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by Tharika Goonathilake

Sri Lanka's Tourism will reach for the skies this month with plans being made to launch the country's first commercial hot air balloon.

The balloon, one of the largest in the world, is to be operated by Adventure Centre Asia, a pioneering sports and adventure tour company based in Nepal. The company is currently co-organising Sri Lanka's first Adventure Race, scheduled for July this year. The balloon, over 12 storeys' high, can accommodate up to 14 people and will offer both locals and tourists a chance to see the country and its many attractions from a vantage point, Adventure Centre Asia Managing Director Wade Campbell told the `Daily News'.

Given the country's tropical temperature levels, which provide for plenty of hot air, it is possible to operate a balloon of this magnitude and we are optimistic that it will provide a unique experience," he said. One of the most striking features of the mega balloon, will be its canopy image, which will bear the Sri Lanka tourism icon, `Sri Lanka, a Land Like No Other' and an array of colours resembling those of the national flag.

Campbell, said that Adventure Centre Asia had opted to use the Sri Lanka Tourism icon to encourage the country's tourism promotion initiatives. "Balloons of this nature are used in many countries not only for sight-seeing purposes but also for marketing and advertising impact.We decided to use the Sri Lanka Tourism icon to support the country's efforts," he said.

The company, which has conducted key tests such as wind speeds, wind patterns, temperature levels and other atmospheric conditions will bring in the expertise of an internationally renowned pilot to fly the balloon.

Pilot Nigel, who has a 100 percent safety record is ranked as one of the top 20 balloon pilots in the world. He will be assisted by a 10-15 member ground crew, who will support the whole operation especially during take- off and landing.

" We are aiming to offer a choice of sites such as wildlife parks and non-sensitive cultural areas in the balloon tour package, with different price levels for foreigners and locals," he said.

The company also hopes to operate flights throughout the country and is in the process of discussing the relavent technicalities involved.

Campbell said that operating a venture of this nature requires explicit planning, but the company, had been fortunate enough in gaining the support of Sri Lanka's pioneering hot air balloon specialist Captain Anil Jayasinghe for it.

With the official take-off, planned to coincide with the country's ``Hot air balloon festival' from March 20 which is envisaged to draw over 200-300 other international balloon enthusiasts, Adventure Centre Asia, is all set to provide locals and foreigners, Sri Lanka at its best from the skies!

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