SriLankan Airlines’ latest advertisement, “Ramayana Trail,” has been garnering widespread acclaim for its portrayal of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and historical connection to the epic Hindu story of the Ramayana.
The five-minute commercial features a grandmother narrating the ancient tale to her grandson, who is curious about the island where the demon king Ravana held Sita captive. The grandmother explains how modern-day Sri Lanka corresponds to the kingdom of Ravana, highlighting key locations linked to the story.
The ad showcases several landmarks, including Ravana’s cave near Ella, believed to be where Sita was kept, and the Sita Amman Temple, or Ashok Vatika Sita Vihara, in Sri Lanka. The commercial also touches on the Ram Sethu Bridge, famously associated with the bridge built by Rama’s army to reach Lanka, which can still be seen from the Indian coast.
In a poignant moment, the grandmother shares the story of the mountain that Hanuman carried to save Lakshmana, with SriLankan Airlines suggesting that Rumassala Mountain, known for its unique medicinal plants, may be part of the same rock.
The ad has sparked excitement across social media platforms like X, with viewers praising the airline’s initiative to promote spiritual tourism. Many users expressed their admiration for the ad’s captivating narrative and its potential to inspire global travelers to explore Sri Lanka’s Ramayana heritage.
“This is such a spectacular ad. It made me feel so emotional. Our tourism sector should learn from this,” one user commented. Others were equally impressed: “What a great advertisement! Evoking historical places from the Ramayana, it is sure to spark curiosity and draw many to explore the rich heritage of Sri Lanka.”
The advertisement has been hailed as one of the best in-flight commercials, sparking enthusiasm among viewers, with some already planning trips to Sri Lanka after seeing the promotional video.
