Serendib Holidays

09/10/2019

Recognising Jaffna: A culinary adventure by popular YouTubers ‘Chopstick Travel’

Under Sri Lanka Tourism’s Travel Blogger & Influencer Program, Luke Martin and Sabrina Davidson of ‘Chopstick Travel’ – the popular food travel based YouTube channel – visited Sri Lanka recently to explore Sri Lanka’s culinary diversity filled with rich flavours.

Chopstick Travel is one of the growing international culinary travel channels on You Tube and boasts over 93 million global views and over 500,000 subscribers.

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http://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Recognising-Jaffna-A-culinary-adventure-by-popular-YouTubers-Chopstick-Travel/27-687184?fbclid=IwAR3lAcYmFn98kVgISR6fH0-enTo8zIcoRy4_5sU3tfG42D7We9kI8B2FfaE

03/10/2019

***Sri Lanka Govt allows internal flight operation for foreign airlines***

The Sri Lanka govenments cabinet of ministers has given the nod for foreign airlines to operate domestic flights, a statement said.

Sri Lanka’s civil aviation authority will issue one year operating licenses to foreign airlines that are interested in flying within Sri Lanka, the state information office said in a statement on the latest cabinet decisions.

The flights will operate to and from Jaffna international airport, Batticaloa, Colombo, Ratmalana and Mattala International Airport.

The proposal was put forward by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to the cabinet.

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https://www.lankabusinessonline.com/sri-lanka-govt-allows-…/

24/07/2019

Sri Lanka to issue free visas for 46 countries from August 01

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal from the Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry to include China in its free visa policy which will be launched from Aug. 1, Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga said Tuesday.

Addressing a media briefing held at the conclusion of a tour by visiting Chinese journalists to Sri Lanka, Amaratunga said China was the second largest market for Sri Lanka tourism and the free visa policy for the Chinese market would boost Chinese tourist arrivals.

“We are aware that China is one of our main markets. Despite the setback from the Easter Sunday attacks, I am sure this year we will be able to achieve our targets. From August 1, Chinese tourists can come to Sri Lanka without a visa fee and we see this as a landmark decision for the tourism industry,” Amaratunga said.

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http://www.travelvoice.lk/sri-lanka-to-issue-free-visas-for-46-countries-from-august-01/

Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal from the Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry to include China in its free visa policy which will be launched from Aug. 1, Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga said Tuesday. Addressing a media brie...

10/07/2019

! Heeloya Village Trekking !

Get a feel of the life in a typical village in addition to trekking and sight-seeing and a culinary experience in true Sri Lankan style at Heeloya which is a rural, remote agricultural village in the Kandy district with a unique attraction of understanding how justice was meted out in the good old days. The proceedings of hearing a case by the village-headman and the location are still intact. Paddy cultivation, home gardening, livestock, spice plantations, toddy tapping, handicrafts, bee-keeping are some of the attractions in this village experience.

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28/06/2019

**Grand Hotel among top 100 luxury hotels of the world**

The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya found itself ranked among the top 100 luxury hotels of the world in the Hotel of the Year Awards 2019.

Recognised for its superior guest experience and service standards, the iconic landmark of the hill country became the only Sri Lankan Hotel to be listed in the elite collection of luxury hotels.

The Hotel of the Year award showcases much more than the physical product of the hotel and recognises the guest experience that will live with guests for many years and elevates the hotel over its competitors. It’s a demonstration of impeccable standards of both service and facilities, a standard that is derived from professionally critiqued stays at each individual hotel.

The Hotel of the Year Awards (http://hoteloftheyearawards.com) recognises and rewards hotels, resorts, boutique properties and spas that deliver exceptional levels of service and world class facilities to its guests.

The Grand Hotel won the coveted award for the Best Luxury Romantic Heritage Hotel among a sea of international chain hotels and famous boutique hotels, giving Sri Lanka tourism a much needed boost as a premier destination on the travel map.

http://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Grand-Hotel-among-top-100-luxury-hotels-of-the-world/27-680672

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25/06/2019

Chariot Path of King Rawana which is situated in pusellawa, is a Grass land (Plain) on a top of a mountain range that is surrounded by a pigmy forest,which looks like a pathway. It is a remarkably beautiful place.
It is a bare area with a huge grass land surrounded by short Nelu trees and mountainous forest. The chariot path is a road like path where the “Dandu monara” has been landed and it is said that King Ravana brought Sita devi to this place to show the beauty of his kingdom while flying from Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika!

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08/05/2019

Udawattakele Forest Reserve, often spelled as Udawatta Kele, is a historic forest reserve on a hill-ridge in the city of Kandy. It is 104 hectares (257 acres) large. During the days of the Kandyan kingdom, Udawattakele was known as "Uda Wasala Watta" in Sinhalese meaning "the garden above the royal palace". The sanctuary is famous for its extensive avifauna. The reserve also contains a great variety of plant species, especially lianas, shrubs and small trees. There are several giant lianas. Many of small and medium size mammals that inhabit Sri Lanka can be seen here. Several kinds of snakes and other reptiles might be seen. Udawattakele was designated as a forest reserve in 1856, and it became a sanctuary in 1938.

