The Embassy of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Business Council Initiative (SLBCI), successfully organized the Sri Lankan Roadshow – 2024 for the first time with the theme 'Serendib the Golden Island' at the Oasis Mall in Muscat on 5 July 2024.
The main objective of the event was to promote Sri Lanka as a top travel destination for summer vacations in Oman, while also highlighting its rich culture and trade opportunities.
The active involvement of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Oman helped create a positive impact on both Omanis and expatriates, encouraging cultural exchange and enhancing bilateral relations.
The event kicked off with a traditional drum performance to welcome the Chief Guest, Sri Lankan Ambassador Sabarullah Khan, followed by a colorful procession of Sri Lankan children representing the country's diverse ethnic groups.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony and lighting of the traditional oil lamp, the roadshow officially began. An introductory video showcasing Sri Lankan culture, trade, and tourism was presented, followed by opening remarks from Counsellor/Head of Chancery Anodya Chirasrie.
The Sri Lankan traditional Puja dance, known as the 'Mangalam' dance, was performed by students of the Sri Lankan School Muscat (SLSM) as the opening act to seek blessings from Gods and Mother Earth in front of a full audience.
Following this, the sponsors were introduced by the Emcees, and another traditional dance called Kohomba Hella and Ravana were performed, showcasing important aspects of Sri Lankan dance forms.
Kohomba Hella is a key element of the Kohomba Kankariya, a traditional exorcism ritual in Sri Lanka aimed at driving away evil spirits, while the Ravana dance highlights the strength, power, and artistic elements of Ravana through traditional Sri Lankan dance moves choreographed by the teachers of SLSM Dance Club.
The inauguration ceremony concluded with a Video Message from the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Chalaka Gajabahu, followed by special guests exploring the promotional stands at the venue.
The next part of the event began with Emcees presenting the history of Sri Lanka up to the periods of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonization, accompanied by a visual presentation on screen. This was followed by a performance by the Sri Lankan Calipso band, Sinhayo, depicting the history of tea plantation initiation during the colonial era.
The ambassador emphasized the significance of organizing such a large-scale event after the lifting of COVID pandemic restrictions, as the country has now opened up and it presents an opportunity to boost trade and tourism internationally.
He also highlighted that this event serves as a great platform to showcase the offerings of Sri Lanka to the Omani and expatriate communities.
He stated that Oman currently holds a trade balance advantage, but Sri Lanka has the opportunity to narrow the gap by boosting exports to Oman. Additionally, he highlighted the establishment of the Sri Lanka Business Council Initiative, which aims to enhance economic ties between the two nations.
Another spectacular performance of 'Chamara Dance', choreographed by Visharad Sasikala Abeysuriya, a Sri Lankan residing in Oman, was presented.
The Esala Perahera (Great Procession) Kandy, an annual event honoring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, showcased this traditional dance form.
Attendees, including Omani nationals and expatriates, participated in a quiz session with spot prizes being distributed.
The event featured interviews with associate sponsors and the Sri Lanka Business Council Initiative team conducted by the Emcees.
A dance performance depicting the beauty and grace of Shree Krishna was presented by two Tamil students living in Oman, followed by a tasting session of Sri Lankan traditional sweetmeats and Ceylon tea.
Students of Visharad Sasikala Abeysuriya showcased the Kandyan dance, a sophisticated and refined national dance of Sri Lanka, followed by two solo songs reflecting Sri Lankan culture and tradition by Yasas Abeysuriya.
An introductory video highlighting Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality industry was also screened.
The first Sri Lankan song to surpass 200 million views on YouTube, the Arabic rendition of the popular 'Manike Mage Hithe' song by renowned Sri Lankan singer Yohani featured a dance performance in Arabic attire by students of Visharad Sasikala Abeysuriya.
The second part of the roadshow wrapped up with the Emcees conducting interviews with the Silver and Gold sponsors.
The closing ceremony commenced with the arrival of Omani officials from the Foreign and Heritage & Tourism Ministries, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and sponsors. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka delivered the welcome speech.
VIPs were captivated by a captivating video showcasing the scenic beauty and allure of Sri Lanka, followed by a dance performance titled 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' choreographed by Visharad Sasikala Abeysuriya and performed by children.
The audience was treated to a sophisticated Fashion Show, a universal language that showcased a vibrant conversation filled with color, texture, design, and Sri Lankan tradition & culture.
The impressive performances were showcased by Roshani Rajapakse, a resident of the Sultanate.
The cultural show concluded with the captivating dance 'Hela Thala Rata', narrating the rich history and culture of Sri Lanka through 'Angampora', traditional Kandyan dance, and the mesmerizing 'Gara Yaka' performance, choreographed by Visharad Sasikala Abeysuriya.
A Raffle Draw was conducted for Omani and other attendees, with the grand prize being a 6 nights/7 days all-inclusive vacation in Sri Lanka for two, courtesy of Green Holiday. The lucky winner was Yousuf Al-Busaidi, followed by Vasanthakumar K.L, Wessam Moustafa, Arif, and Lulu Al Sarji winning consecutive Raffle Prizes.
More than 500 Sri Lankans living in the Sultanate, along with over 500 Omanis and other nationalities, gathered at Oasis Mall in Al Khuwair to savor the authentic taste and culture of Sri Lanka.
