Sri Lanka’s Tourism Authority has transformed the ‘Agitation site’ near the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo into a festive area in view of the upcoming festive season.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told NewsWire, that several festive programmes have been organized to be held simultaneously near the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, the surrounding area on Galle Road, and the Colombo Lotus Tower.
The measures have been taken to promote tourism in Sri Lanka under its promotional taglines of #SriLankacan and #visitsrilanka and mainly in a bid to remove the negative impact thus far on Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando revealed that several activities have been planned in view of the Christmas festival and the new year celebrations.
The Presidential Secretariat area has been transformed into a tourist attraction with a ‘Visit Sri Lanka’ light board already on display.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday declared open the festive programmes near the Presidential Secretariat area, which include carols, musical shows, food stalls, dog shows and other entertainment.
The festivities have been organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority and Tourism Ministry, together with the tri-forces and stakeholders of several hotels in Colombo.
Minister Harin Fernando said that an 80-foot Christmas tree will be on display in the Presidential Secretariat area from today (19).
The Presidential Secretariat Carols are to be held from 05 pm every day until the 24th of December 2022.
‘Flash Back’, a special musical show has been organized with the participation of 30 top artists at the Presidential Secretariat area in view of the 31st night celebrations.
Meanwhile, at the Colombo Lotus Tower, festivities have been organized with stakeholders of several Five Star hotels in Colombo from 20th to 28th December 2022.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said that food stalls from each hotel will be set up at the Colombo Lotus Tower displaying a range of cuisine and providing concessionary food items.
Hotels such as Hilton Colombo, Radisson Colombo, Shangri- La, Cinnamon Grand, Movenpick, Mandarina, Taj Samudra, Jetwing Colombo Seven, Waters Edge, Granbell, Marino Beach Colombo, Kingsbury, and Ramada will display food stalls at the Colombo Lotus Tower.
Special musical shows with the participation of several top Sri Lankan music bands will also be held at the Colombo Lotus Tower during the festive season.
The musical shows have been lined up with the participation of the following bands; Misty (20th December), Foot Print (21), Navy & Army (22), Kurumba (23), Air Force (24), Police (25), Billi (26), Romesh (27), and Line One (28).
Minister Harin Fernando also said that the FIFA Zone at Negombo Beach ended on a high note last night with the end of the FIFA World Cup yesterday.
Stating that it was a successful event, the Tourism Minister said large crowds had attended the FIFA Zone to coincide with the FIFA World Cup that was underway in Qatar.
He added that large crowds had attended the FIFA World Cup final that was held last night, closing the FIFA Zone in Negombo on a high note. (NewsWire)
