Travel guide on Sri Lanka in Arabic launched

The first travel guide on Sri Lanka in Arabic language penned by a UAE national was launched yesterday at the Sri Lanka pavilion in the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

The guide book titled "Sri Lanka: The Most Beautiful Island in the World", is a 205-page guide on the island nation which has become a favoured travel destination for Gulf residents.

The author, Heba Al Mansoori, Middle East director of the Sri Lanka Tourism and Promotion Bureau is a former broadcast and print journalist in Dubai. She holds a post graduate degree in mass communications.

Al Mansoori has a keen interest in social activity and charity work both within and outside the UAE and has visited Sri Lanka frequently.

"I love travelling and was fascinated by stories of Sri Lanka by our housemaid and gardener, who both hail from Sri Lanka. I first visited the island national with my whole family and I was totally enthralled by the experience and has since come back many times to discover more fascinating aspects of the country."

Al Mansoori said the book is a "labour of love" and proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to a charity.