Sri Lankan Batik

Over the past several decades the Indonesian art of batik making has become firmly established in Sri Lanka. Indeed, it is now the most visible of the island’s crafts. Galleries and factories, large and small, have sprung up in many tourist areas. For instance, rows of small stalls selling batiks can be found all along Hikkaduwa’s Galle Road strip. Mahawewa, on the other hand, is famous for its Sri Lankan Batik factories.

Batiks incorporate fascinating motifs and colours, some traditional others highly contemporary and individual, but they all display a vigorousness of design unique to the island. The material created by the batik-makers is used to produce distinctive dresses, shirts, sarongs and beachwear ideal for tropical climes. Many tourists at seaside resorts such as Hikkaduwa; wear batik clothes throughout their holiday. Apart from clothes; Handmade Batiks, Table Clothes, Wall Pictures, Beach Clothes, Pure Cotton & Silk, Mens & Ladies Wears, Bed Covers are popular as a reminder of a visit to SriLanka.

The process by which batik is produced consists of the multiple waxing and dyeing of cloth. First, the desired pattern is drawn on a plain piece of material. Molten wax is then applied to those areas of the cloth that are not to be dyed. Next, the material is immersed in the required dye and washed when the colour has set. If more colours are desired, the process of waxing and dyeing has to be repeated. Originally, when batik making was a cottage industry, one artist created the entire batik from start to finish.t to finish.

CMB - Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport in Sri Lanka

The Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport is a large airport located in Sri Lanka serving the area of Colombo, Katunayake. Below a few things we know

Also known as

බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්‍යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපොල, Bandaranayake

IATA / ICAO Code

CMB / VCBI

Longest Runway

10,991 feet

Decimal Coordinates (Lat/Lng)

7.181 and 79.884

Coordinates by Time (Lat/Lng)

N 7° 10' 50" and E 79° 53' 2"

Website / Homepage

http://www.airport.lk/

Wikipedia Article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandaranaike_International_Airport

The airport began as a Royal Air Force airfield in 1944 during the Second World War, RAF Station Negombo

In 1957 it closed as the British left the island, and SWRD Bandaranaike removed all the British Military airfields from Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the airfield was handed over to the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) and renamed Katunayake. Part of it still remains a military airfield.

In 1964 Anil Moonesinghe, the Cabinet Minister of Communications started the building of a new international airport to replace Ratmalana, with Canadian aid. The airport was completed in 1967, and Air Ceylon, the national carrier, began international operations from it using a Hawker Siddeley Trident and a leased British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) VC-10.

It was named after former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike, in 1970. It was renamed Katunayake International Airport in 1977, but was changed back to Bandaranaike International Airport in 1995.

On 7 November 1971 the first Boeing 747 landing took place, the Boeing 747-200B was operated by Condor was carrying German tourists from Frankfurt.

In the early 1990s the position of the airport's runway (04/22) was shifted northward and the old runway was made into a taxiway for departing and arriving aircraft.

Airport expansion projects have recently been undertaken at the airport under the Stage 1, Phase II Expansion Project. A pier with eight aero-bridges opened in November 2005. A new terminal with an additional eight gates is proposed to be built under Stage II of the Phase II Expansion Project. Construction of the new Stage II, Phase II Expansion Project is expected to commence in November 2014 and is expected to be completed by 2016, a section of the terminal is to be opened for the passengers by end 2015.

On 7 May 2007 the Sri Lankan Government decided to shift some military aviation operations out of the space adjoining the airport to SLAF Hingurakgoda, thus paving the way for more civilian operations.

As part of the airport development program, a passenger train service was launched between the Airport and Colombo Secretariat Station, in June 2010. They also unveiled plans to extend the Colombo-Katunayake airport express train to Ratmalana International Airport

The airport is used by Emirates as an alternative emergency airport for its Airbus A380 aircraft.

Bandaranaike International Airport is equipped with 6 double jet way gates in preparation for airlines introducing Airbus A380 service.

On 9 January 2012, an Airbus A380-800 operated by Emirates flight EK 413 from Sydney landed at Bandaranaike International Airport. This was the first time in history that an Airbus A380 had landed in a Sri Lankan airport. EK 413 had taken-off from Sydney en route to Dubai, but needed a refuelling stop. Originally planned to refuel at Singapore, it was decided to land in Colombo instead. The exact cause as to why the A380 needed to refuel is not known.

On 26 July, The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Sri Lanka police set up a new security system at the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake to identify criminals. The new system is expected to help identify the most wanted criminals.

Bandaranaike International Airport is equipped with 18 double jet way gates in preparation for airlines introducing the Airbus A380. Emirates airline to fly the A380 to Bandaranaike International Airport in 2015 or 2016, deploying the aircraft on its daily Dubai–Colombo service.

Jetwing Blue, Negombo

Redefining the old Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel property, the new Jetwing Blue transforms a perennial old landscape into one of contemporary style and elegant repast. Jetwing Blue promises a Blue ambiance that conjures moods of comfort and indulgence; a haven in which one can linger and not easily let go !

Sitting on the bronzed sand of Negombo Beach, 5-star Jetwing Blue Resort boasts 2 spectacular outdoor pools, a spa and 2 dining restaurants. It provides rooms with breathtaking views of the ocean.

The Jetwing Blue is only a 10-minute drive from Negombo Railway Station and 12 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport. Surrounded by local eateries, it is 38 km from Colombo.

All rooms offer the comfort of a private balcony where guests can enjoy the warm ocean breeze. Bright and airy, they feature a seating area, a flat-screen TV and a minibar.

Blue Jetwing Resort’s restaurants serve a wide variety of international dishes, while refreshing beverages are offered at Centre Point Bar located by the pool.

Guests can work a sweat at Jetwing’s fully equipped fitness centre or the resort’s squash courts. Alternatively, visit the tour desk to organise excursions to nearby attractions including the Old Dutch Fort Gate and Little Rome.

#3 Most Popular Location | Negombo Overview

Negombo situated by the shores of a lagoon by the same name once has been a trading port for Portugese and Dutch and is a ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport. Attractions in the city are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villagers. The 100km long canal running through the town is still being used and is an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective. 

The stretch of road towards Kotchchikade comes to life at dusk (most shops are open at daytime too) with many handicrafts and curio shops, gem shops, restaurants and internet cafes catering for tourists.