AMBASSADOR INVITES INTERNATIONAL CLUB DC MEMBERS ON SIGNATURE TOUR OF SRI LANKA

Dinner at Ambassador’s Residence includes Cultural Program and Details of August Tour of Sri Lanka

Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya of Sri Lanka tells members of the International Club DC that, “Sri Lanka is a safe, stable
and peaceful place. We are a favorite tourist destination.”

Members of the International Club DC listening to the presentation by JetWing Travels of Edison, New Jersey on a planned
“Signature Tour with the Ambassador to the Tropical Paradise of Sri Lanka.’’

Members of the International Club DC enjoy a Sri Lankan dinner at the Ambassador’s official residence in Washington, D.C.
The club is taking part in Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya’s planned “Signature Tour” of Sri Lanka in August.

Amandi Koshila of Sri Lanka performs a traditional dance for dinner guests in the courtyard of the residence of
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya during a dinner to promote Sri Lankan tourism and development.

Two traditional Sri Lankan dancers entertain members of the International Club DC during a dinner and cultural performance at the residence of Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States.

Sri Lankan Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya last week hosted nearly 100 guests of the International Club D.C. for dinner at the official ambassador’s residence where he outlined a “signature tour” of Sri Lanka for American tourists planned for August.

The Aug. 18-29 tour, which was arranged by the Ambassador, will feature visits to beaches, ancient cities, tea plantations, wildlife parks and the Perahera Buddhist procession in the city of Kandy.

“Our island nation is rebuilding and our economy is expanding,” Ambassador Wickramasuriya said. “We are once again a favorite tourist destination - some of you may have seen that The New York Times in January ranked Sri Lanka as the No. 1 tourist destination for 2010.

“Sri Lanka is a safe, stable and peaceful place. The people there are happy to see the conflict over and the normal rhythm of life return.”

International Club president Sanjaya Hettihewa thanked the Ambassador for the reception - Hettihewa is a Sri Lankan native - and noted that Sri Lanka had once again become one of the world’s most attractive destinations.

The evening included a presentation by JetWing Travels of Edison, New Jersey on a planned “Signature Tour with the Ambassador to the Tropical Paradise of Sri Lanka.’’

Slots for the tour are filling up fast, and the Ambassador said that the tour may be expanded to meet demand. The inaugural 2010 “Signature Tour” is slated to be an annual event.

During the dinner, Ambassador Wickramasuriya told guests that they will enjoy a hint of Sri Lankan food and culture. The dinner featured traditional Sri Lankan dishes and included performances by two traditional dancers of the Sri Lankan Youth Troupe of the Washington, D.C. area and Amandi Koshila from Sri Lanka. They were accompanied on the harmonium by Himaransi Ranasinghe and tabla played by Stanley Perera.

More information on the tour may be found at http://www.internationalclubdc.com/SpecialEvents/Sri-Lanka-Trip.aspx. Sri Lanka travel highlights may be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT0e3Lw9_lc&feature=player_embedded

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington DC
USA

15 June 2010