ri Lanka's national carrier,

Sr iLankan A i r l ines has Sintroduced attractive, special

fares, from USA and Canada to

Colombo. These fares offered in

combination with Air Canada,

American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic

Airlines and US Airways, are valid

from April to August .

Sri Lanka, nestling at the tip of the

Indian subcontinent, is an island of

vast bio diversity, history, culture and

cuisine. Often called the Paradise

Island its 65,610 square kilo meters

mass of land, is a journey of discovery

1

for visitors offering everything from

pristine beaches, turquoise ocean, to lush

green hills in the central country

dominated by tea plantations, wild life

parks, heritage sites, bargain shopping

and a tropical mix of spicy cuisine.Sri Lanka, once called the “finest island of

its size in all the world” by Marco Polo,

offers its visitors an amazing travel

experience, enhanced with warmth and

hospitality inherent in its people, which is

the hallmark of service on board

SriLankan Airlines.

The country's natural water ways, from its

cascading waterfalls, to its natural lakes

and rivers, are popular for rafting,

canoeing and a surf point in the south east

of the country, called Arugam Bay, is rated

one of the top ten surfing destinations in

the world, drawing many competitors

from North America to participate in

international surfing events organised by

SriLankan Airlines. The airline has also used its abundant

water ways to operate domestic flights to

many parts of the country. SriLankan Air

Taxi, which only lands on water, takes

passengers to any part of the country,

within an hour which provides a

panoramic view of the breath taking

landscape of the country.National Geographic Traveller magazine

recently rated Sri Lanka among its six

best destinations to travel in 2012. SriLankan Airlines has partnerships with

several US and Canadian carriers, to

ensure seamless connections, across

continents, the most recent code share

agreement being with Air Canada, in

October last year. The airline operates wide-body aircraft

with luxurious interiors, flat bed seating,

and state of the art audio video on

demand (AVOD) entertainment systems,

to all its long haul destinations.SriLankan Airlines operates daily to

London and is the only carrier to have a

non-stop service to Colombo from

London. Sr iLankan f l ies to 60

destinations in 33 countries.For reservations, Passengers and agents

can contact the nearest SriLankan

Airlines office or Travel agency.

The International Air Transportation

Association (IATA) names SriLankan

Airlines’ International Aviation Academy

(IAA) as one of its ten best Authorised

Training Centres (ATC) in South Asia, for

2012. The award is a formidable

endorsement o f the ou ts tand ing

contribution by IAA in developing human

capital for tomorrow’s air transport industry

and related sectors.

“It gives us great pride and encouragement

to receive this recognition from the world’s

top aviation trade organisation and

strengthens the IAA in its pursuit of

excellence, to empower human resources

to face tomorrow’s aviation challenges” said

SriLankan Airlines’ Head of Human

Resources, Pradeepa Kekulawala.

The award was based on IAAs strategic

direction and progress, quality of delivery,

and end result on an overall high aggregate

of 90 per cent.

The IAA is the training and development arm

of SriLankan Airlines Limited. Its portfolio

provides more than 80 training modules

under five faculties (Management & Sales;

Information Technology; Passenger, Cargo

3

& Safety). It is a total solutions provider of

skills, knowledge and inter-personal skills

training for all employees of SriLankan.

The IAA which has an IATA regional training

status, conducts globally recognised

professional aviation training in Sri Lanka

and the Maldives. IAA also works closely

with the United Federation of Travel Agents

Association (UFTAA), the Federation of

Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA),

University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka’s Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA) and Airport &

Aviation. Partnering the CAA, the IAA is

engaged in launching aviation clubs in Sri

Lanka’s schools in support of the

government’s ‘Guwansara’ Programme

which aims to create awareness and

interest in the global aviation industry,

amongst the younger generation.

IAA is consistently striving towards

becoming the most preferred training

partner and catalyst of south Asia’s aviation

industry by providing the widest portfolio of

world class aviation training. It also aims to

be a viable business partner by converting

aviation training into profit generating

business.

Over 60 years, IATA has developed the

commercial standards that built a global

industry. Today, IATA's mission is to

represent, lead and serve the airline

industry. Its members comprise some 240

airlines - the world's leading passenger and

cargo airlines among them - representing

84% of total air traffic.

SriLankan’s association with the IATA

Training and Development Institute (ITDI) is

progressively becoming stronger and is an

invaluable support to the development of the

IAA. The ITDI currently offers a continuously

expanding portfolio of over 400 courses and

a wide range of diplomas in the fields of

Airlines, Airports, Civil Aviation, Air

Navigation Services, Cargo, Safety and

Security, as well as Management and

Training Skills from entry level to senior

managers. ITDI delivers training at more

than 200 locations worldwide to over 31,000

students annually from around the world.

