TEA

Glittering Ceylon Tea promotion in Washington

The US is the biggest market for Sri Lanka exports. “US is Sri Lanka’s largest export market with an annual turnover of over $ two billion. In terms of FDI and Tourism, US is a very important partner for Sri Lanka” said Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the USA, on January 31.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya was addressing the glittering event hosted by Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC. Over 100 Washingtonians from Greater Washington area were in attendance at this event. The primary objective of this well attended function jointly organized by the Embassy and the International Club DC was to promote Sri Lanka as a travel destination. Attendance of a large US audience was utilized as an ideal platform to showcase and promote Ceylon Tea, Sri Lanka’s unique gift to the World. The audience was comprised of diverse personalities including professionals, business leaders and media personnel.

“With the dawn of peace, many opportunities have emerged for international business in Sri Lanka. The Embassy always harnesses this conducive environment to promote real business opportunities in Sri Lanka amongst US corporate leaders” said Ambassador Wickramasuriya. Ambassador Wickramasuriya said that the contacts between the people of the US and Sri Lanka are more than two centuries, although diplomatic ties are only 65 years old. “Sri Lanka has been a long standing friend of the US holding deeply shared values and democratic traditions” Ambassador Wickramasuriya stated.

Elaborating on current economic and political developments in Sri Lanka, Ambassador Wickramasuriya highlighted the accelerated programmes of reconciliation, rehabilitation and redevelopment undertaken under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“The tourism industry is booming in Sri Lanka and reached 1,000,000 tourist arrivals in 2012 surpassing all expectations. In this context, many references described by reputed travel writers including the latest Lonely Planet Guide which declared Sri Lanka as the best travel destination in 2013. This vibrant and dynamic sector has also attracted leading US hoteliers such as Marriott International, Starwood- Sheraton” he said.