The pioneering tour agent to Myanmar as well as the market leader in domestic tourism, Travelon Ltd., recently undertook a very special task to give humanitarian aid to victims of "Cyclone Nargis" who were badly affected in Bogalay and Phyapon districts in the Irawaddy Delta.

Bandula de Silva, Director Operations who took the initiative of the project was ably supported by Kumara Semage, President Sri Lanka-Myanmar Friendship Association and ex-co members Nandadasa Rajapaksha of DSI fame and Osmund Liyanage renowned engineer in French Technology. Teacher's Travel Club led by Mrs. Chandra de Silva also took a prominent role in collecting funds on a 'grassroot' level to support this worthy cause.

On the Mynmar side U. Aye Kyaw, Managing Director of Ruby Land Tourism Co-coordinated with the Myanmar Embassy in Sri Lanka in obtaining special permission for Mr. de Silva to travel to restricted area and was ably supported by U. Ngwe Tun Oo, ex-commissioner of Rehabilitation Department of Phyapon.

While the donor group was in Phyapon, they were received by the Minister of Tourism Major General Soe Naing who appreciated the gesture by Sri Lankans in supplying urgent medical needs worth nearly 2.5 million Kyat.

'The travelling public from Sri Lanka should note that it is 'Business as usual' in Myanmar and should not have any hesitation in booking a package tour of Myanmar in the coming months. The Monsoon rainy season is coming to an end and the pilgrimage tour season will commence from September' said Bandula de Silva.

Travelon Ltd., has organized a 10 day tour to Myanmar from September 10 which covers Yangon, ShweDagon, Bagan, Mandalay, Monyawa (new addition), Mingun, Sagaing, Amarapura, Heho, Inle Lake, Pindaya, Nyaung Shwe, Kyaikhtiyo (Golden Rock).

This will be the first group tour to Myanmar from Sri Lanka after the devastation of 'Cyclone Nargis'.