Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers
Protecting the interests of NTGLs
The Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers is a proud member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations. Here is the latest news from WFTGA.
(Click the links below to view the relevant documents.)
WFTGA Presidet’s Report (June–December 2019)
The International Tourist Guide Day was celebrated at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) with an event centred around the proposal to have Parakrama Samudraya declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ingenious reservoir, considered the apex of Sri Lanka’s ancient irrigation system, was built in the 12th century CE in the then capital city of Polonnaruwa, located in north-central Sri Lanka.
Invitees to the Head Table:
Participants:
Students from University college Anuradhapura, Hiking and Trekking team, Officers from the Department of Archaeology, President of the Chauffeur Guide Association and 46 NTGLs.
Programme:
Parakrama Samudra and its unique water management system as a solution for impacts of global warming. Let’s make it a World Heritage Site.
Theme for ITGD 2020- Tourist Guides: Contributors to Sustainable Tourism & Jobs
History of water management in Sri Lanka goes back to 8th century BC where primitive micro irrigation system appeared for the first time. The first technically feasible tank was built by king Pandukaabhaya in 4th century BC and it is called as Abhaya wewa or Basawakkulama.
Building large sized reservoirs had been started in the 1st century B.C. during the reign of King Wasabha (67 – 111 BC). He has built 11 large reservoirs and two irrigation canals. It was followed by many small and medium size tanks that built all over the island. By the 3rd century, King Mahasen built 16 large reservoirs including Minneriya,Kaudulla ,Kanthale, Nachchiduwa and Mahakanadharawewa in Anuradhapura. These huge reservoirs were supported with a complex network of river diversions and miles long man-made channel systems.
Kalawewa was built during the reign of king Dhathusena in 5th century and the tradition of building lakes and water management continued to the Polonnaruwa period where it reached to its climax.
During the Anuradhapura period, the lakes were built based on the concept of “wapi” where the sole purpose of the lakes were to provide water for the agriculture. The lakes became more sophisticated in technology in the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great and the concept of “Samudra” s evolved. A “Samudra” was versatile in contributing to the protection of the capital of the kingdom, and most importantly to maintain the water table at a higher level which enable the development of a self-sufficient economy in ancient Sri Lanka. Simply, the Samudra concept was the unseen foundation of the “granary and greenery of East”.
An awareness discussion on the menace of unauthorised guiding services was held at the Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) on 02nd January 2020. Mrs. Kimarli Fernando (new Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority – SLTDA), Mrs. Chandani Werapitiya (new Director General of SLTDA), Mr. Upali Ratnayake (former Director General of SLTDA), Mr. Dhammika Kasthurimudali (Chief of the SLTDA Investigation Unit), Mr. Prabath Vidanagama (Officer in Charge of Tourist Police) and members of SLINTGL took part in the discussion.
Dr. Mahesh Priyadarshana, President of SLINTGL, started off the proceedings with a presentation on the history of SLINTGL and the current problems faced by its members, who are National Tourist Guide Lecturers, or NTGLs – the highest category of tour guides in the country, licensed by SLTDA to operate on an island-wide basis. Dr. Priyadarshana pointed out how the in-depth training received by NTGLs and the ongoing skills-development efforts of SLINTGL to further uplift the standards of its members are being undermined by unauthorised guiding services being offered in various parts of the country. During the question-and-answer session that followed, some members drew the attention of the authorities to how the image of the country is being tarnished by the misinformation provided by untrained foreigners who happen to guide certain tour groups.
The officials gave a keen ear to the grievances aired by the members of SLINTGL and promised to continue the dialogue with SLINTGL in the future formulation and implementation of regulations. The Chairperson explained how she intends to take positive measures to open up new vistas in the tourism industry, in keeping with the vision of the new administration of the country. The former and new DGs presented their intended plans of action meant for the betterment of the industry. The law-enforcement officials clarified the legal aspects of undesirable practices like illegal guiding and suggested a joint action plan to tackle such cases.
SLINTGL hopes that the new rapport with the authorities will lead to better co-operation, which will enable us to find common ground in the interest of the tourism industry.
Photo credit: Sam Casseer (member of SLINTGL)
A delegation of top ranking officials of SLINTGL had a fruitful discussion with the SLTDA Chairperson on 27th December 2019. Main topic of discussion was our position on unauthorized tour guiding. As a result, a written assurance was given to us, that our concerns will be addressed with a high priority.
A meeting between the general membership and the SLINTGL officials will be arranged shortly, to discuss the issue further in detail.
Lesser Known Colombo, a three-day workshop about a novel way to discover the city based on a treasure hunt, was held for a limited number of SLINTGL members at Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka on 10th, 11th & 12th Dec 2019.
On the first day, Prof. Asoka Mendis de Zoysa and Capt. Sadath Rajapakse introduced the concept of a treasure hunt to the participants. After spending the second day in the field discovering hidden aspects of Colombo in a real treasure hunt, on the final day the participants did their presentations on the experiences and insights they had gained. Mr. Rakitha Karunaratne, Head of Language Department at the Goethe-Institut Sri Lanka, and other members of the staff there played a major role in the organisation of the event.
Going by the response from the participants and organisers, it was a resounding success. We hope to have more workshops like this in the future.
Venue: GOETHE-INSTITUT SRI LANKA, 39, R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 7
Tel: +94 11 2694562 Fax: +94 11 2693351 e-mail: info-colombo@goethe.de web: https://www.goethe.de/ins/lk/en/
Day 1: Tuesday, 10th Dec
| 9am – 10.30 am | Introduction to the concept of Treasure Hunt |
| 10.30 am – 11 am | Tea break |
| 11 am – 1 pm | Insider information on on Colombo |
| 1 pm – 2 pm | Lunch |
| 2 pm – 3.30 pm | Workshop: Designing a treasure hunt for Colombo |
| 3.30 pm – 3.45 | Tea break |
| 3.45 pm – 5 pm | Designing a treasure hunt for Colombo 11 |
Day2: Wednesday, 11th Dec – in the field
Meeting point: Goethe-lnstitut at 9 am
Day3: Thursday, 12th Dec
| 9am – 10.30 am | Feedback/Reflection on Treasure Hunt |
| 10.30 am – 11 am | Tea break |
| 11 am – 1 pm | Workshop: Preparing booklet/app |
| 11 pm – 2 pm | Lunch |
| 2 pm – 3.30 pm | Workshop: Preparing booklet/app |
| 3.30 pm – 3.45 | Tea break |
| 3.45 pm – 5 pm | Workshop: Preparing booklet/app |
Materials: map, books on Colombo
