11/03/2007 - Sunday Island
Moragoda and the Sangha - Some Comments
(Letter to editor)
We were impressed by the opinions expressed by Mr. Dhammika Weerasinghe...on the subject of Milinda Moragoda and tourism promotion...But we are not in agreement with his criticism of the minister recognizing an advisory council of experts and knowledgeable Buddhist monks...The new initiative of the out-of-the-box Moragoda intends to promote and facilitate local tourism, pilgrimages and Dhamma Dutha Missions to and from Sri Lanka...the ...advice is to be sought...for promoting Sri Lanka as a place for...practicing Theravada Buddhism...
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06/03/2007 - Island
Team effort needed to boost tourism - Milinda
"All stake holders must get together and strive to develop the industry without pointing fingers at each other"..Asked about the much talked about Tourism Act, which has been on hold for the last five years he said "now its going through a stake holders consultation process and will be tabled in Parliament in three months time."...One of the areas discussed on his recent visit to China was religious tourism, an area not tapped to the fullest Moragoda said...Talking about travel advisories, Moragoda stressed...Nothing can be done overnight and these matters will be addressed soon...
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06/03/2007 - Daily News
Tourist arrivals in January 8.5 p.c. above previous year
By Shirajiv Sirimane
Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda who was in China last week with President Mahinda Rajapakshe said that there is vast tourist potential in China specially in Shanghai. "The religious and pilgrim tourism is one area we are going to concentrate on"..He said that they would follow up this visit soon and launch several programs to woo the market...decided to pay more attention to domestic tourism...looking at renovating Rest Houses and Circuit Bungalows to suit the local travellers...
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04/03/2007 - Sunday Island
Milinda Moragoda and the Sangha
(Letter to editor)
As a person in the hospitality trade we had nothing but praise for the manner in which the new Minister was setting about his work. He has done absolutely well by appointing as Chairman of the Tourist Board someone who is from the trade...by appointing to the Board not political hacks but representatives of the different branches of the trade...next and most important...he has decided to seek amendments to an absurd law...the Minister has done something quite inexplicable...there is no place for the Sangha in an advisory capacity with regard to tourism promotion...
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04/03/2007 - Sunday Observer
Golden jubilee of Sri Lanka - China Diplomatic tie
Caption: President Mahinda Rajapaksa addresses the business community in China inviting them to have extensive interaction in trading and industrial ventures in Sri Lanka (Milinda Moragoda seated, 1st left)...
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March 2007 - Sri Lanka TravTalk, Vol 05, No 02
Tactical marketing plan to be implemented
By Delerine Munzeer
Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda is an economist whose tactical skills as a strategist will be well utilised in his new role. "Confidence building is our prime concern at the moment"... President Mahinda Rajapakse will be announcing a Tactical Marketing Plan... to give the industry a filip... "The idea is to give a short term push and kick start the industry through a range of incentives and policy measures...
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12/02/2007 - Daily Mirror
President, entourage arrive in Male
A Sri Lankan delegation led by President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday arrived at Male International Airport for a two-day official visit there and were welcomed by Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Here members of the Sri Lanka delegation being introduced to the Maldivian President. Pic by Sudath Silva... (Milinda, 6th on right shaking hands with President Gayoom)...
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11/02/2007 - Sunday Times (FT)
Tourism Act by next month
A crucial piece of legislation in tourism held up for nearly two years..."The Minister met with some industry stakeholders...The hotel industry is elated about the new minister's positivism..."he is approacing the matter very scientificaly." said Tourism Hotels' Association President, Hiran Cooray..the industry is 'very happy' with the way Moragoda has dealt with the issue. "He has not given us false promises"...
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