Sri Lanka’s first and only international kite festival, the ‘Derana- Signal Colombo International Kite Festival,’ commenced today (09) at 1.00 p.m. at the Galle Face Green in Colombo.
Registration of competitors commenced at 10.30 a.m. today, with all arrangements in place for the colourful festival, which is set to transform the Colombo skyline with kites from Sri Lanka and around the world.
The event is being organized for the sixth consecutive year by the Derana Media Network in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Police.
According to data from the International Kite Federation, the Derana Signal Colombo International Kite Festival is ranked ninth among the world’s 62 largest kite festivals. It is also described as the only international kite festival in Sri Lanka registered with and supervised by the International Kite Federation.
This year, around 2,500 local competitors and 80 international kite flyers representing 30 countries across six continents are expected to participate in the festival.
Competitions will be held today under eight categories:
1. Creative Kite
2. Creative kite featuring the Derana logo
3. Creative kite featuring the Signal logo
4. Magic Ice Cream most colourful kite
5. Kotmale most vibrantly decorated kite
6. Suncrush artistic peacock kite
7. DSI Beat best-looking kite – Under 15
8. Signal night kite
International kite flyers from countries including India, Australia, Germany, France, Indonesia and China, representing a total of 30 countries, have already arrived at Galle Face Green since this morning to take part in the festival.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Police have implemented a special traffic plan around the Galle Face area today.
A total of 21 parking facilities have also been established across Colombo for motorcycles, three-wheelers and vehicles belonging to spectators attending the festival.
Following the conclusion of the kite festival, the Derana ‘BOOM TOWN’ musical concert will be held at Galle Face Green from 7.30 p.m. today.
The concert will feature the popular youth music group, ‘Avatar.’
The Derana Media Network also requests all those in and around Colombo to visit Galle Face Green and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience at the ‘Derana Signal Colombo International Kite Festival.’
