Largest Lions Forum to bring in over 2,500 delegates & boost foreign exchange revenue to SL

The 44th India, South Asia, Africa and Middle East (ISAAME) Forum will be held in Sri Lanka from 30 November-3 December. 

The Lions Club International-Sri Lanka will host the ISAAME Forum, which is expected to attract a minimum of 2,500 foreign delegates from over 62 countries from South Asia, Africa and the Middle East together with delegates representing 20 guest countries from Europe, America and Asia. 

The ISAAME Forum will take place at several venues in Colombo due to the size of the event. The Inauguration ceremony will take place in the banquet hall at Temple Trees while the main conference and closing ceremony will take place at the BMICH in Colombo. As the headquarter hotel Cinnamon Grand Colombo will also host a significant part of the conference. 

This is the fourth time that this international conference is taking place in Sri Lanka. However, unlike in the past this is the first time a forum of this magnitude is taking place in post-war Sri Lanka. The international body has indicated that well over 2,500 delegates will attend the conference. 

Organisers were forced to limit foreign delegate registration to a maximum of 2,500 registrants. The Lions Club said it was certain that these high-spending delegates would patronise and make good use of the country’s resources, culture, heritage, food and hospitality and would contribute towards the country’s foreign exchange earnings. We are also of the view that these delegates will definitely be repeat visitors to Sri Lanka. In fact the direct and indirect, long-term and short-term benefits from this conference will have a major impact on the Sri Lankan economy, the organisers said.

The forum will focus on the challenges facing the Lions of the world with regard to 21st Century humanitarian service, based on the theme ‘Towards the New Century of Service’. It will also present participants with an opportunity to visit a multitude of local tourist attractions and enjoy a memorable experience.

As the event’s official airline, SriLankan Airlines is offering a special 15% discount to participants travelling to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Bureau and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau are also supporting the event.

Many other concurrent events are taking place at this conference such as the Lions Business Forum and the Lions Cricket Sixes, a country parade and a cultural perahera pageant for the benefit of the delegates, the Sri Lankan business community and the general public.