• Confifi Vacation Voucher Competition
• 'Wild Drift': Beyond leisure 
• Russians to promote Lankan tourism in 'red' block
• Chandrasiri : A man of many parts
• Iranian Children's Films

Confifi Vacation Voucher Competition

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Sunday Times readers are about to get the bonanza of the year. Confifi Group of Hotels together with TV Times launch a new competition today called Confifi Vacation Voucher Competition. 

This will enable our ardent readers to win eight full-board weekend packages for two at all six hotels of the group. To enter this competetion all you have to do is to answer three simple questions given below in the coupon and post it to the address given below. 

The address is Vacation Voucher Competition No.1, C/o TV Times , Sunday Times, No.8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo-2.

All the entries must be originals from the Sunday TV Times and no photocopies or faxes will be enterained. All correct entries will be drawn by a panel of judges. The entries should reach the above address by September10 , the latest. The decision of the judges will be final and the names of the winners will be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly.

Get ready to have the Beach holidays, which are incomplete without the exhilaration of adventure sports in water.

Confifi Marina in Beruwela would be the ideal location for water sports fans. The activities are held in the Bentara Ganga that is close by. The sports activities on offer are Water Skiing, Banana Boats, Sailing, Snorkelling, Jet Skiing, Tube Boats, Deep Sea Fishing, Canoeing, Jet Scooters, Wind Surfing, Body Surfing and Diving. For starters, most water sports can be learned in a matter of hours and you do not have prior knowledge to master any. All what you need is muscle and flexibility and sometimes a sense of balance. Knowing how to swim is preferably essential for some but not for all. 

Jet Scooter / Jet Ski / Wave Runner: This is one of the simplest sports. For the first time, an instructor rides pillion but it is possible to master the scooter in five - ten minutes and then you can do it alone. Wave runner is a more sophisticated jet ski that can do about 80km/hour. The regular Jet Ski can do about 40-50 km/hour.

Water Ski /Surf: This is when you hang on to rail / ropes with your hands standing on ski boards while a speed boat tows you along. All you need here is a sense of balance. It may take about five to ten rounds or about an hour and a half to reasonably master the ski. The first lesson is on the ground, then you cling to a crossbar fitted to the speedboat (do not stand on the ski immediately) and then you take the rope and the skies

Canoeing: There are two types of canoes - single and double. The latter is easier and can be learnt in about 10 minutes.

Wind Surfing: Not so easy. Takes about 10 hours of lessons to master. However, after the first six hours, you are pretty much there. First you get land lessons on how to handle the sail, put together all elements of the surfer and balance on the board. However, if you have done snow skiing, you may find wind surfing easier to learn. What is also required for wind surfing is abundant wind- therefore, unlike other sports, it is not possible to do it every day.

Banana Tube Boats: This is essentially a fun ride. A speedboat tows the inflated boat that is shaped like a banana. About five persons can sit on the boat at a time; you get your safety gear- life Jackets and head gear and then it is simply fun.

Wave Boards: You need an instructor to tell you the tricks of the game on the first day and then you can be on your own. This can be done only in the sea.

Body Surfing:. This requires practice. But, at least, you can begin and watch yourself become better as the hours go by.

Snorkelling: Does not require training or even the ability to swim. Great in good, clear weather. November, December January, February and March are the best months for snorkelling. You can spend time by exploring the coral reefs and watching shoals of fish swim by.

Besides the above any Confifi Group Hotels will also arrange for its guests, boat cruises including picnic lunches. At Confifi Hotels there are lots of fun activities to keep up the spirit of a holiday - where they serve you the "Ultimate Hospitality Experience."

'Wild Drift': Beyond leisure 

By Tania Fernando

Close your eyes, imagine a star lit sky, the sound of a river flowing and a forest next to it and a mountain range in close proximity too. I am not talking about a holiday I took, but a training programme I was a part of. This picturesque setting was all part of a learning process…learning to become a leader and a team player.

They say that leaders are born and not made. However, in today's context that would be incorrect as leaders could be made. That is exactly what I was learning, while enjoying the scenic surroundings.

The city was still stirring from its deep slumber, and here we are 14 strangers going for the same purpose, to Belihuloya. The first part of the journey was taken up with introducing ourselves. Everyone while telling their name had to mention their favourite pastime, the person who came next while introducing himself had to mention every other persons name and pastime too, this definitely helped break the ice among all of us.

