News

Posted on

Ramayana Yatra Training Program


A number of National Tourist Guide Lecturers, and others involved in the tourism sector, are currently taking part in a free online  Ramayana Yatra Training Program offered under the guidance of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Tours based on the Ramayana epic have been gaining popularity among Asian tourists in the past few decades, and the highest number of visitors to Sri Lanka now happen to be from India.

The eight-day program is presented by Mr. Bala Sankuratri, author of My Name Is Ravana, which is hailed as Sri Lanka’s perspective of Ramayana. On Day 3, Mr. Nilesh Nilkanth Oak, author of The Historic Rama: Indian Civilization at the End of Pleistocene among other books, appeared as a guest lecturer from the USA to provide a scientific justification of the Ramayana timeline.

The organisers are also planning to have a training tour led by Mr. Sankuratri after the Covid-19 threat eases off.

Posted on

NTGL Licence renewal for 2021 – free of cost

SLTDA acts proactively to minimise COVID-19 burden on Tourism stake holders

In pursuant to their previous undertaking of relieving the burden of licensing fees for 2020, SLTDA Director – Standards and Quality Assurance announced  their plan to continue the relief measures for the coming year 2021 too.

This allows us as stakeholders to plan ahead of our survival over the difficult periods during the pandemic.

Further relief measures will be considered in due course.

Posted on

Sri Lanka readying to welcome tourists from 1 August

Following the successful containment of COVID-19, Sri Lanka Tourism said yesterday it is readying to welcome travellers from across the world, assuring further health safety measures from 1 August though new conditions apply.

Apart from multiple PCR tests, all future tourists will be required to apply for visa online, pay a flat fee of $ 100 each (except nationals from countries where there is reciprocal fee-free visa) and minimum stay of five nights at hotels and resorts certified to be compliant with COVID-19 health safety guidelines.

“Sri Lanka Tourism will provide international visitors with the highest standards of safety as we embrace tourists from across the world to experience the beauty of our paradise island once more,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said.

(DailyFT)

Posted on

Creating a new Command and Control Media Centre of SLINTGL

As the membership at SLINTGL is growing  and sub-groups evolving to represent specific interest groups, we felt the need to have a united front when representing National Tourist Guide Lecturer interests, collectively.

On July 3rd, a discussion took place at SLINTGL auditorium between the wing leaders and the current interim board. The intention was to get the different wings under SLINTGL with the concept of “Under One Umbrella”. The wings presented were German, Russian, Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Korean and Cruise Ship Operations. All agreed and appreciated the concept, initiated by Capt. Harsha and the President of SLINTGL Dr. Mahesh Priyadarshana for the benefit of the members.

Dr. Priyadarshana confirmed to the wings that, the SLINTGL would represent and campaign for the rights of all the members. All the wing leaders representing their members, agreed unconditionally for the NTGL fee hike, that is currently being negotiated.

Further, the wing leaders signed a MoU under which they all agreed to join SLINTGL under the concept of “under one umbrella” and in particular on press releases and media representation. For this purpose, a media subcommittee was appointed. Jayadeva Sudusinghe, with his political coordination ability, has been made responsible for state radio and audio coordination. Sarath Vijendra was appointed for print and visual media and Capt.Harsha, as overall coordinator.

President Dr. Mahesh Priyadarshana expressed his gratitude to all those present, on behalf of the interim committee.

The patrons present were Mr. Ravi Munasinghe, Mr. Christopher Silva and Mr. Sisira Kuruppu, accompanied by former presidents and veterans.