Historic Jaffna concerts to mark 60 years of Japan-Lanka diplomatic ties

A series of  events  to mark the the 60th anniversary of  Sri Lanka-Japan  diplomatic relations has been organised by the Japanese Embassy,with the highlight being the first ever  musical concerts it will be staging in Jaffna.

 The celebrations to be held both in Colombo and Jaffna commences today and will continue until December 8.It, is being jointly organised by the Japanese Embassy,the Japan Foundation and  Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL).

The programme includes several concerts including Premières,Classical and a AUN & HIDE musical performance.

Also lined up are the screening of a Japanese film "Wanko" - The Story of Me,My Family and My Dog,Randooga workshops and Jazz piano performances.

"The cultural shows,particularly in Jaffna  will be of historical importance as  it would be the  first time that  we will be staging such events in the Northern Capital",the Japanese ambassador to Sri Lanka, Nobuhito Hobo said,adding that it would also be a first for  SOSL.

The scheduled events also indicated Japan’s willingness to contribute  towards the Sri Lankan governments efforts to promote harmony and reconciliation between  the various communities,the ambassador noted.

The SOSL,which is in its 55th season was delighted to partner the Japanese Embassy in  celebrating an important occassion,its Chairperson Sharmini Wettimuni said.

The SOSL,assists students through outreach programs both in and outside Colombo and has over the last two years taken music to the South and in  the North,upto Kilinochchi, she said adding "We are delighted that November 17,would mark our  very first concert in Jaffna.Titled "Music from Around the World", it will feature three excellent Japanese professionals as the conductors,Keiko Kobayashi, the main soloist (Clarinet), Ado Kihara and Japanese composer Eiji Suzuki who would introduce his special composition to the Jaffna people."

Entrance to the Jaffna concert will be free and open to all music loving people.The different instruments of the orchestra will be explained and demonstrated.In addition,the music to be performed will be described to give a greater understanding to the audience.The overall experience will  certainly provide great entertainment for students,teachers and the general public,Sharmini  noted.

The "Premières Concert" of the SOSL conducted by Keiko Kobayashi,a renowned Japanese guest conductor,is to be held  at the Ladies’ College Hall, Colombo today.It, will feature Eiji Suzuki, an internationally acclaimed Japanese composer who would showcase his World Première compositions in person, inspired by Sinhala and Tamil folk tunes.Tanya Ekanayaka,an internationally acclaimed classical pianist would be the soloist.

The Japanese film "Wanko" has been scheduled for screening on November 16, at the Veerasingham Hall, Jaffna.Its a miraculous story of friendship and the indelible bond between a dog, a boy and his family based on true events of a family torn apart by an unimaginable natural disaster.

 The Classical Music Concert by SOSL  to be conducted by Keiko Kobayashi and also featuring Eiji Suzuki, is to staged at the  Veerasingham Hall, Jaffna on November 17.

 The Randooga Workshop  which uses the  improvisation method created by Masahiko Satoh,as a means of nonverbal communication to enhance dialogue with oneself and between people to be held also in Jaffna, has been  scheduled for November 27, 28 and 29 .A  study concert  has also been listed for November  29.

Satoh,who is a master pianist would be joined by Sitarist Pradeep Ratnayake in a unique  musical performance that will be spontaneous and improvised.Kei Wada (percussionist), Akiko Uesugi (singer) and Isaac Smith (bassist) will be part of the team.

Satoh,Ratnayake  and their  group will be back in Colombo on December 2, for   a special concert of jazz piano improvisation at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. 

The AUN & HIDE musical concerts  to be held at the National Youth Service Council, Maharagama on   December 7 and at the Hotel School Auditorium, Colombo on December 8, will  feature three talented Japanese artists playing traditional musical instruments such as Taiko (drums), Shamisen (Japanese guitar), fue (Japanese flute) and Japanese traditional percussion, presenting a mix of classics, semi classics and modern music.

Source:http://island.lk

Foundation laid for Rs 700 M hotel project in Jaffna

Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne and the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa laid the foundation Stone for Jetwing Yarl hotel in Jaffna on Friday.

The Rs 700 million project is a joint venture between Mercantile Merchant Bank Ltd, and the Jetwing Group. Jetwing Yarl hotel is to be constructed on a 46 perch land area on the Old Clock Tower Road, in Jaffna. The star class hotel will have 76 rooms, 14 storied, roof top swimming pool, Presidential Suite. According to the project estimation the construction work is to be completed within 18 months.

This hotel will create employment for youth in the area in addition to boosting income and business opportunities to the self-employed, micro enterprises and farmers.

Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri, Governor of the Northern Province, Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Mr. Ruwan Samarasinghe, Managing Director, Jetwing Hotels and Ms. Shiromal Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Travels (Pvt) Limited also participated on this occasion. Pix by Chaminda Hittatiya

Source:http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/1412-foundation-laid-for-rs-700-m-hotel-project-in-jaffna

Colombo-Jaffna expressway construction to be launched

The launching of construction work on the Colombo-Jaffna Expressway is to commence parallel to the Deyata Kirula exhibition, government information department announced.

 

It is to be constructed along Puttalam, Nikawewa, Oyamaduwa, Mannar and Silawathura areas. 

 

Source:http://sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15479:-colombo-jaffna-expressway-construction-to-be-launched-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547

Colombo-Jaffna expressway in the offing

 PUSHING INFRASTRUCTURE: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa seen with his wife Shiranthi in Galle, after completing a journey on the country's first expressway on Sunday. The toll highway linking capital Colombo with the southern city cost $700 million, with much of the money obtained from Japan and the Asian Development Bank. Photo: AFP

Soon after opening Sri Lanka's first expressway connecting the capital, Colombo, with the southern port city of Galle on Sunday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa began the spadework for the next major infrastructure project: An expressway linking Colombo with Tamil-dominated Jaffna. 

“I will work on the Jaffna expressway so that the distance can be covered in three hours,” said Mr. Rajapaksa. Jaffna is about 400 km from Colombo. The A-9 highway to Jaffna, which had not been re-topped in a few decades, is being repaired in stages. A one-way journey takes upwards of 10 hours by bus now. 

“The President is determined about it [the Colombo-Jaffna expressway],” said Director-General of Presidential Media Bandula Jayasekara. “He said the country needs more connectivity to bring people together,” he said. 

Eyeing foreign investments

Mr. Rajapaksa is pushing to get Sri Lanka infrastructure-ready so that foreign investments are not held back by shoddy transport and lack of facilities. Work is already on to build a second passenger terminal at the gateway to Sri Lanka, the Bandaranaike International Airport; a second international airport is coming up at Hambantota; and other smaller airports are being developed.

India, for instance, has helped rebuild the runway at the Palaly airport in Jaffna. The country's main airline, Sri Lankan, has begun operating air taxis to Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Bentota, Trincomallee and Arugam Bay. 

Recently revived

Besides, work on the Colombo port's second terminal is apace and India is working on the Kankesanthurai harbour, which is closest to the Tamil Nadu coast. Roads across the country are being re-laid and air-connectivity between Colombo and some world capitals have recently been revived.

In November the number of tourist arrivals crossed the 7.5-lakh target set for the year. 

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2667341.ece

Jaffna gets a 15 storied Star Class hotel

The rapidly developing Northern Province following the defeat of terrorism has become a springboard for local and foreign investors seeking investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. Construction of a 70-room, 15 storied star class hotel in the heart of Jaffna will be launched tomorrow. Mercantile Merchant Bank Ltd, and the Jetwing Group through an equally-owned joint venture will invest Rs. 700 million on this hotel project.

Launching of the construction will be jointly officiated by Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne and the Minister of Economic Development Mr. Basil Rajapaksa.

The hotel named Yarl Jetwing will be constructed on a 50 perch land area on the Old Clock Tower Road, in Jaffna. Designed by Design Group 5, the hotel will have a roof top swimming pool and a Presidential Suite and the construction work is to be completed within 18 months.

The location of the hotel will be adjacent to Rs. 500 million new shopping and entertainment complex being built by Cargills (Ceylon) Plc.

The new Cargills shopping complex of 4 floors with a total floor area of 74,000 sq ft would comprise of retail/shopping space, a bank, a food court, a Cineplex with three cinema screens and a basement car park. The construction work of this complex is to be completed by mid-2013.

Meanwhile, the MMBL is also implementing several other eco tourism projects in Delft Island in partnership with several other companies.(niz)

ExpoAir resumes flights to Jaffna:

ExpoAir, the pioneering domestic aviation company in Sri Lanka in operation since 1997 announced the resumption of regular flights from Colombo - Jaffna Offering a unique service, based on value for money, with stringent service standards, ExpoAir stands out as the only domestic airline which continued operations from Colombo to Jaffna during the armed conflict of the past decades.

Revamped with a brand new aircraft and new flight plan, ExpoAir aims to woo the business traveller with the promise of “Jaffna in just over 1 Hour”, with twice-daily scheduled flights; underscoring its understanding of the need for affordable and fast travel between the northern capital and Colombo. A brand new Cessna Grand Caravan 12 seater aircraft with leather seats, individual reading lights, air-vents, equipped with a drop-down monitor which will be screening silent movies during the flight.
The journey promises to be invigorating and comfortable with the added bonus of 2 flight crew members to take care of safety and comfort.