Corporate Communications DepartmentSriLankan Airlines Limited

28th March, 2012

Business class passengers, departing Bandaranaike International Airport on SriLankan Airlines, to any of its 34 online destinations, could avail of a unique ‘Silk Route’ offer which streamlines check-in, customs, immigration & security formalities.

The ‘Silk Route’ experience, is the latest addition to SriLankan’s premium Business class product, commencing 15th March, 2012. There will be no more queues, as passengers will be met on arrival at the ‘Silk Route’ Departure entrance and escorted to the Silk Route

Lounge, while all travel formalities are finalised and the Boarding Pass is handed to the passenger.

Passengers can then look forward to be pampered at SriLankan Airlines’ Business Class lounge - Serendib, which offers a unique serene atmosphere with an exclusive 24-hour buffet which includes starters, main courses, salads, fruits, juices, snacks, desserts, alcoholic beverages and a choice of cocktails, smoothies and mocktails; Ayurvedic Spa treatment; sleepers for a quiet nap; shower rooms; smokers’ room; and an Internet Café complete with WiFi Zone, movies, Cable TV and 3D Games.

“ Our focus is to streamline the travel experience and with ‘Silk Route’ we open an exclusive area, avai lable to SriLankan’s Business Class and which is specially advantageous during peak times” said Saminda Perera, Country Manager, Sri Lanka & the Maldives.

SriLankan Airlines is progressing with its aircraft cabin interior upgrade in all its long-haul aircraft, expected to be complete by the middle of this year. The business class product offers the latest flat-bed seats with a seat pitch of 79 inches. All seats will be equipped with the latest Inflight Entertainment System with audio/video channels and video games. Business Class will also have an On-Demand Movie Library. SriLankan has already completed the upgrade in more than half of its long-haul fleet.

The Silk Route Lounge located at the Departure area of the BIA, is managed by Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. Corporate Communications DepartmentSriLankan Airlines

12th March, 2012

The Annual Staff Conference of

SriLankan Airlines GSA for North America was held on 20th

January, 2012 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, Sri

Lanka. Staff based in Canada, Colombo and US attended the

workshop which was a great success.

The workshop began with a welcome speech by Dillan

Ariyawansa, Senior Vice President North America for SriLankan

Airlines GSA. Worrel Casiechitty Manager HR & Admin & Laksiri

Fernando Manager Ticketing & Reservations were introduced.

Ajith De Alwis, Manager Sales & Operations conducted a

presentation on “Performance of Sri Lankan Travel, How to

Increase Sales and New Opportunities, whilst Manager

Canada, Lalith Wickremasinghe conducted a presentation on

“How to identify the Canada market/new development

potentials”. Manager Cargo, Shamike Perera spoke on “Cargo

Development in North America”, Paduma Samarakone

Manager Finance spoke on “Accounting Procedures” of the

company whilst Maria D`Souza did a presentation on “How to

improve Canada sales”. Dilshan Pitawalage, Sales Support &

Ticketing spoke on a new product “Tour Packages and how to

create awareness and get more business”.

External facilitators, Munshift Hussain Certified Trainer on Soft

Skills and Service Excellence conducted a presentation on

Motivation. It was a very exciting presentation where he

managed to get audience participation, while Ajitha

Sri Lankan Travel, Inc Gunawardena spoke on Telephone Ethics.

SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager for North America,

Senaka Fernando and Amitabh Anthonypillai, SriLankan`s

Global Alliance Manager were present at the workshop. Senaka

Fernando spoke briefly on the SriLankan Airlines operations and

gave a Product update and the synergies with the Budget

Carrier Mihin Lanka and spelt out that there is no competition or

conflicts between the two airlines.

There were two other guest speakers; Ehantha Sirisena –

OMAK Technologies who spoke about possible growth with

Internet Bookings and presented the newly developed Sri

Lankan Travel, Inc website and how it could be used for air ticket

purchases by the customers. Sanka from Jetwing made a

presentation regarding Inbound Tourism and offered assistance

in ground handling for our customers. He further elaborated on

new areas that could be promoted other than the traditional ones

usually promoted by all thereby winning over new customers.

The Outstanding Sales Achievement Award and a prize was

presented to Dilshan Pitawalage in recognition of his

Exceptional Sales Performance in year 2011. Buddhika Ranil

received a prize for best attendance record for year 2011. A Prize

was also awarded to Damith Tharanga.

