|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 10 November 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
SriLankan begins Buddha Gaya flights SriLankan Airlines will spread its wings to Buddha Gaya, India, the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The inaugural flight will commence on November 12. The flight will operate every Tuesday. "It is a landmark event for SriLankan Airlines as it is the only international carrier to fly to Buddha Gaya except for Indian Airlines," said Head of Corporate Communications, SriLankan Airlines, Chandana De Silva. "It is a happy occasion for the airline and for me as a Sri Lankan," he added. Promotions Executive Events Ramani Jayasinghe said the flight will help Sri Lankans as well as Buddhists from Bangkok, Japan, Malaysia, Jakarta, HongKong, Nepal and Myanmar as they will be able to fly from Sri Lanka and worship religious sites at their convenience. The inaugural flight will leave Sri Lanka at 12.05 pm on Tuesday with Buddhist priests, travel agents, media, two foster children and airline officials after a pirith ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport. In the evening of the same day, there will be a Bodhi Pooja at Buddha Gaya. There will be a cultural performance at Hotel Nikko where the Indian Aviation Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain is also expected. On the morning of the 13th, 1000 packets of dry rations will be distributed among the poor followed by an alms-giving to 100 monks based in Buddha Gaya. The Lankans are expected to visit important places in Buddha Gaya and fly back to Sri Lanka via Delhi. De Silva, speaking of future plans, said they will fly again to Frankfurt from December 4. It is necessary as a large number of German tourists visit Sri Lanka. He said commencing flights to Frankfurt will help the travel trade, reintroduce SriLankan Airlines in Germany and help exporters of perishables. De Silva said they are happy to work alongside the Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism. He assured that SriLankan Airlines will be in the forefront to promote tourism. In its 23rd year of operations, the airline flies to 30 destinations in 20 countries across Europe, Middle East, Far East, the Indian Subcontinent and the Maldives. Having started with two leased Boeing 707 aircraft in 1979, it now boasts a fleet of Airbuses including three A340s, four A330s and two A320s. The national carrier Air Lanka was renamed as SriLankan Airlines on July 13, 1999. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
