The fight to protect the Ozone layer: Sri Lanka wins UNEP award

When “Ozone-friendly”, “CFC free” labels started to appear in the early ’90s on products such as refrigerators, to many, it seemed just another marketing strategy, but in fact, these “ozone-friendly” alternatives may save lives. Skin cancer, cataracts and problems in the immune system are some of the effects of exposure to dangerous Ultra Violet (UV) rays that penetrate Ozone Holes in the atmosphere.
Scientists identified the threat caused by the depletion of the Ozone Layer that shields the earth, by gases such as Chloro fluoro carbons (CFCs) in the early ’80s. Knowing the grave consequences, the global community initiated the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985. As the legal instrument for the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer came into force in 1987.
Being a Third World country, one might be forgiven for thinking that Sri Lanka would lag behind in achieving such international commitment. But to the contrary, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Sri Lanka has driven all parties to achieve the Montreal targets ahead of the allotted time. In recognition of their efforts, the NOU received the award for Best Implementers of the Montreal Protocol last week at a ceremony in Montreal, Canada that celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Protocol.
The citation on the award given by the UNEP read - “Sri Lanka Ozone Unit known globally for many of its contributions to efforts to address Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) including its effective implementation projects to enable achievements of the Protocol’s reduction requirements, its effective licensing programs and its creative public awareness activities.”
Dr. W.L. Sumathipala, head of the NOU, who just returned from Canada with the award, praised the parties that have been supporting them in the fight to protect the Ozone Layer.
Sri Lanka ratified both the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol on December 15, 1989. The Montreal Protocol has been signed by 192 countries at present. Each country has been given a set of annual targets to reduce the usage of ODS depending upon the base levels and with a deadline of complete elimination by 2010.
The NOU of Sri Lanka was established under the Ministry of Environment in 1994, to implement the Montreal Protocol and related activities. Initially called the Montreal Protocol Unit, it was later named the National Ozone Unit. The 13th summit of Montreal Protocol countries was held in Colombo and Sri Lanka was nominated as the president of the Bureau of the Montreal Protocol countries for 2001 and has been vice president both in 2000 and 2005.
Fulfilling the commitments under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer by phasing out ODS has been adopted as the primary mission of the NOU since its inception. To initiate activities to maintain and strengthen the institutional framework in protection of the Ozone Layer, with minimum inconvenience to industry/general public are the other objectives of this unit. NOU assists local industrialists and individuals to convert their equipment into CFC-free systems by providing funds as well as technical guidance. The training unit of NOU regularly conducts workshops for technicians and students on methods of modifying existing machinery by using Ozone-friendly gases. Over 2300 technicians have been trained up to now. They also provide guidance in the reusing of the ODS which can reduce the gases being freely released into the atmosphere.
Significant award: Dr. Sumathipala (right) with Marco Gonzalez, Executive Secretary, Ozone Secretariat, UNEP
Sri Lanka imported over 450 tonnes of CFCs in 1995 and this was reduced by 85% in 2006. The NOU hopes to eliminate some of the Ozone Destruction Substances completely from Sri Lanka by 2008, two years prior to the target set by the Montreal Protocol.
Although Sri Lanka is not producing Ozone Depleting Substances within the country, a few industries consume significant amounts of ODS. Air conditioning, the refrigerator service sector, the agricultural sector and quarantine sector are the main industries. CFC, which is the main ODS has been heavily used in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. There were three refrigeration factories using CFCs in Sri Lanka, but these were converted to non-CFC technology with grants from the Multilateral Fund. At present CFCs are being used only for repairing and servicing of refrigerators, air conditioners etc. NOU encourages recycling of these substances.
ODS is also used in the garment manufacturing industry on a small scale as a solvent, and for dry-cleaning textiles. Bromine compound is another substance that depletes Ozone. Halons which contain these bromine compounds are used in fire extinguishing equipment. No virgin Halon is being imported to the country now; but there is a possibility of the use of already installed systems. Methyl Bromide (CH3Br) is imported as a pre-shipment fumigant and is used as a soil treatment to control soil pests such as nematodes, seeds fungi, bacteria and other parasite plants. In Sri Lanka Methyl Bromide is commonly used in the tea plantations. NOU has collaboratively worked with the Tea Research Institute to introduce alternatives for these, supported by the. UNEP and UNDP. NOU also conducts awareness programmes for students and the general public.
The world community has not yet felt the full impact of ozone depletion. September 16th has been set apart as the International Ozone Day and 2007 was named the International Year for Ozone Protection by the UN to emphasize the importance of the effort. However, countries like Sri Lanka will feel the effects of the changes caused by Ozone Depletion, aggravated by poor health conditions, undeveloped agricultural methods and other economic setbacks unless preventive action is taken. This is where the efforts by the NOU are so vital.

Lanka enters Middle East education market - PIM International Center in Dubai Knowledge Village

Sri Lanka entered the education market in the Middle-East recently as Minister Susil Premajayantha opened the PIM’s MBA degree programme in Dubai on September 15.
The Education Minister hailed the new initiative by the Postgraduate Institute of Management and the Sri Lankan professionals led by the Institution of Incorporated Engineers, Sri Lanka Branch in the Emirates, as historic, innovative and courageous.
“Dubai is the right choice for this novel step as the economic growth and potential in this country is enormous” said Premajayantha.
The PIM’s International Center in Dubai, in the Knowledge Village which provides infrastructural facilities for foreign universities operating in Dubai, attracted over 140 applicants to its MBA programme and admitted 88 candidates for the first batch (2007/09).
The center provides facilities for 180 students with modern class-rooms, seminar rooms, Library and an IT Center.
The academic sessions commenced on September 17.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Executive Director of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority Dr. Ayub Kazim welcomed the entry of the Sri Lankan University to the Dubai Education System and expressed the hope that it would add a competitive and useful alternative to the existing Education projects in the country.
Globalisation of Higher Education would strengthen human resource development options for professionals while encouraging more productive investment and business relations among countries.
He welcomed better economic relations between the Emirates and Sri Lanka.
Among the other speakers were Professor Gunapala Nanayakkara, Managing Director of the PIM International Center in Dubai, Dr. Uditha Liyanage, Director of PIM, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Parakrama Munaweera, Secretary, Institution of Incorporated Engineers of Sri Lanka, Emirates Branch, Mohamed Geodo, President of the Sri Lankan Business Council in Dubai and Nalin Wijethillake of RAKBANK.