Just prior to winding up Laksiri Fernando spoke about his joining

the company is not to police on the staff but to support them in

continuing their excellent work done and to assist them to do a

little extra and requested their co-operation in his endeavor.

5

6

7

8

9

Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines took part at “The New

York Times Travel Show”, North America`s Premier Travel

Show, which was held at the prestigious Jacob K. Javits

Convention Centre in New York City from March 2 – 4, 2012.

The Sri Lanka Tourism booth was officially opened on Friday,

March 2, by H.E. Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Ambassador of Sri

Lanka to the United States, H.E. Dr. Palitha Kohona Sri Lanka`s

Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Major

General Shavendra Silva, Deputy Permanent Representative of

Sri Lanka to the United Nations and Mr. Dillan Ariyawansa, Head

of SriLankan Airlines GSA in North America and Honorary

Director for Sri Lanka Tourism in the USA along with

distinguished guests.

Tour Operators and Hoteliers from Sri Lanka participated at the

Sri Lanka Tourism booth, namely Varini De Silva of Ceylon

Express International, Dular Niyangoda of Newxplorer.com,

Raju Arasaratnam of Jetwing Travels, L.S.R. Dharmapala of

Lanka Sportreizen, Jan Van Twest of The Fortress Resort &

Spa, Afghar Mohideen and Gayangi Wirasinha of United

Holidays and Rajitha Rajapakse of Walkers Tours.

Sri Lanka's participation at the Show also included cultural

presentations. The world renowned Sri Lankan Dance troupe,

“Channa-Upuli,” flown in courtesy of SriLankan Airlines

performed on Saturday, March 3 from 1.15 - 1.30pm and 4.15 -

4.30pm followed by additional performances on Sunday, March

4 from 12.15 - 12.30pm and 2.15 - 2.30pm on the Asia Stage

which was one of five cultural stages at the Show featuring live

performances and culinary presentations from around the world.

Another main attraction at the booth was the life-sized elephant

made out of fiber, flown all the way from Colombo to New York in

one piece just for the Show!

Visitors to the Sri Lanka Tourism booth also had the opportunity

to sign up for a “show only raffle” for two complimentary return

air tickets to Colombo from New York courtesy of SriLankan

Airlines inclusive of a 3 night/4 day tour package of Sri Lanka.

The booth was always busy and over 4000 signed up for the

raffle draw which took place on the last day of the Show.

11

American Cable Channels publicized the Show over the

weekend of March 3 - 4 featuring the Sri Lanka Tourism booth

amongst others.

This year's Show welcomed a total of 20,860 travelers and

industry professionals to a jam-packed three days of travel

sales and education. The trade attendance throughout the

three days was the highest ever with 6,334 industry

professionals attending the Travel Industry Conference &

Expo on Friday and throughout the weekend. Sri Lanka`s

participation at the Show proved to be a success with many

American Tour Operators, Travel Writers and Tourists from all

over the U.S. showing a great deal of interest in visiting Sri

Lanka.

Photography by Sagara Lakmal De Mel.

12

13

Exclusive Agents for....

In 2011 Pacific Holidays, New York's

premier outbound tour operator servicing

destinations in Asia, Latin American and

the South Pacific, in direct cooperation

with SriLankan Airlines, hosted a travel

agent familiarization trip to Sri Lanka that I

had the privilege to accompany. The

entire group of travel agents from the

United States and Canada were so

impressed by the beauty and amazing

cultural heritage of this truly diverse

nation.

The trip began with a night in Colombo at

the historic Pegasus Reef Hotel, where

we had our first Sri Lankan culinary

experience. The delicious Sri Lankan

food turned out to be one of the real

highlights of the trip.

Some of the other highlights of the trip

were the Elephant Orphanage in

Pinnawela, where we were delighted by

the baby elephants playing in the water

and running around the magnificent

scenery, and the rock fortress of Sigirya, a

monumental World Heritage Site with

breathtaking views. We spent one night at

the Sigiryia Village Hotel each having our

own special bungalows with charming

decoration. Strolling the property's

garden while admiring the flowers in

bloom and the beautifully manicured

grounds was a great experience.

After Sigiriya we visited the well

preserved remains of the medieval capital

of Polonnarawa and the Dambulla Cave

Temple where we marveled at the

enormous Buddhas and well kept

vestiges of an ancient civilization. We

were fortunate enough to overnight at

Mahaweli Reach Hotel on the banks of

Mahaweli River, where the high end

cuisine and impeccable staff in traditional

costume made for a remarkable stay.

