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| Wednesday, 16 July 2003 |
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by Tharika Goonathilake The Sri Lanka Tourist Board in collaboration with the Hotels Corporation has taken measures to renovate and upgrade facilities at the Kataragama resthouse, for the convenience of the large crowds that are expected to throng the holy city, this month. "Over 200,000 people visit the city during the Kataragama season. The festival has also attracted huge popularity among foreign tourists. The Tourist Board has taken measures to enhance facilities while providing an information base for foreign tourists visiting the area," SLTB Director General S. Kaliselvam told the `Daily News' yesterday. He said that around Rs 1 million has been allocated for renovations, part of a larger initiative taken by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, to upgrade other resthouse properties that are in major festival hubs." Kaliselvam said that `The Padayatara', the initial journey of faith and devotion made by devotees, sets the pace for the commencement of the Kataragama season, which culminate at the Holy City with a spectacular festival. The procession, which commenced last Saturday from Jaffna is made along the East coast via Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Potthuvil, and is a pilgrimage to pay homage to Lord Murugan, within a grand pageant ending in the holy city Kataragama. It is marked by a range of religious activities and feats of human endurance and mortification including fire-walking ceremonies, Kavadi dances and devotees suspended in mid air on hooks. "These voluntary acts of atonement has had great fascination for tourists who are keen on taking in the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka. These age-old rituals and religious beliefs are major tourist draws, which we are keen to highlight with the necessary facilities for domestic and foreign tourists," he said. Kaliselvam said that there are several hotel properties in the area that could facilitate more visitor needs. This, coupled with the initiative taken by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Ceylon Hotels Corporation, will help to provide more visitors, facilities for those who are coming to the area, either on day excursions or during particular festival times, he said. |
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