'Hikkaduwa Beach Fest' 08' , the Carnival on beach will come alive with top names in the local music scene, entertainers international DJs, Jazz sessions and top dancers from July 30 to August 3.
'Hikkaduwa Beach Fest' 08' is organized by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Drummers Elephant Foot, flutist Bikram Singh and VJ Nikhil of MTV will be the top attraction of the Carnival, apart from all the activities during the night. The Hikkaduwa Carnival is going to be exclusive and for first time the floor is set for seven professional dancers from the Glamslam Entertainment Company, UK, which supplies dancers of the highest calibre in any style. Glamslam dancers have performed at the highest levels for television, film and theatre around the world.

One of many highlights is the visit of MTV (Music TV) VJ, K. B. Chinapa (Nikhil) with his 9-member crew from Mumbai. Zee Music, also from Mumbai, will be here for the bash and will go live in their channel.
Our own, Alston Koch will steal the night when the event kick starts on July 30.

The Drum Festival which is scheduled to be held on, Thursday, July 31 is expected to be a crowd-puller. The percussionists and flutist present at the event are team of extremely talented local and foreign artiestes. The band 'Naadro' with Rakitha Ruwan Wickramaratne, Gayan Manokumara, Nalinda Dilupama and Alston Joachim, Ranga Nuwantha, Pabalu Wijegunawardene, and Uthpala Iroshan will drum till dawn at the carnival. Leading pianist, Harsha Makalanda who had been performing around the world will also go on stage that night. Percussionist and dancer, Ravibandhu Vidyapati, and Jananatha Warakagoda also and excellent percussionist, will take the by their magical performance.

It's also going to be a night with flutist Rajkumar Bikramjit Singh, a descendent of an illustrious royal family of Minipur, India. It is also a reminder for music lovers that six renowned DJs, Paul Medez who released 61 singles worldwide and Jenn Martinello (USA) who is famous for his single 'Shiny Disco Balls' (USA), Jorge Jamarillo of Denmark, to name a few, will specially be flown to Sri Lanka for this five day mega event.

Hikkaduwa hopes to bring in people from around the world, Sri Lankans, real estate owners who have property in Hikkaduwa. There will be competitions, themed nights, games, kid's entertainment, exhibitions, evening concerts and a Jazz Festival. The beach festival is one of its kind carnival as hotels surrounding the area will get a chance to participate in the celebrations.

Each night is especially themed for all fun-lovers. There is one night that fully caters to all women, one night especially for family members with their children running up and down, and three nights for the partying group namely a street rave, a beach rave and a jazz festival. This carnival with many more to come will help Hikkaduwa to come to an identity of its own.

Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Dileep Mudadeniya, said, "Hikkaduwa Carnival is going to be a fantastic collaboration of Sri Lanka's culture and cuisines representation to all who come to visit us this year. What's more interesting is that all participating hotels/bars/restaurants/resorts/shops surrounding Hikkaduwa will be encouraged to decorate their premises in preparation for this carnival and showcase Sri Lanka's heritage either it may be from cuisine, crafts and also culture. We are also proud to present trophies and certificates to the best decorated hotel/bar/restaurant/resort/shop taking part in the Carnival".

For more information the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has a one stop guide to hotel reservations, travel information, where to stay guides and many more. Please log onto www.srilanka.travel for more information.

Sri Lanka Airlines flies 11 times a day from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Colombo. You can log onto their website at www.srilankan.aero.