Sri Lanka 2014

Conference Location

The Matale District is south of Kandy in Sri Lanka's Central Province. Two UNESCO World Heritage sites are located here. The Ancient City of Sigiriya is an archeological wonder of Sri Lankan city planning, arts, gardenscaping, engineering, hydraulic technology and defense from the 5th Century AD. The Golden Temple of Dambulla has been a prilgrimage site since the 2nd century BCE and is the largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Other attractions include the Ibbankatuwa pre-historic burial grounds (750 to 400 BCE), Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple, and Wasgamuwa National Park and Sri Lankan elephant reserve.  See also: The Official Sri Lanka Tourism Website

Conference Hotel

Heritance Kandalama

The Heritance Kandalama Hotel is a high quality eco-resort located in in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle, located 20 minutes from the ancient town of Dambulla and 160km from Colombo. It is an ideal with an environmental design and ethic that is well aligned with conference theme. The hotel is in a unique location with fascinating environmental friendly architecture and operations for conference delegates to learn and enjoy. It is also the top rated hotel in the Dambulla area on TripAdvisor and promisses and unforgettable experience.

It is IMPORTANT to book your room early at the Heritance Kandalam because August is the peak tourism season.  To book your room at the Heritance Kandalama (or for other accommodations questions), please contact Mr. Mohamed Aslam <msmaslam125@gmail.com>, the local organizer for the conference.Accommodations of lower quality and price are are possible in the Kandalama-Dambulla area, but you would need to provide your own transportation to the conference hotel.

Esela Perehera (festival of the sacred tooth relic) is an extravagant and ancient pageant that will be taking place in Kandy on August 1 to 10. Conference participants may should make an effort to visit Kandy immediately before the conference to experience this must see event.

VISA REQUIREMENT for International Participants

Almost all international participants need an Electronical Travel Authorization (ETA, like a visa) to attend the conference.  For most attendees, it is sufficient to obtain a Tourist ETA online at <http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/>.  Requirements vary by country, however.  If you have questions, please contact the conference organizer, Mr. Mohamed Aslam <msmaslam125@gmail.com>, for further assistance.

How to Get to Heritance Kandalama

TAXI - from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Kandalama - about US$65 (3 hours, 99 miles) - You can also rent a car from the airport and drive yourself (read this).  Related to taxis, you can hire a car and driver/guide through a travel agency. Some that you may consider are: Casons Travels, Sri Lankan Hires and Sri Lanka Exclusive Tours (also on Facebook), among others.

FLY - from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Sigiriya Airport (GIU) - about US$225 r/t (30 min, non-stop, Cinnamon Air), then taxi to Kandalama - about US$6 (8 miles) - see: Cinnamon Air, SriLankan Airlines' Air Taxi, and FlySriLanka. The Heritance Kandalama can also arrange airport transfers at a fee.

See also: How to Reach Dambulla -and- Getting Around Sri Lanka -and- http://www.rome2rio.com/s/Colombo-Airport-CMB-Sri-Lanka/Kandalama

Note: Sabaragamuwa University of Sril Lanka's Dept. of Tourism Management is working on obtaining special transporation arrangements for conference attendees with a local tour operator. Information on this will be posted here as it becomes available.