Marking a milestone in the journey of the sixteenth national University of Sri Lanka, Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine hosts the first-ever Tourism Day Celebration: “In Paradiso” on the 27th of September, 2022. The event was conducted in parallel with World Tourism Day, under the theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’.

The event was organized by the undergraduates in Health Tourism and Hospitality Management degree of the Department of Indigenous Health Sciences, Faculty of Indigenous Health Sciences and Technology.

As the second youngest University of Sri Lanka under the purview of the University Grants Commission, the GWUIM dates back history of nearly one and half years and hence, this event adds another turning point of the GWUIM during its journey to reach landmarks. Especially, the university has introduced novel disciplines to the higher education arena of Sri Lanka and this event can be named as the culmination of efforts of one such academic discipline, which is Health Tourism and Hospitality Management.

The Tourism Day Celebration Ceremony was graced by Prof. Ranjana W. Senevirathne, Vice Chancellor of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine and the Chief Guest of the event – Dr. Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation.

Dr. Palitha Gurusinghe delivered the keynote speech at the ceremony, under the world tourism day 2022 theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’. Dr. Gurusinghe made extensive remarks on World Tourism Day including its objectives, the need for rethinking the tourism industry in the context of the whole world and the present status of the Sri Lankan tourism industry and the need for rethinking the Sri Lankan tourism industry.

In addition, at the ceremony, there was a creative visualization of Yoga Asana performed by the 1st year students of B.Sc. (Hons) in Yoga and Parapsychology, Department of Indigenous Health Sciences. Moreover, the students of the department have organized an exhibition and food stalls bringing a glimpse of culinary tourism to the GWUIM arena. Included in the food stalls were Sri Lankan authentic food items depicting various cuisines of the country from various regions. Further, in the exhibition, students displayed their crafting and art skills and an exhibition of woodcrafts, paintings and thread works also was in place. Amidst the woodcrafts were new inventions made by students that can be used in the tourism industry.

Dr. Gurusinghe receving plaqe of appreciation from Prof. Ranjana Senevirathna- Vice Chanceller of the University