Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia, Shobini Gunasekera has recently emphasised that Sri Lanka is a vibrant destination that goes beyond mere beach holidays.

Ambassador Gunasekera said so at the round table of the Vostok discussion club hosted by the editorial office of Komsomolskaya Pravda, titled “Tourism: Asia”. Komsomolskaya Pravda is a renowned media group in the Russian Federation with a weekly audience of 53.9 million. The event was hosted in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Komsomolskaya Pravda media group. The Vostok discussion club was launched by the UN Environment Programme in the Russian Federation in 2022 with the aim of making a platform to discuss different topics in support of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2023.

The discussion brought together ambassadors and representatives from countries that are popular travel destinations for Russian tourists, including Azerbaijan, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan. The discussion aimed to explore the rich tapestry of historic, cultural, religious, and gastronomic traditions in the Asia-Pacific region while focusing on prospects and opportunities between the Russian Federation and the respective countries as well as considering the sustainable angle.

Ambassador Gunasekera seized the opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka as a vibrant destination that goes beyond mere beach holidays. She emphasised the country’s untouched tourism hotspots and activities, including tea gardens, wellness tourism, adventure experiences, nature and wildlife, a rich culture and festivals and gastronomy. She also emphasied that Sri Lanka is a unique destination for weddings or MICE tourism combined with pleasure.

“Sri Lanka offers travellers more than just a beach holiday – it is a country where tourism becomes a real bridge between cultures,” she asserted, underscoring the vital role of the tourism industry in providing livelihoods while fostering mutual understanding among cultures. As a responsible nation, Sri Lanka prioritises the protection of its natural beauty for future generations and advocates for sustainable tourism practices, she added.

Ambassador Gunasekera invited all stakeholders including Russian friends to join hands in promoting sustainable tourism and investing in initiatives that support this vision.

Following the roundtable discussion, a radio interview took place to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. Ambassador Gunasekera emphasised on the upcoming 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia, which will be celebrated on February 19, 2027, and stressed the importance of commemorating this occasion in a fitting manner, including high profile visits, tourism promotions and enhanced economic and technical cooperation to strengthen the bond between the peoples of the two countries.