More expatriates due for Nallur festival

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Over 10, 000 Tamil Diaspora will be visiting Jaffna in this month specially to attend the ongoing historic Nallur Kandasamy Kovil grand festival which concludes on August 17. This is the first time after almost three decades that the Tamil Diaspora is visiting in such large numbers to attend this festival.

The festival was held on a low key due to LTTE activities and only around 50,000 attended the event last year. "This year we expect over 100, 000 with Tamil Diaspora from UK, Canada and Australia expected to attend," said Director General, Sri Lanka Tourism, S. Kaleyselvam after returning from London.

He said he visited 10 Kovils in London and spoke to the Tamil Diaspora. In addition he also attended several functions and met Travel agents who promote Sri Lanka. "They are more than happy to come back and are happy that there are regular daily air links to Jaffna," he said.

The Nallur Kandasamy Kovil is a global icon as the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora, have built many temples in Europe and North America by using the same name as a cultural memory.

Since they are attending a religious function they were not too keen about star class accommodation that is not available right now.

"They prefer to stay with relatives and friends," he said.

He also said that flights from UK to Colombo are now operating on high load factors.

Sri Lanka Tourism has appointed a special travel agent in Australia to promote the event.

This is in addition to promotions done through the Sri Lankan Embassy promotional emails targeting the Tamil Diaspora in Australia. "We also expect a good response from them," he added.

He however said that they could not do much in Canada due to lack of time. "However we will make Canada a priority next year," he said.

"In addition to the Tamil Diaspora, thousands of Hindus' in the Jaffna peninsula and Sri Lankans in the South too are expected to attend the festival in large numbers," he said.

Domestic airlines operators are also gearing up for the event and are increasing their frequency. Sri Lankan Air Force will be operating three flights a day during the peak season while both Expo Aviation and Deccan too will operate daily flights.

All three airlines would offer a return air ticket at Rs. 17,500 during this season.