The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, with the sponsorship of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, organised the inaugural screening of a Sri Lankan wildlife documentary produced by Belgian public broadcaster RTBF for Le Jardin Extraordinaire, a leading nature and environmental programme targeting French-speaking audiences. The screening took place on 10 October 2026 at Le Delta, the Provincial Cultural Centre in Namur, as part of the Namur International Nature Festival, attracting more than 400 nature enthusiasts, conservationists and biodiversity lovers.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, Chandana Weerasena, and the Embassy team attended the screening. Following the event, Ambassador Weerasena participated in an interactive question-and-answer session with Belgian journalist and wildlife filmmaker Tanguy Dumortier, who had joined the RTBF crew during filming in Sri Lanka. The discussion highlighted Sri Lanka’s natural heritage, distinctive wildlife and potential for nature-based tourism.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, facilitated the filming of this special edition of Le Jardin Extraordinaire in Sri Lanka earlier in 2026 to showcase the island’s rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems and natural beauty to audiences in Belgium and other French-speaking markets.

The documentary team visited several of Sri Lanka’s prominent wildlife destinations, including Wilpattu, Udawalawe and Kumana National Parks, as well as the Sinharaja Rainforest. Jetwing Eco Holidays (Pvt) Ltd served as the official accommodation and travel partner for the television crew during its stay in Sri Lanka.

Le Jardin Extraordinaire is Belgium’s longest-running television programme and one of Europe’s oldest nature documentary programmes. First broadcast on 3 October 1965, the programme celebrated its 60th anniversary on RTBF, Belgium’s French-language public broadcaster, in 2025.

As part of the promotional activities, Sri Lankan tourism brochures were distributed among participants, and tourism banners were displayed at the venue. Ceylon tea was also served to introduce guests to one of Sri Lanka’s internationally recognised products.

Belgian tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka reached a record high in 2025. The wildlife documentary, scheduled to be broadcast on RTBF in November 2026, is expected to further enhance Sri Lanka’s visibility as a nature and eco-tourism destination, supporting the growth of tourist arrivals from Belgium and other French-speaking markets.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Belgium

14 October 2026