Fly UL to see Robbie Williams live in Singapore

SriLankan Holidays’ Mega 999 promotion brings an exciting opportunity to see pop sensation Robbie Williams live in Singapore on his ‘Close Encounters World Tour’ in November 2006.

The leisure arm of SriLankan Airlines began operations in April 2006, with a commitment to bring great holiday offers across the airlines’ network, at unmatched prices.

SriLankan Holidays’ General Manager Amith Sumanapala said, “this is what we are all about, great holidays, and we will bring more of this to Sri Lankans.”

Holiday packages for the Close Encounters Tour 2006 are available at an all inclusive Rs. 49,999 per person.

The package includes return economy class tickets with taxes, three days accommodation beginning November 17, 2006, in a star class hotel with breakfast, airport transfers and of course concert tickets. The offer is valid for bookings up to October 27, 2006.

“The concert offer is a response to the overwhelming positive customer interest towards SriLankan Holiday offers todate, which includes recent package tour to London to catch the Sri Lankan Cricket team in action against the English team and the opportunity to indulge in the smooth melodies and introspective lyrics of British boy band ColdPlay live in Singapore,” Sumanapala said.SriLankan Holidays’ will also tailor make holidays for the specific needs of travellers, incorporating special excursions and tours.

“There are no hidden charges and what you see is what you pay for the whole experience. This has become a very popular concept with travellers just looking to getaway or planning to see the world,” Sumanapala said.

SriLankan Holidays’ ‘Mega 999’ Far East package offers holidays in Bangkok, Pattaya Beach, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Beijing and Hong Kong.

Holiday destinations to India include Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Trivandrum, Vailankanni (Trichy), Poovar and Kovalam beaches in Kerela. Other points in Asia include Maldives and Karachi.

Meanwhile SriLankan Holidays will add a number of new destinations to its ‘Mega 999’ holidays including London, Paris, Frankfurt and the Indian beach resort state of Goa.SriLankan Holiday’s is the leisure arm of National Carrier SriLankan Airlines, which is 43.6 percent owned and fully managed by Dubai-based Emirates Airline.

SriLankan Holidays works with a global network of hotels and tour operators to offer holidaymakers excellent value-for-money travel packages in the airline’s 49 destinations in 28 countries. These range from leisure travel for individuals and families, to business travel, cultural tours, and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions).

[via… DM Financial Times]

National Chamber of Exporters call for national unity for greater good of the Nation

The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) which is the Chamber exclusively dedicated to the vital sector of exports goods and services yesterday urged for national unity among political parties and the people for the greater good of the nation.

Following is the NCE’s statement issued by its President Kulatunga Rajapaksa.

Sampur: Myth Brigade suffers setback

The recapture of Sampur is a giant stride that the military has made to protect about 30,000 troops stationed in Jaffna. The objective of the LTTE in setting up heavy gun positions in Sampur was obvious. The security forces are dependent on the vital sea route between Trincomalee and Kankasanthurai (KKS) for supplies and the transportation of troops. The Tigers want to wreak havoc on the Trinco harbour with artillery fire—(they tested their guns recently with devastating effect)—capture the KKS harbour—(they staged a test offensive last week)—attack troop ships en route—(they mounted two abortive attacks on troop carriers since April)—damage the Palali airfield—(recently they tested the range successfully)—shoot down aircraft—(they are shopping for missiles)—and lay siege to Jaffna—(they tried to expand FDLs about two weeks ago). Had the LTTE been able to implement its plan, within weeks the troops without supplies would have been compelled to return to Colombo and Jaffna would have fallen to the LTTE.

Therefore, the military had to secure Sampur to avert a disaster. It is not being argued that the threat is completely over: the LTTE may still have Trinco within its artillery range from elsewhere but the threat level has gone down as an unsettled LTTE won’t be able to set up new gun positions in a hurry for fear of air strikes, the accuracy of which has, of late, improved tremendously.

The LTTE strategy became clear immediately after the CFA was signed. While Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe played politics with the truce—he thought of it only in terms of the next presidential election, turning a blind eye to the strategic advantages accruing to the LTTE from his appeasement policy—the LTTE was busy preparing for its ‘final war’. It abused the CFA to infiltrate Jaffna on the pretext of doing political work so that when war erupted it could trap the troops by attacking them from all directions; debilitate the military intelligence (killing of officers like Muthalif, Medin and Thabrew); set up more sleeper cells in the city; gain legitimacy internationally; acquire arms and ammunition; eliminate those who are a threat to its cause (assassination of Kadir, Ketheesh et al); demoralize the Army (the assassination of Lt. General Parami Kulatunga and the attempt on the Commander’s life) and, most of all, consolidate its power in strategic locations like Sampur.

