farmers to reduce risks involved in farming via diversification in a competing and urbanizing economic environments.
NATIONAL
AGRI TOURISM
CONFERENCE -2014 "THE BEST PLATFORM TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AGRO-TOURISM IN SRI LANKA"
Prof Rohana P Mahaliyanaarachchi reveals
HUGE POTENTIAL SL POSSESSES Farm or ranch recreation refers to activities conducted on state, private or cooperative owned agricultural lands, which might include farm stays in farm houses, working in farms for pleasure, camping, fishing, educational activities, etc. Agro tourism is a subset of a larger industry of tourism. Agro-tourism is “a commercial enterprise at a working farm, ranch, or agricultural plant conducted for the enjoyment of visitors that generates supplemental income for the owner.” Sri Lanka does posses a huge potential to boost this a fruitful venture in the future. But we also have to consider the fact that so far, there are no formal inventories, statistics or sufficient information at government or private institutions to suggest how far agrotourism has advanced up to now in the country. Therefore, identification of agrotourism operations and their locations (district and nearest town), established year, size of the total land, farm land and availability of online facility etc., were done at the initial stage. There are around fifteen agro tourism operations functioning at present, in those ten districts at various scales. However, we can promote agro-tourism coupled with eco, nature, heritage and therapy tourism sub sectors. Agro-tourism can promote among local tourists very successfully because, the majority of professionals and urban business community look for relaxing opportunities in rural areas. Researches in agrotourism in Sri Lanka reveal that upper middle class urban people are looking for relaxing with the whole family in rural agricultural areas to support experience to children.
42 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
AGRO-TOURISM PRODUCTS IN TOUR PROGRAMMES In considering of the attracting of foreign tourists, we can include agro-tourism products to their tour programmes or itineraries such as one day tea tour or cinnamon tour, overnight stay at a farm on BB. A half a day tour to an agro-tec park with lunch, etc . EXAMPLES FROM THE NEIGHBORS At this juncture, it is important to identify the other competitors who have successfully deployed Community Based Rural – Agro Tourism in the region to well understand of our share of competition in this. India, our closest neighbor has developed agro-tourism successfully in the SAARC region. In Asian regions, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Japan operate successful agro-tourism subsectors. Taiwan’s leisure farms are a good example for successfully operated agro tourism ventures. Coffee Tours in Tanzania, Banana Tours in Central America, and Orange tours in South Africa are also good examples for agro- tourism products in the world. The Costales Nature farm in Philippines is an excellent example for the mixture of organic agriculture, community involvement and agro-tourism. EFFECTIVELY FORECASTING TO MAKE BUSINESS VIABLE The Sri Lankan tourism sector has to identify our opportunities in promoting agro- tourism sub sector as a niche market. Our fabulous hospitality in rural areas definitely can decide our share in agro-tourism in the region. We are planning to attract only 2.5 million tourists my 2016. My prediction is, if we work according to a better plan and organizing, we can attract a minimum of 4-5 million by 2016. Still we are only thinking about mass tourism. We have to target niche markets of tourism such as agro, rural, nature, heritage, eco, and many more. After the 30 years civil war, now, we are in a position to rebuild the south- north relationship. Especially, southern people prefer to visit the northern part of Sri Lanka aiming to experience the truly authentic Tamil culture and cuisines. Agro tourism enterprises in North and East in Sri Lanka will attract both local and foreign visitors due to its uniqueness. In the development of economy of the rural areas especially, in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, agro- tourism may play a major role. Traditional methods of farming in this region is an unique feature which can use to attract visitors. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 43
to be introduced by the Government to secure the quality of the industry. There are enough examples that can be taken from other countries such as Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, etc.
( Prof Rohana P Mahaliyanaarachchi - the Senior Professor of Agri Business Management of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri lanka) Therefore, the capacity of Community Based Rural – Agro Tourism to be implemented island-wide in Sri Lanka, in reaching with its sub-cultural diversity in different regions is very high. TOWARDS MATTERS PERTAINING TO DRAWBACKS We also have to look into matters pertaining to possible drawbacks also in making this a fruitful venture to everyone. Today, Sri Lankan youth in rural communities are reluctant to engage in farming due to a number of reasons such as low profits, less social recognition, etc. Agro-tourism can eliminate most of these negative factors reasoning for moving away of farming. It decrees the risk in farming and increases the income; it mixes the flavor of tourism industry to farming and enhances the social recognition as well. The common challenges met by the implementers of Community Based RuralAgro Tourism should also be recognized very well in this scenario. Keeping the highest standards of hygienic levels at the farm stay, less knowledge and experience in agro tourism basics by the operators , unavailability of skilled human resource in agro tourism, less integration with the main tourism industry, and less support from the government officials are some of the key issues that we should pay more attention in its development. OF MAINTAINING HIGHER STANDARDS In the Sri Lankan Scenario, all the above challenges are applicable. Nevertheless, the scale of operation in Sri Lankan farming, is very small. Maintaining the hygienic levels in the farm stays and agro tourism enterprises will be a major challenge. Therefore, before starting to promote agro-tourism in Sri Lanka, a set of rules and regulations are required
Environmentally loving farming systems ( e.g. traditional farming systems, organic farming ) are needed to be introduced in agro tourism to boost prime concentration and conservation in developing and making Community Based Rural-Agro Tourism a sustainable money spinning business in Sri Lanka. Water, soil and air in these areas must be unpolluted and fresh. This is a prime requirement to promote agro-tourism. This is a niche market and consumers of this market are with special requirements such as fresh water, fresh air, unpolluted food, and original rural nature and environment. AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF NATC 2014 The aim of the National Agri Tourism Conference -2014 (NATC 2014) in Colombo, jointly organized by the Department of Agri Business Management of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and the National Productivity Secretariat of the Ministry of Productivity, with the sponsorship of Asian Productivity Organization in Tokyo, Japan is to create public-private partnership in agro-tourism development in Sri Lanka. The public sector must take the regulatory and training functions of this sector. The private sector should be the key operator. However, public and private sectors can jointly promote this sector, because, it is directly benefited to the national economic development. The relevant authorities in this regard have to extend awareness and training, establishing regulatory authority to secure the quality of the industry and promotions and infrastructure development.
