Taste of Colombo

Sri Lanka is a country that has a rich diversity in terms of its people. Different ethnic groups and the multiple religious backgrounds mainly contribute towards this beautiful mix that has found its right balance through time and age. Our history, heritage, arts and crafts are true evidence to this fact as much as our food. Here we begin the story of “Taste of Colombo”.

The concept of this street fiesta goes a step further from a standard ‘food festival’ as it brings together the elements of history, culture, art, crafts and trade to give the patrons a real taste of our nation. Spanning over three nights this festival has a line up of cultural attractions that is guaranteed to bring back the entertainment we proudly say is original to us as a country. A mini perahera, traditional dance and drum acts, still walkers, fire dancers are some of the many items you can expect here.

Ever famous Green Path Avenue with its history of such celebrations has been carefully selected to be the venue for this inaugural feast where the street will be filled with food vendors ranging from star class restaurants to regular bakeries and the ultimate street stalls. Entrepreneurs from local traditional industries will fill up the remaining slots showcasing their flavors in batik, handicrafts, hand-loom, paintings and many more.

Lanka Event Management, the event planning arm of Lanka Hotels & Travels are the proud producers of “Taste of Colombo”, who have combined the synergies of multiple attractions to put together this mega event, which is scheduled to be held on 31^st March, 1^st and 2^nd April 2011. The last day of this street festival is planned to coincide with the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals where there will also be two giant screens used to telecast the action. Papare music and a DJ is also in place to steer you through the final day as we show the true spirit of Sri Lanka as a nation in love with this beautiful game.

A key objective of this exercise is to promote Sri Lanka tourism to the international community and as such, the event organizers look forward to hosting this event annually. Entrance to the festival is free of charge to everyone while a special invitation is also sent out to all foreign guests who are currently visiting the country. Hence please visit our website www.tasteofcolombo.com for more details on how you can be a part of this national celebration either as a vendor or as a sponsor. This is our invitation for you to taste Colombo through “Taste of Colombo 2011”.

Germaine Perera

Indian Visa Online

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has taken steps to launch an online visa processing system effective from March 25, 2011. Applicants are required to apply on www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa. The new system is aimed at providing user friendly visa services through the Indian Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna and directly at the Consulate General of India, Hambantota.

Applicant who apply online are required to download the filled-in application, affix two photographs (2.5x 2.5 inches in white background), sign the application and submit the same to the Indian Visa Application Centres in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna and at the Consulate General of India in Hambantota along with the passport, supporting documents and requisite fees.

For further information, please visit www.hcicolombo.org

The High Commission of India remains committed to ensuring expeditious issue of visas.

Tokyo's Narita airport had been indefintely closed

Reuters - Report Many were injured in northern Japan following Friday's earthquake which struck off the north coast with a magnitude of 8.8, Japanese media repored.

Kyodo news agency said that Tokyo's Narita airport had been indefintely closed.

A 10-metre tsunami warning was issued to most of the Pacific coast of the main island of Honshu, broadcaster NHK reported

Doha-based Qatar Airways will cease flights to Gatwick Airport

Doha-based Qatar Airways will cease flights to Gatwick Airport from June 1st due following seven years. The decision to withdraw its daily flight from Gatwick was attributed to commercial reasons.

Akbar Al Baker, CEO, Qatar Airways’ commented: “We are extremely sad to be losing London Gatwick from our network after serving the route for the past seven years. But following a thorough review and analysis over the past few months, we have concluded that we could no longer sustain the route for commercial reasons. While we continue to grow our business, developing the network further, we do it prudently, cautiously and carefully.”

Qatar will continue to operate unchanged out of Heathrow and has recently announced plans to boost its Manchester flights to twice daily. As of June, Dubai-based Emirates will become the sole Gulf-based carrier operating from Gatwick.