|
Tourism Bureau ties-up with Navy:
Jetliner to sail for corporate events
Ramani Kangaraarachchi
|
The Jetliner cruiseship at the inauguration. Pictures courtesy
Sri Lanka Navy |
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has tied up with Sri Lanka
Navy to use the Jetliner ship formerly used for humanitarian operations
as a venue for social and corporate events after refurbishment.
Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Bernard Goonatilake on
the occasion of ceremonial launching of the vessel at the Colombo port
said there is a huge potential which was not explored due to the war.
“Now is the time to unleash this potential,” he said.
|
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka
Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman, Bernard Goonatilake and
chinese Ambassador Yang Xiuping at the launch. |
The Jetliner is a water jet driven fast passenger ferry, which has
been designed to accommodate 600 passengers and 160 cars at a time. The
vessel is presently docked at the Colombo Port. It will serve shortly as
a venue for social and corporate events.
Sri Lanka tourism has grown rapidly since the conflict was resolved
in May 2009 with new products and services being introduced to the
market and this is one of such expansion, Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda,
the chief guest at the event said. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara
Samarasinghe said this vessel will introduce a maritime culture to the
Sri Lankan population.
Although Sri Lanka is surrounded by the sea maritime culture was not
in Sri Lanka earlier and therefore people must be educated on this
potential which will change our economy, he said. |
