Get Sri Lankan’ed” kicks off in style with a Press Conference in Mumbai

Sri Lanka Tourism’s second 3Day Mega Promotional campaign named “ Get Sri Lanken’ed”  kicked off in style in the city of Mumbai on 10th Friday 2013 with a high profile media conference held in Taj Lands End Hotel- Salcette –Mumbai . The press conference was the first of series of events lined up under the “Get Sri Lankaned” promotional campaign of Sri Lanka Tourism, implemented with the aim of positioning Sri Lanka as a most sought after travel destination in emerging markets of the world. 

Organised with joint efforts from Public and Private sectors, the “Get Sri Lankaned” campaign has been initiated under the advice of H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa inspired by the vision of  developing sustainable tourism industry in Sri Lanka. During the press conference the Indian media was briefed about the objective of the promotional campaign and the nature of events scheduled to take place from 17th -20th May 2013 in Mumbai. The press conference was graced by the distinguished presence of  the Hon. Muthu Sivalingam- Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Hon. Sanath Jayasuriya (MP) - Sri Lanka tourism Brand Ambassador, Ms.Upekka Samaratunga –Honorary Consul in Mumbai, Mr.Bhashwara Gunaratna Chairman- Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr.Rumay Jauffer – Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr.Nishantha Ranatunga- Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Douglas Nanayakkara –Additional Secretary ,Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Rohit Khosla – General Manager- Taj Group of Hotels.

Addressing the gathering the Hon. Deputy Minister -Muthu Sivalingam noted that India and Sri Lanka have many similarities as Asian Nations and the long standing relationship they have as close neighbors creates immense opportunities for both countries to share common interests, values and develop socio-economic ties with each other. “We would not call India our Big Brother, we would like to call it our elder brother” remarked the Hon. Deputy Minister emphasizing the good will existing between the two countries. He also stressed the giant efforts put into developing tourism industry by the government of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Economic Development, and it is time to reap the benefits of tourism industry of Sri Lanka.  

Mr.Bhashwara Gunarathna Chairman- Sri Lanka Tourism addressing the media explained the rationale behind launching “ Get Sri Lankaned” campaign in India and how Sri Lanka Tourism plans to achieve maximum influx of Indian tourists from Indian market. “According to UNWTO reports Indian out bound tourists will rise to 50 million in 2020. Sri Lanka’s target is to attract 400,000 Indian tourists by year 2016 thus helping to reach the goal of 2.5 million arrivals by year 2016.”  Mr. Gunaratna also added that “we are thankful to H.E. the President of Sri Lanka and Hon. Basil Rajapakse –Minister of Economic Development for the continuous guidance provided to carry out promotional campaigns of this nature to develop travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka. 

Hon. Sanath Jayasuriya (MP) and Tourism Brand Ambassador, captured the center of attention of the media during the press conference and in his speech mentioned that “I am glad to be in India on a different mission to cricket, my country has always supported me throughout my career as a cricketer and I am inviting all my media friends here today to help us promote Sri Lanka in India to enhance the relationship of both nations. Sri Lanka always treats everyone the same. We never had any issues with Chennai people coming to Sri Lanka. We treat them like brothers and sisters and we will continue to do that," he maintained.