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Tag: Lanka

  • Another boost for Lankan tourism

    Another boost for Lankan tourism

    In addition, from the first week of December, Russia’s AZUR Air and Italy’s Neos Air will fly twice a week to Colombo…reports Asian Lite News

     The Sri Lankan government has approved five new airlines to operate into the country before the end of this year aimed at boosting tourist arrivals following the easing of Covid curbs, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

    Accordingly, Sweden’s Edelweiss Air will operate a weekly flight and Russia’s Aeroflot twice a week from November 1, while Air France will fly three times a week from November 3, reports Xinhua news agency.

    In addition, from the first week of December, Russia’s AZUR Air and Italy’s Neos Air will fly twice a week to Colombo, the Minister said.

    The operations of these airlines into the country will be subject to strict health guidelines.

    “The aim is to enhance foreign earnings through the revival of the tourism industry and contribute to the national economy,” Ranatunga said.

    With international travel having begun following the administration of the vaccine against Covid-19 globally, nearly 16,500 tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka between October 1 and 24, boosting hopes for the crisis-ridden industry.

    “If the trend continues, October is likely to record the highest monthly arrivals for this year,” Ranatunga said

    “With the easing of travel restrictions, there is a growing interest from global travellers to visit the country,” the Minister added.

    According to official figures, September saw the highest arrival of 13,547 tourists, thereby boosting the first nine months’ figure to over 54,768.

    The majority of these tourists were from India, the UK, Pakistan, Russia, Germany, Maldives, Canada, France, the US and Indonesia.

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  • Navy’s Training Squadron makes historic visit to Lanka

    Navy’s Training Squadron makes historic visit to Lanka

    SNC is the Training Command of the Indian Navy which conducts the entire range of naval training for officers and sailors, including those from friendly foreign countries…reports Asian Lite News.

    A fleet of largest number of Indian naval ships arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday marking a historic bilateral relation between the two South Asian neighbours.

    Sri Lanka Navy stated that six ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron with more than 750 Indian Naval personnel arrived at Ports of Colombo and Trincomalee for a bilateral naval exercise with Sri Lanka Navy.

    The First Training Squadron which comprises six ships including two sail ships is a part of Indian Navy’s prestigious Southern Naval Command (SNC). Ships from the First Training Squadron had last visited Sri Lanka in 2015.

    SNC is the Training Command of the Indian Navy which conducts the entire range of naval training for officers and sailors, including those from friendly foreign countries. As one of the finest destinations for training, Indian Navy has trained more than 11,000 international trainees from over 40 countries in the last four decades, Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement.

    The Southern Naval Command is headed by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, PVSM, AVSM, NM, VSM, ADC who is also arrived in Sri Lanka on a four-day official visit from October 24-28.

    The Admiral is to meet the senior leadership in Sri Lanka and to visit Colombo, Trincomalee and Galle where there are major Naval bases of Sri Lanka Navy. During the visit interaction with key Area Headquarters is planned in addition to visit at Naval and Maritime Academy at Trincomalee, High Commission stated.

    Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Shardul’ and ‘Magar’ arrived at the Colombo harbour while INS ‘Sujata’, ‘Sudarshini’, ‘Tarangini’ and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Vikram’ called at the North Eastern port of Trincomalee. These ships are helmed by Capt. Aftab Ahmed Khan, Senior Officer of the First Training Squadron.

    The massive crew of all six ships include 75 officers, 153 officer cadets, 10 NCC cadets and 530 sailors. During their stay, a series of professional, training, cultural and sports interactions are scheduled between the ships’ crew and Sri Lanka Navy personnel. The ships would depart on October 28.

    “The crew members of the Indian Navy’s Training Squadron are also expected to visit tourist attractions in Sri Lanka in conformity with the bio-bubble concept,” Sri Lanka Navy said.

    Sri Lanka Navy will conduct several training exercises with the visiting Training Squadron of the Indian Navy in Colombo and Trincomalee and these exercises will be held adhering to Covid-19 protocols, the Navy added.

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  • India initiates collaboration visit for Lankan army officers

    India initiates collaboration visit for Lankan army officers

    Several interactions with top armed forces officials and visits to various industries and cultural sites have also been scheduled during the visit, it informed…reports Asian Lite News.

    As part of its move to contribute towards Sri Lankan armed forces’ capacity building including personality development initiative, India has organized an international collaboration visit for officers of Sri Lankan armed forces at Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Indian embassy said in a statement released on Saturday.

    Though it has not been announced as when this visit will take place, the embassy statement said the delegation of 39 officers will not only be exposed to the functioning of all three Service Headquarters at New Delhi but will also get familiarized with the routine of tri-services field formations.

    Several interactions with top armed forces officials and visits to various industries and cultural sites have also been scheduled during the visit, it informed.

    In order to mark the significant event, Deputy High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob and Assistant Defence Adviser Lt Col Puneet Sushil, visited DSCSC, Batalanda near Colombo on Saturday to interact with the delegation and to personally see them off for the visit to India.

    During the interaction, the Deputy High Commissioner stressed that India and Sri Lanka have centuries old umbilical linkage underpinned by Buddhism and people to people ties. Thus, the initiative has hit the ‘right chord’ and is central to constructively engaging with the hearts and minds of Sri Lanka Armed Forces.

    Maj Gen Lalith Herath, Deputy Commandant, DSCSC sincerely appreciated India’s efforts and persistent support towards realization of the visit.

    He also underlined that the visit would immensely contribute towards developing greater understanding among the student officers about India’s culture, technical prowess and the structure of elite Indian Armed Forces.

    These visits are an initiative to promote camaraderie and bonhomie among the Armed Forces of both the countries and also testify to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy with specific focus on industrial expertise in the overall ambit of defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, the statement said.

    This would further provide an ideal platform to develop personal and everlasting bonds of friendship between the Armed Forces of the two countries who already share a deep and robust professional relationship, it further added. (India News Network)

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