New Tourism Act comes into force from 01 October 2007 in Sri Lanka

The new Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 will come into operation with effect from today (October1, 2007 ), as per the gazette notification published on August 23, 2007, on which the Tourism Development Authority will be established.
The ‘Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’ will be a new institution set up to undertake Tourism Marketing and Promotion. The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau will continue to function, while the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management will be structured under the New Act. There is an ‘Oversight Committee’ to monitor the progress of the implementation of the Act and the advice the Tourism Minister, of any legal implications to be addressed in the form of amendments to the Act.
Former Chairman and Tourism professional Renton de Alwis has been appointed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Board and the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, while Prema Cooray, Secretary General of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and private sector industry leader is the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.
Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Tourism thanked the staff of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau for the excellent cooperation extended to him by them for the smooth implementation of the New Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005, which will be operational from today.
The meeting was attended by P M Leelaratne, Secretary /Ministry of Tourism, George Michael, Addl. Secretary /Ministry of Tourism, Ken Balendra/ Chairman of the and Prema Cooray, Chairman/Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and several board members recently appointed to the new institutions.
Minister Milinda Moragoda in his address to the staff indicated that a high powered Oversight Committee, chaired by M D D Peiris, advisor to the minister and several other industry members, has been appointed to monitor the implementation process and to suggest remedial measures as required.

A major Taiwanese shipping line is expanding into Sri Lanka by deploying 1200 Teus vessels calling Karachi / Mundra via Colombo on a weekly basis, with the inaugural call of MV ‘Helena Rickmers at Colombo on October 13, 2007.
The service known as SPX will link China, Korea, South East Asia with the west coast of India and Pakistan. The weekly service will have following port rotation – Singapore – Port Kelang – Colombo – Karachi – Mundra.
CNC is currently expanding aggressively into the Indian sub continent with several direct services.
CNC Line is owned by CMA-CGM of France. Currently CNC has several Intra Asia services.
MD of SAR Group Raju Radha stated that "This service will greatly benefit Sri Lankan exporters to Karachi since there is currently a severe space constraint and equipment (container) shortage due to the export boom from Far East ports."
Saliya Wickramasinghe and Priyath Wickrama, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) respectively explained that: "CNC was induced to call the Port of Colombo due to the combined efforts of SLPA and the SAR Group. New lines calling Colombo is a positive sign and shows Colombo is an important port in the trade lanes."
Chen Lie Navigation Co., Taiwan is represented in Sri Lanka by SAR Maritime Agencies (Pvt) Ltd.

US diversity visa lottery now open

The 2009 Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery will be formally opened in Washington, DC on October 3.
This programme allows randomly selected applicants to immigrate to the United States on an expedited basis, provided they meet all the criteria.
A person may only enter the lottery if he or she has: 1 citizenship of a qualifying country (Sri Lanka and the Maldives both qualify), and 2 either a high school equivalent education (Six GCE O-Levels including compulsory subject) or work experience within the past five years in a profession that requires at lest two years of training or experience to perform.
Individuals wishing to participate in the visa lottery are urged to apply early to avoid any possible delays. A total of 50,000 individuals will be selected for the lottery worldwide.
The lottery registration period will be October 3 to December 2,2007. Registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery is free. The lottery will be conducted entirely by electronic means over the internet. Paper entries will no longer be accepted.
The State Department has established a website for the submission of entries, which can be accessed at www.dvlottery.state.gov.
Successfully registered entries will result in the display of confirmation screen containing the applicant’s name’ date of birth, country of chargeability (the country the applicant enters the lottery from), and a date and time stamp.
This confirmation screen can be printed as proof of registration in the lottery. An applicant may only register ONCE; more than one entry will result in automatic disqualification.
The Department of State Kentucky Consular Center in Williamsburg, Kentucky, will notify the lottery winners by mail (NOT e-mail) between May and July, 2008, If they qualify, they will then have a one-year window in which they may immigrate to the United States. Under last year’s Diversity Visa lottery program, 318 cases qualified for immigrant visa interviews.
No fee is charged to enter the annual Diversity Visa programme.

10,000 vacancies for Sri Lankans in Korea

Sri Lanka has received 10,000 employment quotas in Korea following talks with the Korean Labour and Employment Ministry, said Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Thursday.
Addressing the media at the Foreign Employment Bureau auditorium, Rambukwella said: “Although 10,000 job quotas were received, only 2,000 employment opportunities are available on the website.
The Ministry decided to hold a competitive examination this year instead of for 2008 to increase the rate of employment opportunities.
Rambukwella was confident if the competitive examination held early 5,000 employment opportunities could be obtained in Korea.
He said the foreign employment is also one of the most important sectors which bring foreign exchange to Sri Lanka. The net profit earned in 2006 in the foreign employment sector was US Dollar 2.3 billion.
It contributed mostly to fill the Budget deficit last year.
Rambukwella also said that earlier there were only six countries got employment opportunities in Korea. But today, we have to compete with 13 countries. Therefore, promoting foreign employment is very vital. A policy frame has also been drawn.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has drawn short-term, middle-term and long-term programmes to promote this sector. The Ministry has decided to establish three training centres to train housemaids before the end of this year. The Government also intend to enter western employment market which is highly profitable than Middle-East countries.
The Minister said that 3,500 rooms will be added to hotels in Dubai. The Government is due to hold talks with relevant authorities to obtain employment opportunities there.
The Ministry has taken measures to establish a training centre next to the Air Port for housemaids. Measures are also afoot to get 3,500 employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youth. The Minister said that this sector achieved a growth of 21 per cent last year.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class agility at your command C- for yorself in Sri Lanka

