The Sri Lankan economy has benefited no end since a 26-year insurgency ended in 2009. Growth exceeded 8 per cent in 2010 and 2011, up from 5 per cent per year on average during the civil war. Tourists have rediscovered the country and for the past few years Sri Lanka has been touted as one of the hottest destinations.
Key facts about Colombo, the country's capital:
Airlines: Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, FlyDubai and Sri Lankan Airlines connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Colombo.
Airport: Bandaranaike International Airport, located 35km north of Colombo at Katunayake, is the main airport serving the capital and is being upgraded to increase its passenger and cargo handling capacities. This includes a runway able to accommodate the A380.
An airport hotel: Jetwing Beach at Negombo. Styled by Sri Lanka's famous architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel offers a luxurious retreat just 20 minutes from the airport. Rates start from about Dh1,000 a night.
A downtown hotel: Founded in 1864, the Galle Face Hotel is considered the oldest hotel west of the Suez. Room rates start from about Dh475 a night.
Cost of cab from airport to city centre: 2,820 Sri Lankan rupees, or 3,102 rupees with AC, according to the airport's website.
A conference centre: The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall has the distinction of being the very first purpose-built convention centre in Asia.
A power restaurant: The Gallery Cafe has fusion cuisine and local favourites, at 2 Alfred House Road.
Visa: Multiple entry business visa costs $30.
Currency/conversion rate: 100 Sri Lanka rupees = Dh2.89.
Main businesses: The government is trying to make the economy more knowledge-based and turn the country into a hub within Asia for aviation, commerce, energy and seafaring. Sri Lanka was the world's top tea exporter until 2006. The government last year vowed to regain the No. 1 spot.
Things to do at night: The Cricket Club is a must for fans who will appreciate the memorabilia - signs, photos, souvenirs and signed clothing - scattered throughout the colonial villa.
lgutcher@thenational.ae
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
