The next big event of the world after the Olympics being Expo 2015 that will be launched on the 1st of May has attracted two hundred key private sector entities with some wanting to be in the Sri Lanka pavilion right across six months said the Commission General for Sri Lanka Rohantha Athukorala when he addressed the tourism sector participants at the Sri Lanka tourism premises.

The core committee of Expo 2015 - Shirani Herath, Jeevana Fernando of Sri Lanka Tourism and Mr.Somasena of the ministry of commerce, Commissioner General Expo 2015 Rohantha Athukorala sharing the Expo 2015 Plan with Italian Ambassordor Fabizio Pio Arpea at the Italian Embassy

During the 6 months which starts from the 1st of May 2015 we will dedicate 1 key sector per month that will set the stage for Sri Lanka to be featured in global news where by we can add to the brand value of Sri Lanka which is currently at 61 billion dollars. We must become a 80 billion dollar nation brand within the next two years said The commissioner General who took the challenge with the top executives from a cross functional agency team to set the Sri Lanka pavilion within just six weeks post a cabinet decision that was taken where Sri Lanka must take part at Expo 2015 under the direction of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe who personally negotiated for the pavilion to be given free to Sri Lanka by the Government of Italy.  For the 1st time I have seen Sri Lanka coming together to peg the brand Sri Lanka at the global stage. This is makes Expo 2015 unique said Athukorala on behalf of the team.

Sri Lanka Tourism is targeting a forty percent plus growth in the next two years due to

The strong media associated with Expo 2015 that will be staged in Milan for 6 months

The Sri Lankan pavilion will host 7 key sectors for Sri Lanka- Sri Lanka Tea Board with the positioning ' Ceylon Tea- Ethically manufactured clean tea', Sri Lanka. Export Development Board with the positioning ' Preferred destination for ethically sourced merchandise', National Gem and Jewelry  positioning "Sri Lanka - The Sapphire capital' , Handicrafts positioning "sri a Lanka -  Traditionally hand crafted Handicrafts, Sri Lanka Tourism - "8 wonderful experiences in 8 wonderful days", BOI on the theme " Best place to do business in South Asia" and Sri Lankan Airlines. 

The Italian market that registered a 12.9% growth as at end 1st quarter 2015 with 5277 visitors is targeting a forty percent growth in the next two years given the strong marketing support and key partnerships that will be firmed up in the next 6 months at World Expo said Athukorala.