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC, general distributors for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Sri Lanka, is proud to introduce the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz family – the new C-Class. This new C-Class (W204) is expected to take-over from the old C-Class (W203) as the best selling Mercedes model ever.
Safety, Comfort, Agility: These are the outstanding attributes of the new C-Class. This includes the newly developed AGILITY CONTROL package with situation-responsive shock absorber control, the Intelligent Light System with five different lighting functions and the PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system.
With a length of 4581 millimetres, the Saloon is 55 millimetres longer than its predecessor. The body width has increased by 42 mm to 1770 millimetres, and the wheelbase by 45 mm to 2760 millimetres. These dimensions create the conditions for a generously sized interior, and therefore more comfort.
The standard package includes the AGILITY CONTROL suspension, which controls the shock absorber forces according to the driving situation: when driving normally with low shock absorber impulses, the damping forces are automatically reduced for a noticeable improvement in ride comfort but without any compromise in handling safety.
When accelerating from standstill to 100 km/h, the C 200 KOMPRESSOR is 0.5 seconds faster than its predecessor. Improvements in fuel consumption are equally impressive: the C 180 KOMPRESSOR consumes 0.3 litres per 100 kilometres less than before, while the combined fuel consumption of the C 200 KOMPRESSOR has been reduced by 0.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
During the course of its development, the new C-Class successfully passed more than 100 crash tests, including the particularly demanding, in-house impact tests of which some go well beyond the legal requirements. Passing these is a precondition for the highest accolade in automobile safety: The Mercedes star. Occupant protection is based on an intelligently designed bodyshell, 70 percent of which consists of high-strength and ultra high-strength steel.

Source: The Island

Lanka showcases cultural heritage at UNESCO headquarters

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in France and the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and SriLankan Airlines, organized "Serendipity – an Evening of Sri Lankan Dance and Rhythm", a Sri Lankan cultural show featuring the Channa – Upuli Performing Arts Foundation on September 11, 2007 at the UNESCO headquarters in France.
The main purpose of the event was twofold: To showcase Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage at UNESCO in the context of Sri Lanka’s candidature to the 58-member UNESCO Executive Board, the elections to which are due to be held during the 34th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in October, and to re-launch a tourism campaign in France following the revised travel advisory.
Minister of Education Susil Premajayanth is currently Sri Lanka’s representative of the Board and the current four-year term will be expiring in October. Sri Lanka became a member of UNESCO in November, 1949, even before becoming a member of the United Nations in 1955. Since then Sri Lanka has served on the Executive Board only for a total period of 14 years.
Sri Lanka is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. The World Heritage Centre of UNESCO has also included the Seruvila Mangala Rajamaha Viharaya and the cluster site of the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Range in its tentative list to be considered for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
The 20-member Channa- Upuli Performing Arts Foundation entertained a packed audience, including members of the diplomatic corps, UNESCO officials, French travel and tour operators to Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan community in France as well as friends of Sri Lanka in France.
The event was preceded by a workshop/seminar titled "Re-launching Sri Lanka Tourism in France", at the same venue and attended by tourism professionals and the media. A special workshop on "Women and Tourism" was held with the participation of eminent businesswomen in the field of tourism. Assistant Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization, Geoffrey Lipman participated in the event. World Tourism Day is to be held in Sri Lanka on September 27.
Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda was the chief guest at all three events. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka in France Chitranganee Wagiswara, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board Renton de Alwis, Additional Director General of the SLTB Dileep Mudadeniaya, Director of the Sri Lanka Tourist Office in France Ruvan de Alwis and Director of SriLankan Airlines in France, Danny Schepers were the main speakers at the events.

Japanese tourist market in Sri Lanka

Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Musthapha last week emphasised the need to explore the Japanese tourist market as there is a lot of potential in that market.
In an interview with "The Traveller" on his return from the World Travel Fair, organised by the Japanese Association of Travel Agents in Tokyo, he said that there are 17.5 million outbound tourists from Japan annually vising other countries and Sri Lanka has been able to tap only 17,500 of this market.
Musthapha, spearheaded a recent campaign in the Middle East which has already borne results viz. an increase of over 20% in tourist arrivals from that region, has focussed attention on the Japanese market as well.
"All stakeholders must make a concerted effort in increasing our market share in Japan and, in this connection, the Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Sri Lankan Airlines are working on a common strategy to woo the Japanese market.
The Deputy Minster said: "I have held discussions with the tourism authorities in Japan and had a meeting with the President of JATA, Harumi Umeda."
Sri Lanka’s ambassador in Japan Ranjith Uyangoda and Presidential Advisor Hubert Jayakody, a seasoned campaigner in business circles in Japan, also participated in the discussions, he said.
With the much awaited Tourism Act coming into effect from October 1 and the launching of a Promotions Bureau, an sustained campaign to woo the particular market will commence, he added.
One of the areas that we could explore in this market is Pilgrim tourism, since both countries are predominantly Buddhist, Musthapha pointed out.
There is a lot of scope in the Japanese market for adventure tourism and Arugam Bay in the east coast has earned a name as a popular surfing destination internationally. In fact, Arugam Bay has been a popular destination with the Japanese and we must explore the possibility of increasing our market share, he stressed.
JATA World Travel Fair is considered the biggest travel fair in Asia with 134 countries participating and an approximately 110,000 visitors from all over the world.

Sri Lanka to pioneer Marks & Spencer eco friendly factory

Marks & Spencer, UK in its exercise to draw its suppliers into its Green Agenda is to set up the first eco - friendly clothing factory in Thulhiriya, Sri Lanka, which would be ready for production by the first quarter of next year, according to Mr. Stuart Rose, CEO of M & S, who disclosed when Prof. G L Peiris, Minister of Export Development and International Trade paid a goodwill visit to the former in London. M & S has selected Sri Lankan lingerie supplier MAS Intimates, as their local collaborator for this project.
Mr. Rose, CEO of M & S who turned around M & S performance during the past three years informed Prof. Peiris that he would be undertaking a visit to Sri Lanka soon. Mr. Rose further said that the M & S consider Sri Lanka as one of the most important suppliers in their international business. It was mentioned that MAS Holdings, Brandix and Hirdramani of Sri Lanka were among their top 10 global suppliers with whom M & S had established a strong and valued business relationship. According to Mr. Rose, M & S regional logistics hub which commenced its operations in Sri Lanka in March 2007, was running smoothly and Minister Peiris pledged his support for further expanding M & S operations in Sri Lanka.
Minister Peiris commended M & S contribution to the Sri Lankan economy through its long standing business relationship with Sri Lanka for mutual benefit. M & S which won the UK Social Responsibility Award of the Confederation British Industries (CBI) for second time in 2006, had acknowledged the contribution of Sri Lankan suppliers for its huge success. It was also revealed that one of the Sri Lankan suppliers to M & S had found employment to disabled women.
High Commissioner Kshenuka Senewiratne, Deeptha Kulatilleke, Minister (Commercial) and Sampath Dissanayaka, Private Secretary accompanied Minister Peiris to this meeting.

