Indians are crazy about cricket. The world knows it and so does the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Board (SLTPB). So, this year the latter is making a serious bid to get Indians to travel to the island nation for the three-test, five-ODI series in July-August where, hopefully, Sachin Tendulkar will break Brian Lara's record of highest runs in test cricket (he's just 171 runs short).
Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and other well recognised cricketers in India have been pressed into service as ambassadors for Sri Lanka tourism; print, internet and PR campaigns have been unleashed, tie-ups forged with Sri Lankan Airlines and a few five-star hotels; and special packages put together which work out to an approximately 50 per cent discount on the market rate (a two-night three-day package costs around
Rs 18,000/person, ex-Mumbai) inclusive of air fare, accommodation, airport transfer and so on). That's not all
