Monday 28 September 2009
Matara city
Matara is situated in the southern province of Sri Lanka. Distance from Colombo is 160 kilometers. River Nilwala runs through the town and falls into the sea. The history of Matara dates back to the Anuradhapura period. Matara is full of natural scenic beauty, which is an attraction to the tourists.
The river Nilwala has fertilized the whole area where one can see the stretch of paddy fields and tea estates with plantation of spices also taking an important place. The sandy and safe beaches are an asset in this area where fishing industry too is flourishing providing a source of income and supply of fish. The combination of these multi faceted natural resources has made Matara a popular tourist resort. Matara city area with 8.8 square kilometers in extent. It is divided into fifteen wards or local units for the purpose of local administration. It has a population of about 76493 and the temperature is 30c.
This city can be considered as a centre in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Because the Southern Province consists of three districts and the city of Matara stands in between Galle and Hambantota which are the other districts of Southern Province. Prominent writers and patriotic leaders like Anagarika Dharmapala & Kumaratunga Munidasa hail from Matara and their service to the society and the nation is still remembered with much reverence. History provides sufficient evidence to prove that many reputed personalities from Matara had contributed greatly to the cause of Buddhism. Thank you very much for visiting this web page and hope you will visit Matara city and see for yourself the splendour of the city.
Traveling from Colombo to Matara can be made either by train or air conditioned buses. While there are only a limited number of trains, buses are available every half and hour. Both the journeys take about four hours. Matara is the last railway station where the railway lines end in the South. Bus rout and the railway lines run parallel through the southern coastal sea beach at your right hand side. Distance between the railway station and the main bus stand is about 500 meters.
The popular mode of transport in the city is "Three Wheelers". Apart from this there are hiring cars and vans. The traditional mode of traveling of carts pulled by bulls are also available .Hotels of all the grades are also available within the city. Almost all the state and private banks have their branches. While postal facility is provided by the State Post Office, private agency post offices are also functioning. Cyber cafes with e-mail and internet facilities are also available. The city is full of shopping outlets for any necessary requirements.Main Language spoken is Sinhalese, but you will be able to manage yourself with English. Above is only a brief guidance to the tourist as well as locals who wish to visit Matara.
Devinwara, the city of gods in Sinhala language is important for many reasons. First for its historical importance, and second for its religious importance, and third for its geographical importance. While some of the ruins in this area gives evidence to prove its historical importance, Devalaya or the Temple stands as a monument to prove its religious importance, and the Light House which stands about a quarter kilometer by the sea coast shows its geographical importance. It is the southern most point in the naval route of Indian Ocean.
Devinuwara, according to many historical evidences, had been a city respected and worshipped by Buddhist for its power of gods. ‘Devinuwara', in Sinhalese language means – ‘Devi' means gods and ‘nuwara' means city, which means ‘City of Gods'. Beginning of this city can be traced back to around 660 AD. Buddhist as well as other community people visits this place at least once a year, during the annual festival season which occur in June, to receive the blessings of the gods. Basnayaka Nilame or the Chief Incumbent who is elected by the important people from the district manages this Devalaya or the Temple, which is under the state control.
Dondra Point -
The Dondra Point is situated in the southern most point of Sri Lanka facing the Indian Ocean which is the main sea route between west and east. And the Northern most point is Point Pedro situated in Northern Province. The Dondra Point is important for its sea route
The river Nilwala has fertilized the whole area where one can see the stretch of paddy fields and tea estates with plantation of spices also taking an important place. The sandy and safe beaches are an asset in this area where fishing industry too is flourishing providing a source of income and supply of fish. The combination of these multi faceted natural resources has made Matara a popular tourist resort. Matara city area with 8.8 square kilometers in extent. It is divided into fifteen wards or local units for the purpose of local administration. It has a population of about 76493 and the temperature is 30c.
This city can be considered as a centre in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Because the Southern Province consists of three districts and the city of Matara stands in between Galle and Hambantota which are the other districts of Southern Province. Prominent writers and patriotic leaders like Anagarika Dharmapala & Kumaratunga Munidasa hail from Matara and their service to the society and the nation is still remembered with much reverence. History provides sufficient evidence to prove that many reputed personalities from Matara had contributed greatly to the cause of Buddhism. Thank you very much for visiting this web page and hope you will visit Matara city and see for yourself the splendour of the city.