Source: The Island

The Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya - Royal Asset and Tourist Attraction

A tourist attraction for sure with a long and grandiose history of colonialism, a monument of Kandyan King Wickramabahu III in the 14th century is the horse shoe- shaped Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya situated on 147 acres, a significant national asset to Sri Lanka.
A place not to be missed, the Royal Botanic Gardens has flourished since 1371 and stands today to tell its visitors and Botanists interesting facts about its age-old trees and plants; a unique marvel of Lankan history unfolded within the precincts of its lustrous greenery.
With over 1.4 million people visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens annually in addition to the 5 per cent school children, I am certain history enthusiasts around the world would love to see some of the memorial trees in the Gardens as well as some of the oldest and rarest trees one could find; just one of a kind in Sri Lanka. Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya.
Interviewing Dr D.S.A. Wijesundara I was enlightened about the many interesting facts about the Gardens which I too wasn't aware of although I had visited the Gardens previously.
Giant Java Willow Tree, Ficus Benjamina, a large handsome tree introduced to Sri Lanka in 1861, spreading over an area 2500 square metres
With the advent of World Tourism Day which falls today I thought I must write about one such significant tourist attraction of ostentatious splendour Lassana Sri Lanka has to offer; the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya.
Dr Wijesundara also explained that this Garden along with the Botanic Gardens in Hakgala and Henarathgoda, Gampaha were responsible for almost all of the plant introductions of economic and environmental development in the island in the 19th century.
Activities during this period he went on to explain resulted in the development of economic and plantation crops, the emergence of important state departments such as the Forest Department in 1887 and Department of Agriculture in 1912, as well as the institutions for the development of plantation crops such and tea and rubber.
Yellow Saraga, Saraga Thaipingensis planted by first Soviet Spaceman Major Yuri Gagarin on Dec. 9, 1961
Dr Wijesundara reiterated that over the past 180 years the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya has significantly increased its capability by emphasising high quality science, expanded contributions to bio-diversity conservation and improved public education programmes and this effort will be reinforced over the period ahead by a focus on key targets for development, and appropriate re-structuring, recruitment and training initiatives.
Enthraled by the flamboyance of the Garden's history, I eagerly noted many important specifics before I finally embarked on the exploration, in search of some of the oldest trees and plants in the garden despite the heavy downpour of rain.
Double coconut, Coco de Mer Lodoicea Maldivica (Palmae), the heaviest in the whole vegetable kingdom.
Incidentally, after the reign of King Wickramabahu III, (who in my opinion would have been a botanical enthusiast of the highest order to have made the premises his pleasure garden, was no doubt an illustrious King of yesteryear) the last Queen of Kandy was also said to have walked on the same grounds and it was one of her favourite playgrounds we are told.
To add to its wonderful history we are told that the last Viceroy of India, Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten's Second World War headquarters was also situated in the Royal Botanical Garden.
Lignum Vitae (E), Guaiacum officinale, the heaviest of all wood.
With all these wonderful anecdotes in mind I moved on with two proficient officers attached to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Chaminda Ratnayake and Manoj Dissanayake whom I wish to acknowledge who took valuable time off to help me locate the trees I was interested in writing about.
One of the first botanical wonders not far from the entrance was the Double Coconut Coco de Mer Lodoicea Maldivica (Palmae), native to the Seychelles, the largest and the heaviest of the whole vegetable kingdom, a strange sea palm with a curious character, a rare plant protected by law.
Agasthis Robusta, Kauri Pine tree
It has an interesting history of course; the plant was found floating in the Indian ocean in 1500 AD but the palm was discovered in 1743 AD, amazingly weighing 10-20 kg a coconut. It apparently takes about 5-8 years to mature and about a year to germinate.
The double lobed coconuts are joined like Siamese twins and look rather endearing.
It was introduced to the Gardens in 1850.
Almost in the centre of the lawn stands yet another marvel of nature, the Giant Java Willow Tree right in the middle of this lawn. The hundred year old Giant Java Willow Tree, Ficus Benjamina, a large handsome tree indigenous to Malaysia, introduced to Sri Lanka in 1861 magnificently spreads over an area of over 2500 sq metres, which looks like a giant umbrella which has been spread over the lawn, where many lovers stop to share a moment or take photographs under its shady environs.
The suspension bridge
The enormous wood tree ,the heaviest of wood is the Lignum Vitae(E) Guaiacum officinale. Its trunk is so gigantic that even ten people may not be able to hold hands and rally around the tree.
On the contrary, in close proximity is the opposite of it, the Bulsa Tree the softest of wood, a small tree which stands to edify the curious visitor.
The Encephalatis species is also worth taking a look at as it is an endemic species, a high and very slow growing tree, I was told, while Diospyros Athrata (Ebenaceae) is apparently the most valuable endemic in Sri Lanka. Another tree with a huge trunk is Agathis Robustra, a Kauri pine introduced to the Gardens in 1865 which is frequently cultivated in the tropics and subtropics today for its timber.
It is also said to yield a resin called Kauri gum used in high quality varnish production today. Lost in the precincts of the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya one couldn't of course miss out on seeing the range of memorial trees which stand to tell us many unforgettable tales of yesteryear.
This is a really interesting aspect the Shorea Robusta Indian Sal(E) planted by his Majesty Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev, King of Nepal on February 25, 1980 (The Bo tree under which Lord Buddha was born I was told ) but cannot be propagated in Sri Lanka; the Mesua Ferrea, Ceylon Ironwood planted by the late Czar of Russia in 1891; the first reported memorial Bo tree, Ficus Religiosa planted by King Edward VII in 1875 and the Yellow Saraga, Saraga Thaipingensis (Fabaceae) planted by the first Soviet Spaceman, Major Yuri Gagarin on December 9, 1961.
And how could you of course leave the Gardens without taking a look at the 100 year old Suspension Bridge on the Royal Palm end which was built in 1905 which could accommodate a maximum of six persons at a time; a bit eerie but you could try it out if you wish .

