Lankan Fest 2017 to be held on 26 February in Melbourne

Lankan Fest 2017, organised by the LankanFest Inc. and endorsed by the Colombo Chamber of Commerce (CCC), will be held for the third consecutive year on 26 February at the Riverwalk - Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, Australia. 

This is the only festival of its kind to be held in Australia and aims to expose Australians to the rich and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka, by providing a quality experience that includes authentic Sri Lankan food, arts, crafts, spices, tea, entertainment and tourism. 

Lankan Fest 2016 was a massive success, according to the organisers, and attracted more than 25,000 individuals, setting a record as one of the largest ethnic festivals in Melbourne. The festival this year hosts over 40 different stalls and is expected to attract an even larger crowd compared to its predecessor due to its prime location. 

Many political and VIP figures in Melbourne as well as from Sri Lanka are expected to grace the opening ceremony of the event this year including Deputy Minister of Tourism, Christian Affairs and Land Arundika Fernando.

Sri Lanka plays a prominent role in this matter as an endorsee of this event. CCC President Dr. Amila Kankanamge, who is currently in Melbourne attending to the pre-organisational activities of the event, expressed his views to Australian media: 

“Lankan Fest is one of the most significant Sri Lankan events in Australia. A large number of Sri Lankan SMEs are expected to participate in the festival this year. This can be considered as a valuable opportunity for local SMEs to venture into the international market. It should also be noted that the Victorian Government and the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka rendered a great support towards the success of this endeavor.”