There's so much to do in Kandy, our next

stop. We visited the Botanical Gardens

and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

of Buddha, finishing the day with a river

cruise at sunset to marvel at the lush

fauna and flora.

Just when I though the trip couldn't get

any better we arrived at Nuwara Eliya,

known as “little England,” were we stayed

at the Heritage Tea Factory Hotel. An old

Tea Factory with modern amenities and

tastefully decorated rooms, the Heritage

Hotel is perched on a mountain with

magnificent views and a gorgeous garden

full of flowers in bloom. We visited some

local tea factories and had the opportunity

to experience first hand the hard labor

that goes into collecting tea.

The entire group left Sri Lanka in love and

in awe of this little known destination. The

only regret was that we couldn't stay

longer, and I'm already hoping to return

soon. Sri Lanka is so appealing and its

beautiful lush scenery, tasteful dishes,

perfumed flowers, delicate historic

vestiges, and its musical people who love

to celebrate their culture in all occasions

truly overwhelms the sense. This is

certainly a place everyone ought to see at

least once in their lifetime.Marta Visu, VP Pacific Holidays

15

Events in USA

thRoyal College Old Boys` East Coast Association 18 Annual Dinner Dance

The Royal College Old Boy`s East Coast Association had their annual dinner dance on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at The Royal Manor in

Garfield, New Jersey. SriLankan Airlines USA contributed 2 round trip economy class air tickets from New York/Colombo.

Trinity College Kandy Dinner Dance 2011

The Trinity College Kandy Alumni Association of Washington D.C. held a fund raiser dinner dance on April 2, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency

Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. A free economy class air ticket courtesy SriLankan Airlinesfrom London/Colombo/London was awarded

as a prize at this event.

Sri Lanka New Year Festival 2011

The Sri Lanka Association of New York and the Sri Lanka Arts Society New Jersey organized a Sri Lankan New Year Festival which was held

on May 1, 2011 at the Gardner Field Recreation Park in Denville, NJ. SriLankan Airlines provided a return airline ticket from London to

Colombo as a prize at the Raffle Draw at this event.

Dallas / Fort Worth Sri Lankan night 2011

On the 30th of April, the Sri Lankan community in North Texas came together for a night of live music, dinner, and dance called the DFW

Sri Lankan Night. The event was held as a fund raiser for the Texas Buddhist Meditation Center (TBMC), the only cultural and spiritual

center for the Sri Lankan community in North Texas. The concert was held at the Corral Barn in Plano, Texas. Several hundred Sri Lankan

families, well-wishers and friends attended the event. SriLankan Airlines was a sponsor of this event and provided a Digital Camera which

was drawn by Dr. Achala Ellepola for the winner Mrs. Nanayakkara of Frisco, Texas.

Colombo Express Challenger Trophy

Ten Cricket teams from the New York and the Tri-State area competed in a home-away-from -home

cricket carnival on Sunday, June 5th for the Colombo Express Challenge Trophy 8-a-side Cricket

Tournament along with a grand Ladies Cricket Match at the spacious Staten Island Psychiatric

Center grounds with a well-attended Sri Lankan gathering.The ten teams Colombo Express,

Lanka Lions, Eagles, Thunder, Sri Lanka Cricket Club, Sri Lak, Black Knights, Sinhabahu, I-Tech

and Unicom started play from 9.00 in the morning till sun-down with great enthusiasm and wild

cheering from the many young gathering.

There were several booths with kids enjoying various games while live music kept the crowd

in carnival mood. Lunch boxes were available in plenty while several booths served Sri Lankan

delicacies such as helapa, lavariya, etc. The attraction was the hopper stand with egg-hopper,

fish curry and katta sambol.

The Colombo Express Challenge Trophy was shared by Colombo Express and Sri Lanka Cricket

Club as the Tournament was a tie between the two teams.

A free air ticket courtesy SriLankan Airlines from New York/Colombo/New York was awarded as a prize for the raffle draw at this event.

Ananda College East Coast Cricket Festival

On June 11, 2011 the annual Ananda College East Coast Cricket Festival organized by the Ananda College Old Boys` Association (East

Coast Chapter) was held at the Tall Timbers Park in South Brunswick. The proceeds of the event are for supporting schools in Sri Lanka by

providing supplies and scholarships when possible. SriLankan Airlines gave away a free round trip air ticket from London to Colombo as a

prize for the raffle.

