Sri Lanka Tourism celebrates ‘People and Culture’ in April

Sri Lanka is an island full of diverse attractions hoarded in a vibrant scale of social and cultural life.

Sri Lankan society consists of people from multi-ethnic and multi-cultural backgrounds such as Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays, Chinese and those of Portuguese, Dutch and British descendents as a true reflection of successive waves of foreign immigrants.

The cultural diversity of Sri Lankan people of various ethnic origins provide a unique opportunity to witness a colourful array of traditions and customs celebrated around the year with avid social and communal harmony.

Considering the prominence of this aspect, Sri Lanka Tourism has named the month of April in the ‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011’ events calendar as the month to celebrate ‘People and Culture’. The theme ‘People and Culture’ relishes the chance to portray the local culture, traditional rituals and exotic pageantry unique to Sri Lanka and its people in a broad spectrum.

Whatever their situations in society, the people of Sri Lanka are well-known for their hospitality, friendliness in welcoming guests and treating them with high respect and sincere gratitude. People in Sri Lanka will always greet any stranger with a nice stretch of smile that embodies the warmth and sincerity rising from the bottom of their hearts.

Even according to previous research and surveys done by Sri Lanka Tourism, it was revealed that many tourists who visited the country has cited the “smile and warm hospitality of the Sri Lankan people” as the most outstanding attractions of Sri Lanka, standing above both the manmade and natural attractions with which the country is endowed.

To celebrate the theme of ‘People and Culture,’ Sri Lanka Tourism has lined up a series of events and activities that will highlight its unique aspects. They will be centred round ‘Sinhala and Tamil New Year’ – the traditional dawn of the new year celebrated by the Sinhalese and Tamil people, the largest communities in Sri Lanka – which is considered as the major event that showcases authentic Sri Lankan culture.

Avurudu celebration events will take place around the country starting from 8 April, with the participation of most of the tourist hotels in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau together with tourism stakeholders will organise special programmes that will take place in Kandy, Trincomalee, and Bentota on 9, 16 and 23 April, symbolising the communal harmony of different parts and cultures of Sri Lanka and providing an opportunity to highlighting their own unique cultures.

In addition to that, Sri Lanka Tourism will associate with Ibbankatuwa and Sigiriya hoteliers to conduct new year celebration events on 14 and 21 April and expects many tourists to participate and experience our culture.