Kunena Site Syndication http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/ Sun, 20 May 2012 02:26:59 +0200 Kunena 1.5.14 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/components/com_kunena/template/default_ex/images/english/emoticons/rss.gif http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/ Kunena Site Syndication http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=24&id=101#102 Hi shaaz717, The dates of the Kandy Perahera 2012 as follow: Kumbal Perahera 23rd July 2012: Old Laksala Building - Next to Paththini Dewalaya. Time 19.30 Hrs. 24th July 2012: Midlands Deli Building - In front of Pizza Hut/Bata Building. Time 18.55 Hrs. 25th July 2012: Midlands Deli Building - In front of Pizza Hut/Bata Building. Time 18.50 Hrs. 26th July 2012: Queens Hotel Corridor. Time 19.55 Hrs. Final Kumbal Perahera 27th July 2012: Queens Hotel Corridor. Time 20.35 Hrs. Randoli Perahera 28th July 2012: Old Laksala Building - Next to Paththini Dewalaya. Time 19.55 Hrs. 29th July 2012: Midlands Deli Building - In front of Pizza Hut/Bata Building. Time 20.35 Hrs. 30th July 2012: Queens Hotel Corridor. Time 20.22 Hrs. 31st July 2012: Queens Hotel Corridor. Time 20.30 Hrs. Final Randoli Perahera 01st August 2012: Queens Hotel Corridor. Time 20.00 Hrs. Day Perahera 02nd August 2012: Old Laksala Building - Next to Paththini Dewalaya. Time 13.20 Hrs. Check the Kandy Perahera website for the dates for 2013. Website click here (http://www.kandyperaherabookings.com/index.html) Best regards, Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:40:01 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=99#99 Sri Lanka Transport Board launches a new luxury bus service to capital Colombo Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has inaugurated a new luxury bus service to the capital city of Colombo on access roads from the outskirts. Minister of Public Transport Kumara Welgama at a function held in Moratuwa yesterday inaugurated the service deploying 100 new super luxury buses to ply on access roads. The new bus service, launched to ease traffic congestion in the city, is expected to reduce traffic and travel time and encourage the commuters using private vehicles to enter the city to take public transportation. The air-conditioned buses have capacity for 100 passengers and are equipped with handicap access and facilities to charge mobile phones. The fare will be double the normal fare on the routes. They will be in service during peak hours in the morning and evening between Colombo and Moratuwa, Negombo, Nittambuwa, Hanwella, Kaduwela, Homagama and Bandaragama via Kesbewa. The SLTB will set up a new depot at Katubedda for maintenance of the luxury buses. Sri Lanka Ashok Leyland will carry out the maintenance services. The Minister has said that the SLTB will add 20 more buses to the service on the 14th of March 2012. [center]http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/images/fbfiles/images/New_luxury_buses.jpg[/center] Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:25:16 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=15&id=97#97 Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt. Few places in the world can offer the traveller such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location. 10 Good Reasons To Visit Sri Lanka: 1. Diversity 2. People 3. Cultural heritage 4. Festivals year round 5. Ayurveda & Spas 6. Adventure and Special Interest Sports 7. Wildlife 8. Hotels 9. Food 10. Shopping Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:53:43 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=68#96 Sri Lanka is to deploy a passenger ship for the ferry service between Colombo and Tuticorin port of India from next month as the service is presently suspended due to some business issues and for repairs. Sri Lankan Ports and Highway Ministry sources say that the new ship will be put into service in line with the agreement between India and Sri Lanka. Scotia Prince ship that was in service reportedly has some issues at the Colombo port and has some repair work to be done too, shipping sources say. Hence the bi-weekly service is currently suspended until further notice. Indian media reported that the vessel, which left for Colombo on November 18 have not returned to Tuticorin. However, an operator of the luxury liner has said that the services have been stopped only for the last week due to technical reasons and the service should resume this week. Flamingo liners of India operated the ship while Sri Lanka Shipping Corporation was the local agent. Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:19:58 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=22&id=95#95 Located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city and is one of the major eco tourism destination spreading the 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an average temperature of 29.4°C. Park was established on 30 July 1972. It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults and young elephants– feeding or bathing and playing in the water. In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:44:20 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=94#94 Ferry service interconnecting Sri Lanka, India and Maldives considered Sri Lanka shipping sources say that a feasibility study is underway to consider launching a ferry service between Sri Lanka, Maldives and India. The officials of the three countries had discussed the possibility of launching a ferry service during the SAARC summit that was held in Maldives earlier this month, shipping sources say. The focus is on feasibility of transporting both goods and passengers through this regular ferry service. Shipping authorities expect the ferry service will be a boost to tourism as well. A passenger ferry service already operates between Sri Lanka's Colombo harbor and Tuticorin port in India. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:24:13 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=93#93 Sharjah International Airport Authority has made announcement, effective from October 31, 2011, Mihin Lanka Airlines will fly from Sharjah to Colombo with two frequencies every week departing at 2355hrs on every Mondays and Wednesdays and from Colombo to Sharjah departing at 1955hrs on every Mondays and Wednesdays. Mihin will expand its services to Sharjah for four frequencies by end of 2011 and for daily operation with 2012 summer schedule. This will create more connection to Indian subcontinent and to the Far East from Sharjah via Colombo. Mihin Lanka Website Click Here (http://www.mihinlanka.com/) Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:20:17 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=25&id=92#92 Honeymoon is a time when two people, after tying the knot, relax and enjoy sometime away from others. It’s just the two of them spending all day long together. Honeymoon is the time when the newly wed couple gets to know each other better. Honeymoon is the beginning of their new life together. A honeymoon destination has to be such where you forget about the daily chores and whims and just rekindle the love. In India honeymoon is the first official outing for the bride and the groom, so it has to be a special destination to celebrate the occasion of being together and entering a new phase of life. 1. Jammu and Kashmir 2. Shimla 3. Kullu Manali 4. Goa 5. Coorg 6. Andaman and Nicobar Islands 7. Kerala 8. Kodaikanal 9. Ooty 10. Lakshadweep Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:47:00 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=15&id=81#91 My vacation was for Sri lanka at Udawalawa National Park. It is located approximately 200 km south-east of Colombo city and is one of the major eco tourism destination spreading the 30,821 hectares dry zone game park has an annual rainfall of 1524 mm and an average temperature of 29.4°C. Park was established on 30 July 1972. It is most famous for the many elephants that live there (about 400 in total). During a visit, it is not unusual to see whole herds of adults and young elephants– feeding or bathing and playing in the water. In addition to this main attraction, the park is home to many water buffalo, water monitor lizards, sambar deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard, as well as being an exciting location for bird enthusiasts. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:04:00 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=11&id=90#90 img/] I along with my son wish to undertake a trip to Srilanka and wish to roam as we like for 5 to 6 days and wish to see places. On arrival at Airport we wish to take a bus/ public transport and stay in a hotel at moderate charges. We are not wealthy or sponsored and wish to have our own arrangements for moving around Sri Lanka. We wish to travel by train to Kandy and wherever possible. We need budget hotels and some one a student from Tourism and hotel Institute who may guide us. We wish the total expanses for 2 persons around Indian Rupees 12000/= Twelve thousands (Excluding Flight Expanses) We are not going for shopping and this is only a sight seeing trip. Please advice. If I get success in this attempt I will post my travel experience in Local news papers and magazines and internet that will get a great name for Lankan travel. I also wish to visit few Leather processing Tanneries in Lanka as I am leather technologist. Will some one help Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:14:40 +0100 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=89#89 Scotia Prince, the super luxury ferry service provided by Flemingo Liners between India and Sri Lanka has decided to reduce the charges with immediate effect. The move is aimed at attracting more passengers during the upcoming festive season. The ferry service runs between the Colombo Harbour and the Indian port of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, also known as Thoothukudi, twice a week. Currently the ferry leaves Tuticorin on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. and arrives in Colombo following day 8:00 a.m. It leaves Colombo port on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6:00 p.m. Economy class single berth one way ticket between the two destinations is US$ 78.00 at present. Economy cabin passengers are allowed to carry 100 kgs of baggage. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:39:39 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=22&id=88#88 6 day trip in Sri lanka. Pinnawala - Dambulla - Anuradhapura - Pollonaruwa - Sigiriya - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala Tour Places we visit during this tour: Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage - Dambulla Caves - Anuradhapura - Pollonaruwa - Minneriya National Park(wildlife safari) - Matala(Hindu Temple) - Kandy - Ramboda Waterfalls - Labookkelie(Tea Factory) - Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala(White Water Rafting). [center]More Details (http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/6-day-sri-lanka-tours)[/center] [center]http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/pics/Tours/6_day_tours/6_Day_Tour_1_Negombo-Pinnawala-Dambulla-Anuradhapura-Polonnaruwa-Kandy-NuwaraEliya-Kitulgala-Negombo.jpg[/center] Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:02:10 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=24&id=86#86 New Visa requirements for Sri Lanka. For short visit to Sri Lanka, you need to obtain an ETA with effect from 1st of January 2012. On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of The Republic of Singapore and The Republic of Maldives are exempted from the requirement of obtaining ETA to visit Sri Lanka. The authority to issue ETA lies with the Department of Immigration & Emigration, Colombo, Sri Lanka. A person can directly apply for on-line ETA. In addition to this option, an applicant can go for an alternative option Official and Diplomatic passport holders are exempted from ETA processing fee, only when their applications are submitted through the state agencies such as Ministries, Statutory Bodies etc The ETA is initially limited to 30 days from the date of arrival and it may be extended up to six (06) months. More information or Apply for a visa click here (http://www.eta.gov.lk./) Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:03:23 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=22&id=84#85 Hi Rana, Thanks for joining our forum! You're exactly right Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:55:35 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=24&id=83#83 Sri Lanka will launch an on-line visa approval system from next month for the convenience of tourists visiting Sri Lanka, the government has announced. The Department of Emigration and Immigration is to introduce the new system, known as 'Electronic Travel Authorization' from October 01 for the visitors to obtain prior approval for visas through the Internet. The new system will benefit the short term visitors and tourists who travel via Sri Lanka, the Department says. The visitors can obtain electronic travel authorization at the website www.eta.gov.lk. Primary information on the procedure will be available in nine international languages, Sri Lanka's state-run radio reported. However, applications should be forwarded only in English. An administrative fee will be charged to grant Electronic Travel Authorization. The fee is waived for visitors from Maldives and Singapore. Sri Lanka has a mutual travel agreement with the two countries. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:53:01 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=22&id=80#82 Thanks for your informative post. Really I have strong feelings to see that elephant gathering, It may be on the new year 2012. The human-elephant conflict appears to have replaced poaching as a major cause of elephant mortality in Sri Lanka. Elephant populations in the wild have been reduced substantially in the past 50 years, during which between 1500 - 3000 elephants may have been killed in the wild. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:38:10 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=79#79 The ferry between Tuticorin and Colombo has begun to attract European travellers to India in the wake of which an international marketing campaign is being initiated. The campaign will target travellers from Europe and the Middle East to use the services of the luxury cruise liner that will take them between Colombo and Tuticorin, the liner’s Passenger Service Agent (PSA) Arugambay Travels Managing Director A.M. Jaufer told the Business Times during an interview at his Colombo office. At present the Scotia Prince cruise operated by Flemingo Liners is already bringing down Europeans visiting India to Colombo, he said. The international marketing strategy will involve email marketing and by advertising in the print media in these countries, it was pointed out. This will ensure there is an ease of reaching any part of Sri Lanka, Mr. Jaufer said adding that this marketing campaign will commence after September by which time the vessel will be a fully-fledged one. He pointed out that this service would also assist in reaching the government’s targets of 2.5 million tourists by 2016. The luxury cruise is likely to be joined by another vessel next year that will take to the high seas in the Indian ocean carrying out a similar operation, Mr. Jaufer said. This service will be commenced by the Shipping Corporation resulting in a boost in business and operations for luxury cruises next year, he explained. Plans are also underway to enhance the operations and extend the route to include Male on the existing tour by attracting more upmarket customers. Other