Source: Sunday Observer

Bird Watching in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has high biological, ecological and cultural diversity within a very small land area. About 1.5 million ha. of forest with very high biodiversity, conservation of 14% of the total land area as protected areas and accessibility to different types of ecosystem within 4 to 5 hours by ground route are the great advantages Sri Lanka has. Although there are such strengths, ecotourism activities have not been properly managed to attract genuine tourists and provide maximum protection for the healthy environment.
Sri Lanka’s birds, one of the richest in any comparable area of South Asia, include 227 indigenous species of which 23 are endemic. In addition, a further 95 migrant, 24 sea birds and 75 incidental species have been recorded in the island.
Bird watching is an interesting activity among local and foreign tourists. According to a survey 47% of local visitors mentioned that they like bird watching very much. Bird watching does minimum damage to the forest.
Bird watching can also improve one’s knowledge of the environment, animal behaviour and biological relationships. Many theories in the fields of animal behaviour, ecology and evolution, to mention a few, have been tested through observation of birds. The observation of birds does not demand sophisticated instruments. The most important quality needed by any serious bird watcher is a methodical approach. Essentially, a systematic effort to observe, record, interpret and disseminate the information gathered on birds, their habits and habitats.
One has to develop a few important habits to become a good bird watcher: patience, silence, controlling emotions, sharing information and the ability to work in small groups. Seeking birds can be a very frustrating exercise, especially in heavily forested areas. The ability to maintain interest for long periods of time thus becomes a cornerstone in bird watching. Bird watching also requires an ability to walk for long periods of time. Interest in the outdoors and walking can help tremendously in bird watching. Finally, going out to watch birds, you also need to be properly attired. Avoid bright colours or white. "Earthy" colours such as browns and greens are best. Birds need peace as much as we do, so avoid disturbing them.

(1) Phoenicopterus ruber - Greater Flamingo (Siyakkaraya)
White plumage with a tinge of pink and scarlet. Black primaries and outer secondaries, upper and under wing coverts rose pink to bright scarlet. Long pinkish-red legs. Occur in highly saline lagoons.

(2) Halcyon smymensis - White-throated kingfisher (Laya Sudu Pilihuduwa)
White breast and blue upper parts. Occur in open areas near water, gardens.

(3) Ketupa zeylanensis - Brown fish-owl (Dumburu Kewul Bakamuna)
Dark brown, upper parts heavily streaked and barred. Yellow irides small ear tufts. Tarsis unfeathered forest, close to water bodies.

(4) Megalaima zeylanica - Brown-Headed Barbet (Polos Kottoruwa)
Brown headed. Occur in forest and home gardens.

(5) Gallus lafayeti - Sri Lanka Jungle fowl (Lanka Wali Kukula)
Male - crimson comb with a central yellow patch and long tail feathers. Occur in forest and scrub, very common. Endemic species.

Source: The Island

Call for Master Plan for Ayurveda

A Master Plan for developing Sri Lanka’s traditional medical sector- Ayurvedha - is required, and internationally recognised standards set therein.
The Sri Lankan traditional medical sector lacks international standards and technical expertise stultifying its growth potential and remaining insignificant, according to Ayurveda Department Commissioner Ms Ramani Gunawardena.
"Despite a large number of students who pass out from the Ayurveda Medical Council and other institutions, there has been a dearth of human resources and technical expertise in the Ayurvedic sector. There should be a proper method to absorb experts to the industry and it should be carried out continuously," said Ms Gunawardena.
She added that she had been appealing to the Management Services Department to introduce policies and standards to the sector, but to no avail.
It was noted that the Ayurvedic sector will be provided with the much-needed funds through the forthcoming budget. "However, useful as they may be, that in itself will not be sufficient. We need a Master plan and laid down policiy for the Ayurvedha sector, beginnning with quality human resource inputs," said Ms Gunawardena.

Source: The Island

New tech in Lankan business fast moving

Sri Lanka is a growing market for Oracle and Lankan business is rapidly adopting to latest technologies, said Senior Sales Manager Technology Business South Asia Growth Economics of Oracle Corporation Amer Khan at a press conference held yesterday.
Sectors such as financial, telecommunication and apparel in Sri Lanka are using latest technologies on a rapid scale.
Oracle has local customers in these sectors and they are good in adopting latest technologies, he said.
Data is critical and important components in today’s businesses. Many businesses seek for data management system which has less cost on ownership and highest return on investment.
Data security is a main concern of any business organization. Data management systems need to have reliable recovery system to face for a disaster situation, he said.
He also explained on how organizations and business can take control of their enterprise information, gain better business insight and adapt to competitive business environments by using Oracle Database 11g.
Manager- Business Communications South Asia Growth Economies (West) of Oracle Corporation Adeel Hashmi said that Sri Lankan SMEs are keen on adopting latest technologies.
Oracle Database 11g is a most popular database in the world with more than 4000 features and 15 million test hours. Oracle Database 11g can help organizations take control of their enterprise information and gain better business insight.
Customers can tackle the most demanding transaction processing, data warehousing and content management applications.