44 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Already, agro - tourism has become a booming part of the tourism sector in Sri Lanka even though in smaller levels and unorganized manner. However, this is the point and there should be some kind of regulatory mechanism for the agrotourism industry. While this is a niche market and needs high quality standards, this industry must be in the hands of qualified and trained persons. If not finally, this will be another failure. (Based on an e-interview session by Harsha Udayakantha Peiris – Editor in Chief of SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND with Prof. Rohana P Mahaliyanaarachchi - the Senior Professor of Agri Business Management of the Sabaragamuwa University)
(e-interview by Harsha Udayakantha Peiris Editor in Chief of SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND)
HISTORIC
GOING round the mountain,TO SEE the red paintings of THE BIRDS Text by Indaka Karunadasa | Photographs by Dr. Ashan Geeganage
K
urullangala (birds’ rock) is located in Karadagolla village which belongs to the Ella Divisional Secatariat Division. Ella is a tourist attraction destination. At Ella there are many tourist hotspots. Ella rock, Ravana cave, Ravana Ella waterfall, Ravana Ella ancient temple, Mini Adam’s Peak, Ella pass, Ravana Ella sanctuary, Dowa Raja Maha Viharaya, Rakkiththakanda Raja Maha cave temple, etc. are the more popular destinations. However there are many not so well known destinations in the Ella area that are worthy of a visit. One such destination is Kurullangala Mountain. From Ella town, take the Ella-Wellawaya road (A23 Main Road) and turn near the 15km post, and then, about 4km along the Uma Oya project, Pentox and Water Control Tank road. You have a hard climb on a mountain cliff with a 60–70 degree slope.
46 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
"Kurullangala
Mountain is famous for its ancient paintings of birds on a rock wall surface dating back about 5,000 years." JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 47
Kurullangala Mountain is famous for its ancient paintings of birds on a rock wall surface dating back about 5,000 years. All the paintings have been painted using red coloured paint. Hundreds of birds’ figures can be found on the rock wall surface. Among these, paintings of peacocks form the majority; there are a few of eagles as well. There are also a few hand imprints to be found in which the fingers have been drawn a little longer than natural. More distinguishingly is a single painting of a human couple.
Ancient paintings of birds on rock wall
To see these 5,000 year old unique drawings one must first conquer a challenging trek up a slippery 60-70 degree sloping rock. Some may even call it a deadly trek. When climbing the mountainside with the help of tree roots and branches, if one were to turn one’s head back, one would encounter a panoramic view of the lowland area. If you happen to slip down however it may also very well be the last time! The paintings were discovered about 20 years ago by a villager named Mettananda from the 10th mile post Karadagolla village who was scrambling along this mountain looking for medicinal plants, amla fruit and bee hives, when he suddenly came across them. About 100m above the paintings is a rock named Pettigala (box shaped rock) with a carving of two birds. However it is quite dangerous to attempt to ascend this cliff. Remember that the trek up the mountain to see the Kurullangala paintings is a tiresome one so make sure you’ve got plenty of water, food, medicine and rope. It is also better to attempt the climb in a group rather than alone or with only one partner and make sure to have a good guide to show you the way or risk getting lost. (Contact Mettananda on 072 6108392 and Rev. Sugaharansi Thero, the incumbent priest at the temple in the area at 072 8473285.)
"The paintings
were discovered about 20 years ago by a villager named Mettananda" 48 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 49
ECO
Polwatte
ECO LODGES Striking a balance between sustainability and comfort
50 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
O
ne of the best-case scenario for Sri Lankan tourism development and environmental management would be exploring sustainable tourism development which celebrates the rich ecosystems and culture. Encouraged by the growing popularity of eco tourism and community based tourism in the world Sri Lankan entrepreneurs have taken initiatives to carve out a niche in the tourist market and attract new market segments. Nihal Ellegala who has a wealth of experience in the tourism trade built Polwatte EcoLodges, Digana, Kandy in a bid to develop the Wepathana village that he grew up in through tourism, making his endeavor truly sustainable. "The hotel is three and half years old, although I came into this property, my ancestral estate, over 40 years ago. There is a lot of wildlife, tress and flowers. One can see animals from deer to porcupine here. So I thought why not develop this place as a tourism destination," he said. However he did not want to develop his project as a mass market destination as he worried about the environment and impact of a sudden influx of tourists on the lives of villagers. "The heart of the operation has always been the villagers, they were involved in this from the beginning and they are a vital part of our success. I wanted tourism to improve their lives, to lift them up, not to cause drastic changes into their lives," he said. "This is when I learnt about sustainable tourism and community based tourism. I realized this was a good way to achieve my objectives. Currently 10 families depend on us directly while many others provide us with produce and everyone is indirectly benefitted by community interactions." The hotel comprises of five superior lodges – the wood cabin, the brick house, parrot lodge, corner lodge and lake view– 2 mud house and a dormitory to cater to small groups. Nihal has tried to maintain a balance between eco friendliness and comfort so that one does does not compromise
for the other. "People assume that the facilities here would be pretty basic because its an eco lodge, but we have made sure that the guests are comfortable," Nihal said. The guests of the Polwatte Ecolodges can engage in bird watching –one can find 16 out of 61 endemic birds in Sri Lanka in the hotel land, – trekking through the Knuckles mountain range, visit tea plantations and factories during their stay. However Nihal said what attracts most visitors are the community visits and the rice cultivation experience. "The community interaction experience is what makes this place unique. Guests can visits the villages and see how they live. They can participate in their daily activities. They can witness how the villagers engage in agriculture or how they make jaggery and trickle. They can also learn how to cook traditional village food," he said. "Most of the visitors also contribute to the development of the village school." Nihal added with proper encouragement and assistance community based tourism and sustainable tourism can attract new tourist segments and enhance tourism in the country.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 51
LIFE AND ART
o t n i k e e p k a e n s A t r a k n u j ’s e k a Lalith Seynanay By Kalharie Pitigala
R
