The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau jointly organized an all-night pirith chanting ceremony last evening followed by an alms giving this morning to mark its Golden Jubilee which fell on the 2nd of May 2016.

A multi-religious ceremony with the participation of clergy from the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian faiths to invoke blessings on Sri Lanka Tourism also took place this morning.

The events were organized at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and attended by the Minister of Tourism Development John Amaratunga, Deputy Minister Arundika Fernando, Ministry Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Paddy Withana, Director General Malraj Kiriella and other senior officials of Sri Lanka Tourism. Tourism Minister John Amaratunga hoisted the national flag at the Ministry Premises to commence the official celebrations.

While the religious ceremonies were held yesterday and today at the Ministry, the national events to mark the Golden Jubilee will take place from May 27th to 29th at the BMICH.

All four institutions that make up Sri Lanka Tourism namely, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Management (SLITHM) and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) will be actively participating in the national celebrations.

A commemorative volume, a commemorative stamp and a video film on the past 50 years of tourism in Sri Lanka will be launched at the national ceremony. President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Secretary General of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have been invited for the official ceremony on the 27th of May 2016 at the BMICH.

This event will be followed by an exhibition which will showcase the important landmarks achieved by Sri Lanka Tourism since its establishment in 1966 and will take place from the 27th May to the 29th of May.

The Ceylon Tourist Board was established on the 02nd May 1966 by Tourism Act No. 10 of 1966. This marked the official commencement of planned tourism development in Sri Lanka. It introduced the regulatory framework for tourism, paving the way for the development of tourism facilities and services as well as promotions.

Under the amended Tourism Act of 2005, the Ceylon Tourist Board was divided in to four separate entities; namely, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM) and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB).

Source : http://www.ft.lk/article/539899/Sri-Lanka-Tourism-marks-Golden-Jubilee#sthash.6S0z5MV6.dpuf