Sri Lanka Day Expo, Santa Monica +

Sri Lanka Day an annual one-day event presented by Sri Lanka Foundation took place on August 6, 2011 from 10Am to 10PM. at the world

famous Third Street Promenade of Santa Monica, California showcasing Sri Lankan musicians, dancers, food and business. A parade of

beautifully dressed Sri Lankan performers and theatre elephants paraded the Promenade and there was also a fashion show with

traditional and colorful Sri Lankan clothing. There were several booths offering the best and most unique Sri Lanka foods, goods and

services to visitors attending the Sri Lanka Day. Nalin Amarasinghe of SriLankan Airlines, USA conducted a FlySmiLes promotion

campaign offering “Bonus Mils” for those who signed up during the event. FlySmiLes is the Frequent Flyer Program of SriLankan Airlines

and it is open for free sign up.

Third Annual Sri Lanka DayrdThe town of Acton together with the Sri Lanka Association of New England (SLANE) hosted their 3 Annual Sri Lanka Day in Acton on

August 13, 2011 at the Nara Park in Acton, Massachusetts. The event is an exposition of Sri Lankan culture and cuisine and visitors are able

to buy and sample a variety of Sri Lankan foods, arts and crafts, teas and spices. A wonderful event suitable for the entire family. SriLankan

Airlines gave away a free round trip air ticket from London to Colombo.

Charity Gala – Foundation of Goodness

A Charity Gala featuring Sri Lankan Cricketers Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitheran and Aravinda De Silva, organized by the thFoundation of Goodness was held at the Los Angeles Sheraton Gateway Hotel on 13 August 2011. There were live performances by

Chaminda Walpola with Preetysha and The Fabulous De Bois Band – Entourage. Two economy class round trip air tickets from New York

or Los Angeles to Colombo, courtesy SriLankan Airlines was awarded as the Grand Prize of the raffle drawn at the event.

Resplendent Land of Sri Lanka +

thPresentations on Sri Lanka byMr. Lakshman Ratnapala, Foreign Travel Club (FTC) Chairman took place on 27 October at the Marines

Memorial Club in San Francisco for the Foreign Travel Club of San Francisco. These presentations feature beautiful photos that show the

rich, diversity of Sri Lanka which Mr. Ratnapala spoke about. Lakshman brought along gifts of pure Ceylon Tea and photo books courtesy

Sri Lanka Tourism and a round trip air ticket from London to Colombo offered by SriLankan Airlines as a door prize which was won by Ms.

Jaqueline Lozada-Javier, Manager of the Broadmoor Hotel in San Francisco. thAnother presentation on Sri Lanka by Mr. Ratnapala to the PATA San Jose Chapter took place on 6 December 2011 at the Shiva`s

restaurant in California which will be followed by apresentation to the San Francisco Bay Area Travel Writers at the Presidio Library, San thFrancisco on February 15 2012.

2 Photos

4 Photos

12 Photos

4 Photos

4 Photos

Ten Cricket teams from the New York and the Tri-State area

competed in a home-away-from -home cricket carnival on

Sunday, June 5th, 2011 for the Colombo Express Challenge

Trophy 8-a-side Cricket Tournament along with a grand

Ladies Cricket Match at the spacious Staten Island

Psychiatric Center grounds with a well-attended Sri Lankan

gathering. The ten teams Colombo Express, Lanka Lions,

Eagles, Thunder, Sri Lanka Cricket Club, Sri Lak, Black

Knights, Sinhabahu, I-Tech and Unicom started play from

9.00 in the morning till sun-down with great enthusiasm and

wild cheering from the many young gathering.

There were several booths with kids enjoying various games

Colombo Express Challenge Trophywhile live music kept the crowd in carnival mood. Lunch boxes

were available in plenty while several booths served Sri

Lankan delicacies such as helapa, lavariya, etc. The

attraction was the hopper stand with egg-hopper, fish curry

and katta sambol.

The Colombo Express Challenge Trophy was shared by

Colombo Express and Sri Lanka Cricket Club as the

Tournament was a tie between the two teams.

A free air ticket courtesy SriLankan Airlines from New

York/Colombo/New York was awarded as a prize for the raffle

draw at this event.

