Conference Dates
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February 20-23, 2017
Inauguration: February 20, 2017 in Colombo
Conference Sessions: February 21 -23, 2017 in Kandy
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Host
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On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka
Ministry of Finance
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Sponsors
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The World Bank
The Asian Development Bank
The Islamic Development Bank
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Venues
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Inaugural Ceremony
Cinnamon Grand Hotel
77, Galle Road,
Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
T: +94 112 437 437
Key Contact in Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo
Shane Hallock (+94 0773136796) email (shaneha@cinnamonhotels.com)
Conference Sessions
Grand Kandyan Hotel
89/10, Lady Gordon’s Drive
Kandy
Sri Lanka
Tel +94 81 2030400-6
Key Contact in Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy
Mr Ruwan Dharmapala, Front Office Manager. (+94 75993303)
email (resgrandk@gmail.com)
In-house Doctor :
Dr. Weerasekara (+94 718600478 )
Consultation fees to be borne by participants
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Visa
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- Early bird option — Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
- For those who submit their ETA application on or before January 31, 2017, arrangements are made through Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of Immigration and Emigration to process their visas locally.
- Requirements :
- Duly completed ETA Application form
- An invitation letter from the Govt. of Sri Lanka recommending the issuance of visa to the applicants.
- Valid passport with one unused visa page (passport should be valid for six months from intended the date of departure from Sri Lanka — after the intended visit)
- Through Sri Lankan Overseas Missions
- For those applying after January 31, 2017, and those who wish to make their own arrangements may handover their visa application to the nearest Embassy of Sri Lanka as soon as possible. For facilitation in visa process, invitation letters are being issued by the MoF. Business ETAs are not available online. Participants must obtain business travel authorization either from the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy/ High Commissions or Consulate before arrival in Sri Lanka.
- Requirements:
- Duly completed Business Visa application form
- Two recent photographs optimistic — passport size — (Colour)
- Valid passport with one unused visa page (passport should be valid for six months from the date of departure from Sri Lanka — after the intended visit)
- Following Documents should be submitted:
- An invitation letter from the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka recommending the issuance of visa to the applicant
- A request letter from the organization in the participants’ country recommending the issuance of visa and giving details of the status of the applicant, nature of visit for which the business visa is sought, i.e Participate in Conferences, Workshops and Seminars, duration of stay, availability of funds, and details of the party in Sri Lanka with whom the business is to be conducted.
- Relevant Visa fees
- Submitting an ETA Application at Port of Entry to Sri Lanka.
- Participants who wish to visit Sri Lanka without prior ETA approval, a limited facility to obtain ETA at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is available. Additional fees will apply.
- Steps to Follow:
- Upon arrival at the BIA, report to the ETA issuing counter and fill in the ETA application form and pay the relevant ETA processing fee only in US$. Only electronic payment cards (credit card/e-commerce enabled debit cards) and cash in US$ are accepted.
- If your application is approved, the ETA will be issued for up to 30 days.
Receive your ETA approval notice or referral notice. If referral notice is served, you will be refused entry and returned to your original destination?
- Once you have received your ETA, please proceed to the Immigration Counter and submit your passport
- It is advisable to keep a copy of the ETA approval with you to be produced at the Immigration Counter at BIA. All ETA holders should produce the following requirements at the port of entry:
- A passport valid for not less than 6 months from the date of arrival.
- A confirmed return air ticket.
- Self-sponsored participants are eligible to apply for tourist ETA. For further details, please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
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Air Tickets |
Nominated Participants, South Asia Procurement and Innovation Award Winners: Arrangements are being made by Country Office of the World Bank. You will be contacted by the following WB staff regarding your travel itinerary. |
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Arrival at Banadatanaiyake InternationalAirport (BIA), Katunayake and transportation |
All Participants and Resource Persons arriving at BIA, Katunayake will be received by the Protocol Officers assigned at the airport. The Protocol Officers will assist in customs, immigration and baggage clearance and accompany you to the VIP Lounge. At the VIP Lounge, the Welcome Group (staff assigned by the Ministry of Finance) will receive you and assist during transfer to The Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Should you have any problem, please call Ms. Gihani Martyn (+94 773 017161) or Ms. Sahan Srimali (+94 76 799 45 95) |
Accommodation |
At Cinnamon Grand, a room is exclusively booked for you on B/B basis. You are expected to arrive at the hotel by the evening of February 19, 2017, and check-out on the morning of February 20, 2017, prior to attending the inaugural session. Checked-in bags may be handed over to the designated Officer (details will be shared shortly) before 09:30hrs for transport to Kandy so that the Participants will have enough room. As the checked-in bags will be transported separately, you are requested to place the luggage tag provided to you at time of registration for identification purpose. Please ensure that you only carry a hand luggage with you.
All guest rooms will have complimentary WiFi connection.
Breakfast at Cinnamon Grand Hotel will be served at Taprobane Restaurant.
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Meals |
Conference Days: Breakfast, tea/coffee during morning and after breaks, lunch and reception/dinner will be arranged each day.
Non-Conference Days: Expenses on arrival in Colombo on February 19 and return to Colombo from Kandy before departure on February 23 and 24 on meals and any incidentals, such as drinking water and laundry, will be reimbursed by the sponsors against receipts up to a maximum of US$135.00.
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Registration |
A Registration Desk will remain open on February 20, 2017, between 08:00 and 09:00 hrs for conference participants and Resource Persons. |
Conference Venue |
The Inaugural Ceremony will be held at Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo and all sessions of the conference at Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy.