Some military officers and political leaders realised the danger of the situation at the very beginning. Among them were Kadir and Wasantha Karannagoda (the incumbent Navy Commander). They warned the then government of the LTTE strategy and the need to counter the threats. But, as was expected, they became the targets of the UNF government, which threatened to withdraw Kadir’s security and throw him out of his official residence and ordered the state media to vilify Karannagoda. (Some of the present day government pachagandists clinging to Mahinda’s saataka, having let go off Chandrika’s sari pota, led the TV charge against him!). President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who sacked Ranil’s government, used the CFA to boost her ego and image presumably in a bid to catapult herself to a top UN or some other international post after retirement. Those two leaders did the biggest disservice to the peace process, albeit unwittingly, by allowing Prabhakaran to abuse it with impunity to the extent of plunging the country back into war.

Prabhakaran, for reasons known only to himself, made some grave military miscalculations and launched his ‘final war’ prematurely. His battle plan has manifestly boomeranged and how he will put it right remains to be seen.

The battle for Sampur has demolished not only the LTTE defences in the East but also its bulwark of myths in the South. The LTTE Myth Brigade, it should be recalled, projected Sampur as ‘impregnable.’

However, there is no reason for the government and its allies to be in so euphoric a mood, given the heavy costs of the on-going military action, especially the large numbers killed and the mass displacement. War means much more than a few successful battles, though the military has socked it between Prabhakran’s eyes that he is no Super Man. He should now realise that if he tries to pursue his military strategy, the price he will have to pay is huge. The time has come for him to settle for a political solution without driving his cadres and civilians to disaster.

It is the duty of the hurrah boys and the intellectual pimps in NGO garb drumming up support for the LTTE and the international community to prevail upon him to come to terms with reality and depart from the path of violence. [Via... The Island Editorial]

Intl gem and jewellery show Facets 2006 to glitter in town

The 16 International Gem and Jewellery Show — Facets Sri Lanka 2006 with over 150 stalls will showcase a wide array of gemstones and elegant jewellery produced both locally and abroad will be held from September 6th to 9th at the BMICH, which is the largest convention and exhibition center.

There will be many foreign participants among the staliholders and many international buyers are expected to visit this glamorous national event.

Finishing touches of this Sri Lanka International Gem & Jewellery Show are taking place at the moment, which will be ceremonially opened by Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotions, along with the Chairman, National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Chairman, Sri Lanka Export Development Board and other State Officials and Foreign Guests of Honour..

A walk along the isles of the two exhibition halls will prove to be a truly unforgettable experience. In all Buyers could discover a glittering array of the most beautiful and colourful gemstones from ‘cornflower blue’ sapphires to star rubies that show off with their ‘sharp rays’, to honey coloured Cats Eyes with their ‘milk and honey’ effects to Alexandrites that change distinctly from ‘raspberry red to olive green’.

A wide range of calibrated gemstones cut to the highest levels of precision using modern machinery and cutting edge lapidary technology to facet the stones to bring out their brilliance and Lu will be on display for visitors to feast their eyes on. Some of these calibrated gems are destined to be set in to the finest Swiss Watches. The Organizers are also planning to have competitions and present awards for the Best Booth, Best Gem Cutter, Best Jewellery Designer and several other surprise events at the Show.

Also on the cards is a Fashion Show featuring some of the finest in jewellery creations, and some of Sri Lanka’s top fashion models will be seen on the catwalk.

Adding to the international flavour of this trade show, Facets 2006 will include foreign exhibitors from Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, India, Hong Kong and Myanmar. In addition to the numerous new and regular buyers from overseas, the organizers are making special arrangements to welcome trade delegations from Thailand and India.

For this year’s show, the organizers have planned to allot a booth each to the Gemologists Association of Sri Lanka and the Gem and Jewellery Institute to showcase their educational activities, and the Lapidary Segment of the SLGJA to display innovative gemstone cuts and techniques. In addition the Gem Miners Association will be afforded an opportunity to display their rough gemstones.

It is noteworthy that three booths have been allocated at a discounted rate to be given out to small and medium Scale Enterprises (SME), that were affected by the recent Tsunami. This worthy cause is sponsored by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with the assistance of the UNDP.

The principal sponsor of FACETS 2006 will be the Natic Gem and Jewellery Authority. The Sri Lanka Export Development Board, with a wealth of experience and expertise in trade show management will assist the Facets Secretarial.

SriLankan Airlines will function as the official airline for the Show. Their flights from major destinations will bring in visitors to the Show on a special package that is now on offer.

The Organizers acknowledge and appreciate the vital encouragement and support given by the various government departments, particularly the Sri Lanka Customs, Department of Exchange Control and the Department of Fiscal Policy, as well by the local and foreign exhibitors and buyers, who have all contributed to the growth of this exhibition over the years.

Mt. Lavinia Hotel will provide Restaurant facilities, American Premium Ltd., with drinking water and a Cyber Café too will be available at the venue.

After a successful buying spree, foreign visitors/buyers could enjoy the first class tourist attractions that only this paradise isle can offer. Within easy reach are our golden beaches, golf courses, breathtaking ancient cultural sites and for the more energetic and sporty: wild safaris, aquatic and other forms of sport and above all, the hospitality of a genuinely friendly people. [Via... Daily Mirror]