Re-organize the Embassy administrative system meeting
27 November, 2009
Special staff meeting was held on 27th November 2009 in the Embassy premises under the patronage of H.E. the Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga. All staff members participated this special meeting and discussed about the changing of documents , atmosphere and working environment according to the 5S and appointed special members to continue the taken decisions.
Award of honor in the field of Tourism for the Ambassador
26 November, 2009
Tourism Department of the Embassy of Sri Lanka took part in “International Tourism Award – 2009” on 26th of November 2009 in Moscow. We are happy to inform that the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Russia H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga got the special unique diploma for “Successful developments in the field of International tourism cooperation”.
This Award was instituted in 2006 by the media holding-company “Informbank” with the support by the Ministry of Tourism & Sport of Russia. There were about 250 guests took part in the event and 60 travel companies, tourism departments and national tourism representative offices got the memorable and valuable prizes.
We are happy to inform all of you that among 60 prize-winners there were 5 Russian Tour Operators dealing with Sri Lanka who got the Diploma. Undoubtedly, we can tell that it was the most active battle and the biggest number of participants compare with other destinations. We send our respect and congratulations to the following companies Vand International Tour – Special Diploma for the great success in selling Sri Lanka, Space Travel – Special Diploma for the great success in selling Sri Lanka, Maldiviana – Special Diploma for the great success in selling Sri Lanka, Connaisanse – Commemorative Medal for the best tour operators dealing with Sri Lanka, Intaer – Golden Crown as the best tour operators dealing with Sri Lanka.
In his speech Mr. Weeratunga mentioned that this achievement is a result of Embassy’s Travel Department hard work in promoting Sri Lanka on the Russian travel market. “We have done a lot and I would like to say words of thanks to the tour operators which got the diplomas. But our team is much bigger and we have so many things to finalize further!” – told the Ambassador.
Visit of the Ambassador to the Gomel State Medical University
22 November, 2009
The Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga visited Gomel State Medical University where a lot of Sri Lankan students have been studying for years. Special words of thanks were addressed to Professor Anatoly Lizikov, the Chancellor of the University, who cares about our foreigner students in Belorussia.
First Workshop with touroperator “Connaissance”
20 November, 2009
One workshop took place on 20th of November and was organized by a tour operator “Connaisance”, the first and the oldest company in Russia which has been selling Sri Lanka for years. There were about 33 agents. The program of a meeting completely devoted to Sri Lanka as the best destination within Asia.
The Ambassador H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga delivered a speech about the country, some aspects of traveling, customs formalities, and souvenirs as well as the main historical heritage and ancient towns, culture and nature together with the main itinerary for tourists. During his speech participants had an opportunity to see Sri Lanka images on the big screen behind. At the end of the speech Ambassador noted 10 reasons to visit Sri Lanka that might help Agents in their work.
At the end of workshops a small lottery took place and some lucky representatives got small prizes, such as a new Embassy’s project – audio guide about Sri Lanka in Russian Language, Historical Guide Book about Sri Lanka, Tea, Ayurveda oil, Spices.
We would like to say words of thanks to all travel agents and tour operators especially. Hope that the experience which they got during the meeting and the new audio guide about Sri Lanka in Russian Language will help them in their work for promoting Sri Lanka on the Russian Market.
Ceylon and Russian Chambers of Commerce signed an agreement
11 November, 2009
In the presence of H.E. Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation, the Agreement on cooperation in the business information exchange, was signed by Mr. Georgy G. Petrov, Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, on the 11th November 2009 at a special meeting held at the Russian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and on behalf of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Mr. J.D Bandaranayake, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has signed the agreement.
Mr. P.A.S Ponnamperuma, Commercial Secretary and Ms. Anna Korolkova, the Tourism Promotion Assistant of the Embassy also represented the Sri Lanka side at the event. Mr. Nikolay I. Alexandrov, Chief Expert of the Department of International Cooperation, Mr. Sergey G. Kharitonov, Director, Business Information Department, and Ms. Legchilina Tatyana Victorovna, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department represented the Russian Chamber of Commerce.
By signing the agreement both chambers agreed to exchange the business information among the two institutions for the mutual benefit of the members of both chambers.
During the meeting, Mr. Petrov, expressed that this agreement is a demonstration of the effective cooperation between the two chambers and the Russian Chamber of Commerce is always prepared to give the maximum support to promote Sri Lankan products and services in the Russian market.
Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka expressed the gratitude of the government of Sri Lankan and people to the Russian Federation in assisting to resolve the internal conflict in Sri Lanka.
Workshop with “Spectrum” travel company for agents
05 November, 2009
A number of workshops devoted to Sri Lanka took place in November 2009 for Moscow Travel Agencies with the participation of H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation. One of those meetings was held by a diversified tour operator “SPECTRUM” for its agencies chain on 05th of November. More than 45 agents participated there. The events took place in a nice restaurant “Fokkacha” not far from the Pushkin square.
Though the winter season 2009-2010 SPECTRUM has started selling Sri Lanka for the first time, the number of tourist was immense.
The Ambassador H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga delivered a speech about the country, customs formalities, and souvenirs as well as the main historical heritage and ancient cities, culture and nature together with the main itinerary.
At the end of workshops a small lottery took place and some lucky representatives got prizes, such as a new Embassy’s project – audio guide about Sri Lanka in Russian Language, Historical Guide Book about Sri Lanka, Tea, Ayurveda oil, Spices.