Source: Daily News

Lanka-India seek to enhance bilateral trade

INDIA: Kamal Nath, India’s Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, has expressed hope that the outstanding issues relating to the operationalisation of TRQ of vanaspati including bakery shortening and margarine and import of marble and copper from Sri Lanka to India would be negotiated soon to further increase the Indo-Sri Lankan bilateral trade.
Observing that the bilateral trade has increased from US$ 1,497 million in 2004-05 to US$ 2,590 million in 2005-06 and has been valued at US 2,462.28 million in 2006-07, Kamal Nath hoped that the increase in the coming years would be substantial.
This was stated by the Indian Commerce Minister when Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion called on him yesterday.
India is the dominant partner in the bilateral economic relations with Sri Lanka, as almost 15% - 20% of total Sri Lankan imports are accounted for by India.
With an investment of US $ 400-500 million in FDI, India is also he fourth largest investor in Sri Lanka.
During the ongoing negotiations, India has already agreed to prove Sri Lankan garment industry a TRQ of three million pieces of garments without any condition of sourcing of fabrics and port restrictions.
Further cooperation between the two countries include bilateral cooperation agreement (MOU) on product, quality, certification and testing that has been signed between Sri Lankan Standards Institute and the Bureau of Indian Standards.
This is expected to benefit both the countries in areas related to standardisation, quality and certification of products.

Source: Daily News

The day 12th September 1991

The day 12th September 1991, 16 years ago, still I can remeber, It was a very tragic day for all of our family because of our only sister passed away due to her kidney faliure. How the days flies It's like today to me. We - my parents, my elder brother, my yonger brother, were very worried & shocked about the sad demise of our yongest and the only sister. She was only 16 years as this happened. Nobody think that we will loose her at a very young age like this. We hope she is in heaven looking at us. This is for the rememberence of my sister W. A. Don Wijayanthi Nilamani

10. Highest living mammal: the yak, found in the Himalayas, has been found living at height of 6200 meters (over 20,000 feet). This animal, found in the high mountains of Asia, including Pakistan, has a very thick and shaggy coat, a thick skin and layers of fat underneath which enable it to survive the extremely low temperatures of its habitat.

9. Longest living: Tortoises can reach an age beyond 150 years. Other reptiles like crocodilians also have fairly long lives and most reptiles grow continuously throughout their lives. Therefore by the size of an individual its age can be determined.

8. Strongest sense of smell: the male emperor moth can smell female up to 11 kms away, making it the champion in the strongest sense of smell stakes. Most animals have a farirly keen sense of smell which either helps them to find prey or mates or helps them to avoid predators. As the majority of animals in the world are nocturnal, i.e., active by night, a strong smell of smell can be very useful after dark.

7. Most poisonous animal: not the scorpion, nor any snake but the box jellyfish. Found in the coastal waters of Northern Australia and parts of South east asia, a large box jellyfish has enough poiso or venom to kill 60 human adults

6. Tallest animal: The Giraffe takes this record easily, with a large male being up to 5.55 meters (18 feet tall). Giraffes are found exclusively in Arfrica

5. Rarest mammal: so many species are critically endangered today that several may qualify for this distressing record. Still, the Javan Rhino, found only on the island of Java, Indonesia and perhaps also in the dense rainforests of South East Asia, may be the rarest mammal species today, with an estimate of less than 50 individuals left in the wild.

4. Biggest animanl on the planet: the Blue whale. Length up to 25.5 meters (86 feet) and weight upto 120 tons. It is much largr than even the largest pre-historic dinosaurs. This gigantic animal in in fact a gentle creature, which eats mainly if not solely a kind of small shrimp or crustacean, called krill.

3. Fastes animal in the sea: the sail fish achievs a speed of over 100 kms pr hour. Considering the fact that the drag or resistance of water is much more than of air, the speed of the sail fish is truly quite phenamenal.

2. Fastest animal in the air: the Peregrine falcon, when diving achieves a speed of up to 200 kms per hour. The speed of birds is difficult to measure for a number of reasons. Wind speed, the altitude at which a bird is flying, the ambient temperature, the age and sex of the bird ad other factors make comparion between birds difficult. However, the above record fo the falcon is generally accepted.

Some Interesting Wildlife Record and Facts

The world of animals is full of many interesting and truly amazing facts.

1. Fastest animal on the ground: the Cheetah, with speed upto 109 kms per hour. The cheetah can, however maintain this high speed for short distances only, of a few hundred meters. After this it is totally exhausted and out of breath and must stop and rest for several minutes. The Cheetah is one of 37 different species which make up the cat family or the family Felidae. Cpmpared to other big cats like tigers, lions, leopards or Jagurars, the Cheetah is not a very strong animal physically. It must therefore rely mostly on its high speed to catch prey. There is one thing that is different about the cheetach from all other cats. Its claws are non-retractile. In other words, che claws of a cheetach are always extended, unlike all other cats who can draw their claws in to sheaths and expose te claws only when required. The fastest animal over a long distance is the pronghorn, a type of antelope found in North America

Yala National Park

The Ruhuna (Yala) National Park one of the largest National Parks in the Country with 103,882.9 hectares. It situated 300 K.m. south of Colombo on the southeast shore of Sri Lanka. This National Park has several habitat types such as forests, scrub lands, grass lands, lagoons, beaches and other wetlands ect. this is the most visited national park of the country and its main attractions are animals Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears, Crocodiles, migratory and resident birds, but most appealing is the overall 'feel' of undisturbed jungle. Big rock formations, Tanks, Beaches and the Lagoons amplify the scenic beauty of the park. A safari jeep ride will take you to close encounters with the wild beasts and to the beauty of the park and make it an unforgettable experience of your life.


Horton Plains National Park

The Horton plain National Park is the only national park situated in the wet zone of the country and falls with in the Nuwara Eliya district. Situated 2300m above sea level this National park has different climatic conditions and habitat to all the other national parks. Almost all life forms in Horton plains are adapted to the high altitude conditions there. There are lot of endemic flora and fauna are found in the plains it self. The endemicity among fauna is also comparatively very high. Bear Monkey (race of the Purple Face leaf Monkey), Sambhur and Leopard are the some interesting mammals in this park. There are several endemic hill country birds in this park.


Singharaja Forest Reserve

Singharaja Forest Reserve is the most famous rainforest of the country. This tropical rain forest is a living heritage. Bio diversity of the forest is very high and large proportion of the flora in this forest is endemic to the country and some endemic to the Singharaja Forest it self. This is a very good place to see lot of endemic birds such as .Ceylon Lorikeet, Layard's parakeet, Jungle and Spur Fowl, Ceylon Wood Pigeon, Grey Hombill, Spotted wing Thrush, Rufous and Brown- capped Babbler, Ashy-headed Laughing Thrush, Ceylon Blue Magpie, White Headed Starling, Ceylon Hill Mynha, Legge's Flowerpecker. The clear cut roads in to the jungle provide easy access to the forest. This important forest is a Man and Biosphere Forest reserve and it is considered as a World Heritage Site.