Sri Lanka ich in its heritage, al ion dit tra has its own uced od pr , fts cra d an ar ts and. isl e th of in different parts ed ss pa e ar ills sk e Usually, th her. ot an to n tio from one genera an ar t nk La i Sr , es nc ta In most ins ligious beliefs, originates from re in many forms d te en es pr and are re ulpture, and sc , ing int pa as ch su s to be gifted ha e On . re architectu l dexterity in ua an with very good m is field. order to excel in th e is one proud Lalith Seynanayak tremely ex is icon holding th One may think er. re ca g din deman sounds but a it as it’s just as easy quires accuracy quality creation re , excels in lith La e. and patienc ulpting and sc , fts cra ts, ar ning. Soon he sig de interior very own will be holding his hapura. ad ur An in n itio exhib
52 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
nt for develop the tale Q – How did you g? in sculpt arts, crafts and rn y that it is an inbo I would happily sa develop this talent to .I talent. I was able and determination r e ag ur co of ito with lot ed c hi ap ed as a gr have been employ per for the past 20 pa ws ne a vir Ri for the g my worked hard durin years. However, I gave up on my talent ver free time and ne my best aged the time to for the ar ts. I man hold exhibitions every to ability. I was able t enabled me to excel en year. My commitm t. len ta in my e your opinion wher Q – According to d in terms of arts an does Sri Lanka st ? ts af cr and ts with many developmen There have been chnology. Without a te the advent of new come a long way. has a nk La i Sr t ub do t y with the suppor Q – Are you happ vernment for the go extended by the this industry? of t en pm lo ve de urse y content but of co d ul Yes, I can be fairl co t or pp su e or if m it would be great nt rre cu e use, of th be extended. Beca ld exhibitions mostly ho ts tis ar y, econom oducts. of selling their pr with the intention en more creations be There would have d monetary suppor t. de had there been ad en? journey so far be Q – How has your what you have th Are you happy wi achieved? st for the industry. I have done my be of what I have d Definitely, I’m prou r. fa so achieved at you t the exhibition th Q – Tell us abou ld. ho are expecting to
e month of April It will be held in th rden hotel in Ga ck Ro st at the Fore uld mainly consist wo It . ra pu ha ad Anur and s, pencil drawings the of wildlife drawing to “In d lle ca is n itio sculpture. The exhib wild”. and types of art, crafts Q – What are the uce? od sculptures you pr c, I make use of plasti I excel at junk ar t. mputer parts as raw co pieces of iron and . I’m glad to say rk materials for my wo towards a healthy ing ut rib nt co that I’m s of ploying the proces environment by em tures such as horses, ulp reusing. Animal sc are my popular ds elephants and bir including landscape, s forms. I do painting s. I’m best at figure on portraits and carto ble of producing any pa drawings but I’m ca ral. sort of ar t in gene u difficulties that yo Q – What are the of production? s face in the proces test freedom is the grea Lack of time and fe wi my r, ve . Howe difficulty that I face tremely suppor tive. ex en be s ha hi nt wa Ru ength to me. str big a en be She has
strengths and Q – What are the g such a career? vin advantages of ha helps e good for life as it o Ar ts and crafts ar als d an y log d psycho to have a balance irituality. It develops sp to ide gu a as acts actice. pr h ug ro patience th the demand shown by Q – Is there a high tourists? good demand. Yes, there’s a very nd of e of our unique ble Especially becaus e. colours and heritag uld people that you wo Q – Are there any in your journey so e like to acknowledg far? d t, I like to thank an First and foremos teacher, Prof. pay my tribute to my I would like to a. Sarathchandrajeew to the Editor of de itu at gr my nd exte per, Mr. Prabath the Island newspa tion would like to men I Sahabandu. Also, d from Forest Rock ive the suppor t I rece cere thanks go sin y M l. te ho en rd Ga
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 53
rage director Mr. Badu to its Managing ll as Mr. Shihan, Mr. Chandrasiri as we , Mr. Sarath, Mr. ke Anura Disanaya rest of the staff. My e Jayantha and th Mr. Indika Ranatunga for to ks an th re since ls. Also, I the raw materia helping me with rds of encouragement appreciate the wo sional architect, Mr. es given by the prof cere thanks to the CEO sin y M n. ra nd le Anja antations too. of Pussellawa Pl e to least, I would lik wife, my Last but not the ved lo be y m to de extend my gratitu r and my friends. he parents, my brot ur e public buy yo Q – How can th products? g be on sale durin My products will future I’m hoping to e exhibitions. In th mbo. Colo have a shop in have a e products that Q – What are th high demand?
Junk ar t. to anyone would you give Q –What advice field? is interested in th ure in ar t and sculpt Learn the basics great determination. th and work hard wi ly reach your highest re su ll u’ yo y One da potential. for the contact details support Q – Share your ur yo r fo d ar rw fo people who look and services? 591053 hoo.com, 0777 Laliths2000@ya
Lalith Seynanayake
PEACE OF MIND
KANDE VIHARAYA THE ART OF PEACE Text and pics. by Indaka Karunadasa
God Kataragama JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 55
K
ande Viharaya, which literally translates to temple atop mountain, is a five-cave temple. It is also known as Rakkiththakanda Raja Maha Viharaya. The temple is located in Rakkiththakanda village in Ella. When travelling along the Ella-Wellawaya road, one has to turn left at Karandagolla junction; it is 3km away, towards Kurullangala Mountain. The temple can also be reached through a forest filled with huge trees and creepers, with panaromic views of the Monaragala hills, as well as Buttala and Wellawaya, constantly entertained by birdsong. Legend has it that this temple was built by King Walagamba, and that he hid in the temple when the Cholas attacked Anuradhapura. The living quarters of the Buddhist monks is also a cave, with only one door and one window. The cave apartments lie under a large boulder with a drip ledge cut in to ensure water flows away from the inside. The Dhamma preaching hall also lies in a cave under a big bolder, with the entrance protected by a wall with two doors. In a cave a few metres away is the Buddha shrine hall containing a reclining Buddha statue 21 cubits long. There is also a sitting as well as standing Buddha statue, and the cave walls and roof is covered in paintings. Most of the paintings have been named in Sinhala. However some of the paintings and murals have been drawn according to the Christian tradition, with crosses visible, adorning necklaces. There are also statues of Gods Vishnu and Katharagama. Paintings are also found upon the wall that separates the shrine hall from the verandah in front of it. There is a unique painting of two lions with a single head. However these paintings are quite faded, having been exposed to sunlight for a long time.
"LEGEND HAS IT THAT THIS TEMPLE WAS BUILT BY KING WALAGAMBA, AND THAT HE HID IN THE TEMPLE WHEN THE CHOLAS ATTACKED ANURADHAPURA"
A small dagaba is also to be found in the verandah. The temple previously consisted of six caves, but a large one which contained many paintings and a drip ledge had collapsed and is no more a cave. A few Brahmical inscriptions can also be found in the temple premises. The temple premises provides an ideal setting for meditation, with a stream flowing with crystal clear water also flowing along the edge of the temple premises.