It has been recorded that the brahmin called Senkanda, from whose name the city's original name Senkandagalapura derives, lived in a cave in this forest. The rock-shelter or cave now known as the Senkandagala-lena is on the slope above the temple of the tooth and can be visited. The Senkandagala-lena collapsed in a landslide in 2012. The legend says the brahmin brought a sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi here and planted it in the present site of Natha Devala. It was used as a pleasure garden by the Kandyan kings. The forest was reserved for the Royal family, and the pond in the forest was used for bathing. The public was restricted from accessing the forest hence the name Thahanci kele (Sinhalese for Forbidden forest).

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06/05/2019

***Central Highlands of Sri Lanka***

Sri Lanka’s highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. This are comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.

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02/05/2019

!! 52 Russian tourists give glimmer of hope !!

Fifty two Russian holidaymakers arrived here yesterday morning through another DMC at the BIA from Moscow on a chartered flight.
The visitors said that they were aware of the Easter Sunday carnage, but decided to visit Sri Lanka.
They said they would visit Weligama, Hikkaduwa and Bentota as well as Sigiriya, Nuwara Eliya and Ella during their holiday.
They said they were confident that the country was safe enough for tourists to visit.

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http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=203543

10/04/2019

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild and plants does not threaten their survival. The Parties to CITES are collectively referred to as the of the Parties. Every two to three years, the Conference of the Parties meets to review the implementation of the Convention. These meetings last for about two weeks and are usually hosted by one of the Parties.
CITES is a multi-lateral treaty between governments for protecting the survival of species in the , especially, endangered plants and animals and to counter international trade threat. The Conference of the parties to the treaty meets periodically to review the implementation of the Convention and is being honoured with the hosting of the next conference on the dates mentioned below.
The 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will be scheduled to be held from 23 May to 3 June 2019 at the BMICH in , with over 3,000 foreign delegates and media expected to participate.

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04/04/2019

KANDY ESALA PERAHARA
Buddhist Literature unveils various pageants and festivities held in great honor of Lord Buddha. The perahara pageant concept became popular during the reign of Emperor Asoka of India. Kandy Perahara pageant really pageant which displays traditional customs. Majority of them been intermingled with the Buddhist and Hindu religious customs.
Yet they display and highlight the great value of the Sinhals culture.Most of the customs have taken from on statues stated in the “Dantha Dhathu Charitha” or “Dalada Siritha” (a book on the customs pertaining on the sacred Tooth Relic) Written during the regime of Parakramabahu IV (1302-1326) of Kurunagala.
The Dalada Siritha stated 38 statutes, on which a perahara pageant should be conducted.Accordingly, the Shrine Room of the Sacred Tooth Relic should be cleaned at the auspicious hour. canopies should be tied, should be decorated beautifully with various silk clothes; The king team of ministers and general public of the city should make offering of rice, flowers and light oil lamps on the 7th day morning,the city should be decorated like the heaven on the same day evening, the chief priests of Uttara Mula Sect personnel of two castes Ganavesi and Kilin should move the Sacred Relic casked with utmost veneration.

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13/03/2019

The Sri Lanka Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has teamed up with producer Nicola Brown to create a nature documentary enticing to visit the island.

Nicola’s and production team has extensive experience working with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, collectively responsible for series including Blue Planet II, Africa, Human Planet and Our Blue Planet, the digital campaign around Blue Planet II.

The film evokes the destination’s new branding, So Sri Lanka, which aims to entice experience-seeking travellers to visit .

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09/03/2019

!!! Everesting for the first time in Sri Lanka !!!
is the chosen for the internationally renowned cycling event called ‘Everesting’. The prestigious event which is considered the pinnacle of performance for a enthusiast, will be creating history this year as it has chosen Sri Lanka as its first ever South Asian destination to host this competition which will be held from 6-7 April at the Raddelle Hill Climb in Nuwara Eliya.

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04/03/2019

With the growing success as a , Sri Lanka has received the opportunity to host the World’s most accomplished in a World Qualifying Series competition this June in Arugam Bay.
This exciting opportunity is a perfect showcase for the growing world of surfing in and would strengthen its place as a first-class surf destination.

This event is supported by the Central Programme Management Unit, under the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training & Skills Development and Youth Affairs for effective coordination among all the relevant stakeholders.

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28/02/2019

Multiple countries are to be granted visa free entry to for six months from April 1st this year.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Minister of Development, Wild Life and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga to grant a 6-month free visa period from 1st April 2019 for The move will help boost in Sri Lanka, the Government said.

