Mohammed Saifuddin – Yahind News
Riyadh – Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Saudi Arabia Pakeer Mohideen Azma urged the people to visit his country as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” and one of the top ten tourist destinations; Sri Lanka; is regaining its past glory in the tourism industry to the pre-covid level.
Addressing a press conference at Sri Lankan embassy in Riyadh, to promote tourism of his country, Azma said the Island nation has suffered more than its fair share of issues over the past couple of years. The pandemic, Russia-Ukraine war and economic crisis of 2022 heavily contributed to barring tourists from visiting Sri Lanka.
With the record of more than 5 Million tourists visiting Sri Lanka in a pre-covid era and as Sri Lanka is returning to that era with a fast pace, the Ambassador Azma requested the people to visit Sri Lanka and enjoy its fabulous tourist attractions.
With the history of 2500 years, rich in culture, environment, biodiversity, culinary and landscapes, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer. Even though small in size, it offers numerous attractions like eight world heritage sites, Ceylon tea highlands, cultural triangle, best wildlife parks outside Africa. Tropical pristine sandy beaches and surfing blue sapphire adorned the crown of royalty for centuries could be witnessed in Sri Lanka.
“One of the beautiful attractions of Sri Lanka is that, the tourists can enjoy watching the largest mammals on the earth and water in the same island”, the ambassador added. He said with five international airports Sri Lankan Airlines have direct flights connectivity with all the major cities of Saudi Arabia and GCC. He said that currently Sri Lankan Airlines is operating direct flights from Riyadh and Dammam. Very soon direct flights will be resumed from Jeddah also.
On this occasion a documentary on Sri Lankan Tourism was shown and the phot exhibition was also organized. Minister (Commercial), embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh, Sanjeewa Pattiwila welcomed the guests and audience.
Scrumptious traditional food of Sri Lanka was served to the guests.