SHARES AT RECORD AFTER PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION

FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 2010 00:00

By Shihar Aneez

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan shares hit a fresh all-time high after dipping 1.9 percent in the early trade on Thursday on stability hopes after the presidential poll, in which Mahinda Rajapaksa got re-elected with a landslide victory.

The All-Share Price Index of the Colombo Stock Exchange jumped 1.28 percent to hit a fresh record high of 3637.65 points, surpassing its previous all-time high of 3610.74, hit on Tuesday.

The market opened with negative sentiment and fell 1.94 percent as some investors who had expected a regime change after the election sold their stakes in thin trade, dealers said.

However, retail investors chipped into the bourse and started buying shares across the board on hopes of political stability and unchanged economic policies after Rajapaksa's re-election.

"Investors are positive as they think that there won't be any policy changes and Rajapaksa to continue his economic policies," said Harsha Fernando, CEO at SC Securities.

Rajapaksa got re-elected by winning Sri Lanka's first post-war national election on Wednesday.

The turnover in the first four hours has exceeded 1.3 billion rupees ($11.35 million), more than twice of 2009 daily average of 593.6 million rupees.

The bourse has risen 7.4 percent so far this year after being one of the world's best-performing markets in 2009, jumping 125.2 percent on post-war optimism. ($1=114.525 Sri Lankan rupees)

‘Colombo City Tour’

THURSDAY, 28 JANUARY 2010 13:36 1 2 3 4 5  ( 0 Votes ) The Colombo's first ever open deck city tour service took off last Sunday, 24 January from Galle Face Hotel premises.  Hon. Achala  Suranga Jagoda, Minister of Tourism, was the chief guest at the  launching ceremony. Both Visiting foreign and local tourists along with the invitees participated in this inaugural journey. This tour service is a new product launch of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) in public- private partnership with Ebert Silva Holidays (Pvt.) Ltd. The city tour will be operated initially on Sundays. 'As time goes by the service will be increased to a number of days and it depends on the popularity' said Malraj Kiriella, the Director, International Relations and Research of the SLTDA, who spearheaded the project. We are on the threshold of a new era in travel and tourism in Sri Lanka. This will be a great experience for the tourists visiting the city of Colombo. We have come out of a dark era and foresee a golden age for Sri Lanka tourism' opined Mr. K.A.D George Michael, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism at the ceremony. The tour will commence at the Galle Face Hotel premises at 8.30hrs and en route collect passengers at points in front of leading hotels in Slave Island and Fort. The seven hour tour would include the important attractions in Colombo City and Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte. There will be live commentaries on all surrounding attractions by a professional guide in English. Information leaflets will be made available in important foreign languages and in local languages in addition to English. The open deck bus hired from the Sri Lanka Transport Board will give passengers a panoramic view of the city of Colombo, old and new. 'Research has shown that Colombo is the most popular place of attraction, and introduction of this service has been a long-felt need and will enable many foreign visitors embark on a journey that covers the best in Colombo with less cost and time' said Kiriella. The visiting sites would include historic Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic religious sites, colonial heritages sites, Independence Square, National Museum and 'Janakala Kendraya'           (National Arts and Crafts Centre in Battaramulla). The entire sightseeing would include most of the attractions in Colombo and in Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte. The bus is decorated depicting attractions of Colombo. The specially designed logo 'Colombo City Tour' includes frangipani flowers to emphasize its connectivity with the city of Colombo and serendipity. The organizers have worked out a special introductory rate for Sri Lankan adults and children at Rs.950.00 and Rs.500.00 respectively, which includes lunch, refreshments and entrance fees. Rajini de Silva Mendis, Managing Director, Ebert Silva said ' We are happy to join hands with the public sector on this initiative and hope to offer customers an unforgettable experience with our years of experience in the field'.

62 Independence Extravaganza by SriLankan Airlines

THURSDAY, 28 JANUARY 2010 13:48 1 2 3 4 5  ( 0 Votes ) As Sri Lanka celebrates its 62nd anniversary of Independence on 4 February this year … SriLankan Airlines join in celebrating this joyous occasion with everyone born during that epoch making year, 1948.  It was the year when Ceylon gained freedom from the colonial yoke and a fledgling nation was born. If you were born in 1948, well then it's celebration time with the 'Incredible 62 Independence Extravaganza' from SriLankan Airlines.  All you need to do is to pay only 62% on the current fare of all outbound packages to a range of destinations. And mind you … this includes economy class return airfare, and two night accommodation on twin sharing basis on bed and breakfast with return airport transfers.  The travellers have to choose from Bangalore (Rs. 16,119/-), Chennai (Rs. 13,019/-), New Delhi (Rs. 24,799/-), Mumbai (Rs. 27,279/-), Bangkok (Rs. 26,039/-), Beijing (Rs. 49,599/-), Hong Kong (Rs. 47, 119/-), Kuala Lumpur Special (Rs. 24, 179/-), Kuala Lumpur (Rs. 29, 139/-), Singapore Special (Rs. 27,899/-), Singapore (Rs. 31,619/-), Madives (Rs. 37,819/-) and Dubai (Rs. 42,159/-). Do bear in mind that ticketing has to be completed prior to 4 February with travel valid until 31 March 2010.   'You don't have to be born in 1948 to enjoy this offer. You can go a step further and treat your parents, an old school teacher, an uncle, aunt or any special person celebrating his or her 62nd birthday this year' said Amith Sumanapala, General Manager SriLankan Holidays. 'Bon voyage and Happy Birthday with Incredible 62 Independence Extravaganza from SriLankan Airlines' he added.   SriLankan Holidays is closely supporting the efforts of Sri Lanka Tourism to spark a boom in the country's hospitality industry following the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka .  SriLankan Holidays has rapidly become one of Sri Lanka most dynamic tour operators, winning the country's Best Outbound Tour Operator award. As the leisure arm of SriLankan Airlines, it offers specially crafted inbound and outbound packages, as well as customised tours. These range from leisure travel for individuals, couples and families, to business travel, adventure travel, sports tourism, cultural tours, and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions). For details call the SriLankan Holidays Office, your nearest travel agent or call us on +94 (0) 1 9733 3838,