Day 2 Session: Royal Peacock (Level 1)
Day 3 Session: Conference Room (Level 4)
Breakout sessions: (level 4)
- Conference Room
- Thai Restaurant
- Indian Restaurant
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Transport to Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy
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Transport to Kandy is arranged at 14:15 hrs from Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Staff assisting in the conference will direct you to the buses.
In Kandy, if time permits, a short visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic has been organised before reaching the hotel. It is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site and houses the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha. All Participants are kindly requested to be dressed in light coloured attire preferably in long pants and skirts. Footwear and headwear must be removed before entering.
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Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy |
At Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy, a room is exclusively booked for you on B/B basis. Breakfast, tea/coffee during morning and after breaks, lunch and reception/dinner will be arranged each day. Breakfast and lunch will be served at Tamarind Restaurant (level 4). |
Welcome Dinner |
Reception to welcome all Participants in Fourth SAR Public Procurement Conference will be held on February 20, 2017, from 19:30-20:30hrs at the Golden Eagle Ballroom, Grand Kandyan, Kandy. |
South Asia Innovations Award Ceremony |
February 21, 2017, from 6.30 to 7.30PM South Asia Innovations Award Ceremony — 10 mts Presentations by each winner of South Asia Countries followed by award ceremony. |
Sponsors Dinner
(WB, ADB and IsDB Hosted Reception) |
Reception hosted by the Sponsors will be held on February 21, 2017, from 19:30-20:30hrs at the Golden Eagle Ballroom, Grand Kandyan, Kandy. |
Dinner by the Host Country |
February 22, 2017: Gala Dinner will be hosted by Government of Sri Lanka at 19:00hrs at Sky Lounge (Level 6), the Grand Kandyan, Kandy. The dinner will commence with a brief cultural show of Sri Lankan Traditional dances. |
Dress Code |
Inaugural Ceremony |
: National/ Lounge |
All other sessions |
: Business Casual |
Welcome Reception |
: Casual/ Informal |
Sponsors Dinner |
: Business casual |
Host Country Dinner |
: National/ Lounge |
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Field Visit |
A field visit to Greater Kandy Water Treatment Plant and Water Fittings and Testing Equipment Laboratory, National Water Supply and Drainage Board Katugastota is planned on February 23, 2017, organized by Mr Sarath Gamini, Project Director, Greater Kandy Water Supply Project. Distance from the hotel to the Greater Kandy Water Treatment Plant and Water Fittings and Testing Equipment Laboratory is 4.8km and it is expected to return from the field visit by noon. All Participants and Resource Persons are requested to board the buses at 08:45hrs by handing over the checked-in bags to the designated officer prior to the field visit. The checked-in bags will be transported to Colombo in a separate vehicle. |
Departure from Kandy |
Departure from Kandy is planned at 14:30hrs on February 23, 2017. All Participants and Resource Persons are expected to check-out from the hotel after lunch. Staff assisting in the conference will direct you to the buses. |
Departure from Sri Lanka |
For those who are leaving on the evening of February 23, 2017, changing rooms will be arranged at the Cinnamon Grand hotel and all others will be booked in at Cinnamon Grand hotel.
Depending on your flight schedules, arrangements are made for airport transfers 5 ½ hrs ahead of the scheduled flight time in order to avoid long queues and delays at BIA due to runway closure.
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Payment Arrangements for Hotel |
You will be required to pay, upon check-out, any additional costs that you incur in the room like laundry, mini bar, room service, etc. |
Trip Settlement after Conference |
Upon return, the nominated participants need to submit the original copy of invoices and boarding passes to the concerned WB CO staff.
The invited guest speakers need to submit the original copy of invoices and boarding passes to Plamen Stoyanov Kirov, WB.
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Self-sponsored Participants |
World Bank Colombo office will assist in reserving rooms for self-sponsored participants in The Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo and in Grand Kandyan Hotel, Kandy. However, you have to settle your bills directly with the hotel for accommodation, incidentals and airport transfers. |
Additional Information
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Time and Weather
Sri Lanka is 05:30 hours ahead of GMT.
Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate. Coastal or upland areas benefit from the sea breezes or cool mountains all year round. The average maximum temperature in Colombo during month of February is 23-31 ℃ while 19-23℃ in Kandy with occasional showers. Nights are cooler than the normal day temperature. Delegates are recommended to bring light summer clothes preferably cotton, light jacket or sweater and an umbrella or raincoats
Banking and Currency
The official currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), which is currently exchanged at approximately LKR. 148.28 to 1 US Dollar. Most international currencies and travelers cheques can easily be exchanged at commercial banks, hotels and the international airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Many hotels, restaurants and shops accept reputed visa and Master Cards. No surcharge should be permitted for its use. Cash advances are possible against Credit Cards in certain banks.
Electricity supply in Sri Lanka is 220-240 volts, 50-hertz.
Telecommunication and internet services: IDD and international roaming facilities are available in Sri Lanka. If you would rather not use your own mobile phone on roaming but still want to be contactable, the cheapest alternative is to get a mobile phone connection with one of the major mobile operators — Dialog, Mobitel, Etisalt and Airtel. All these phone companies have a pay-as-you-go plan where you can buy a local SIM card for around LKR. 200/- at the airport.
Essential Numbers, in case of emergency
Police 119
Fire and Ambulance 110
National Help Desk 118
Accident Service General Hospital, Colombo + (94) 11 2691111 Crime + (94) 11 2691500
Teaching Hospital, Kandy - +(94) 81 2222261
Health Precautions
Sri Lankan physicians, though, many of whom have trained in the West, are particularly experienced in dealing with locally occurring diseases.
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