Taking off on February 01 ExpoAir will fly twice daily from Ratmalana Airport at 07:00 hrs. and 16:15 hrs. and return flights from Jaffna will be at 08:45 hrs. and 16:45 hrs. respectively, with arrival times approximately one hour after takeoff. The one-way tickets are priced at Rs. 10,000/- and return tickets at Rs 19,100/- which includes a 15 kg baggage allowance per individual. The excess baggage charges are limited to a nominal Rs. 150/- per kilo. ExpoAir will operate a special shuttle service to and from the Palaly airport to the Jaffna town to ensure maximum safety and comfort for the passengers.

Since 1997, ExpoAir has successfully established a strong standing among domestic air passengers based on its commitment and dedication to providing a service of the highest quality while adhering to the most rigid safety standards. ExpoAir commenced scheduled daily passenger flights to Jaffna after the signing of the peace pact, with the first flight to Jaffna taking off on June 03, 2002. Even during the peak of the armed conflict, with uninterrupted services throughout, ExpoAir was the business and leisure traveller’s first choice for travel to the country’s north.

The airline constantly kept upgrading its aircraft and operated 3-4 flights daily with two 52-seater aircraft namely the Fokker F-27-500. ExpoAir temporarily suspended its domestic operation in 2010 due to the fact that the general public opted to drive to Jaffna sans any security threat and the non-presence of the rebels. Curiosity drove the public to drive and see for themselves areas held by the rebels for almost three decades where free movement was not possible due to the presence of the rebels.

Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/01/25/bus01.asp

India to construct a cultural center in Sri Lanka's Tamil heartland of Jaffna

As part of its development partnership with Sri Lanka and in response to the request by the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of India is undertaking a project to construct a Cultural Centre at Jaffna at an estimated cost of Rs. 900 million.

In a ceremony held Tuesday, India's Minister for External Affairs S. M. Krishna and Sri Lankan Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa presented awards to the top three designs submitted by architects whose entries were selected by a jury after the completion of the National Design Competition for the Jaffna Cultural Centre.

The awards involve a prize amount of US$ 3,500 for the 1st prize, US$ 3,000 for the 2nd prize and US$ 2,500 for the third.

The Jury has unanimously selected the design submitted by Architect Madura Premathileka as the first place design, the design submitted by Cynthia & Athula Ranasinghe Chartered Architects as the second and the design submitted by Design Consortium (Pvt) Ltd. as the third.

The first place winner presented his design before the Indian and Sri Lankan ministers at the ceremony on Tuesday.

India has undertaken the project to preserve and foster the rich cultural heritage of the Jaffna District and other nearby areas, which are replete with historical, archeological and religious resources.

"It is decided to develop the Jaffna Cultural Centre as an iconic building that would serve as a cynosure of cultural activities in Northern Sri Lanka," the Indian High commission said in a statement.

The Centre is also intended to create opportunities for cooperation amongst all Sri Lankan communities, including Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese.

The primary purpose of the Jaffna Cultural Centre would be to provide a cultural and social space for the people of Jaffna to enjoy various local and international cultural products, apart from serving as a delivery centre for training, instructions and education in a variety of cultural disciplines. For these purposes, the Centre would comprise a theatre-style auditorium (with projection facilities) with a capacity of about 600 people, a multimedia library with on-line research facilities, exhibition and gallery space and a museum. It would also have an instructional wing, which would have facilities for the conduct of classes in vocal and instrumental music, dance and languages, including a language lab. It would also be able to serve as a hub for civil society activities, for which purpose it would include a conference hall-cum-seminar room.

Both governments have jointly decided to conduct a National Design Competition in order to select the best design for the Cultural Centre that would take these requirements into account.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) was entrusted with the task of conducting the National Design Competition in two separate rounds.

A seven-member jury, co-chaired by High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha, and President of SLIA Ranjan Nadesapalli, one architect each from SLIA and India, one representative each from the governments of India and Sri Lanka, and the Mayor of Jaffna evaluated the entries received during the National Design Competition. The entries were evaluated by the jury without the knowledge of the architects, through a process of assigning code numbers to each entry.

During the first round of the design competition, the jury shortlisted eight designs for the second round of competition out of 29 designs it received. The evaluation of these eight entries was based on a number of carefully identified criteria such as the technical acceptability, context plan, aesthetic / architectural language, space efficiency, buildabillity and environmentally friendly, sustainable architecture.

At the end of the process, the Jury unanimously selected the best three designs.

This Project is one of the many initiatives taken by the Indian government to assist the people of Sri Lanka.

It will be implemented under grant assistance from the Government of India with the cooperation of the Ministry for Economic Development and the local Government.

Source:http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan18_1326867552CH.php