16

17

On June 11, 2011 the annual Ananda College East Coast

Cricket Festival organized by the Ananda College Old Boys`

Association (East Coast Chapter) was held at the Tall Timbers

Park in South Brunswick. The proceeds of the event were

Sri Lanka Day an annual one-day event presented by Sri

Lanka Foundation took place on August 6, 2011 from 10AM to

10PM at the world famous Third Street Promenade of Santa

Monica, California showcasing Sri Lankan musicians,

dancers, food and business. A parade of beautifully dressed

Sri Lankan performers and theatre elephants paraded the

Promenade and there was also a fashion show with traditional

and colorful Sri Lankan clothing. There were several booths

used for supporting schools in Sri Lanka by providing supplies

and scholarships when possible. SriLankan Airlines gave

away a free round trip air ticket from London to Colombo as a

prize for the raffle.

offering the best and most unique Sri Lanka foods, goods and

services to visitors attending the Sri Lanka Day. Late Nalin

Amarasinghe of SriLankan Airlines, USA conducted a

FlySmiLes promotion campaign offering “Bonus Miles” for

those who signed up during the event. FlySmiLes is the

Frequent Flyer Program of SriLankan Airlines and it is open for

free sign up.

18

A Charity Gala featuring Sri Lankan Cricketers Sanath

Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitheran and Aravinda De Silva,

organized by the Foundation of Goodness was held at the Los thAngeles Sheraton Gateway Hotel on 13 August 2011. There

were live performances by Chaminda Walpola with Preetysha

The De Mazenod College OBU had their annual dinner dance

on November 5, 2011 at the Twin Brooks Country Club in

Watchung, New Jersey. A free return air ticket from London to

The Sri Lanka Medical Association of North America held their

annual Dinner Dance at the New York Hilton on November 12,

2011. SLMANA is a non-profit organization of Physicians of

Sri Lankan origin and the primary goal of SLMANA is

charitable work in Sri Lanka. A free round trip air ticket New

The town of Acton together with the Sri Lanka Association of rdNew England (SLANE) hosted their 3 Annual Sri Lanka Day

in Acton on August 13, 2011 at the Nara Park in Acton,

Massachusetts. The event is an exposition of Sri Lankan

culture and cuisine and visitors are able to buy and sample a

variety of Sri Lankan foods, arts and crafts, teas and spices. A

wonderful event suitable for the entire family. SriLankan

Airlines gave away a free round trip air ticket from London to

Colombo.

and The Fabulous De Bois Band – Entourage. Two economy

class round trip air tickets from New York or Los Angeles to

Colombo, courtesy SriLankan Airlines was awarded as the

Grand Prize of the raffle drawn at the event.

Colombo courtesy SriLankan Airlines was offered to the

winner of the raffle draw.

York/Colombo was provided courtesy SriLankan Airlines for

this event to raise funds for SLMANA`s mission of health and

humanitaring charitable work in a needy are of Sri Lanka.

19

Presentations on Sri Lanka Tourism were conducted by Emeritus President & CEO of PATA, Mr. Lakshman Ratnapala, to travel industry audiences in five locations in California recently. The first was to the Foreign Travel Club (FTC) of San Francisco of which Mr. Ratnapala is Chairman, on 27th October 2011. A round trip air ticket from London to Colombo offered by SriLankan Airlines as a door prize at this event was won by Ms. Jaqueline Lozada-Javier, Manager of the Broadmoor Hotel in San Francisco.

The second presentation on Sri Lanka by Mr. Ratnapala to the

Winner Ms. Jaqueline Lozada-Javier receiving the SriLankan Airlines ticket from

Mr. Lakshman Ratnapala with the President of the FTC (at center).

PATA San Jose Chapter took place on 6th December 2011 in the town of Mountain View, followed by a third presentation to the San Francisco Bay Area Travel Writers Inc. (BATW) of which Mr. Ratnapala is a Director, on February 15th 2012. A round trip air ticket from London to Colombo, awarded by SriLankan Airlines as a door prize at this event, was won by Mary Jean Pramik, Principal of Communications, LLC. Other prizes of hotel stays in Sri Lanka were awarded by Jetwing Hotels and Mahaweli Reach Hotel. Ceylon Express International in Los Angeles gifted packets of pure Ceylon tea, while Mr. Ratnapala gave away books on Sri Lanka.

The most recent presentations on Sri Lanka were in the Southern California cities of Newport Beach, to the PATA Orange County Chapter on February 29 and in Los Angeles to the PATA SoCal Chapter on March 1, 2012, attended by Sri Lanka's Consul General on the U.S. West Coast, Dr. and Mrs. Hector Weerasinghe.

All presentations were well attended and were marked by animated audience discussions on Sri Lanka's tourism attractions, current marketing and future development plans. Travel industry interest created by these presentations has already resulted in new tour packages to Sri Lanka being included in upcoming programs slated for 2013.

Winner Ms. Mary Jean Pramik receiving the SriLankan Airlines ticket from Mr. Lakshman Ratnapala.

20

21

By Lakshman RatnapalaEmeritus President & CEO of Pacific Asia Travel AssociationChairman, Enelar InternationalSan Francisco, California

The celebrated storyteller Mark Twain (1835-1910) wrote, "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover."