Kithulgala Forest Reserve

he Kithulgala forest is a secondary rain forest situated beside the Kelani River one of our largest rivers. There is also a tributary flowing through the forest to this river. The forest reserve has a high biodiversity. Though it is mostly secondary forest, its faunal and floral diversity is very similar to a primary forest. Wild boar, Toque Macaque, Purple faced leaf monkey ,and Barking deer are some of the interesting mammal species.Among the interesting bird species Red faced Malkoha, Ceylon Blue Magpie, Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Frog Mouth and Layard's Parakeet are outstanding


Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is situated in both intemediate zone and the dry zone. Udawalawe park is adjacent to the Udawalawe reservoir and Walawe river. The extent of the Udawalawe park is approximately 30821 hectares and is situated 170km south east of Colombo. This park lies between Rathnapura and Moneragala districts. Though riverine forests ,scrub lands ,and teak plantations are the habitat types of this park. Grasslands with tall grass and occasional trees and bushes is the main feature of this park. Main attraction of this park is big herds of elephants ,and this is probably one of the best places to see wild elephants in Sri Lanka. Open grasslands provide good hunting grounds for the raptors, while the water holes and other water bodies provide feeding grounds to the waders and other water birds


Bundala National Park

Bundala National Park is the only 'RAMSAR' site in Sri Lanka, which lies in south arid zone of the country. This national park consists of many large and small water bodies such as lagoons, tanks (reservoirs) and salt pans, which are the main feature. Apart from the wetlands the park consists of dry thorny scrub forest short in height. This type of forest is unique to the dry and arid parts of the Country. The water bodies create a good feeding ground for the wetland birds, Migratory birds & Flocks of humming birds which attract to the visitor. Migratory birds can be found in very large numbers during the migratory period. A large flock of Flamingos loitering is also a big attraction


Peradeniya Botanical Gardens

Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is situated in the city of Kandy the Botanical Gardens are amongst the world's best and most beautiful.They extend over 14 acres and not only offer much of interest to the Botanist but also to the Ornithologist

Sri Lanka - Maldives in joint tourist promotions agreement

The visiting Maldivian Deputy Tourism Minister Abdul Hameed Zakariyya yesterday said that Sri Lanka and Maldives have reached agreement on a joint tourist promotion for Chinese market.
"Sri Lanka and Maldives are not competitors in tourism. You have the culture and environment and we have the beaches," he said.
Sri Lanka has been collaborating with Maldives since the early seventies and the first charter group to Maldives flew on board a Royal Ceylon Airforce plane, he said.
Sri Lanka's Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Musthapha said there are many ways that the two countries could gain by promoting tourism jointly. There is a Joint Task Force set up in 2003 May, to explore the possibility of promoting tourism. However earlier Maldives were only concentrating on the inbound traffic, but now they are seriously thinking of promoting packages to Sri Lanka too.
Zakariyya appreciated the concern shown by the Sri Lanka government about Maldives students in hospitality industry and said that Sri Lanka's Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda has offered 25 scholarships to train Maldivian students at the Ceylon Hotel School (CHS). These students will follow a five month certificate level course and will join the school in January, a CHS source said adding that the Maldivian government has laid much emphasis on developing Human Resource Management.
"Twelve percent of tourist hotels in the Maldives are owned or operated by Sri Lankan companies and of the 11,000 Sri Lankans working in the Maldives, 2,600 are employed in the tourism industry," Zakariyya pointed out.
"Most of the expatriate employees in the hotel sector are from Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh," he said.
Speaking about the tourist arrival figures, he said that Maldives has a projected target of 650,000 tourists for this year and last year the figure was 602,000 while in 2005 Maldives enjoyed an occupancy of 450,000. An average tourist stays 8.4 days and spends USD 115 per day for extras (excluding the hotel charges)
There are nearly 27,000 Maldivians visiting Sri Lanka and this figure could be increased with proper marketing, he added.
"Sri Lankan Airlines has figured prominently in Maldives tourism bringing in a large chunk of tourists to Male," he explained.

Dalada Maligawa - Kandy

Aurvedic treatment for MICE tourism

Aurvedic treatment for MICE tourism

Srilankan Airlines to offer special packages

SriLankan Airlines will fly in delegates from around the world for the country’s first ever Ayurveda conference to be held in September this year.
Showcasing the country’s ancient healing traditions, the event to be held from September 7-9, will be one of the largest indigenous medical exhibitions and symposiums in Colombo.
The Ayurveda conference is one of many events being promoted under SriLankan Airlines MICE plan. SriLankan Airlines is to actively promote travel for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions or MICE travel across its network this year.
The airline’s MICE division will focus mainly on Sri Lanka, the Far East and Middle East for MICE tourism, working closely with SriLankan Holidays, the airline’s leisure arm, to offer attractive packages.
"We will be aggressively promoting MICE tourism, moving away from our traditional role of promoter to actively canvassing traffic across our network," Amith Sumanapala, General Manager of SriLankan Airlines MICE division said
Delegates for the Ayurveda conference will be offered attractive airfares, while SriLankan Holidays will also promote special packages for an extended stay in Sri Lanka.
Top speakers from Sri Lanka and the region are expected to participate as well as Ayurvedic medical institutions, product manufacturers, hoteliers, investment promotion agencies among others.
"The purpose of the conference is to make Sri Lanka a hub for Ayurveda - medical services, wellness tourism, spas, herbal products, food, even research and development," Asoka Hettigoda, Managing Director of Ayurveda giant Sidhalepa, said.
Literally meaning ‘Science of Life’, Ayurveda is a 4000 year old natural medicinal system that tries to balance a person’s mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Widespread in Sri Lanka and in other Eastern countries, Ayurveda is gaining in popularity among European, Japanese and even Middle Eastern clientele.
In Sri Lanka, there have been many spin-offs from the Ayurveda industry: spa holidays, meditation, herbal products, food and spices to medical treatment.
Sri Lanka is also home to 200 plant ingredients for Ayurvedic medicines that are found nowhere else in the world. Tourists here on a wellness holiday also tend to stay longer and spend more.
Sri Lanka has 150 registered companies making Ayurveda products, 25 hospitals, 16,000 Ayurvedic doctors and 25 to 30 Ayurvedic resorts.

