Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed Tourism Ambassador of Sri Lanka on Thursday, February 21 during the ‘Get Sri Lankaned’ joint promotional campaign held at Bangalore, India.
Sanath, a cricketing legend and a Member of Parliament was given a plaque by Muthu Sivalingam, Deputy Minister of Economic
Development, during the event named as the Sri Lankan Night’, which was the first promotional programme under ‘Get Sri Lankaned’ held at Vivanta by Taj Hotel, Bangalore.
Under the new initiative carried out on the advice of Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the former Sri Lankan cricket star will function as a Tourist Ambassador, with the view of promoting Sri Lanka as a renowned destination internationally. It is hoped that the experience and the personality of Sanath Jayasuriya could be key features in shaping his future role as the Tourism Ambassador.
The event was also graced by the participation of other Sri Lankan cricketing stars including the World Champion skipper Arjuna Ranthunga.
Over 300 leading businessmen and the travel agencies in India also took part in the event. Representing Sri Lanka was Prasad Kariyawasam – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Dr Ameer Ajward, Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai, Dr Willie Gamage – Secretary to the Ministry of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation, Bashwara Gunarathna – Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Anil Koswattha – Chairman, Sri Lanka Handicraft Board,. Rumy Jauffer, the Managing Director of SLTPB and Nishantha Ranathunga – Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket Board also participated in this event.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko