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Mission Press Releases, Other Events

Sri Lanka Felicitates at Innovative International Film Festival, Bangalore – 2021

by SLDHC Chennai

Exploring opportunities for strengthening its film industry in the international arena, Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai together with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, first-ever time organized a Sri Lankan film professionals` delegation at the 4th Edition of the Innovative International Film Festival (IIFF) which was held at JW Marriot Hotel & Innovative Multiplex theater in Bangalore from 14th to 17th October 2021.

IIFF is one of the biggest and prestigious international film festivals in South India which is organized by the Innovative Film Academy in Bangalore for years which means to promote the film art and cultures of participating countries, creating a networking platform for the international film industry with co-production opportunities in different countries.

Commencing the Sri Lankan session at the event on 16th, Dr. Venkateshwaran, the Deputy High Commissioner, given the impetus to the distinguished gathering, highlighted why Sri Lanka should be selected as their favorite film destination country. Followed by his remarks, the five-member Sri Lankan delegation, including Chaminda Munasinghe, Assistant Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Shyaman Premasundara, Film Director, Frames TV & Films, Yasas Rathnayake, Managing Director, Circle 360, Priyanga Kumarasiri, Producer, Crew for Shoots and Chathra Dias Weeraman, Film Director, made a comprehensive presentation elaborating the history of shooting international films in Sri Lanka, Island`s scenery destinations, availability of sophisticated infrastructure facilities and concessions/sops given for the international filmmakers.

Moving to the networking session, Mr. Sarvana Prasad, Founder, and Ms. Upasana Mittal, Creative Director of Innovative Film Academy introduced the Sri Lankan delegation to the conversant cine & entertainment industry professionals who had attended the session and worthwhile discussions were taken place alluring more opportunities to Sri Lanka. Joining the Sri Lankan session Mr. Allu Aravind an eminent & illustrious film producer in Telugu cinema had a cordial interaction and upon the Deputy High Commissioner`s invitation to visit Sri Lanka, he expressed his desire to explore Sri Lanka for his upcoming creations.

The four-day festival concluded with a fascinated closing ceremony with the participation of diplomats, government officials, industry professionals, and participant countries` representations. During the Ceremony, the newest Sinhala Movie called “ AYU” which was directed by Chathra Dias Weeraman was awarded as the Best Asian film. IIFF`s 4th Edition was turned out by leading filmmakers, celebrities, directors, producers, film associations & diplomats from 30 heterogeneous countries, and 75 international movies from participant countries were screened in 45 languages. The Sri Lankan delegation was coordinated and arranged by Dilanga Hettiarachchi, Third Secretary (Commercial) of the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, and Chaminda Munasinghe, Assistant Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, Chennai

21.10.2021

Tender Notices

Procurement Notices -Sri Lankan Airlines

by SLDHC Chennai

SUBMISSION OF BIDS FOR A SOLUTION FOR PASSENGER NOTIFICATIONTHROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM AT SRILANKAN AIRLINES

Bid closing date: 23rd November 2021 at 11.00 am Sri Lankan time (GMT + 5:30 Time Zone)

Supply and Delivery of 01 Aircraft Towing Tractor -TowBarless (TBL) for use within Bandaranaike International Airport.

Bid closing date: 25 October 2021 at 1400hrs (Sri Lanka Time GMT+5:30 Time Zone)

Read the Bidding Documents https://www.srilankan.com/en_uk/coporate/tender-notices

Trade

Sri Lanka encourages South Indian weavers to invest in Sri Lanka

by SLDHC Chennai

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai in collaboration with Tamilnadu Powerlooms Federation organized a trade and investment delegation at the Mission premises on 06th October 2021.

The objective of the meeting was to make the fabric manufacturers aware of the trade and investment opportunities available in Sri Lanka and business conducive environment for the apparel sector players. Making his remarks the Deputy High Commissioner, D. Venkateshwaran stressed that India is Sri Lanka`s closest neighbor and 2nd largest trading partner; tremendous trade and investment opportunities are available in Sri Lanka which are mutually beneficial to both countries. Further, he added, international traders in both countries can indulge the benefits of enhanced trade as a result of lower transportation cost and low shipping duration due to exclusive proximity of Sri Lanka to India, duty concessions being given under the Indo Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) & preferential trade Pacts (SAFTA & APTA) and substantial sops and concessions being furnished by the Board of Investment, Sri Lanka (BOI).

Mr. Mathivanan, President of the Tamilnadu Powerloom Federation emphasized the importance of doing business in Sri Lanka due to the ultimate facilities being provided and its high quality production processes. Adding more to his remarks he expressed their interest to explore more opportunities in Sri Lanka for South Indian apparel manufacturers and establishing a textile & management institution in Sri Lanka which would provide technical know-how and expertise knowledge about contemporary textile industry.

During the open interaction session, the Sri Lankan envoy was raised queries regarding the forming of joint ventures, business collaborations and other facilities given to the international investors. While successfully addressing these questions, the Deputy High Commissioner invited the delegation to pay an official visit to Sri Lanka to explore the investment opportunities in Eravur fabric processing park and experience the humongous facilities given to apparel manufacturers.