As more and more people take that advice to heart, and set off to explore and discover, global tourism will surge to heights reached never before with a record one billion visits across international boundaries this year.

In the process they will generate trillions of dollars for investment, create one in 12 jobs worldwide, enhance the lives of millions of people and open massive opportunities for the growth and development of countries, rich and poor, all across the world.

Because of its ability to create wealth, tourism plays a major role in achieving the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals for prosperity, peace and sustainability.

New challenges such as climate change and poverty, hunger and disease make fulfilling these goals more complex and pressing.

Therefore, as the U.N. Summit on Sustainable Development or Rio+20 convenes in Brazil this June, tourism leaders need to forge active partnerships with other sectors of the global economy to reach an inclusive, equitable and sustainable future for all.

Tourism is like fire. If well managed it can serve us; if allowed to master us, it can burn us.

Tourism poses many challenges for the well-being of the global community and the health of our planet - from the cultural degradation of local communities to the complete destruction of their value systems.

What is more, tourists impair the health of the earth by over- visitation of fragile ecosystems and the emissions of CO2 and other pollutants from their modes of transport, from cars and buses to trains and planes.

The global travel industry is now faced with the challenge of making a conscious decision of how it wants to go, where it wants to go - somewhat like Robert Frost in his poem "The Road Not Taken": "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood.... And sorry I could not travel both.....Two roads diverged in a wood, and I .... I took the one less traveled by..... And that has made all the difference."

Global tourism seems to have chosen the road "less traveled". Still, it is stumbling along, not quite sure how it will get to where it wants to go.

Responsible tourism demands that destinations, travel vendors and travelers alike unite in operating tours with a sensitivity to the social, cultural, natural and economic environments of the host

communities and of Mother Earth.

Towards that end, the industry has been fostering various forms of what is called sustainable tourism since the 1970s when the environmental movement began.

From this sprang today's popular concept of ecotourism. It nurtures the desire to travel to natural locations away from the man-made and built-up attractions, allowing the traveler to experience nature in its pristine glory, and to be educated about the culture and lifestyles of lesser known, poorly understood societies, off the beaten path.

Such visits create the beneficial effects of raising funds for the conservation of neglected natural landscapes and cultural monuments, as well as for the economic uplift of impoverished communities.

The flip side of the coin is that the growing popularity of ecotourism has led to abuse and exploitation of vulnerable environments and societies by unscrupulous tour and lodging operators, partly because of the absence of an internationally accepted single definition of what constitutes ecotourism, often interchanged with sustainable tourism, green tourism, nature tourism, etc.

Tourism organisations and conservationist groups have their own definitions of ecotourism. Individual tour operators and governments also muddy the water by promoting their own definitions.

In the broadest sense, however, ecotourism is travel to ecologically and culturally sensitive locations with the least negative impact thereon.

It is, of course, not possible for humans to travel anywhere without any negative impact, because even getting there causes environmental damage by the spread of carbon pollutants.

Airplanes are among the worst emitters of pollutants in the travel industry, although the International Air Transport Association counters that airplanes contribute only two percent of global manmade CO2 emissions - less than the flatulence of the cows in Europe!

Tourism will add 43 million more visitors every year, to top 1.8 billion arrivals by 2030, challenging the conservation of earth's resources more, even as these resources suffer more damage and become less available.

It is, therefore, critical that travelers be educated to be sensitive to the environments of the places they visit and understand they have a great responsibility to Mother Earth. In today's world of many interconnections, tourism cannot stand alone, and apart, from the global community.

We need to act together for the collective interest over self- interest. As Nelson Mandela discovered, "after climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb."

A Dinner Dance was organized by the St. Sebastian`s College

OBA, Canada and this was held on June 25, 2011 in

Mississauga Ontario. The main door prize and first prize for the

This is an annual musical event which took place on July 16,

2011 at the Scarborough Civic Center – Outdoor Auditorium at

Alberts Campbell Square. It is a well attended Summer event

that has already entertained Sri Lankans for the past years.

Lalith Wickremasinghe and Maria De Souza of SriLankan

The Ridhma Cultural Troup presented a concert “Glory of thSummer” held on September 10 , 2011 at the Don Bosco

Auditorium in Canada. Proceeds were in aid of Sanhinda

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Ottawa organized a

Deepavali Celebration which was held on November 6, 2011 at

the Korean Cultural Centre for Education in Toronto. SriLankan

Wanni Dhanawardana, President of the Sinhalese Association Canada, Lalith Wickremasinghe, Manager Canada and Karunarthna Paranawithana, Sri Lanka Consul General for Toronto

Raffle was a free economy class air ticket from

London/Colombo/London courtesy SriLankan Airlines.

