HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR – PSA PG 2025
Capital : Colombo
Language Spoken : Sinhala, Tamil, and English
Currency : Rupees Sri Lanka (SLRs)
(https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/rates-and-indicators/exchange-rates/daily-indicative-exchange-rates)
Time Zone : GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) +5.30 hours
In a Nutshell
- Explore the bustling Negombo fish market to capture fishermen engaged in their daily routine unloading their catch from colorful boats and hauling baskets of fish, sorting, cleaning, drying and selling.
- Capture Buddhist monks in their daily rituals and prayer, intricate cave paintings and statues inside the caves at the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple.
- Be amazed at the majestic rock fortress in Sigiriya rising from the surrounding elaborately laid landscaped garden, and get a 360˚ panoramic view of the landscape below at the summit approximately 200m above the ground level.
- Experience nature at Hurulu Eco Park to capture stunning images of elephants in their natural habitat, and some of Sri Lanka’s wildlife including deer, birds and reptiles.
- Get up close and personal with elephants at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, help feed the calves, and capture those intimate moments between elephants and their caretakers.
- Witness the Nawam Perehera in Colombo, one of the main cultural pageants and witness caparisoned elephants, various drummers, dancers and musicians parade the streets at night in a colorful ceremony. This is a unique opportunity to witness various traditional costumes, dance styles and performances, music and musical instruments, rituals and performers, all in one place giving a glimpse of the vibrant Sri Lankan culture to capture mesmerizing images.
- Photograph skilled practitioners of Angampora, the traditional Sinhalese martial art, conduct traditional rituals and perform intricate movements & techniques, use traditional weaponry and showcase their years of intense training, dedication, discipline and the cultural significance.
- Immerse in local traditions, art and culture through different cultural dance shows, visit to craft village/s, puppetry shows at a village to get first hand experiences of activities in a traditional village during the tour.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Participants of PSA-PG 2025 will stay in 3/ 4 / 5-star hotels depending on the location, ensuring truly unforgettable experiences for all attendees. Hotels in Sri Lanka are noted for their far superior level of service.
February is in the height of the Tourist Season in Sri Lanka, when hotel rooms are in great demand, and generally booked well in advance. Due to this, securing and ensuring accommodation in selected hotels, it is paramount that those who intend taking part in this unique program complete their registration well in time. (Due to room rush, organizers may be compelled to secure accommodation in more than one hotel in a respective area.)
Accommodation will be on double share basis. Availability of rooms on twin share (two single beds) basis is very limited, and strictly subject to availability. Requests for twin-share basis accommodation will be on first-come first -served basis based on Valid Registration. Accommodation on single room basis is subject to room availability and surcharge, and if available will be at an additional payment to be borne by the participant.
Assignment of Hotels / type of rooms will be on first-come first-served basis, on completion of Valid Registration for the event.
VALID REGISTRATION – means completion of the online registration, and receipt of FULL PAYMENT by the organizers within the stipulated period.
The organizers will make every effort to accommodate your requests for special preferences, but due to the constraints listed above, the organizers apologize in advance if all such requests cannot be met in full or part.
REFUND POLICY – All hotel bookings and other expenses are to be paid by the organizers in advance to secure confirmed accommodation. Any request for a refund is subject to general cancellation policies of the hotels and other events / excursions service providers. As a general guideline, refunds will only be entertained only under exceptional circumstances, and subject to following conditions:
- Cancellation Request received before the date closing of registrations 30th Nov– REFUND IN FULL
- Cancellation Request received between 1 Dec to 15 Dec 2024 – 50% REFUND
- Cancellation Request received after 15 Dec 2024 – NO REFUND
No requests for refunds in full or part will be entertained for “No Show”, late arrival or early departure. Any additional costs that are to be incurred for late arrival / early departure will have to be borne by the participant.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
MEETING POINT
- All participants will arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake https://www.airport.lk and are expected to arrive on 7th February 2025. They will be met at the Airport, and transport will be provided to the hotel in Negombo. (Group transport will be provided if more than one participant arrives in the same flight).
- Please provide your flight details at least 2 weeks before the event. If not, the organizers may not be able to arrange pick up / transportation.
- Please note that the tour starts on 7th February 2025, and ends on 14th February 2025. If you decide to arrive prior to the opening date, or depart later than the closing date, hotel accommodation and all other expenses will have to be borne by you for the period prior to 6th February 2025 and/or after 14th February 2025. Please contact us should you need any assistance
Normal Hotel Check in times are:
- Check-in – 2.30 pm
- Check-out – 11.00 am#
FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
General Rules on visa & legal procedures for arriving in Sri Lanka
To visit Sri Lanka, you require a valid visa obtained in advance through the electronic visa facility. No visa on arrival facility is available except for visitors from a few countries in reciprocal arrangements between Sri Lanka and such country / countries that may be in place at the time. Please check the following link to get additional information and obtain your travel visa well in time.
https://www.srilankaevisa.lk/information
If you need any additional information or details, you may contact the nearest Sri Lanka Embassy / Sri Lanka High Commission / Sri Lanka Consulate Office in your country. (https://mfa.gov.lk/sri-lanka-missions/)
You will be required to fill a Disembarkation Card on arrival before clearing immigration. Facilities are available for air passengers to fill the Arrival Card online 3 days prior to arrival. Please check the following link:
https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/emb/eEmbarkation/’#/home-page
Flight Connection
Arrival 7th February 2025 – at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.
Most long-haul flights arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport early mornings or late evenings.
If you are taking a connecting flight from another International Airport, please allow reasonable time between flights to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.
(Those crossing the International Date Line, please note that Sri Lanka time is GMT + 5.30 hours.)
Departure 14th February 2025 – from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.