Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has facilitated a special edition of Belgian wildlife documentary Le Jardin Extraordinaire (the Extraordinary Garden) to be filmed in Sri Lanka, with the objective of showcasing the island’s rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and exceptional natural beauty to the millions of viewers in Belgium and other French-speaking markets.

Following extensive discussions and preparatory work since 2025, the Radio-télévision belge de la communauté française - Radio and Television of the French Community (RTBF) film crew arrived in Sri Lanka on 29 January 2026 for a 14-day filming mission. The TV crew comprised director Vincent Somers, renowned journalist the famous wildlife filmmaker in Belgium Tanguy Dumortier and Cameraman Michel Teachy.

During the filming period, the documentary team will cover several of Sri Lanka’s most significant wildlife destinations, including national wildlife parks Wilpattu, Udawalawa, Bundala, Kumana and the Sinharaja Rainforest. Jetwing Eco Holidays (Pvt) Ltd will serve as the official accommodation and travel partner for the TV crew during their stay.

On 23 January 2026, Ambassador Chandana Weerasena, Minister (Commercial) Thavishya Mullegamgoda of the Embassy, together with Hony. Consul for Sri Lanka in Belgium Monique De Decker visited the RTBF studio in Belgium and discussed with the TV crew on final preparations of the planned filming programme prior to their visit to Sri Lanka.

RTBF is the public service broadcaster for the French-speaking community of Belgium and is widely recognised as one of the country’s most respected media institutions, with a strong reputation for delivering television, radio, and digital content with high-quality journalism and documentary production.

Le Jardin Extraordinaire is a prime-time wildlife and nature documentary series broadcast every Sunday at 8.00 p.m. on RTBF’s main television channel and internationally via TV5 Monde. With a broadcasting history of over 60 years, the programme has established itself as a trusted and influential platform among nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The weekly 30-minute episode features a series of documentaries exploring biodiversity and wildlife in their natural habitats, produced in a scientifically accurate and visually captivating manner, produced by his team in collaboration with selected international partners.

The programme attracts approximately 320,000 viewers each week in Belgium, accounting for a strong 27% market share during its broadcast slot, while also benefiting from extensive global exposure through TV5 Monde, reaching French-speaking audiences worldwide. The program also enjoys a strong digital and social media engagement as well.

Tourist arrivals from Belgium to Sri Lanka recorded the highest-ever number in 2025, and this forthcoming wildlife documentary is expected to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s visibility as a premier nature and eco-tourism destination and a rich biodiversity hotspot, contributing to sustained growth in tourist arrivals from Belgium and other French-speaking regions in years to come.