SRI LANKA shines in Antalya

 “SRI LANKA shines in Antalya”

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Türkiye arranged a Sri Lanka tourism and cultural promotional event in Antalya commemorating Sri Lanka’s 75^th Anniversary of Independence celebrated on 4^th February 2023, establishing the Republic of Türkiye on 29^th October 2023 and the 75^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Türkiye in 2023.

The event was arranged by the Embassy together with the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Antalya recently on 16^th October 2023 at Lara Balık Restaurant in Antalya.

The honorary consul, Mr. Ali Kamburoglu, welcomed the guests to the event.  He shared his insights on doing business with Sri Lanka and, Sri Lanka’s potential as a tourist destination for Turkish people, as well as exotic Sri Lankan products, such as precious gems, coconut-based products including coco peat, tropical fruits, apparel, and rubber-based products.

Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Türkiye, delivering the keynote address echoed the sentiments expressed by the honorary consul and added that Ceylon cinnamon and Ceylon tea are two of Sri Lanka’s unique products offered to the world.

She noted that the direct flights to be operated between the two countries by Turkish Airlines, from November 2023, would increase connectivity and would contribute positively and closer interactions between the two peoples, which would enhance bilateral economic cooperation for mutual benefit.

Mr. Mustafa Hulusi Arat, the Deputy Governor of Antalya graced the event as the guest of honor.

The event was attended by nearly 125 invitees attracting diverse attendees, primarily comprising officials from the public sector, including Antalya local government, chambers and leading private sector organizations in Antalya, representatives from the tourism sector in Antalya, and media.

Tourism presentations, videos, Sri Lankan music, batik décor, and banners all provided a beautiful Sri Lankan ambiance.

In addition, a Sri Lankan photo exhibition depicting nature and climate change impact and culture with photos by professional award-winning photographers, Mr. Ravi Ranasinghe and Dr. Umberto Binetti and a selection of paintings by renowned Sri Lankan artist, Mr.  Vasantha Perera were displayed at the venue, together with a display of Sri Lankan gem-studded jewellery.

Guests were also treated to sumptuous Sri Lankan delicacies together with Turkish food during the networking session while enjoying traditional and modern Sri Lankan music and songs. Ceylon tea was served throughout the event.

It was an event to expose the people of Antalya to a wide range of experiences and insights into the Sri Lankan culture and a glimpse of what Sri Lanka offers to the world, particularly to the people of Antalya in Türkiye as a promising future tourist destination.

The event received wide coverage in local media.

Following the event, the Ambassador also visited CW ENERJİ company and its factory and had a discussion on possible joint ventures in solar energy and IT sectors. Ms. Thavishya Mullegamgoda, Minister (Commercial) of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Türkiye also joined the factory visit together with Mr. Sahan Moratuvage, founder–CEO of ZENZ Global İnc. Antalya, Türkiye.

CW Enerji is one of the Turkish companies of the solar energy sector that managed to make its mark in the ISO 500 ranking and it identifies as one of the largest companies among Türkiye’s 500 largest industrial enterprises in the field of industrial activity in Türkiye.

The Ambassador discussed foreign direct investment and joint venture opportunities in Sri Lanka in areas such as the renewable energy sector, mineral sectors including graphite & graphene sector, and the IT sector in which CW Enerji has shown its interest and potential towards the Sri Lanka market. The Ambassador showed the strengths and advantages of Sri Lanka including the abundance of solar and wind energy as a tropical country and availability of minerals & other raw materials, availability of skilled labour, and market access opportunities in Sri Lanka which are the positive factors for a leading Turkish company, CW Enerji to explore possibilities for expanding its business activities through foreign direct investments or as joint ventures with local partners in a tropical country like Sri Lanka in future.