SL embassy in Tokyo promotes tourism

The Sri Lankan embassy in Tokyo organized a high profile “Sri Lanka Promotional Seminar” consisting of over 150 officials and personnel engaged in the spheres of tourism and travel trade, leaders of corporates and industry of Japan, senior bureaucrats and technocrats of the Japanese government and other invitees.

Guests at the Sri Lanka Promotional Seminar in Tokyo from left: SriLankan Airlines Director Sanath Ukwatte, SriLankan chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Makoto Matsuda, Ambassador Wasantha Karannagoda, Disaster Management Deputy Minister Duleep Wijesekara, PATA chairman Shigeo Adachi and Manager of SriLankan Airlines Dammika Kulatunga.

The seminar was held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and was graced by Disaster Management Deputy Minister Duleep Wijesekera, SriLankan Airlines chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.

Speeches were delivered by authorities in the fields of tourism, investments and other commercial activities, such as tea and ayurveda. The Sri Lanka Promotional Seminar was held as one of the events of a series to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Karannagoda delineated the opportunities and economic vistas of Sri Lanka as well as the tourist potential of the country. The ambassador said today Sri Lanka has absolute peace and political stability with the rule of law and a fully functioning democracy entrenched with virtues and values as well as increasing commercial and business potential to foreign investors.

SriLankan Airlines chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe said Sri Lanka is well poised and well positioned to be an economic and aviation nerve centre as well as a Tourism hub in South and Southeast Asia. Wickramasinghe projected the unique touristic features and sites Sri Lanka possessed. He underlined the importance of connectivity and integration between and among the cities and the countries to promote and augment commercial and trading activities as well as tourism. He said a number of reputed travel and tourism magazines and journals have chosen Sri Lanka as one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.

Comprehensive presentations were made on exports of Sri Lanka to Japan, Tourism, and Economic perspective of Sri Lanka by leading Japanese businessmen based in Sri Lanka.

New World Securities Chairman T. Igarashi, who has been in Sri Lanka for over two decades highlighted commercial and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and increasing opportunities in the realm of tourism and travel trade.

The Commercial Counsellor of the Mission expounded the basket of goods and services which could be exported to Japan since the cost of production in Sri Lanka is less than that of Japan.

He focused on the utility of tea to consumers and the increasing opportunities to export different and diverse kinds of tea from Sri Lanka to Japan.

The “Channa-Upuli” dance troupe performed to project the culture and tradition of Sri Lanka.