Airlines, Canada conducted a FlySmiLes promotion campaign

offering “Bonus Miles” for those who signed up during the

event. FlySmiLes is the Frequent Flyer Program of SriLankan

Airlines and it is open for free sign up.

Street Children`s Home, Sri Lanka. SriLankan Airlines co-

sponsored the concert.

Airlines contributed a free round trip air ticket from London/Colombo

as the grand prize.

23

Miss Sri Lanka Canada USA Beauty Pageant 2011 took place at

the Hilton Suites Conference Centre in Markham Ontario on

October 22, 2011. The event, the only one of it`s kind in Toronto

among the members of the Sri Lankan community in Canada

and the USA was presented by the monthly Sri Lanka Reporter

and sponsored by Meleni David Law Offices, Meleni Homes and

Sorkkam. Sri Lankan entertainer Desmond De Silva was

specially flown from Australia for the pageant. 18 year old

Andrea Sriskandarajah claimed the coveted crown of Miss Sri

Lanka Canada USA 2011. She received a return air ticket

London to Colombo offered by SriLankan Airlines and a host of

other prizes. SriLankan Airlines also offered another return air

ticket London /Colombo as a door prize at the pageant which

was won by Ms. Malini Perera.

24

SriLankan Airlines – Canada hosted a Holiday Dinner

Reception for its Travel Agents, Cargo Agents and Tour

Operators in Canada. This was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel &

Suites Toronto, Ontario on November 20, 2011. SriLankan

Airlines – USA representatives Dillan Ariyawansa, Ajith De

Alwis and Shamike Perera were present. Also present was the

Consul General for Sri Lanka in Toronto, Mr. Karunaratna

Paranavithana and Mr. Keith Delgado of Air Canada among

over 100 invitees. The welcome speech was delivered by Lalith

Wickremasinghe, Manager Canada while the vote of thanks

was delivered by Maria D`Souza, Sales Manager, Canada. The

evening featured performances by Sinhala vocalist Anusha

Jayasundara, Bharata Natyam dances by Saeetha

Pathmanathan, enchanting Cha Cha and Salsa dancing by

sisters Keshini and Nikini Samaranayake and some captivating

dancing by the sisters Hashinika and Mihini Molligoda,

Chamari Liyanage and Ruwandha Attygalle. A scrumptioius

dinner was followed by lovely music and singing by the music

band in attendance, Sampath and the Showcase, Cecil

Fernando, trumpeter, saxophonist and vocalist who was flown

from New York for the evening.

25

SriLankan Airlines, the national airline of

Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Sri

Lanka High Commission, Ottawa, thCanada participated at the 18 “Travel &

Vacation Show” held at the New Ottawa

Convention Centre on March 10 & 11,

2012.

The staff of Sri Lankan Travel, Inc. record with sorrow the death of beloved friend and

colleague Nalin Amarasinghe, Manager West Coast, USA.

Nalin joined Sri Lankan Travel, Inc in 2000. He was an extremely hard worker in all areas of

his life and very dedicated to the company.

On January 28, 2012 Nalin passed away after a brief illness and was 56 years old at the

time of his death.

Nalin will be greatly missed but will remain always in our hearts.

Nalin is survived by his wife Sunari and his sons Nilanga, Roshan and Akain.

Taking part in the show were in excess of

200 exhibitors including Tourism Boards

of various countries, Embassies, Hotels

Travel Agents, Tour Operators and the

Canada Border Services Agency.

According to the event organizers, this

year's event drew record numbers

totalling 17,800 visitors. Curious visitors

in large numbers stopped by at the Sri

Lanka booth, eager to learn about this

resplendent Island and the many exciting

opportunities she has to offer the

discerning traveller. They helped

themselves freely to the many colorful

brochures on display at the booth.

SriLankan Airlines handed out its own

complementary 'Tea' packets to the

visitors.

H.E. Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara, High

Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada

and Lalith Wickremasinghe, Manager

Canada for SriLankan Airlines were

personally present to welcome the

visitors.

In the picture are :

H.E. Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara, High

Commissioner, Mr. Lional Premasiri,

Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Sumith

Dassanayake, Minister-Counsellor, Mr.

Lalith Wickremasinghe and few visitors to

the booth.

26

Canada Office170, Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 301,

North York Ontario M2N 3A4Tel: 416 227 9000Fax:416 227 0843

US Office