The colourful Buddhist flag, in fact hundreds of them, big small, vertical & horizontal flutter furiously in the wind. Streets are lined with white lanterns, carefully covered to protect them from rain. Many pandols gaily illuminated tell different Jathaka Stories (from the Buddhist teachings)… Yes, you guessed it – it’s Vesak! The huge festival that commemorates, the birth, the enlightenment & the passing away (death) of the Lord Buddha.

The usually quiet & serene temples are crowded with devotees, all clad in white. The monks are chanting & preaching, others are busy cooking & arranging meals. It is indeed a busy weekend for Sri Lankans.

If you happen to travel during this time, you will encounter entire villages out on the street, participating in the”dansals” (free food/drink). They will all follow it up with a journey to the city by evening to witness the various shows & the pandols.

Vesak also heralds the monsoon season to the North/West of the country. This year the rains are eagerly awaited as the heat & the humidity had been pretty uncomfortable to handle.

On another note, Jetwing launches another first in Sri Lanka: select service accommodation. Hotel J, Negombo, is a 35 room property that gives you the freedom to have exactly what you want; nothing more, nothing less. Do take a look, at www.hotelj.lk, and remember that this is just the beginning!

Also, Jetwing Yala is progressing steadily along with the new resort area of Passikudah has seen two new properties open for visitors & is fast becoming a popular destination to visit.

We hope you will come enjoy our island home soon!

With best wishes,

Vesak – a festival of dazzling displays of color and lights, flamboyant creations of intricate arts and ecstatic jubilation amongst locals together these amazing sights commemorate the significance of a belief that existed for 2500 years.

In Sri Lanka, a country where Buddhism and its heritage are of sovereign value, the birth, the enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha is a principal facet of religious observance. This tri-faceted phenomenon is commemorated in extravagance, as the nation in togetherness hoist humble lanterns and many other splendorous displays in their neighborhoods and households.

The lanterns range from a variety of shapes and colors; it also prominently personifies human life. It reveals profoundly a journey, in which a man is born, his life in the world and eventually how he decays away.

The lessons of Vesak are easily visible, for those who wish to learn… From all of us here at Jetwing, we wish you and your family a Preethi (happy) Vesak!

6 Jetwing Hotels receive ISO14001 certification from SLSI

Long known for their commitment towards the environment, Jetwing Hotels achieved another milestone by being awarded ISO14001 certification for six of their properties in Sri Lanka.

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Jetwing, the Sri Lankan travel company, has launched a new domestic budget hotel brand – Hotel J. Announcing the new label this week, Jetwing said Hotel J would offer “no frills hotels” that appeal to the “modern traveller”

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The dedicated inbound travel arm of Jetwing Travels, Sri Lanka Tailor-Made (SLTM) has been recognized for the very core values it stands for, quality and innovation. Sri Lanka Tailor-Made’s website [ www.srilankatailormade.com ] has been recognized by a global tourism platform for the first time, since its launch in 2009.

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Sri Lanka posing a challenge to Kerala Ayurveda

Its decades long ethnic conflict over, Sri Lanka is steadily emerging as a major competitor to Kerala’s ayurvedic system of medicine, a leading industry expert says.

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Kandy Esala Perahera – Special Offer

Esala Perahera (the festival of the Tooth Relic) is a grand festival held in Sri Lanka, with elegant costumes, fire-dances, Kandyan dances, well decorated elephants in lavish garments and various other cultural dances. It has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. We invite you to come and witness the most spectacular religious procession in Asia. For more details, Click Here

Middle East Special Offer

Only 66,00sq km in area, yet a treasure trove of diverse and astonishing surprises, Sri Lanka is a cornucopia of magnificent beaches, rain forests, charming villages, hill country tea plantations, centuries old ruined cities, emerald green paddy fields, fascinating cultural traditions, spectacular pageants and festivals, spicy, exciting cuisine and so much more. For more details, Click Here