We reached River Garden Resort at Belihuloya and after lunch we were divided into two groups namely 'Rama' and 'Ravana' after the legendary story of the bygone era, and I belonged to the 'Ravana' team. 

The first part of the challenge was aptly named the 'voyage'. The voyage was in simpler terms a treasure hunt, for which the only tools we were given was a compass and a set of instructions which had to be read and returned. We could take notes from it, but we had to study the instructions carefully, in order to find any loop holes.

The Ravana team left our destination, looking for the Na trees and the Kitul trees, trekking through mountains, rocks and rivers which was all part of the clues that we were given. Although we did manage to find the necessary clues and to proceed to the next, we did lose our way a couple of times, but that's where the challenge lay…identifying the mistake, and trying to convince the other team members to follow, this is done to interpret leadership attributes.

The final treasure was hidden inside a cave near a beautiful waterfall. After having trudged for almost four hours and covered a distance of about 5 km, we reached the river, where the Belihuloya and the Samanala Wewa meet. 

After having enjoyed a bath in the river we headed for the campsite. My legs could barely move an inch further when I was greeted by many illuminated lamps along the path, although I was still at the bottom I knew I had to get to the top to find out what was ahead.

The camping site was located in a place called 'Kinchigune' and the view from the campsite was breathtaking. I would not be able to do justice If I try to put it down in words. You could see a mountain range afar, the river flowing at a distance and cool fresh air blowing your way, making you forget the hours you spent trekking or your favourite TV programme back home.

The next was the debriefing session, where we were given the opportunity to express our opinion about any member of our team and how we could relate it to leadership challenges in our day to day life. The 'voyage' was on tape and both teams were shown where they made a mistake about reading the instructions etc.

Even after an exhausting day, sitting around a campfire having a sing song makes you forget the troubles you have left behind in Colombo, and enjoy the serene sounds of the surroundings.

After having woken up by 5.30 am the next morning and done some stretching exercises, the next few challenges were mind games, to exhibit our leadership skills.

The blind square was where we were all blindfolded and given a rope and we had to make a square. It was a case of everyone shouting to be heard and trying to get the attention of the members to pass on their opinions as to how it should be done. For the next challenge we were given a rope with four knots and told that each team had to untie the knots while not taking their hands of the rope. We had to go through each other in order to untie them, but it is actually possible. The second part of that was to tie a bow, yet again while not taking our hands off the rope.

There was another brainstorming session with the debriefing and everyone was asked what they had learnt from the two day programme. While most seemed to agree that they had should challenge the process, I decided that I should learn to be more firm with what I want and not go along with the flow, but that sometimes its good to go against the tide.

'Wild Drift' the brainchild of Anuruddha Bandara of Eco Team and Rukmal de Silva on InnerSense have come together to give others chance to experience outdoor adventure training. While Eco Team is a nature related activity Company which is primarily engaged in Eco/nature/agro tourism, InnerSense designs , implements and presents the programme.

During the two days, what Rukmal and Anuruddha impart is five fundamental concepts of effective leadership which were brought to light by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner after decades of research.

According to Poster and Kouzes leaders should challenge the process, inspire others to share their vision, identify abilities of others and create a healthy atmosphere to understand their contribution. Leaders always model their way and they set the big picture and lead from the front while encouraging others to give their best.

While its almost difficult to leave the place, its time to try and put what we have gathered in the last two days into practice and harvest better leadership skills.

The motto of Eco Team and InnerSense is 'Come Experience, Learn and Live'. The experience is worth it and things will never look the same after you have experienced the 'Wild Drift Challenge'.

Russians to promote Lankan tourism in 'red' block

By Naveen Jayawardena

A group of Russians have landed on the Sri Lankan soil to give a boost to the country's crippled tourism industry. The group consisting of Travel Agents and a TV crew are intending to make some television programmes which will be telecast in Russia, Russian Federation and Eastern Europe. 

The travel agent Spitnik Asia, is a leading tour operator and was the pioneering travel agency even during the Soviet Union era. The TV crew, is expected to produce a TV programme to be telecast in the Tv channel, NTV. The 30 minutes programme will elaborate on Archaeololical and Cultural aspects of the country. The crew have already signed agreements for it to be telecast on three separate Sundays. This information was disclosed at a media briefing hosted by the Ceylon Tourist Board and Travel Asia. 

