Special Vesak tours for foreign visitors
Nethali Struys
Special arrangements have been made by the Sri Lanka Tourism
Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) to mark 2600th anniversary celebrations of
Sambuddhatva Jayanthi. During the whole Vesak festival season Sri Lanka
Tourism is planning to attract as many tourists as possible to view the
Vesak zones, pandals and other colourful illuminations around Colombo
city and islandwide, an SLTPB spokesman told the Daily News.
Six special tours have been organized throughout the week for local
and international tourists to tour covering all Vesak zones around
Colombo city from May 17 to 22. The starting points will be from Mount
Lavinia Hotel and Galle Face Hotel. This tour will start from 6.30 pm
and last for three and half hours.
The Gangarama Vesak Zone, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Vesak decorations
around BMICH, other city decorations and the Borella pandal can be
viewed on this journey.
A special perahera will take place between May 18-20 from
Independence Square to BMICH depicting The Buddha's life and journey
towards Enlightenment. An exhibition of Buddhist art, vegetarian foods,
Buddhist discussions, and a procession depicting The Buddha's
characteristics will also be included in it.
Further a major component of these celebrations is the International
Film Festival which will be held to promote Buddhist films based on the
life and journey to Enlightenment of The Buddha. The Light of Asia
Foundation and Sri Lanka SLTPB has joined hands to organize this event
which is scheduled to be held at the BMICH- Colombo from May 18 to 22.
Many local and International films produced under the theme of
Buddhism will be featured in this Film Festival. A special film
'Siddhartha The Buddha' will be produced in Sri Lanka during the festive
period with the participation of Hollywood and Bollywood actors,
producers and directors.
The preliminary arrangements for shooting of this film is underway
with the contribution of many local artistes in the local film industry.
Further details and reservations on this special tour can be obtained
through 0777599963 and 0777772595 or by visiting www.colombocitytour.com. |