Reclining Buddha Statute
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Horse Man
God Kataragama
God Vishnu
Shaking Hands
Two Lions With One Head JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 57
the Bo tree
Standing Buddha Statute
Rev.Sugatharansi Thero 58 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
WAR TOURISM
WHERE THEY REST IN PEACE Pics by Upul De Zoysa – Seruchi Images
Kandy War Cemetery or the Commonwealth War Cemetery by the Mahaweli riverside at Dodanwala area in Kandy rates as high as the similar sites a traveller finds in Great Britain, Australia and France. Neatly laid out in a small picturesque gully, a lot of time and care has gone into making this a tranquil resting place. The graves have been carefully aligned with seating for visitors to sit and reflect. As of the information at the site there are 2013 burials that include 16 Navy, 151 Army, 32 Air Force, 01 Merchant Navy, 01 National Fire Service and 02 entirely unidentified – of which 107 are British, 6 Canadian, 23 Indian, 26 Ceylonese, 35 East African, 01 French and 03 Italian. There are six Commonwealth war cemeteries in Sri Lanka. Four are in Colombo. One is in Kandy and one in Trincomalee. Commonwealth war casualties also rest in Kuppiyawatte Muslim Cemetery, Jawatte Muslim Cemetery, Kandy Civil Cemetery, George E. De Silva Park in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Holy Trinity Churchyard. A total of 1,999 Commonwealth war dead are commemorated in the war cemeteries or plots at the above locations around the country. Two Commonwealth war memorials are also situated in Colombo. Maintenance of all Commonwealth war cemeteries is done by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, via its local agency, which is vested in the Ministry of Defense.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 59
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"
THERE ARE SIX COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERIES IN SRI LANKA. FOUR ARE IN COLOMBO. ONE IS IN KANDY AND ONE IN TRINCOMALEE
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 61
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CELEBRATIONS
Entrance Bathtub with jacussi
Dining area
Michelle Boutique Hotel Balapitiya, completes one year
B
outique Hotel located in a stunning setting on the sandy southern coastal belt of Balapitiya will celebrate its first year anniversary this February.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa declared Michelle Boutique Hotel open on 18 Febrauary 2013, with Presidential Advisor Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, Parliamentarian Sachin Vaas Gunawardena, Managing Director Ranjaka De Mel, Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Alexander Karchava and Buddhapriya Ramanayaka in attendance. Michelle Boutique Hotel will enchant you with its exquisitely designed maze of stunning suites refined by the extravagance of the matchless ocean view and manicured gardens. Its sixteen luxuriously styled suites with contemporary finishes, premium facilities and separate lounge living are an indulgent `new’ to her mind and body concept which stands to reason why 'Michelle' is passionately committed to allure her guests to the finest in decadent hospitality. One could reach the hotel in one hour along the southern Expressway from the Kottawa entry point in Colombo. Michelle comprises of 16 tastefully designed state of the Art suites which has four different categories to choose from. Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Rose Petal and Infinite. Each suite shadows the common area's ambience but is transformed in to a quiet hideaway of warmth and coziness. Its service and sophistication has set this hotel ahead of competition and is a feast to your senses to re-awaken your spirit, refresh your soul and exude an atmosphere of timeless elegance beyond the realms of intrigue. Live the suite life in `a world of your own.’ At Michelle, dining is an unforgettable gastronomic experience where our valued guests can keep to their biological clock and dine at their own pace and convenience at any preferred venue. Our intimate but minimalist restaurant Nadurra (Gaelic for natural) will guide you through a trail of fusion cuisine from the far-East to the most delectable cross-border cuisines of the Mediterranean to contemporary French. Tantalize your taste buds with an amazing array of fresh market flavors or caress your senses with the finest indulgence of signature 'zakuski' fare from the Russian Riviera. Take pleasure in a number of facilities, services and activities at Michelle Boutique Hotel, where unstinting luxury melds with unparalleled comfort to ensure that guests are pampered during every moment of their stay. Lose track of time at this enchanting retreat by unwinding at the hotel's award-winning Tranquility Spa, by treating yourself to a full-body workout at the gymnasium or by simply spending a few hours under the sun by the side of the hotel's swimming pool.
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Canopied king-sized beds
A luxury loft
Beautiful sunset 64 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
COMFORTS
M I R AC L E G A R D E N O F R A JA R ATA By Santhush Fernando and Saminda Uswatte
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 65
F
orest Rock Garden Hotel, the first property in Sri Lanka to be built on stone boulders and cement pillars, is turning new chapters in the annals of hospitality in Sri Lanka. Owner of the hotel, B. Chandrasiri, an innovative hotelier and entrepreneur who is also the Managing Director of Palm Garden Village Hotel, Anuradhapura, which is located eight kilometres away from his latest venture said that Forest Rock Garden Hotel is different from any other hotel as it
Being a truly passionate nature lover and a culture fanatic, Chandrasiri embarked to acquire the land initially, for this venture. One of the main purposes in which he had used the concept of constructing the hotel on concrete pillars was to protect and preserve the natural scenery and habitat of the surrounding area. The target market for the hotel will mainly comprise of high-end guests from Europe and the local upmarket as well. A majority of the staff have been recruited from the locale. Another main feature of this hotel is that this was entirely created to signify an ancient city and was designed and built without the assistance of a civil engineer or architect. With emphasis on promoting ecotourism, this venture will provide the significance of attributing human contact with nature. In an interview with Treasure Island, Baladurage Chandrasiri, the owner of Forest Rock Garden Hotel, Andarawewa Village in the outskirts of Anuradhapura shares his insights.
Q A
: How has the response been for Forest Rock Garden so far?
offers Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage along with unmatched closeness to nature. The resort is situated in Andarawewa village in Anuradhapura with an initial stage investment of Rs 650 million and has super luxurious chalets built 20-feet above the ground, connected with walkways. The whole property is built on a higher elevation (20 feet high) in order to save trees, causing minimum damage to the environment. The Forest Rock Garden Hotel, located in Andarawewa, Anuradhapura, was unveiled on September 13, 2013, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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: Forest Rock Garden is a new experience. We have received good responses. More than 20 rooms have been let out up to now. All of the guests were very positive about the concept and about the fact that they can be close to nature. Guests can come into very close contact with nature due to the unique design of the hotel. Even when guests are crossing the walkway they brush past the plants and trees. There are different trees. Due to the elevation of the hotel you can see a different view of the tree from that seen from the ground and you can see the shape of the tree better due to the elevation. The guests mostly commended the fact that the hotel has been designed in an environment-friendly manner, enabling animals to go past it without obstruction. Also it should be mentioned that Ritigala is an important part of our civilization. However, these things are not talked about now. Many people are not aware about these things. For instance, the waste disposal system at Ritigala was environment-friendly and very advanced for that time.
"The Forest Rock Garden Hotel, located in Andarawewa, Anuradhapura, was unveiled on September 13, 2013, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa" I conceptualized the Forest Rock Garden upon Ritigala due to this reason. We all try to build hotels based on the same concept. There are hotels near jungles and beaches. We had good landscaping and architecture from the time the country was ruled by kings. The best such example is Sigiriya. Though we have a proud history we have become confused with some of the foreign thinking. I tried to capture things unique to us – such as those relating to the time Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa were kingdoms. This hotel particularly pays tribute to the Atamasthana (Eight sacred sites). While 750 million rupees were spent for the hotel I might lose a certain clientele since the hotel offers vegetarian meals and no alcohol. I might lose out on income. However, this concept gives the idea that you are going to a temple – a sacred place. One day I watched some of the guests even taking off their shoes at the Vahalkada, at the entrance to their rooms. I am happy about this since the message has been conveyed. Before the guests enter the Forest Rock Garden Hotel the atmosphere of a sacred place has been created. Once on a trip to Disneyland in Paris with my son I noticed that they create
different atmospheres for the different attractions – for instance they tell you to wear a raincoat where there is artificial rain. They create the atmosphere. We must do the same and then guests will appreciate the place even more. We ask the guests to wear white to certain places, respect certain statues and I am creating a Buddhist library for the same purpose. The guests can accordingly get an understanding of the Atamasthana and be in the proper mindset before going there or come back and research more about the place.
Q
: Most people are focused on providing a generic offering. In this light can the country achieve the ambitious targets set with regard to tourism?