Concluding the meeting D. Venkateshwaran, commended the keen interest shown by the delegates to doing business in Sri Lanka and given the impulse to submit individual proposals upon their area of interests. Further, he proposed forming the Tamilnadu-Sri Lanka Powerloom Federation soon which would bolster the fabric industry in both countries

Tourism Promotion

Health Protocols issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

by SLDHC Chennai

Health Protocols issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for travellers arriving to Sri Lanka who are   fully vaccinated, Covid 19 recovered and  not vaccinated Or not fully vaccinated

Tourist Route – 30 Sep – Fully Vaccinated Travellers

Tourist Route – 30 Sep – Not Vaccinated Not-fully Vaccinated Travellers

Tourist Route – 30 Sep – COVID-19 Recovered Travellers

Tender Notices

Procurement Notices of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka

by SLDHC Chennai

Procurement Notices of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka for Supply of Surgical, Pharmaceutical and other relevant laboratory items.

Read the bidding documents

DHS P WW 321 22   DHS P WW 322 22   DHS P WW 323 22

DHS P WW 324 22   DHS P WW 325 22   DHS P WW 326 22

DHS P WW 327 22   DHS P WW 328 22   DHS P WW 329 22

DHS P WW 330 22   DHS P WW 761 21   DHS-S-WW-99-22

WW PAPER AD-SUNDAY OBSERVER 26_09

Mission Press Releases, Press Release, Tourism Promotion, Trade

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission hosts two out bound tour operator delegations

by SLDHC Chennai

Upon the resumption of Sri Lanka tourism for Indian travellers, Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai hosted two outbound tour operator delegations from Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) at Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission on 23rd and 24th September 2021 respectively. The objectives of arranging these delegations were to brand Sri Lanka again as the favourite travel destination of Indian tourists after a long break due to the pandemic restrictions and to solicit their views on uplifting Sri Lankan tourism.  Addressing delegations, the Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Venkateshwaran, made the delegates aware of the way forward for Sri Lankan tourism under the new normal situation and emphasized Sri Lanka’s readiness to promote “Ramayanaya Yathra”, “Murugan Trail” and “Panchalingam Trail” to allure more Indian travellers to the island.

A comprehensive presentation was made by Mr. Nilina Pathirana, Manager, Sales, Sri Lankan Air Lines, Chennai office, highlighting the air connectivity from Colombo to south Indian destinations including Chennai, Bangalore, Trichy, Madurai, Cochin, Trivandrum, and Hyderabad. Furthermore, he emphasized the national carrier’s buy one, get one free offer, which is available to passengers until December 31st, 2021. TAAI delegation head, Mr. Karunakaran, Hon Secretary of TAAI Southern Region, appreciated the initiatives taken by the Deputy High Commission to make travellers aware of the opening up of Sri Lankan tourism to India. Furthermore, he suggested a few factors to be taken into consideration, which include changes to Sri Lankan Airlines’ flight schedules and enhancing sops provided to travellers.  

President of TAFI Southern region, Mr. Arul Lazaran emphasized the importance of Sri Lanka as a travel destination for Indian travel and tour operators, specially elaborated the importance of waving off taxes/levies on MICE tourism and destination wedding travellers. During the Q&A session, numerous questions were raised by the participants regarding the steps to be followed by the travellers upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the ongoing visa procedure, and carrying out PCR tests etc. These questions were successfully addressed by the DHC and the team. Moreover, Sri Lankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau were suggested with a few proposals to be executed which would be more pragmatic to bolster the Sri Lankan tourism industry under the new normal situation. Taking the facts raised by the delegates into his consideration, DHC agreed to convey their suggestions to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and other line agencies in order to assure and furnish a safe and comfortable travel experience to Indian travellers.

Rounding off each interaction, Mr. Dilanga Hettiarachchi, Third Secretary (commercial), Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, admired the impetus given by both TAAI and TAFI throughout the years and sought their keen support to promote and project Sri Lanka as Indian travellers’ favourite travel destination.

Both TAAI and TAFI are preeminent travel and tour operator associations in India, which have a substantial amount of island wide membership and play a vital role in India`s tourism industry.

 

Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission- Chennai

27th September 2021

News Paper Article – https://www.ft.lk/…/SL-Deputy-High-Commission…/27-723742

Trade
by SLDHC Chennai

The Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to South India, Dr. Venkateshwaran, had a virtual interaction with the Chairman of the Export Development Board  of Sri Lanka, Mr. Suresh De Mel and Director General, Ms. Chitranjali Dissanayake on 23rd September 2021. The objective of the interaction was to make aware of and explore the potentials for Sri Lankan exporters in the Southern Indian market and solicit the assistance from EDB to achieve this endeavor successfully. Stressing his views, Dr. Venkateshwaran highlighted the importance of identifying key areas that the Sri Lanka should keep focusing on south Indian market, especially social & cultural factions oriented market opportunities and assured to extend this Missions fullest corporation to facilitate for introducing new value added products from Sri Lanka to South Indian market. Moreover, He requested from EDB to take up a separate market plan for the South states since a substantial percentage of Sri Lanka`s exports to India are being done to the south. Mr. Suresh De Mel, Chairman, EDB during his speech expressed that the points raised by the DHC at the meeting were pragmatic and achievable. Further he expressed EDB`s willingness to work on a separate plan for south India with the support of the SLDHC team.