The month of April heralded in a New Year to the Sinhala and Tamil people of Sri Lanka, a time where everyone returns to their homes, spends time with family and visits friends with gifts and sweetmeats. There are many rituals that are observed very diligently according to auspicious times determined in advance by renowned astrologers. “As the midpoint of the sun, from Pisces enters Aries, the Sri Lankan New Year dawns at the precise time of 7.20 pm on the 13th April 2012. From this time onwards, all activities that are important for a healthy and prosperous future are conducted to auspicious times determined by the ancient but popular science of astrology. One such significant ritual is the lighting of a lamp; the radiance is symbolic of the hope that the New Year will be bright and prosperous for all”.

This period is a national holiday in Sri Lanka and that is when most Sri Lankans take their holidays too. Schools also close which enables families to take their annual family holiday. Colombo becomes a ghost town with most commercial establishments closed and people gone away. Nuwara Eliya which is a very popular hill destination amongst the locals who try to beat the heat in the city and the suburbs becomes a hive of activity at this time of the year. The beautifully manicured gardens in homes and hotels are indeed a sight to behold. Our property, Jetwing St. Andrew’s held many interesting programmes to ensure the visitors experience the best the highlands have to offer. Our colleagues at Jetwing Holidays have also been quite busy, arranging tours to various parts of the world to the more adventurous and discerning Sri Lankan travelers.

Jetwing Lagoon opened in time for the New Year holidays and had quite an eventful debut. I recall many happy times spent there with my family and the former owners, the Melhuisens who were dear friends of my late father. The hotel was then called the Blue Lagoon and was the first purpose built resort hotel in Sri Lanka (1965) and the first ever to be designed by the legendary Geoffrey Bawa. We looked forward to those visits to drink “chilled passiona” and eat delicious Negombo prawns. The hotel revamped by Bawa pupil architect Vinod Jayasinghe now stands majestically overlooking the calming waters of the lagoon to provide visitors a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of the “tourist areas”.

Construction has started at Jetwing Yala Safari in Yala and is proceeding as scheduled. We are hopeful that we can welcome guests by October, 2013. Work has also started in our new office building adjoining where we are housed now and this is also scheduled to be completed by August 2013.

Our research team has discovered some great experiences and you will be able to read more about them in this issue.

Hope you had a good Easter break and enjoy the spring!
God Bless!

In this tranquil land where Buddhism and its heritage are of sovereign value, the birth, the enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha would be the centric significance around which everything else revolves. This tri-faceted phenomenon is commemorated in extravagance, as the nation in togetherness hoist humble lanterns and prepare many 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.

Along with celebration and the fascination of its illumined beauty, each would be reminded that life is a journey that offers joys and grievances and eventually, fades… just as the rain washes away the colorful lanterns.

An Island paradise, a family owned business, and an unwavering dedication to traditional Sri Lankan hospitality and values has set Jetwing apart from the rest, and recognized at the recently concluded World Travel Awards 2011.

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The future of Sri Lankan tourism – Jetwing Symphony

Building on the legacy of Jetwing Hotels, its storied reputation for delivering true traditional Sri Lankan hospitality and excellent service through world class properties and people, Jetwing Symphony is now the future of Sri Lankan tourism.

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The Crossing

Senanayaka Samudraya is the only place in the entire country where you could witness “The Crossing”. Elephants swim from the mainland to several of the islands in the water tank in search of food.

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Passport at your doorstep

The Immigration and Emigration Department will implement a home delivery service within the Colombo city soon.

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Sri Lanka best tourist destination in South Asia

Travel Asia Online in an exclusive report has categorized Sri Lanka as the best country in South Asia to visit, while Maldives took second place and Bhutan third.

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A chic beach resort; by the southern coast of Sri Lanka located amidst turquoise gushing waters and a golden sandy beach dotted by swaying coconut palms. Explore the tropic wilderness on one side and the mesmerizing ocean on the other; the two collectively deliver a holiday resort perfectly located to experience tranquil Sri Lanka.

When enjoying a holiday on the coast, it’s all about the location. The Serene Pavilions will settle you in an elegant beach side heaven, combining peace, tranquility and privacy with impressive range of facilities. The exclusive elan of an entire villa with a private beach is all yours. For more details, Click Here

USD 130 for per person. For more details, Click Here