A
Baladurage.Chandrasiri the Managing Director of Forest Rock Garden Resort,Andarawewa,Anuradhapura was presented with a special memento by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the blessings of Ven.Daranagama Usaladhamma Thera at Sri Sambodhi Maha Vihara Colombo recently as a token of appreciation for Chandrasiri’s contribution of the development of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
: I am a hotelier with 23 years of experience. My Palm Garden Hotel has been selected twice as the best hotel in the three-star category and I have obtained green certification from the Tourist Board. I have also been closely involved in the tourist trade in Anuradhapura. As such an individual and drawing on my experience what I can say is that there are lots of people depending on this industry. There are a large number of hotel owners and owners of hotel chains. The honest commitment of all of these individuals is required for the industry. If you a build a few hotels and get guests and only think about yourself that is wrong. We must think of the programmes we can do after the end of one season. For example, the November season sometimes goes on till March. We expect certain numbers in certain months. We must offer these tourists certain attractions. This is similar to how we get ready for the New Year. After all, people come to see what we have to offer and our culture. For example, when we go to Wewaldeniya today, the traditional rattan (wewal) industry there has disappeared. Batiks are now limited to a few large shops – there are no shops in villages. Even handicraft items are limited to few places. Even during the time of the war these small businesses were hanging JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 67
on. But now these small businesses cannot make these products and market them anymore. However, foreign guests appreciate these small places more. They prefer a small batik shop without air conditioning over a large one. They might even spend more at such a small shop. But now the money is distributed only at a single place. Earlier there were lots of small suppliers of statutes and flowers at the entrance to temples who depended on the industry. However, this is no longer the case. In Anuradhapura these things have almost disappeared. These small suppliers have to be made strong. Guests don’t come just to visit the Atamasthana and see the jungle. Sri Lanka has a good reputation as a country which is hospitable and friendly.
Q A
: How important is the service aspect to the hospitality industry?
: If I talk about the Anuradhapura District, the Palm Garden Hotel which I am operating there is now 19 years old. I stop in front of every hotel in Anuradhapura – some come up and disappear very soon. I make a lot of changes to my property depending on the season to meet the needs of local and foreign tourists. Cleanliness and hygiene are essential. If this trade is done properly you will be able to attract a lot of local guests too. I also believe that the hotels should be supervised better by the relevant ministry. If we take the District of Anuradhapura for instance there are over 1,000 guesthouses here. How good is their service? How do they operate? Are they particular about hygiene? These things are important. If negative reviews are conveyed by guests to others, the owner of the guesthouse might earn an income today but the future of the tourism industry would be in jeopardy. If these can be done, it would be good for the industry. Even when I was conceptualising Forest Rock Garden I spent a lot of effort over about one-anda-half years. However, now every guest admires and appreciates Forest Rock Garden. I have received requests even from temples. A monk called me once through a friend and said that this hotel reminds him of the Gangaramaya Temple and has an appearance similar to the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom. Forest Rock Garden is a new concept. It is about four kilometres with the walkways. We have built it in such a way that animals, trees and plants and guests can coexist in peace.
Even recently when I was coming here I saw a peacock – it would not have been here if not for the serenity of the surroundings. There are also other birds, deer and elephants. Even I realised that there might not be any other hotel in Sri Lanka at which you can get so close to nature, only after building the Forest Rock Garden. Tourists who are coming here can enjoy this. When a guest is reading a book here it is like a reading a book in the middle of the jungle. Guests like that. That’s how foreigners see Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka doesn’t receive so many travellers looking for enjoyment – most of the travellers are on spiritual quests. Many of them who are coming here have heard of and value Buddhism. They also appreciate culture. Also to take the industry forward good quality staff members are essential. They need a working knowledge of English and other foreign languages. There is a conducive environment to learn these things in Sri Lanka. There are foreign embassies in Sri Lanka and they provide such services. Once I called the Italian Ambassador and brought down chefs and trained our staff here. These embassies like to do such things. They have frameworks for such programmes – they might offer the air ticket and we might have to bear the accommodation expenses and provide an allowance. However, the time I obtained assistance from the Italian Embassy, they took care of all the expenses. I had to only provide accommodation and an allowance if I wished to do so. Sometimes we have big plans for the industry but we can improve things by only focusing on small details. We need good leadership for that. At least for the main cities to which tourists come – such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Mihintale and Kandy – we need such programmes involving the heads of related public sector institutions. We need to have a plan. This is happening abroad in areas like Verona. In Venice they make a lot of preparations for the tourist season. They allow shops to be opened, they decorate the area and they hold processions and festivals for tourists.
Q A
: How could Sri Lanka differentiate itself as a discerning tourist destination? : Sri Lanka is still not trying hard enough to attract families. To attract families we must give offers and discounts. If we take August for instance it’s the time in which children receive
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school holidays in Europe. We should plan for the tourist season next year from this year onwards. Travel agents and airlines can get together with the government and propose good programmes – to promote Sri Lanka as a family destination. However, we already have all what it takes to be such a destination. We have an environment in which children can absorb new knowledge and there are jungles, beaches and wildlife. We can earn a good income through families. I will personally offer a promotion here if we can do that – we can accommodate a child free of charge even if he or she is 15 years old. If we receive a good a proposal we can do that. If the guests need a family room for three we can even charge for it as a double instead of a triple. The discount we give shouldn’t only benefit a travel agent. If we give a discount like that now it will only go to the travel agent. What I said about attracting families through discounts is happening even now though on a small scale. Some travel agents inform us through tour operators and we offer complimentary packages for some of them. We are individually promoting some of these things. If we identify the stakeholders and work to strengthen them this can be a strong industry in the long-term. We also face challenges from the environment in which we operate. The war was one such major challenge. Thankfully, the government and the President managed to resolve that issue. However, the people in the relevant institutions must think of a long-term plan to solve issues that we are facing now. A national programme would be good. If we do this we can protect our jungles, our heritage and religious sites such as the Atamasthana. Therefore the private sector and government institutions should be working according to a single plan. If we take Anuradhapura for instance if we are expecting tourists within a certain period we should do this. We should also convert areas annually to tourist zones. The government for instance can declare the Anuradhapura area as the tourist zone for this year. Then stalls and so on could be constructed and everyone from small businesses selling batiks and masks would receive an opportunity. The fee should be structured in such a way that the seller receives a good benefit. The tourists coming to the Anuradhapura area during the period would then increase. Thereafter in August we can have a zone in Kandy to coincide with the annual
Kandy Perahera. Thereafter this can be done in Polonnaruwa and down South and so on. Then even tourists coming to other areas will try to visit these zones. Some events are happening in Sri Lanka but they are mainly held in Colombo – this is not correct. These should be held out of Colombo. They only started even a perahera in Anuradhapura very recently. If these things can happen during the tourist season it would be much better. Now these things are happening on poya days and so on, without any focus on tourism. I can’t say that the tourism industry in the country is strong due to these reasons. Hotels are not enough to strengthen the industry. As I said before, we need collaboration from everyone starting from the person making handicrafts in order to create a lively and colourful atmosphere for the industry to thrive. Even these people should be knowledgeable and should be given targets. For instance, when i went to Waveldeniya they said they had no rattan and were waiting for imports. This is due to the lack of planning.
