Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium conducted a Tourism Promotion Event at the Royal North Sea Yachting Club in Oostende, Belgium on the occasion of the final day of the annual Open Belgian Sailing Championships held on 7 August. Countries from all across Europe including the Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Germany and France participated in the Championships.
On the final day of the Championships Awards Ceremony, the premises of the Royal North Sea Yachting Club was decorated with Sri Lankan flags and all prize winners were gifted with Sri Lankan tea and holiday vouchers to stay at popular hotels in Sri Lanka.
Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy, Maxwell Keegel who spoke on the occasion, stated that with the creation of the Ruhunu Dragon Association of Sri Lanka, the two countries have established links to promote the popular sport of sailing with the ‘Dragon Sailing Vessel’. He stated that sailing enthusiasts, now have the opportunity to indulge in sailing even during the winter season by travelling to the South of Sri Lanka. He thanked Pierre Pringiers who has played a key role in establishing this link.
The President of the Royal North Sea Club, in his address stated that this was the first time that the annual gala evening of the Open Belgian Sailing Championships had featured a country and thanked the Embassy for making them aware of Sri Lanka and the sailing opportunities in the island.
During the cocktail following the Awards Ceremony and the Annual Club Dinner for the Sailing Champions held at the Club House, a wide variety of Sri Lankan food and drinks were served to introduce Sri Lankan cuisine to the members and over 150 guests who attended the glittering event. Second Secretary of the Embassy Madhawa Senanayake and Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Antwerp Monique De Decker also attended the event.
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