Traveling from Colombo to Matara can be made either by train or air conditioned buses. While there are only a limited number of trains, buses are available every half and hour. Both the journeys take about four hours. Matara is the last railway station where the railway lines end in the South. Bus rout and the railway lines run parallel through the southern coastal sea beach at your right hand side. Distance between the railway station and the main bus stand is about 500 meters.
The popular mode of transport in the city is "Three Wheelers". Apart from this there are hiring cars and vans. The traditional mode of traveling of carts pulled by bulls are also available .Hotels of all the grades are also available within the city. Almost all the state and private banks have their branches. While postal facility is provided by the State Post Office, private agency post offices are also functioning. Cyber cafes with e-mail and internet facilities are also available. The city is full of shopping outlets for any necessary requirements.Main Language spoken is Sinhalese, but you will be able to manage yourself with English. Above is only a brief guidance to the tourist as well as locals who wish to visit Matara.
Devinwara, the city of gods in Sinhala language is important for many reasons. First for its historical importance, and second for its religious importance, and third for its geographical importance. While some of the ruins in this area gives evidence to prove its historical importance, Devalaya or the Temple stands as a monument to prove its religious importance, and the Light House which stands about a quarter kilometer by the sea coast shows its geographical importance. It is the southern most point in the naval route of Indian Ocean.
Devinuwara, according to many historical evidences, had been a city respected and worshipped by Buddhist for its power of gods. ‘Devinuwara', in Sinhalese language means – ‘Devi' means gods and ‘nuwara' means city, which means ‘City of Gods'. Beginning of this city can be traced back to around 660 AD. Buddhist as well as other community people visits this place at least once a year, during the annual festival season which occur in June, to receive the blessings of the gods. Basnayaka Nilame or the Chief Incumbent who is elected by the important people from the district manages this Devalaya or the Temple, which is under the state control.
Dondra Point -
The Dondra Point is situated in the southern most point of Sri Lanka facing the Indian Ocean which is the main sea route between west and east. And the Northern most point is Point Pedro situated in Northern Province. The Dondra Point is important for its sea route
Thursday 10 September 2009
SriLankan Airlines launches tourism drive in Italy
-Mar 31st, 2009
SriLankan Airlines has launched a marketing drive in Italy to promote the twin destinations of Sri Lanka and the Maldives among Italian tourists, following the airline’s recent re-launch of flights to the southern European nation.
Sri Lanka’s National Carrier actively participated in the BIT Travel Mart in Milan last month, one of the world’s largest travel fairs, which drew 153,000 visitors and 5,000 exhibitors from 140 nations. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau and members of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) also participated in the event from February 19-22.
Kaushal Seneviratne, the airline’s Regional Manager Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa, said: “We want Italian tourists to know that we are back in Italy. Our participation at BIT was very successful, and a large number of Italian tour operators will begin featuring Sri Lanka and SriLankan Airlines’ services in their brochures. We expect significant Italian tourist traffic to Sri Lanka starting this summer, and also on SriLankan Airlines through Colombo to our other destinations, especially the Maldives.”
The National Carrier is closely supporting the Government’s plans and policies to revive tourism and investment in Sri Lanka, which has traditionally been a popular destination among European tourists.
It was the first time that SriLankan took part in this fair since 2001, underlining the airline’s determined efforts to capitalise on the Italian leisure travel market. Italy is one of the largest origins of tourism into the Maldives. SriLankan offers fast connections via Colombo to the Maldives, where it is the largest carrier.
SriLankan re-launched services between Rome and Colombo last December, and now operates a thrice-weekly service on Airbus A340 widebodied aircraft on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Seneviratne said: “Our flights are already highly popular with the approximately 100,000-strong Sri Lankan community in Italy, and also with Sri Lankan Catholics on pilgrimage to Rome. And through these new marketing efforts, we expect to tap into the Italian tourism market. We are now planning a series of road shows in cities such as Naples, Salerno, and Palermo to further enhance awareness of Sri Lanka and the airline, and we also intend arranging familiarization tours to Sri Lanka for selected Italian travel agents.”
“The presence of the SLTPB and members of SLAITO made it easy to have comprehensive discussions with Italian operators and tailor-made tour packages on the spot,” added Seneviratne.
Sri Lanka’s award-winning carrier now has a network of 41 destinations in 25 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Subcontinent, and the Far East.
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