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| Tuesday, 19 August 2003 |
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by Clifford Landers from Australia Sri Lankans domiciled in Australia welcomed and lauded the initiative and announcement about the recommencing of the ferry service between Sri Lanka and India which is scheduled to take off this month as revealed by Ports Minister Rauff Hakeem. Record numbers of Sri Lankans from various parts of the globe have been visiting their homeland including tourists, after peace negotiations began between the Government and the LTTE. Many of them were delighted in the fact that they were able to visit areas in the North, East and other historical places that deprived them for over two decades due to the civil war. Adrian Ferdinands and family have been living in Australia for over 10 years and is a regular visitor to Sri Lanka. He told the Daily News that his visit in December last year was the most fascinating, exciting, absorbing trip which impressed them the most especially their two young children. "The introduction of this ferry service would undoubtedly be an added attraction and would be a boost to the tourism industry. We are planning to visit Sri Lanka again soon and travelling on this ferry service will top the list", he vowed. Another Sri Lankan who toured his motherland from Melbourne after 20-odd years in April this year who preferred to remain anonymous said that he had been critical of Sri Lanka due to many reasons. He lamented "I had no plans to ever set foot on Lankan soil again, but personal circumstances and fate compelled me to go in April this year and I am very glad it happened". He said gleefully "Boy, I had the greatest time of my life. I toured a fair bit outside Colombo during the 16-day trip and now I am anxiously counting the days to December for my six-week trip and the ferry service to India is definitely on my agenda. Travel Agent, Adrian Herbert commended the Government, the Tourism Board and other authorities, institutions and private organisations connected with travel and tourism for the magnanimous effort in their attempt to re-magnify on the world map Sri Lanka's prominence as a tourist destination. He said "This ferry service is yet another major attraction and step towards achieving this goal and undoubtedly would promote the travel and tourism industry to a greater magnitude. It is a service that is connecting Sri Lanka to one of the largest nations in the world." |
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