The Sri Lankan Government has spent almost Rs. 1000 million to prepare the city of Colombo for the International Indian Film Academy awards, revealed the Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.
Colombo was given a complete facelift in anticipation of hosting the awards, with several improvements to its infrastructure and venues in the city.
The awards ceremony was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, which was also completely renovated for the event. “450 million rupees was spent on revamping the stadium, to bring it up to the international standards required to hold the IIFA awards”, confirmed the Deputy Minister.
When questioned as to how much returns the country would receive after such a huge investment, Abeywardena responded rather vaguely, stating that the 2200 Indians who had flown down to Sri Lanka for the event were quite a source of income.
“It is hard to give exact figures on the returns the country has received – however all the hotels in Colombo were fully booked which is very promising”. The Sunday Leader learns however that most of the hotels gave complimentary rooms to the Indian stars – while other were given the rooms at special concessionary rates.
The Minister is also certain that the exposure the country received by hosting the awards will boost tourism within the next two years, with an anticipated increase of 50% in the amount of Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka. The FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum held over the weekend to promote bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka is also set to improve economic growth in the country, he said.
sundayleader
Colombo was given a complete facelift in anticipation of hosting the awards, with several improvements to its infrastructure and venues in the city.
The awards ceremony was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, which was also completely renovated for the event. “450 million rupees was spent on revamping the stadium, to bring it up to the international standards required to hold the IIFA awards”, confirmed the Deputy Minister.
When questioned as to how much returns the country would receive after such a huge investment, Abeywardena responded rather vaguely, stating that the 2200 Indians who had flown down to Sri Lanka for the event were quite a source of income.
“It is hard to give exact figures on the returns the country has received – however all the hotels in Colombo were fully booked which is very promising”. The Sunday Leader learns however that most of the hotels gave complimentary rooms to the Indian stars – while other were given the rooms at special concessionary rates.
The Minister is also certain that the exposure the country received by hosting the awards will boost tourism within the next two years, with an anticipated increase of 50% in the amount of Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka. The FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum held over the weekend to promote bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka is also set to improve economic growth in the country, he said.
sundayleader
