Sri Lanka promotes MICE tourism for potential stakeholders in Dhaka



Ashrafuzzaman Uzzal
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne

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In the `Evening of MICE Promotion’ Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne highlighted the emergence of Bangladesh as a key target market in the South Asian region with its palpable presence.

He said, Bangladesh has proven its self-determination, economic development and resilience within a very limited time frame while broadening its horizons especially in the fields of trade, investment and tourism.

He also said, 50 years of reflection of the two nations will undoubtedly maximize its collective potential in the coming years and the `Evening of MICE Promotion’ will be the first of many in unleashing centuries of solidarity and fraternal ties between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.


The event was held on 1 September at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Dhaka Bangladesh. The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in collaboration with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh and SriLankan Airlines convened the program. The event included a Media Briefing, Business Match Making Program between the Sri Lankan Delegation and the invited Bangladesh MICE buyers, followed by a Business Forum and Dinner Reception held at the High Commission premises. 

The main objective of this exclusive event was the positioning of Sri Lanka as a preferred MICE Destination and showcasing the opportunities to Bangladesh Travel Trade, Professional Conference Organizers (PCO) and MICE organizations.

More than 80 participants from Bangladesh representing Outbound MICE Agents, Corporates, Association Heads and Incentive Houses and 12 Sri Lankan MICE Industry Companies, the National Flag Carrier SriLankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) collaborated and engaged in exploring the MICE industry potential of the two countries.


The Association of Travel Agents Bangladesh (ATAB), The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA), The Tour Operators Association in Bangladesh (TOAB) and the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association (BDTWA) were also partnered with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in organizing the event.

Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Thisum Jayasuriya said, Bangladesh is a key source market in the South Asian Region for MICE and has shown a positive trend in its increase in the MICE traffic over the past years. The SriLankan Airlines direct air connectivity has positively encouraged to develop the sector. Sri Lanka is working towards catering to the Bangladesh MICE visitors in coordination with the Sri Lankan MICE stakeholders to sustain and increase the volume of Business by adding special experiential features.

In addressing the gathering, Manager SriLankan Airlines in Bangladesh Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya said, SriLankan Airlines will endeavor to provide its best services from departure to the inflight experience and return journey to all its passengers, which will be especially extended to the MICE groups along with a warm welcome on board Sri Lanka’s national carrier. SriLankan Airlines presently operates daily flights on the Colombo-Dhaka sector being an added advantage for all travellers.


Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh hold great fortitude in sectoral cooperation particularly in the areas of tourism, trade and commerce, shipping and people to people contact whilst being significant members of SAARC, BIMSTEC and the Commonwealth of Nations. Sri Lanka shares a great deal of comfort in doing business with Bangladesh and has been able to maintain a symbiotic relationship which entails the future growth of both countries.

This year, the two countries are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and together will forge ahead in friendship and solidarity.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB):

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) functions under the Ministry of Tourism and Lands of Sri Lanka. The main mandate of the Bureau is to promote MICE tourism and thereby increase the Sri Lanka’s destination appeal in international markets as a preferred destination for MICE.  


SLCB identified Bangladesh as an important market within the South Asian (SAARC) Region. As per the outbound travel trends in Bangladesh, it was projected that there have been approximately 2.6 million trips in 2021.

About Sri Lanka:

A landmark destination in the ancient Spice Trail, Sri Lanka is bursting with wonder. This tropical island is famous for its diverse landscape: from the blue seaside belt to green mountains, and the island's lavish greenery ranging from coconut palm groves to paddy fields and tea plantations, adorned by over 200 natural waterfalls. One must explore Sri Lanka's pristine beaches and visit the `Ramayana trail' sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya and the fascinating history of Dambulla. Be it family and leisure getaways, adventure and rejuvenation, Sri Lanka has so much to explore.

   

Rahul Gandhi sick in heat



International Desk, Barta24.com,Dhaka
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Lok Sabha election campaign is going on in India amid intense heat wave. Political leaders are continuing to campaign despite the unbearable heat.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fallen ill. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh disclosed the news of Rahul Gandhi's illness on Sunday (April 21).

Jairam Ramesh said that Rahul Gandhi has fallen ill. He cannot leave Delhi right now. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will address the Ranchi rally after attending the Satna meeting.

Rahul was scheduled to attend the opposition camp's mega shows in Satna in Madhya Pradesh and Ranchi in Jharkhand on Sunday.

Ahead of the mega show, Ranchi is decorated with posters of India Alliance leaders. The poster has pictures of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren.

Apart from Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Kejriwal's wife Sunita and Hemant Soran's wife Kalpana were scheduled to address the meeting. 

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Erdoğan's meeting with Ismail Haniyah



International Desk, Barta24.com Dhaka:
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting with Ismail Haniyah, the leader of the Palestinian independence organization Hamas, who is visiting Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed the importance of Palestinian unity in the meeting.

On Saturday (April 20), the two leaders met in Istanbul for about two and a half hours, Turkish media reported.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was welcomed at Dolmabak Palace in Istanbul. Members of his delegation were also with him at that time. One of the most important leaders of Hamas was Khaled Mashal.

Turkish state media TRT reported that Erdogan and Haniyah discussed a ceasefire and relief in Gaza.