routes planned are Rameshwaran – Talaimannar with possibilities ventured for Hambantota – Singapore and Trincomalee – Chennai, the Arugambay Travels official said. The PSA noted that this service is proof of the commitment of the two governments of India and Sri Lanka to enhance such operations between the two destinations and facilitate increased cooperation to improve passenger traffic travel. Further the luxury cruise has also upgraded its services and has increased the fare with new improved packages for passengers to avail of with tours organised to India and a tour to Sri Lanka in the planning, Mr. Jaufer said. Packages are provided for travel within Tuticorin and Tamil Nadu as well, Mr. Jaufer said adding that packages to Sri Lanka will include visits to Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Bentota, Colombo and Negombo. Meanwhile the passenger terminal at the Colombo port will undergo improvements in facilities to ensure quick passage for travellers amidst complaints that passengers are compelled to stay on until around 10.00am after reaching the destination at 6.00am. This is also evident at the Indian landing site where passengers are held up for nearly three hours, it was pointed out. Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:56:48 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=78#78 Members of the Sri Lankan tourism industry have said the Indo-Lanka ferry service that commenced earlier this week would further be expanded. Head of the Chamber of Tourism and Industry, M.A. Jaufer has told the Daily Mirror that in three weeks' time, the ferry service is to expand into transporting cargo as well. According to Jaufer, people in many parts of the country have shown an interest in the Indo-Lanka ferry service that currently operates between Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu and Colombo. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jeyaram however has called on the central government of India to cancel the ferry service soon after it was launched. The 9-story vessel Scotia Prince, flagged off on June 13, currently operates between Tuticorin and Colombo twice a week on the 14-hour journey. It can accommodate 1,044 passengers in 307 cabins and can carry a cargo of 300 tons. Governments of India and Sri Lanka are also working on resuming the Rameshwaram-Thalaimannar ferry service which was discontinued in the 1980s. The passenger ferry service between Thalaimannar and Rameswaram will commence once the requisite infrastructure is put in place on both sides, India said. Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:31:20 +0200 http://www.travel-srilanka.eu/index.php/travel-forum?func=view&catid=23&id=76#77 Ferry service between Sri Lanka and India to begin on Monday June 10, Colombo: The passenger ferry service between Tuticorin port in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka will finally get off to a start next week, Indian media reported. The Indian Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan is to launch the ship "Scotia Prince" on June 13 from the Tuticorin port. India's first international passenger ferry service will sail from Tuticorin to Colombo twice in a week initially and will take 14 hours to reach the destination, the operator by Flemingo Liners said on Friday. A consortium of Flemingo Duty Free Shop Pvt Ltd and Tradex Shipping Co Pvt Ltd, has obtained the license for operating the ferry service between India and Colombo initially for seven years and additional three years. According to a company statement the 9 deck Scotia Prince has 317 well- designed cabins that can accommodate 1,044 passengers and carry 300 tonnes of cargo. Among the facilities on board, are Broadway Lounge, Concorde restaurant and Manhattan cafe, Bars, A Disco, and a very well equipped infirmary. The company plans to include a casino, drive in drive out facility for cars and cargo vehicles and a duty free shop inside the ship soon. Over 40 staff on board will attend to the customer requirements and about 25 ground staff to help with Check-in procedures, immigration, custom procedures and baggage clearance, Flemingo Liners said. The ferry service between India and Sri Lanka was suspended decades ago due to the terrorist activities in Sri Lanka. The service was scheduled to resume in February this year but got delayed due to technical difficulties and later postponed when India sent one of its ferry service vessels to evacuate the Indians and Sri Lankans stranded in Libya. The Sri Lankan government says the service will be a boost to the tourist industry and help the business community who travel frequently between the two countries for business. "Tourism between India and Sri Lanka is tremendous and we wish to boost the tourism even more with the launch of our service. Through this service we wish to give travelers in India and Sri Lanka a rich high seas experience while they travel to the homeland," the CEO, Flemingo Liners P. K. Thimmayya said. According to Flemingo Liners, tourism and trade between the two countries has always been at its peak with 126,882 Indians visiting Sri Lanka in 2010 and around 239,995 Sri Lankans visiting India. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 22:15:20 +0200