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28/02/2019

Saptha Kanya mountain range open to tourists

The Seven Virgin (Saptha Kanya) in Maskeliya would be open for both local and in future, Ambagamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Jayantha Perera said.

Mr Perera made these remarks at a briefing held at the Ambagamuwa area where an inspection was carried out by officials. Accordingly, six out of the seven in the range would be open for .

An observation deck will also be setup in the sixth peak of the mountain, the Chairman added.

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26/02/2019

Lunugamvehera National Park in was declared in 1995, with the intention of protecting the catchment area of the reservoir and of the area. The national park is an important habitat for water and . The catchment area is vital to maintain the water levels of the five tanks in the down stream of Kirindi Oya and wetland characteristics of Bundala National Park. This national park also serves as a corridor for elephants to migrate between National Park and National Park. The national park is situated 261 km (162 mi) southwest from . After being closed because of the Sri Lankan civil war, the national park is now open to the general public.

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22/02/2019

Historic Galle Fort is great for shopping and dining.

The best way to spend the evening in Galle Fort is to walk along its old streets and visit local cafe or restaurant.
While the city of now stretches far beyond the ramparts, the fort itself (built up by the Dutch in the 17th century) has been painstakingly maintained and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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20/02/2019

Indo-SL joint railway service on the cards

It has been decided to resume the joint railway service between Sri Lanka and India, the Prime Minister’s office said today.

Such a service existed between Chennai and Colombo Fort where passengers could use a single ticket to travel between Colombo Fort and Chennai.

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It has been decided to resume the joint railway service between Sri Lanka and India, the Prime Minister’s office said today. ..

14/02/2019

This is a one of the place where special , highly respected people used to rest in Anuradhapura.

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12/02/2019

Sri Lanka to take sports tourism towards new dimension.

Sri Lanka Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) will be making inroads towards , by supporting the internationally acclaimed adventure Racing World Championship’ which will take place on 13 December this year.

This will be the first time Sri Lanka will be hosting an expedition , consisting of many adventure such as , , and navigation. Preparations are currently underway for this mega event, which will be vital in positioning the country as an adventure and tourism destination, whilst encouraging more tourist arrivals for the sporting event.

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08/02/2019

In the valley of , within the 500-acre and , Bougainvillea Retreat offers well-decorated guestrooms with free Wi-Fi. Overlooking Mountain Range and Lake, the retreat also has an outdoor pool, an outdoor spa and a small .

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06/02/2019

Mahaweli Reach now offers ‘Zero Carbon Hotel Stays’!

One of the Country’s most iconic , Mahaweli Reach, revived its pledge to sustainability for a second consecutive year when it was recertified as a Carbon Conscious, WaterConscious and WasteConscious , and also became ’s first recipient of the unique ‘Zero Carbon Stay’ certification.

During an event graced by the Hotel’s Senior Management, the certifications were awarded by The Sustainable Future Group (SFG) ’s foremost sustainability validation, verification and certification services provider.

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01/02/2019

Ulagalla by Uga Escapes wins 8 Trip Advisor Choice Awards ranking among the top 10 in .
Trip Advisor, the travel web site that helps across the globe, find the latest reviews and lowest prices, recently announced the winners of its Travelers' Choice awards. Among the many contenders, from has emerged triumphant, winning several Asian and Local Awards of Excellence.

Hailing under the Asian Region, Ulagalla has secured 04 awards. Ranking Number 14 among the Top 25 Small in Asia, Number 10 among the Top 25 Hotels in Asia, Number 17 among the Top 25 for Best Service in Asia, and Number 20 among the Top 25 for in Asia, the has imprinted the quality of Sri Lanka’s in the Region.

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29/01/2019

The Uttara Devi train began its maiden journey from Fort to Kankasanthurai early today.The first class compartment is equipped with 52 seats, while the second class has 64. In one third-class compartment, there are 152 seats. The train can accommodate 724 people at once.The locomotive consists of seats and passengers have the ability to get details relevant to their points through GPS technology.

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24/01/2019

Hiriketiya Beach is so gorgeous!
It is what everyone would describe as a paradise. the Lovely sand, clean crystal waters, high waves, the friendly atmosphere was mesmerizing. There was a very good too for surfers and the boats were on the beach and some were enjoying bathing too. Visiting the would give a utmost feeling of a tropical beach for both foriegn and local visitors.

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22/01/2019

Madulsima is a rural village which is located 40 km away from . The distance from town will be around 180 km and then u can reach the passara town and pitamaruwa road and we can reach the destination of madulsima village.This village consist of a which is the 3rd highest waterfall in uva province and the 7th place of all waterfalls which is situated in .

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17/01/2019

Floating Experience in Sri Lanka

16/01/2019

WELCOME TO SRI LANKA



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15/01/2019

Yala Sri Lanka