"It is very important that the Palestinians work together in this process," Erdogan said in a statement after the meeting, calling on Palestinians to unite in order to win against occupying Israel. The strongest action against Israel and the path to victory depend on unity and integrity.”

Erdoğan's meeting with Haniyah was not taken well by the occupying Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the meeting in a post on the micro-blogging site X.

On October 7, the war between the Palestinian armed group Hamas and Israel began. More than 34,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in this war so far. Turkish President Erdogan has been condemning Israel's brutality since the beginning of the war. He said he and his country would side with Hamas in the war against Israel.

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Blind astrologer Baba Bhanga's words are going to be true!



International Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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When Iran and Israel face the Gaza issue, everyone is worried! Everyone's question - what is going to happen? Which way is the world? Is the world on the same path as the blind astrologer Baba Bhanga had expressed his apprehension about? World War III! Or a terrible 2024!

It has been 27 years since the woman who was skilled in astronomy left the illusion of the world. But for more than 3000 years from now, she has predicted what will happen in the world in any year. The world has already realized that all her words are not completely false. The most recent is the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic was also mentioned in the prophecy of Baba Bhanga.

And her statement about 2024 was that it will be a year shrouded in terrible blackness. Those fears include terrorist attacks across Europe, a global economic crisis and the use of biological weapons. She even calculated that there would be an assassination attempt on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This Bulgarian astrologer died in 1996. She was called the Nostradamus of the Balkans. In those days of astrology, Baba gave a list of what would happen on Earth by leap years until the year 5079. In the years since her death, some events have matched her calculations, and many have begun to believe them to be true. Her calculations showed 2024 as a black year. In this situation, many people are looking forward to see whether any predictions of Baba Bhanga will come to fruition. It is being published so far as a result of those words.

I have already talked about the Covid-19 pandemic. But another burning memory in this list is the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States. Baba Bhanga predicted this possible attack in 1989. Said birds made of steel will come and crush America's pride. That came true. Four planes came and broke the pride of the skyscraper and took away 3000 fresh lives. Baba Bhanga meant the airplane by the steel bird.

In 1966, Baba Bhanga was a prediction of the covid-19 pandemic. She warned that Corona will spread among all of us. The Daily Star quoted a 73-year-old woman named Neshka Stefanova Robeva. She said before her death, Baba Bhanga told her the words. Then she did not even understand the meaning of this word?

It is said that Baba Bhanga also told the year of her death correctly. She said she would die on August 11, 1996 at the age of 85. Her words are also claimed to be true. She died of breast cancer that year.

The world has not forgotten about the tsunami of 2004 even today. The tsunami that washed away Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other countries. Before the day of the tsunami, did anyone know that something like this was going to happen! No, but Baba Bhanga said that a huge wave will come and wash away the localities, towns and ports beyond the sea coast. Everything will sink under the water. It happened so. She said, everything will melt like ice cream.

The Kursk submarine disaster of 2000 was also mentioned in the prophecy of Baba Bhanga. She said Kursk would be submerged in water. And the world will cry. 118 people died in the Kursk accident. Divers were able to reach Kursk after eight days and it was known to be submerged in 350 feet of water.

The assassination of the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, was also on the list of predictions of this Bulgarian astrologer. This murder happened in 1984. Which in 1969, the Baba Bhanga predicted. She said, her clothes will destroy her. Amidst the smoke and flames I see orange-yellow clothing. On October 31, 1994, the day Indira Gandhi was assassinated, she was wearing a saffron colored saree.

This female astrologer also knew the news of the rise of two US presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. She said, a black man is going to be the 44th president of the United States. But her other words were not true. Baba Bhanga said that would be the last black president of the United States because Barack Obama was re-elected for the 45th term as president. She predicted the 45th, when the United States would be in crisis. But that coincided with Donald Trump. Many prefer to compare the issue with the events on Capitol Hill in 2020.

During her 50 years of practicing astrology, Baba Bhanga had other predictions that came true. Among them was the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986, the assassination of Princess Diana in 1997.

But there were some predictions that didn't quite match up. Like 2023 natural birth will end, earth will change its rotation path; solar storm will happen none of these things happened. She also said that Europe would cease to exist by 2017, which did not materialize. However, those who believe in astronomy try to match the words with Britain's exit from the European Union in 2023.

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Israeli attack in Gaza: death toll exceeds 34,000



International Desk, Barta24.com
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Another 42 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours in the Palestinian-besieged Gaza. With this, the number of people killed in the Israeli barbaric attack in Palestine reached 34 thousand. Another 63 people were injured in the last 24 hours.

This information was revealed in a live update of Al-Jazeera news media on Saturday (April 20).

According to the report, Iran attacked Israel in response to the attack on the Iranian consulate. In response, Israel launched an attack on Isfahan, a city discussed for Iran's nuclear project. This incident has created a very volcanic situation in the Middle East and around the world.

In such circumstances, the death toll in Gaza reached 34,000.

According to Al-Jazeera citing the Ministry of Health of Gaza, at least 34 thousand 12 people have been killed in the Israeli attack in Gaza since October 7 last year. Meanwhile, 76 thousand 833 people were injured. The death toll in Israel has reached 1,139 since the October 7 attack by Hamas. There are also dozens of Israeli citizens imprisoned in Gaza. 

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