Sri Lanka unites for world’s Expo 2015 in Italy

In an historic development, a multitude of ministries have joined under one umbrella based on a Cabinet decision for Sri Lanka to be present at the world’s greatest event after the Olympics, Expo 2015, to be staged in Milan, Italy.
The Cabinet has tasked the Tourist Board with championing the event in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tea Board, National Craft Council, SriLankan Airlines and the Board of Investment.

Minister for Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen appointed Rohantha Athukorala to be the Commissioner General for Sri Lanka at Expo 2015 with a core team from across the agencies in a historic move.

Tourism and Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake said: “It is time that we understand the financial and power blocs and learn to work with everyone across the world. In this respect the EU is key and it is paramount that we build strong relationships; Expo 2015 will be an ideal platform to launch this initiative. We are extremely pleased that all agencies are coming together under one umbrella to build brand Sri Lanka.”

The Commissioner General for Expo 2015 said that the investment made would always follow Government procedure. “We will together be accountable to measure the impact. The six-month event will be structured to six themes which will tell the world Sri Lanka’s promise. On tourism, it will be ‘8 wonderful experiences in 8 wonderful days’.”

Athukorala, who is also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau, added: “In 2014 we had 23 million people who Googled Sri Lanka Tourism related searches and we ended with a conversion of 1.5 million visiting Sri Lanka. Expo 2015 alone will reach 20 million people hands on and one billion via digital and overall media explosion which means that we can double the awareness. Now in the next six months we will work on inking an agreement with a large tour operator from Italy so that we can attract charter tourists into Sri Lanka. The good news is that this partnership is already in the system with a top blue chip company. If we can conclude this partnership, then we have a head start to Expo 2015.”