According to the crew, most Russians are unaware of Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. They think that this programme will enlighten them about the country. The programme has proven highly effective in molding the perceptions of the viewers. In one incident, a couple who watched the programme on Thursday were so impressed that they went to the particular destination on the following Monday. They said that the programmes are made with so much detail that the viewers get a nice picture of the place they intend to visit.

To the question, how did the negative propaganda affect the tourists in Russia, they answered that fortunately they get correct information in Russia. There was no negative propaganda. The crew believes Russian tourists to start coming to Sri Lanka from October this year. Though they are not sure of the numbers, they are positive that many would come to the country. 

Although most of the tourists like to sun bathe, another trend is towards adventure and eco tourism. 

Chandrasiri : A man of many parts

By Susitha R. Fernando

Anura Chandrasiri, the producer of "Diriya Minissu", a TV program depicting people who had succeeded in financial dealings has many talents he can be proud of. 

Having entered the field of art in the late 70s Chandrasiri acted in a stage play produced by Jayasekara Aponsu. Later he did many roles in twenty to thirty plays. He produced "Parasathuro' (Enemies) and became a dramatist of note. "Hima Kumari" which he made later won several awards including those for best actor and actress. 

"Acting in the "Wesak Nattya" conducted at the Sunday school paved the way for me to join the stage later" Anura Chandrasiri said. Though doing over 25 different jobs none of whi-ch brought him satisfaction he finally opted to work as a teledrama director and TV programmer. 

Assisting Shelton Payagala in his "Golu Muhude Kunatuwa" Anura Chandrasiri entered the cinematic world. 

Most of his works have won him praise and awards. "Sayanaye Sihinaya" his first directorial venture won awards at the Srasavi Film ceremony and "Swarna Sanka" citation for the Best Music award for the same film. 

"Thunweni Eha" directed in 1996 too won several awards. 

Anura Chandrasiri directed the teledramas "Makara" and "Mahanaduwa" for the small screen and was given recognition at the Sumathi Tele Awards of that year. "Agni" and "Ekalas Ginna" were other direction he did for the mini-screen. 

Anura became a programme producer for the doing "Diriya Minissu" a series of documentary works interviewing thriving businessmen around the country. Discussing the true experiences of the businessmen on their way to success, the programme every Tuesday at 10 pm has been telecast for last two years. 

Chandrasiri has now started another semi-dramatic programme backed with ideas by Sidhalepa chairman, Victor Hettigoda to voice childrens' rights. The programme named "Punchi Kekulu" highlights the ugly abuses children are subjected to in their homes, schools and other places. 

"Surya Devi" his latest teledrama is to be released soon. This 22 episode teledrama revolves around the idea of the introduction of tea plantation to the Low Country. 

The play depicts some true happenings that had taken place in the Deniyaya area. 

This gifted artiste said he was writing a script for a film based on the fall of the left movement in Sri Lanka and how it has effectively contributed to the uncertain political system prevalent today.

Iranian Children's Films

Asian Film Centre presents three outsantding Iranian Children films at Russian Centre from September 3 to 5 at 6.00 p.m.

This mini film festival comprises with The White Balloon (Sept.3), The Apple (Sept. 4) and The Colors of Paradise (Sept. 5).

The White Balloon was the debut film of Jafar Panahi which won the Camera d'or Prize at Cannes Film Festival in 1995. Also it won several major prizes at festivals around the world.. Charming, entertaining and refreshingly free of sentiment, audiences and critics alike have rightly proclaimed it a classic film. The screenplay was written by Abbas Kiarostami.

The Colors of Pradise was directed by Majid Majidi, the acclaimed director of Children of Heaven. The Colors of Pradise is a fable of a child's innocence and complex look at faith and humanity. Visually magnificent and wrenchingly moving, the film tells of the story of a boy whose inability to see the world only enhances his ability to feel its powerful forces.

The Apple was the debut film of Samira Makhmalbaf the daughter of Moshen Makhmalbaf. She was 17 years when she made this film in 1997. With its unaffected charm and natural humour, The Apple won the Sutherland Trophy for the best first feature at the London Film Festival.

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