Peace time Sri Lanka sees former Naval troopship the ‘Jetliner’ converted to a venue for meetings conferences and other functions.
The refurbished troop transporter belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy was previously used
to transport troops from the Eastern port of Trincomalee to Kankasanthurai in the Northern Jaffna peninsular. Since the end of hostilities in May 2009, the ship has been refurbished and is intended to be a flag bearer of maritime tourism. The 'Jetliner' with a passenger carrying capacity of 600 passengers and 160 motor vehicles also has a banquet area, mini conference hall, a ballroom, an observation salon and a deck area with a capacity to host 250 guests.
The ‘Jetliner’ is being marketed as a venue for weddings, conferences and corporate events, and for other ceremonies, to be hired on an hourly basis, or for day trips, either docked in the port or outside the territorial waters. The vessel is to be manned by Navy crew with catering and entertainment to be outsourced, on a need to basis and is scheduled to commence operations in February this year.