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| Sunday, 27 July 2003 |
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SriLankan Airlines and "Wisden" launch mega tourism drive in UK by REGGIE FERNANDO, OUR LONDON CORR. In what is seen here as a timely boost - much more than a shot in the arm - for the country's tourist industry, the national carrier SriLankan Airlines in association with the world renowned cricket magazine "Wisden" will launch a mega tourism drive next week with a view to attracting more English cricket fans to the island for the Test tour in November. Unlike in the past when media advertisements gave particulars of the tour, this time the promoting duo will publish a colourful magazine - "Cricket: Sri Lanka's national Obsession" - which will be mailed to thousands of English cricket fans across the British Isles and Europe. This lavish publication will also be available free of charge at Lords and, all county cricket grounds and clubs from August till the eve of the tour, giving would-be tourists enough time to make their travel arrangements. The magazine's gorgeous front cover by one of England's best known cricket photographers and official cameraman for Lords and the MCC, Patrick Edgar, shows a team of teenagers playing softball cricket on the beach. Loaded with facts, information on Sri Lanka's cricket scene and advertisements relating to tailor-made trips to Sri Lanka for the tour, it opens with a 'Welcome' innings by Aravinda de Silva who states: "I think my country as a little miracle: a place where the people are welcoming, the scenery is astounding and the cricket is thrilling. Sri Lanka can offer you everything, from luxury hotels to untrodden beaches, but of all the heady delights of this island, cricket reigns supreme." Among the other articles are those from Hashan Tillekeratne, England players Ashley Giles, Alec Stewart and that budding lawyer Kumar Sangakkara. The country's spin doctor Muttiah Muralitharan who usually ends the opponent's innings with a mischievous smile ends up the magazine on an even more mischievous note saying: "Sri Lankans just love having visitors over to play cricket with them - and they love the after-game socialising too." |
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