Tourism promotes cultural co-operation - Minister of Tourism

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: People to people contact and tourism plays an important role in the promotion of cultural co-operation, Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike said.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Second Meeting of SAARC Cultural Ministers at Hotel Galadhari yesterday, Minister Bandaranaike said the future of SAARC lies between our peoples and professionals.

He said Sri Lanka was a well known tourist destination in its long history. Tourism is not limited to foreigners visiting and spending time in hotels. It also provides exchanges between people of different countries.

In the South Asia region this connective is even more relevant, Minister Bandaranaike said. He said, "exchanging cultural and social values between the SAARC countries and in the region could serve to avoid the barrier of misunderstanding. Culture plays a main role connecting people.

However, Intra SAARC tourism is yet quite significant,though some beginnings have been made to encourage tourism among the SAARC countries. In this sense a number of flights emanating from Sri Lanka to some SAARC countries have increased substantially.

"I am pleased that as a country that has been regularly articulating the view that culture plays a strong role in the SAARC process, Sri Lanka is hosting this meeting for the second time.

Today's meeting provides yet another opportunity to Sri Lanka to continue steadfastly with its contribution towards the initiatives to promote cultural cooperation in the SAARC region", the Minister remarked.

Minister Bandaranaike said, "we are heirs to an ancient tradition of cultural and religious influences and we are home to three of the great faiths of Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam that have profoundly shaped, influenced and nurtured the art and culture of our peoples".

He emphasized that globalisation has its positive and negative aspects. The globalisation has presented us with marvellous tools that can serve and benefit mankind such as new technology. The information technology like Internet connects people all around the world in order to exchange their ideas and culture.

In the South Asian region there are a healthy blending of cultures. "In this larger purpose it is appropriate to recall that SAARC is committed to bring our peoples and the Government to work together towards finding solutions to our common problems in spirit of amity and cooperation based on mutual respect, equity and shared benefits", the Minister said.

Preliminary arrangements have been taken to establish a SAARC Cultural Centre in Matara. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision is also to introduce a National Cultural Policy which will assist the people to enjoy a high cultural life, Minister Bandaranaike said.

"Today culture and creativity are increasingly used for an integral component of socio-economic development of countries as a global trend", Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said.

Minister Abeywardena emphasized that the SAARC Ministers of Culture will have to provide an opportunity to explore how regional collaboration building on the cultural richness of SAARC region to enhance and preserve the strength of the region's cultural diversity which can achieve more benefits for the people of the region.

One of the primary objectives of SAARC is to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials, SAARC Secretary General Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji said.

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SAARC cultural center in Sri Lanka

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: A new SAARC Cultural Centre will be set up in Sri Lanka to promote cultural cooperation in the SAARC region, said Minster of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday.

This decision has taken at the Second Meeting of the SAARC Ministers of culture which was held in Colombo yesterday. Minister said this was the second time that Sri Lanka hosted this meeting. "We were able to take several important decisions to promote the advancement of cultural affairs among the member countries.

"We have identified Matara as a best site to set up a center and to promote architectural designing, academic aspects, national heritage including cultural and religious traditions in the region. The constructions expect to be commenced on next January," the Minister said.

The meeting has also focused on establishing SAARC Museum of Textiles and Handicrafts in India. This step has emphasised the need to preserve and promote civilisation and cultural heritage in South Asia.

"Lot of concessions and facilities will be extended among the member countries and we expect to work in collaboration with the non- governmental organisations and other international organisations to carry out the programmes successfully," he said.