Even at the entrance to the Vahalkada guests are given a welcome drink and the entrance resembles an entrance to an ancient kingdom. I wanted to have a particular building for the welcoming of the guests. Hotels in Sri Lanka welcome guests at the reception. I can say with conviction that the Forest Rock Garden is the only hotel in Sri Lanka which has a separate area where the guest can enjoy the natural beauty, rest and thereafter enter the hotel and check in. There the guest can enjoy the welcome drink – which is a traditional Sri Lankan drink. Though I am a small businessman with only a single hotel (before the construction of Forest Rock Garden) I managed to construct this hotel due to my sheer determination. My Chef Anura was extremely helpful and helped me immensely in my journey.
Q A
: How much of the Forest Rock Garden Hotel has been completed?
: Of the total 25 we have completed 23 rooms by now. After completion there will be 10 suites and 15 deluxe rooms. We have to complete two deluxe rooms. We are finishing up the Ayurvedic Centre at present. For the completion of the project we estimate that 750 million rupees will be spent. All the essential areas have been completed and we have obtained the necessary material for the construction of the rest. We hope to complete the rooms by January. Even my Palm Garden Village Hotel is undergoing refurbishment. Earlier there were 40 standard rooms and 10 suites. Now I want to upgrade all 50 to deluxe – they will be very similar to the earlier suites and will even have a living area. We hope to have everything completed for the August season.
Q A
: Is there anything you would like to add?
: Not really, except to emphasise that Forest Rock Garden is a completely novel concept. For instance, the reception is not a counter. The guest sits like royalty there – since the seating for the guest is similar to a throne – and can check in to the hotel like royalty too. The underlying concept is to welcome guests like royalty. Only thereafter will the guest go to his or her room. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 69
HOSPITALITY
Lake Side at
Nuwarawewa ABODE OF LUXURY IN THE HEART OF ANURADHAPURA
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ocated picturesquely on the banks of the historic Nuwarawewa Tank in the ancient citadel of Anuradhapura, ‘Lake Side at Nuwarawewa’ is set out to be the latest player in the hospitality trade. ‘Unfortunately Anuradapura as a tourist destination has been undersold all this time and its potential is underutilized,’ said Devan de Mel, the Chairman/ MD of the Quickshaws Limited, the owning company of this magnificent property along with ‘The Sanctuary’ at Thissawewa. Following a heavy refurbishment programme, ‘Lake Side at Nuwarawewa’ now upgraded to a three star resort with all modern amenities and newly-refurbished rooms, was opened to tourists last December. It offers 70 rooms with A/C, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, cable TV and telephone. Then known as the ‘Nuwarawewa Resthouse’, the original resort with five rooms was declared opened in February 1957 by then Prime Minister S. W. R. D Bandaranaike and was taken over by Quickshaws in 1969. ‘Lake Side at Nuwarawewa’ is in very close proximity to all the major Buddhist pilgrim sites in Anuradhapura, and tourists can visit Polonnaruwa, Vilpattu National Park, Ritigala Monastic Complex, Minneriya and Giritale National Parks, Our Lady of Madhu Catholic Shrine, Thanthirimale historic temple without any hassle. (SF) 70 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS
SLOCA COMMEMORATES THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY OPENS NEW OFFICE IN COLOMBO By Harsha Udayakantha Peiris
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he first year anniversary commemoration and the opening ceremony of the new office of Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association (SLOCA) in Sri Lanka was held on 18th December 2013 at its new premises at No. 57/2, Kassapa Road, Colombo 05 with the initiative of His Excellency Wu Jianghao the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and Hon. Neomal Perera the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. SLOCA in Sri Lanka was initiated in 2012 with the objectives of enhancing communication among overseas Chinese including Chinese residents in Sri Lanka from the PRC that also included Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province. The association also assists Sri Lankan Chinese in communication between Overseas Chinese and Sri Lankans. SLOCA through its dedicated implementation in Sri Lanka performs towards the solidarity of overseas Chinese whilst improving the progress and dynamic image of overseas Chinese. Expressing views at the occasion His Excellency Wu Jianghao the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka stated that the SLOCA had done a tremendous service to the Chinese people living in Sri Lanka. “The association has now become a catalyst in promoting friendship between the two countries,” he said.
Hon. Neomal Perera the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs speaking at the occasion said that it was the Chinese government that helped Sri Lanka at large to overcome the long stood terrorist conflict here. “The country’s future is now rapidly being benefited from the Chinese investments,” he added. Higher officials from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, SL Government representatives including several senior officers of the Police, SLOCA Council members and several officers from Chinese Companies also participated at the event.
Mr.R Nadarajah – Executive Director, Mr Kapila Ariyaratne - General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, Senior Management and Staff Members of Seylan Bank graced the occasion.
SEYLAN BANK CELEBRATES THAI PONGAL FESTIVAL The staff of Seylan Bank celebrated the annual Thai Pongal festival on the 16th of January 2014, at the Seylan Bank Head Office, Kollupitiya. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 71
GET AHEAD WITH “HNB ONE”
THE FIRST NFC-ENABLED MULTI-FUNCTION PAYMENT CARD IN SRI LANKA The first bank to launch a combined NFC-enabled pre-paid & VISA International Debit Card in Sri Lanka Sony Felica – The market leader in NFC enabled payment card technologies partners as the official technology provider “HNB One” to facilitate E-bus ticketing project in Sri Lanka Global giant, Bharti Airtel Lanka Connectivity partner to the project Smart Metro to provide the NFC enabled bus ticketing machines
customer convenience. The multiple applications include toll payments in the transport industry, drive-thru areas of fast food outlets and fuel stations to name a few. Dilshan Rodrigo COO, HNB mentioned that “HNB One” is one card that will serve multiple purposes – an ATM Card, Debit or Shopping Card and in the future an access control card all in one which relieves customers from carrying many cards, hence lighter on the purse. The transaction process is
merchants in the near future. Sony FeliCa in their message stated " The SONY Cooperation FeliCa Division is excited to be able to reach the people of Sri Lanka through HNB s latest product NFC Debit card Known as "HNB One" , We are sure it is the first in South Asia if not first in Asia. The card is suitable for high volume of transactions making it environmentally friendly ,therefore the word "Felicity" suggesting that the technology will make your daily lives more convenient and enjoyable. We are excited to provide our latest product to the banking sector, through our vital partner for the territory in Sri Lanka "Smart Metro Pvt Limited. And we are committed to provide technology transfer, and continue to update them with our latest products with respect to Near Field Communication aspects. We congratulate HNB bank for talking this initiative to introduce this latest technology and for been the first bank in Sri Lanka. We wish HNB and their loyal customers Happy sailing with NFC and we wish HNB will reach greater heights in Sri Lanka.
