28 February 2017 12:00 am
‘Lankan Fest 2017’, organized by the LankanFest Inc. and endorsed by Colombo Chamber of Commerce was held for the third consecutive year, on the 26th February at the Riverwalk - Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, Australia.
This is the only fest of its kind in Australia and aims to expose Australians to the rich and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka, by providing a quality experience that includes authentic Sri Lankan food, arts, crafts, spices, tea, entertainment and tourism.
The festival this year hosted over 40 different stalls and is expected to attract an even larger crowd compared to its predecessor due to its prime location.
Many political and VIP figures in Melbourne as well as from Sri Lanka graced the opening ceremony of the event this year including Deputy Minister of Tourism, Christian Affairs & Land, Arundika Fernando.
Sri Lanka plays a prominent role in this matteras an endorsee of this event. Dr. Amila Kankanamge, President of Colombo Chamber of Commerce who is currently in Melbourne attending to the pre-organizational activities of the event, expressed his views to Australian media.
“Lankan Fest is one of the most significant Sri Lankan events in Australia. A large number of Sri Lankan SMEs are expected to participate in the festival this year. This can be considered as a valuable opportunity for local SMEs to venture into the international market. It should also be noted that the Victorian Government and the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka rendered a great support towards the success of this endeavor.”