Sri Lanka’s Value Added Tax (VAT) increase to 18% from January 2024 onwards along with reduction of VAT threshold to Rs. 60 million and removal of VAT exemptions from 97 items out of 138 goods is expected to increase the inflation by 2.5%, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said. Siyambalapitiya said that with the […]

For those in search of a quieter and more pristine escape, Upper Diyaluma is a true hidden gem just waiting to be uncovered. Tucked away upstream from the more well-known Diyaluma waterfall, reaching this secluded spot involves a bit of a challenge, but the journey is undoubtedly worth it. The trek leading to Upper Diyaluma […]

In a resounding triumph for Aitken Spence Hotels, Heritance Kandalama claimed the #1 spot in the prestigious LMD Customer Excellence Annual Survey 2023 under nationwide hotels, with managed hotel Earl’s Regency making it to the top 15. The Customer Excellence survey by LMD is conducted over a three-month period, and serves as a benchmark for […]

A remarkable moment unfolded on December 18, 2023, as Aitken Spence Travels joined forces with Jazeera Airlines to host the inaugural Sri Lanka Destination Tourism Promotion event in Istanbul. The occasion, graced by the esteemed presence of The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara, Türkiye, brought together more than 80 travel agents from Istanbul. This […]

Sri Lanka anticipates a tourism boost with 16,456 visitors expected from former Soviet states, including the Baltic and Poland, courtesy of SkyUp Airlines charter flights. Operating six flights per week to Mattala airport this winter season, the former ambassador estimates a potential $25 million revenue. Estonia, with a population of 1.5 million, has already contributed […]

Sri Lanka will see the arrival of around 35 luxury passenger cruise ships next year, according to the Navigation Division of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). To facilitate the increased number of cruise ships, the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has instructed to convert the Bandaranaike quay at the Colombo […]

By Ama H. Vanniarachchy “Seeing the nuns not receiving the respect given to the monks is very painful. It is like having a spear in your heart”  Ajahn Amaro, Theravada bhikkhu of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery On the 26th of December, we will be celebrating the arrival of Arhat Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka, with the sacred … Continue reading Unduvap poya and Bhikkhuni Sangha in Sri Lanka →

“This is the most beautiful train ride. You will see beautiful nature. Beautiful culture. And beautiful people. Welcome to one of my favorite countries in the world: Sri Lanka.” “It has everything for you to fall in love” -Nas Daily Watch now: https://www.facebook.com/nasdaily/videos/708237871277286 From http://travelandtourslk.blogspot.com/

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first 13 days of December surpassed 73,000, signaling an improved influx of international visitors. Provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed that during the period from December 1 to 13 Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 73, 590 tourists. With SLTDA aiming to draw […]

Air Astana is the latest addition to the international Aviation family, and resumed flights to Sri Lanka recently. This was a plus point for Sri Lanka for its recognition as a world class travel destination. The passengers and crew of the aircraft were warmly welcomed by the Tourism Information Centre officers (TIC) of the Sri […]

Words by Annaliese Dayes I have been left utterly mesmerised after spending 10 days in Sri Lanka. It seems such a blur as we packed in so much in so little time; we ate some amazing food, stayed in wonderful boutique properties, and were spoiled every minute of the day by the Sri Lankan people. […]

In a promising start to December, Sri Lanka crossed the 1.3 milestone welcoming a total of 57,394 tourists in the first 10 days. This is the highest tourist arrivals recorded post-pandemic.  With a target of 1.55 million tourists by the end of the year, Sri Lanka Tourism anticipates a robust month, aiming for a total […]