We would like to say words of thanks to all travel agents and tour operators especially. Hope that the experience which they got during the meeting and the new audio guide about Sri Lanka in Russian Language will help them in their work for promoting Sri Lanka on the Russian Market.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Hon. S.Lavrov visited Sri Lanka
26 October, 2009
Foreign Affairs Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey V. Lavrov, arrived Sri Lanka on October 26 for a one-day visit, which led to the renewal of the 51 years long diplomatic and friendly relationship between both countries – Lanka and Russian. The Russian Foreign Minister pledged that the Russian Federation will be always on the side of Sri Lanka, if in case the international community initiate any covetous move to charge Sri Lanka on any war related crimes.
The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister’s visit was expressed as a historic moment, as it was the first ever diplomatic level visit of a Russian Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka. The Russian Foreign Minister held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his counterpart – Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, before his departure.
Sri Lanka was capable to face any international pressure on alleged war crimes or any other problems as it had a proper judicial system and the Russian government had always supported the Sri Lankan government to protect its national integrity. We supported Sri Lanka to fight against terrorism and to bring peace, visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei V. Lavrov said at a press conference held at the Foreign Ministry.
This was the first occasion a Russian Foreign Minister visited Sri Lanka during the history of 52 years of diplomatic ties between Russia and Sri Lanka relations. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said both countries had strengthened the mutual relations and friendship and had discussed bilateral issues on economic, investment, trade, tourism, illicit traffic of narcotics and drugs as well as urgent international issues.
Russia also would continue to assist practically in the de-mining process by sending a team of de-mining experts and humanitarian assistance, the visiting Foreign Minister said.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said Sri Lanka was grateful for the cooperation and support given by Russia in the international forums and both countries held discussions on vital international issues.
Russia remained a friend to our country and we expect to strengthen the existing ties in the fields of economic, trade cooperation, investment, oil explorations, cultural, sports and international relations. An agreement on cooperation to suppress illicit traffic in and abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was signed at the Foreign Ministry Colombo by the Russian Ambassador and officials of the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry.
Workshop for travel agents with tour operator “Tez Tour”
21 October, 2009
This month the Embassy of Sri Lanka took part workshop for Moscow Travel Agencies which was held by the biggest diversified tour operator “TEZ TOUR” for its agencies chain on 21nd of October. The program of a meeting was completely devoted to Sri Lanka as the best destination within Asia.
For the first 1.5 hours The Ambassador H.E. Udayanga Weeratunga has made a speech about the country, some aspects of traveling, customs formalities, and souvenirs as well as the main historical heritage and ancient towns, culture and nature together with the main itinerary for tourists. During his speaking participants had an opportunity to see the picture of Sri Lanka on the big screen behind. At the end of the speech Ambassador told about the most popular hotels on the beach, answered all question of the audience and introduced the new Tourist Promotion Assistant to the Agents. All participants got presents from the Embassy and the Ambassador such as video and brochures about Sri Lanka and the best Sri Lankan tea. Workshops were concluded by the speech of the Head of Sri Lankan Department of TEZ TOUR. They informed all agents about winter programs of their companies, main itineraries and beach hotels in Sri Lanka.
Travel Fair “Ukraine 2009″ in Kiev
06 – 08 October, 2009
The Embassy of Sri Lanka for the first time organized the participation of 9 Sri Lankan Travel Company at the “UKRAINE’2009” Travel Fair from 06th till 08th of October, 2009 to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. H.E. the Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga took part the event and wished to improve business and find a new partners on the rapidly growing Ukrainian travel market for all participants: Tangerine Tours, Jetwing Travels, Exotic vacations, Aitken Spence Travels, Maldiviana, Exotic Global Holidays, Concord Exotic Voyages, Walkers Tours, Ceylon Tours.
Companies from more than 50 countries such as Austria, Argentina, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, India, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Jordan, Canada, China, Cyprus, Malaysia, UAE, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Chile, Switzerland, Seychelles, Mauritius, Macedonia, RSA and Japan exhibited in the UKRAINE’2009 Travel Fair.
Wish to mention that 75% of the total Ukrainian market belongs to the outbound tourism. In figures it is about 16 million of people traveled abroad. There are about 4500 travel companies in the Ukraine, which has their branch representative offices in regions as well. Excursion itineraries are in a great demand and the most important fact was that Ukrainian tourists preferred to combine beach and country round tour. That’s why Sri Lanka has a great potency to promote tourism in Ukraine.
According to the statistic the Ukrainian tourist arrivals had an 81.7% increase in 2008. The first 7 months 2009 brought for 67.4% more tourists from Ukraine and the growth are in progress now.
Reception on the occasion of “Leisure – 2009″
23rd September, 2009
On the occasion of Leisure 2009 Moscow Travel&Trade Fair, special reception and dinner was held in Sri Lankan Ambassadors residence on 23rd September 2009 evening. The reception, hosted by the Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga, was attended by senior Russian Foreign Ministry officials, diplomats and Russian media personals. Sri Lankan participants for the Leisure 09 Travel & Trade also joined the reception to mark this occasion.
On the occasion, Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga lauded the Russia-Sri Lanka travel relations and highlighted the development achieved by the Embassy of Sri Lanka during the past three years. On his speech in Sinhala Ambassador Weeratunga mentioned that tourism is one of the largest industries worldwide but still we are not using the maximum strength and correct decisions to promote Sri Lanka among the Russian travelers. Also he mentioned that Sri Lanka needs special tourism promotion programes for Russia and Ukraine because the potential of these two markets are unbeleivbale and since the fate of the tourist industry is so interconnected with Sri Lankan foreign currency exchange, managing tourism should be organized by proper way. Also Ambassador informed that 9 Sri Lankan Travel Companies planning to participate UKRAINE 2009 Travel Exhbition in Kiev, Ukraine from 5-8th October 2009. Also Embassy organized a special draw for the allocated spaces in Sri Lankan stand in UKRAINE 2009 Travel exhibition.
