MESSAGES

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

I am pleased to send this message to the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2010. This event has special significance to Sri Lanka with its recognition as a venue of peace, with facilities to hold events of such international importance. This also opens opportunities for investors from both India and Sri Lanka.

While the high standards of Indian Cinema are recognized worldwide, many stars of Bollywood have won the hearts of audiences the world over. Thus, we are glad for IIFA Awards 2010 to bring the best talents of Bollywood to our pleasant land.

Sri Lanka’s ties with India combine history, culture and religion. Many events of the past have strengthened our age-old bonds of friendship. IIFA Awards 2010 promise to bring our countries even closer. While showcasing the opportunities for film production in Sri Lanka, with varied and attractive locations among friendly and talented people, this event will help foster closer relations between the film industries in our countries.

I welcome all to this grand event, as the galaxy of stars from Bollywood shed their lustre in our land. I wish the IIFA Awards 2010 all success.

Economic Development Minister : Basil Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka is moving forward to a new era of development and prosperity. Events such as the 11th IIFA Awards are testament to this. We are proud to host an event of this magnitude and we look forward to receiving and introducing renowned Indian cinema professionals to our beautiful island nation.

The events scheduled during the Weekend will bring together industry leaders from various sectors and allow us the opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka as a destination ready for investment and growth. IIFA is our step forward towards strengthening our partnership with our neighbour and friend India.

We thank IIFA for the opportunity given to us and the trust placed in our abilities.

Economic Development Deputy Minister : Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana

With the dawn of peace in the island, Sri Lanka renowned as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has great potential in expanding its vistas in investment, tourism and other sectors that will immensely contribute towards the rapid development drive initiated by the Government.

The IIFA Weekend in Colombo is expected to propel the country’s tourism and development initiatives. Sri Lanka is safe destination that is ready to encourage investment, this is the message we wish to communicate to the region and the world. We are a growing economy with a nation wide vision to be recognized as a destination for international events and investments.

IIFA has given us an opportunity to further its profile in the international market and generate positive interest within the Indian film industry due to the country’s proximities. IIFA will support the country’s efforts in promoting our destination as a film shooting locale and strengthening the historic bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka that has contributed greatly in developing the country’s economy.

Our role as hosts for IIFA will impact our economy and exposure received to the country. We are grateful partners of this event and we look forward to supporting our neighbors in many such endeavors in the future.

Message from Central Bank Governor : Ajith Nivard Cabraal

Sri Lanka awaits the IIFA Awards event with great anticipation and enthusiasm. The hosting of this glamorous event is a milestone in Sri Lanka’s tourism, business and entertainment history, and would undoubtedly be the beginning of many more global events to come.

We look forward to welcoming the famous stars of Bollywood, as well as the business magnates of India to our shores, and we would like to assure them that they will carry back with them, wonderful memories of their stay and interaction in Sri Lanka.

I wish the IIFA events all success.

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