Back To Nature

Vil Uyana fuses Maldivian sophistication with Sri Lanka's rustic charm. Jon Ashworth lets the stress melt away at this distinctive wildlife resort
RESORTS in the Maldives are famous for thatched chalets built on stilts above the calm, blue-green ocean, with wooden walkways stretching out towards distant reefs. Imagine the same in a landscape of paddy fields and marshland, with steamy blue mountains fringing the horizon, and you have Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka's newest luxury resort and spa.
Sri Lanka usually comes off second best to the Maldives, just an hour's flight across the Laccadive Sea. Well-heeled travellers flock to its resorts, leaving Sri Lanka to budget holidaymakers and birdwatchers. Sri Lanka's charms are more rustic: bone-rattling roads, little spoken English and an insistence on serving tea with hot milk. (An ironic reality in the home of tea.)
Yet there are exceptions. Vil Uyana, close to the famous Sigiriya Rock in north-central Sri Lanka, has imported Maldivian sophistication to this steamy, tropical country. About four hours' drive from Colombo international airport, the first impression is of African-style safari villas rising from reed beds and grassland, with immaculately turned out staff in golf buggies awaiting your arrival. A network of raised levees lead to reception, where formalities are dispensed with over a chilled welcome drink.
Although Vil Uyana means "water gardens", guests have a choice of four different villa experiences - water, paddy field, forest and marsh - each with its own distinct character. The best rooms - more accurately large chalets - are the water dwellings, perched on stilts in a lake. Stress melts away to a chorus of frogs and crickets as kingfishers skim the surface, sending ripples radiating. And despite the water setting, mosquitoes and other biting insects are non-existent.
Opened in November 2006, the 25 villa-resort is a fusion of African safari lodge, exclusive resort and the neo-rustic luxury retreats found in northern Thailand. Jetwing Hotels, a Sri Lankan operator, spent two years transforming 24 acres of disused farmland into a resort within a wildlife reserve; architect Sunela Jayewardene drew inspiration from the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, with its marshland, ponds and reed beds.
The result is a distinctive resort with a serene atmosphere. The villas are cavernous, built from locally grown teak and with bamboo roofs and coconut thatch. The rooms are up to Maldives standards, with crisp linen, thick towels, Vil Uyana-brand soaps and lotions, DVD player, satellite TV and candles around the bath. There are UK plug sockets, avoiding the need for travel adaptors, and the air conditioning stays on when you leave your room, taking the edge off Sri Lanka's perennial humidity.
Vil Uyana's general manager, Tissa Wickramasuriya, was brought up in Jamaica and has worked in hotels in the US. This explains why the resort is run to Western standards, while other supposedly upmarket Sri Lanka hotels suffer the curse of misplaced cutlery and bumbling waiters. Staff attend compulsory weekly English lessons. Membership of Small Luxury Hotels of the World adds a further stamp of approval.
Villas are scattered around the property, so there is plenty of privacy. Secluded patios gaze across water and grassland to Sigiriya, the ancient rock fortress that rises 600ft above the sweeping plains. Tourists and locals alike brave the rickety iron walkways to reach the summit, with its panoramic views over green jungle and hazy mountains.
If that seems too much like hard work, guests could instead take a day trip to Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka's ancient capital, or an African-style safari in nearby Minneriya National Park. More than 300 elephants converge on Minneriya between August and October in an annual migration known as The Gathering. The area teems with birdlife; a morning jeep drive brings sightings of painted stork, black-headed ibis, grey heron and red-wattled lapwing.
Then again, there is no pressing need to venture out at all. It is perfectly acceptable to while away the time watching birds swooping, before a sumptuous (yet inexpensive) dinner in Vil Uyana's first-floor open air restaurant. Fare ranges from delectable Tasmanian salmon to delicious curries. Meals are complemented by a well-stocked wine cellar, which boasts Dom Perignon and a Chateau Batailley Pauillac for just 11,600 rupees (£51).
A major draw is the Island Spa, set in a lake and reached by a wooden walkway. The quality of the treatments is up there with world-renowned spas such as Chiva-Som in Thailand, but at half the price. I indulged myself with an aromatherapy head and shoulder massage, facial, manicure and pedicure, and reflexology - more than four hours of pampered bliss for a princely £80. They had to wheel me back to my room.
The treatment rooms are open air, meaning you are indulged to the accompanying sound of running water and bird song. I would consider returning simply for a spa break - three days is about right - with two treatments a day and the rest of the time spent lounging.
For true devotees, the resort offers five-day Ayurveda programmes from around £240 per person.
Being close to nature is an intimate part of the Vil Uyana experience. There have been sightings of otters and crocodiles, and elephants sometimes wander close to the property. Guests might catch a glimpse of a loris, a shy, bushbaby-type mammal. Dragonflies and butterflies float serenely on the tempering breeze.
Anywhere else in the world, Vil Uyana could charge upwards of $600 per night, in line with Africa's top safari lodges. But Sri Lanka's civil war is keeping the tourists away, and prices are discounted accordingly. Yet while security is tight, in particular at Colombo airport, I felt safer in Sri Lanka than I do walking the streets of London.
The strong pound makes Vil Uyana even more affordable and you are likely to have the entire resort to yourself, making you feel even more like a millionaire. You might even get a decent cup of tea.
Travel notes
* Rooms at Vil Uyana cost from $400 (£195, E292) per room per night. www.viluyana.com
* SriLankan Airlines operates direct daily flights between London and Colombo. Fares from £550 plus taxes. www.srilankan.aero
* Jetwing Eco Holidays offers five nights at Vil Uyana and one night at The Beach in Negombo from £930 per person, bed and breakfast, excluding air fares. The package includes visits to Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla cave temple, and a safari in Minneriya National Park. The price also covers airport transfers, chauffeur guide, safari jeep hire and entrance fees. www.jetwingeco.com