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Lanka to host South Asian Travel Awards

Published

8 months ago

2025/08/26

The South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), the region’s most prestigious platform recognising excellence in travel, tourism, and hospitality, announced that its 9th edition will be hosted in Sri Lanka. The event is scheduled to take place from 19 to 20 September 2025 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, which will serve as the official host venue.

Organised in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), SATA 2025 will bring together top industry stakeholders from across South Asia — including India, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka — for a two-day celebration of achievement, innovation, and regional collaboration.

SATA 2025 will also be amplified through a comprehensive media network, ensuring extensive visibility across the region’s tourism markets.

The awardees will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of nine-jury members representing different countries across South Asia and beyond.

With Sri Lanka poised to take centre stage, SATA 2025 is set to be a landmark event in the South Asian tourism calendar.

This year’s event is supported by an impressive roster of partners. Honda Marine joins as the Platinum Partner, while The Hawks Pvt Ltd, Velana International Airport (VIA), and Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives have come on board as Gold Partners. Bizspoke and Renaatus will support the event as Silver Partners.

Since its inception, SATA has remained committed to recognising excellence, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable growth in South Asia’s tourism sector. The 2025 edition is expected to further strengthen cross-border ties and provide a strategic platform for dialogue, networking, and industry advancement.

As the host nation, Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to showcase its world-renowned hospitality, cultural richness, and commitment to tourism development on a global stage.

SATA 2025 is further supported by a network of Hospitality Partners across the region. These include Mandarina Colombo (Sri Lanka), Sheraton Grand Bangalore at Brigade Gateway and Andaz Delhi (India), Hulhule Island Hotel (Maldives), HolidaInn Express Kathmandu Naxal (Nepal), Zhiwaling Heritage in Paro (Bhutan), and Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre (Bangladesh).

The event has also received endorsements from key tourism bodies and associations across South Asia. These include the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Visit Maldives Corporation Limited, and the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), among other leading national organisations and industry stakeholders.

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.