Hatton National Bank recently launched HNB One, a NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled card to strengthen the multi-channel banking strategy the bank is pursuing. The NFCenabled “combo” card will facilitate speed in transactions and can be used at fast checkout counters for greater
simpler with a quick “tap and go” functionality of NFC cards. HNB has obtained approval from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to embark on this project. Keeping in line with HNB’s strategy to develop the NFC infrastructure in Sri Lanka, the bank will also support payment card acquiring by replacing its extensive Point of Sale (POS) network with NFC-enabled machines for
72 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
Mangala Wickramasinghe, Head of Payment Cards & Electronic Delivery Channels at HNB further mentioned that “HNB One is a carefully thought-out strategic initiative to adopt NFC technology to provide our customers with more choice and convenience. This all-purpose card is the equivalent to carrying several cards and can also be used on Visa’s worldwide payment network. With “HNB One”, Hatton National Bank will lead the drive towards innovation and new technologies in Sri Lanka’s banking industry.”
SLT RAINBOW PAGES WEDDING DIRECTORY LAUNCH
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copy of the SLT RAINBOW PAGES Wedding Directory was presented to Malini Fonseka, the legendary film actress and Member of Parliament, by Malraj Balapitiya, CEO - SLT RAINBOW PAGES at the “Vivaha 250” Exhibition held at the BMICH on 10th January 2014. Ruwan Wijetunga, General Manager – SLT RAINBOW PAGES, popular artist Dayan Witharana, and Nirosha Mendis - Chief Organizer of the “Vivaha 250” Exhibition were also present on the occasion. JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 73
MALAYSIA AIRLINES TAKES CONQUERS DUBAI WITH NEW A333 AIRBUS
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alaysia Airlines, the five-star national carrier of Malaysia, has launched its new fleet of Airbus 330-300 for the Dubai – Kuala Lumpur route in 2014. The new A330-300 aircraft replaces the Boeing 777 previously used for this sector. The new fleet of Airbus A330-300 brings enhanced comfort, convenience and performance with its state-of-the-art design cabin equipped with mood lighting to offer guests a cozy atmosphere for travel. The A330-300 aircraft has a seating capacity of 283, with 36 Business Class and 245 Economy Class seats. According to Malaysia Airlines Regional Senior Vice President, South Asia & Middle East, Azahar Hamid,"Our resolution for the new year is to make flying with Malaysia Airlines a truly enjoyable experience from take-off to landing. The new A333 aircraft for our Dubai-Kuala Lumpur-Dubai sector is equipped with the best amenities to provide comfort, and is visually appealing. Coupled with our award-winning cabin service providing Malaysian Hospitality, the new aircraft is a delight to fly in." The new A333 service began on 5 January 2014 when the Malaysia Airlines aircraft bearing the prominent oneworld logo landed at Dubai International Airport. Malaysia Airlines flies daily between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, departing at 8.15 pm and arriving in Kuala Lumpur the following morning at 7.30 am. The early morning arrival into KL International Airport enables excellent connections beyond to destinations across Malaysia and Asia, such as onwards to Manila. The return flight departs Kuala Lumpur at 3.15 pm each afternoon and arrives in Dubai at 6.45 pm the same day. Business Class guests on Malaysia Airlines' A333 will enjoy the comfort of lie-flat seats, a 60 inch seat pitch, and a fold-out privacy divider. Meanwhile, the lighter, slimmer seats in the Economy Class mean less bulk, more space. Each seat is equipped with Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) smart screens, bringing you the latest movies, TV programmes, music and games. Or, if you prefer plugging in your own notebook or electrical device, each seat is fitted with AC power supply and a USB port. Malaysia Airlines Regional Senior Vice President, South Asia & Middle East, Azahar Hamid 74 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND AIR NEW ZEALAND JOIN FORCES
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ingapore Airlines and Air New Zealand have agreed to form an alliance enabling Air New Zealand to fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and Singapore Airlines to operate the Airbus A380 to New Zealand for the first time. The A380 would be operated daily by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and Auckland, progressively replacing an existing daily service with the smaller Boeing 777300ER. Air New Zealand would launch daily services between Auckland and Singapore using newly refitted Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, taking over five flights currently operated by Singapore Airlines and adding two more weekly flights, increasing the frequency to daily. Subject to regulatory approvals, the carriers would aim to boost their existing capacity between Singapore and New Zealand by up to 30% year round over time. Singapore Airlines’ daily Singapore-Christchurch service would continue as part of the alliance. The proposed alliance would enable Air New Zealand passengers to access codeshare travel on the Singapore Airlines network to the United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia and Africa, as well as on the network of its regional subsidiary airline, SilkAir. Singapore Airlines’ customers would be able to access codeshare travel across the Air New Zealand domestic network and to selected international destinations.
TURKISH AIRLINES WIDENS YOUR WORLD
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urkish Airlines now makes the whole world more accessible for its passengers by flying to nearly 200 international destinations. In recognition, it has adopted a new branding that emphasizes its global reach.
emphasizes this impressive progress and
In recent years, Turkish Airlines has greatly expanded its place in the global aviation community by a series of large-scale aircraft orders, continual network expansion and the implementation of other significant investments designed to make Turkish Airlines a truly global brand. The ‘Globally Yours’ motto substantially increased international awareness of these efforts by creating an image highlighting the development process while enhancing the brand. Turkish Airlines has now positioned itself as an important player within the global aviation community and has won a significant number of awards that reinforce this status. It is now time to apply a new brand identity that moves the airline into its future.
Today, Turkish Airlines offers the world’s and aims to bring the passenger experience fleet, the location of its Istanbul hub that between virtually any two cities on earth and has helped to form the basis of its awardstrategy is to make passengers feel special travel by developing new innovations at them pleasant surprises and bringing them experience.
most comprehensive network to a new level with its expanded allows for one stop connections the rich cultural heritage which winning service. Its enhanced and valued throughout their each stage of travel, offering a diverse and memorable travel
Superior service is the distinguishing mark of Turkish Airlines, separating it from its competitors. By upgrading its already excellent offerings, it is, in essence competing with itself as it continues to upgrade and enhances the passenger experience, trying to move customer satisfaction to an even higher level, and increasing the differentiation between Turkish Airlines and its competition. These changes include a new catering concept which has recently been introduced to enrich the dining experience with ‘samovar’ and ‘candle light’ features. Turkish Airlines continues to utilize its ‘Flying Chiefs’ on long flights; and offer a cabin entertainment system which includes nearly 400 films and one thousand CD albums, as well as radio and news channels. Its ‘Invest On Board’ digital platform enables its guests to encounter, in flight, fascinating and enterprising ideas presented by important business figures from around the world; plus live TV, CIP Lounges which bring a unique level of comfort and ease to its passengers before and after their flights. All of these changes display the desire of Turkish Airlines to provide an unmatched travel experience.
MIHIN LANKA CONDUCTS INTERACTIVE SESSIONS FOR TRAVEL AGENTS
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ihin Lanka, Sri Lanka’s low cost carrier recently hosted its esteemed travel agents to an interactive and educational business forum. The forum which is held quarterly aims to educate agents on emerging trends in the airline industry and new services, post-sale value additions, new routes and promotions being carried out by Mihin Lanka. The recent forum is one of 4 held upto date, which have seen the participation of over 143 people from 64 companies. The interactive forums are conducted my Melissa Solomons, Asanka Fernando and Ingrid Guruge of Mihin Lanka and the event is concluded with a time of cocktails and refreshments. The programme is also carried out for visiting travel agents from overseas. Commenting on the sessions, Kapila Chandrasena, CEO of Mihin Lanka, said, ‘We feel that we have a responsibility to our partners and these sessions and forums are designed to educate them on emerging trends in the industry as well as support them in their business. The forums do not only educate them on Mihin Lanka and our business but also aims at educating and empowering them with tools that will help grow their business.’
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • 75
SRILANKAN EXPANDS REACH IN CENTRAL ASIA WITH SIBERIAN AIRLINES Srilankan Expands Reach In Central Asia
VW 2013-In the MLH Courtyard
THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE OWNERS CLUB ANNOUNCES THE LATEST DRIVES
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riLankan Airlines’ expanded its reach in Central Asia with its latest code-share agreement with Siberian Airlines (S7) which came into effect December last year. S7 Airlines, has its headquarters in Novosibirsk, the third largest city in the Russian Federation, and is a member of the leading one world alliance. S7 has a wide network of destinations in Russia and in other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), as well as in Europe. It has the largest domestic reach in the CIS region. The code-share will allow SriLankan Airlines’ (one world member elect) passengers to Moscow to access key cities such as Novosibirsk, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Irkutsk, Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk in the Russian Federation, as well as to Kiev – the capital of Ukraine, utilising S7’s strong network. Similarly, S7 Airlines will place its code on Sri Lankan’s flights between Moscow and Colombo. S7 Airlines will also code share on Sri Lankan Airlines’ flights to Bangkok and Male via Colombo. Highlighting the importance of this agreement, SriLankan Airlines’ Chief Executive Office, Kapila Chandrasena said
“The Russian Federation and the Ukraine are very important markets for us and we are very excited at the prospect of accessing key destinations in this region together with S7 Airlines, a highly reputed airline serving a global network, particularly many destinations in the CIS region. We believe that this partnership will be of great benefit to both airlines.” Vadim Besperstov, S7 Airlines’ Deputy CEO for Strategy said: “ We are glad to announce this partnership with SriLankan Airlines. S7 Airlines’ passengers will discover new travel destinations on our code-share flights. We are looking forward to welcoming SriLankan on board of the one world airline alliance and offer even more benefits for our passengers and members of frequent flyer programs.” The city of Novosibirsk is the administrative capital of Siberia and S7 Airlines operates from the Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport (OVB) located in western Russia. SriLankan Airlines network has expanded to 73 destinations in 36 countries.
olombo – After a successful Diamond Jubilee year in 2013 and wondrous Christmas Bug Get together with an attendance of over 180 members and the partnership of LOLC Motors, Legends the radio station, Hilton Colombo , Mount Lavinia Hotel, and Taj Samudra. With an astounding success to last year’s calendar of events, the club takes pleasure in announcing the forthcoming events. This year’s main focus is to intrigue further this crowning legend and make everyone journey through the exhilarating and often eccentric world of the Bug. So the objectives for 2014 are; amplify and increasing the reach of the local reveal of the club and car, raising awareness, excitement and demand for the club and car as well as engaging with members in real-time about the club and car. The calendar of events in brief includes, the Pride of Ownership Drive - 30th March – Venue to be notified in due course, World Volkswagen Day 22nd June, Legends VW Rally - 28th September, AGM - 25th October and VW Nite - 29th November. The Volkswagen Beetle Owners Club who has celebrated over 60years in Sri Lanka. The VW Beetle Owner’s Club has steadily grown into one of the most colourful and largest motor related associations in the island today. Apart from the prestige assigned to the Volkswagen insignia, crowds seem to be drawn to the vibrant personality that “Beetles” naturally radiate, which would explain the immense success of the past events. To date the Club boasts of a membership of over two hundred and fifty and that number continues to grow. Please contact the Club Secretary Mr. Nalin S Perera on 0770333444 for further information on registering for events and for participation in all future events.
Pride of Ownership Drive 2012x
76 • SRI LANKA THE TREASURE ISLAND • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
The Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s No.1 Bank reaches its 75th Anniversary this August (2014). The Bank caters to over half the Sri Lankan population. In Sri Lanka the bank has over 1000 customer touch points including 616 branches and 524 ATMs. With reference to international presence the Bank of Ceylon has overseas branches in Chennai, London, Male and Seychelles. It has foreign correspondent relationships with over 860 agents all over the world. Due to this large network foreign remittances can be sent to Sri Lanka from any part of the world and Bank would credit the intended beneficiary instantly and inform them by an SMS to a provided telephone number. At the same time Outward remittances can be sent via SWIFT from Sri Lanka to any country The Bank is committed to providing its services in Corporate Banking, SME Banking, Islamic Banking, Retail Banking, Offshore Banking, Trade Finance, Investment Banking, Forex Transactions, Deposit Accounts, Foreign Remittances and Credit Facilities. The capacity that Bank of Ceylon has to provide diverse financial solutions to
its customers has been its greatest attribute in its 75 year success story. The Bank of Ceylon won global recognition as one of the top 1000 banks in the world, as listed by The Banker Magazine (UK) respectively in 2012 and 2013. It was awarded Asia’s Best Brand award 2013 by the Chief Marketing Officer’s Council (CMO Council) based in Mumbai, India. Bank of Ceylon has rated Fitch AA+ (lka). Brand Finance Lanka ranked Bank of Ceylon as the No.1 Brand for the last five consecutive years. The Bank has achieved exceptional milestones in recent years. It has been successful in achieving rapid growth in recent years and currently holds more than Rs.One Trillion assets. It has also demonstrated the ability to raise funds quite easily in international marketsthe two recent US Dollar 500 million bond issues were oversubscribed by nearly 200%. These, coupled with its 75 years of service in Sri Lanka as the nation’s first indigenous modern bank have earned it the right to call itself “Bankers to the nation”. It looks forward to expanding its operations as the Sri Lankan economy continues to expand.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 • 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. temples and vast initiated. Large palaces, had a long association with construction works that they The Sri Lankan people have the large scale and massive for bers num large in and used the aid of elephants. Assistant ed his career as a Research Vasantha Nugegoda start n Ripley from d famous Primatologist Suza worl of ance guid the r unde served as the Washington. Vasantha has 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 t. Scot r Piete Sir r unde ge Slim Brid
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