Suresh de Silva
One of the first people to greet you when you enter the arrivals hall at Colombo International Airport is a member of Explore Sri Lanka’s public relations team. They are on hand to offer arriving tourists and business visitors a complimentary copy of the latest issue of this magazine.
Recently Explore Sri Lanka extended its service to visitors with the opening of a special counter in the arrivals hall, before the immigration desks. The counter was declared open by D. Ladduwahetti, the Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (AAS) at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Air Vice Marshal Duncan Dissanayake, Executive Director of AAS, Mr John de Saram, airport manager, and other senior airport officials.
The counter will serve as the airport outlet where arriving tourists and business visitors can pick up complimentary copies and find out pertinent information from the trained staff on duty at the desk. Five ladies, under the leadership of airport circulation assistant Cyril Pinto provide a round-the-clock welcome offering copies of Explore Sri Lanka whatever the time of day or night you arrive.
This magazine, which is now in its fourth year of publication, is completely advertising-revenue supported. Contributors are the cream of Sri Lankan journalists and international travel writers whose love and knowledge of Sri Lanka fills our pages with informative articles every month.
Visitors and resident expatriates who cannot collect their copies at the airport can obtain the magazine on a regular basis by completing the subscription form.
Our photo shows Ruth Perera, Amali Silva, Romaine· Jayalath, Roshani Jayalath and Nilushini de Silva with Cyril Pinto by the new counter.
Fashion note: The saris worn by the ladies at the EXPLORE SRI LANKA counter were designed by Andre Estefan as a variation on the traditional Kandyan style adapted for glamour and practicality.
