Professor Sarath Wijesuriya of the Department of Sinhala, University of Colombo was this year’s Guest Speaker. High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara was the Chief Guest.

Lonely Planet , the world’s largest and most respected travel guidebook and digital media publisher has named Sri Lanka, the number one destination in the world to visit in year 2013.

The travel guide book highlights the emerging new popular places to visit in Sri Lanka including the newly opened up East coast and less travelled paths in the western coast as well : “North of the capital Colombo, on Sri Lanka's west coast, Kalpitiya and the Puttalam lagoon are eco-tourism hotspots with bird watching and kayaking. Near Dondra Head, on thesouth coast, mighty blue whales are regular visitors from January to April while land-based wildlife thrills include the leopards and elephants of Yala National Park, and the more rugged and remote Wilpattu National Park, open once more after being closed for more than two decades”

 

The Unity Vesak 2012 - celebrations held at Mel Lastman Square today drew large crowds, estimated at over 1700 people who witnessed a noble display that was truly multicultural. The celebration was the brainchild of Consul General for Sri Lanka in Toronto, Mr. Karunarathna Paranawithana with the collaboration of Maha Sangha and leaders of all the Buddhist Temples and communities in Canada. It was a diverse spectacle enjoyed by the multitude of people in weather conditions that may be called “ideal” for the occasion. The event brought together a coterie of Maha Sangha from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for the first time in this great city of ours.  H.E. (Mrs.) Chitranganee Wagiswara, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Canada was present to support the efforts of the Consul General and his team.

Sri Lanka’s 64th Independence Day Ceremony organised by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto on 4th February, 2012 was a great success with wider participation of Sri Lankan communities.