Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by BEVERLEY JANSZ

When young Nimal Geeganage finished his studies at Dharmasoka Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda, his ambition and vision in life was to be the owner of a tourist hotel.

Front view of the hotel

At the start it was only 'wishful thinking' as he had no resources to make his dream come true. He entered the hospitality industry by following a tourist guide lecturer's training course in German language. He left for Germany in 1982 where he secured employment in a hotel. Geeganage worked there for two years and mastered the German language. In Germany, he met a business partner who was willing to make Geeganage's dream come true.

After returning to Sri Lanka, he purchased a half acre land overlooking Sri Lanka's most beautiful beach Unawatuna. To augment his resources, he joined Hemtours as a German Guide Lecturer. With the assistance of his German partner, Geeganage's ambition in life began to blossom when the foundation stone was laid for a tourist hotel. In 1997 Geeganage's cherished dream came true when the doors of Cormaran Beach Resort opened. Cormaran is built in the village of Ganahena, Unawatuna, just seven kilometres from the southern city of Galle. It has 12 spacious rooms offering all modern facilities, including air conditioning, telephone, hot/cold water, and 24-hour room service. Each room has a balcony offering guests a breathtaking view of Unawatuna, now classified as one of the ten best beaches of the world.

Lanka’s showpiece beach ‘Unawatuna’ overlooking the hotel

The resort has become popular as a terminus to guests visiting Yala, and Sinharaja tropical rain forest. The banquet hall/restaurant at Cormaran can accommodate over 300 guests. It has become popular for large scale weddings, seminars and workshops, for which the hotel offers all sophisticated equipment. The restaurant serves a variety of cuisine, including Western, Chinese, Sri Lankan and vegetarian dishes, prepared by Executive Chef, Wasantha Kodagoda and his team of expert cooks. Kodagoda is an experienced chef, with wide experience in the relevant field.

A special feature at the restaurant is that it overlooks the Unawatuna beach, offering guests a scenic view of the beach while dining. Consultant/General Manager of Cormaran Beach Resort, H. R. Hewawasam is a versatile hotelier, with over 25 years experience in the hospitality industry. As a hotelier, he has gained wide experience here and abroad.

The hotel caters mainly to tourists from 'NUR' Germany, brought in by Hemtours. The hotel's main tourist chains are LTU, Jahn Reisen, Germany. The beach BBQ buffets arranged by Cormaran for tourists, with candle light, have become extremely popular among tourists from Germany and other European countries. Cormaran is a place of peace and beauty overlooking the beautiful Unawatuna beach, ideal for a family holiday away from the stress of day-to-day life. The hotel is a German/Sri Lanka collaboration owned and managed by Beach Hotel Cormaran (Pvt) Ltd. Its Directors are Nimal L. Geeganage (Managing Director) and Mrs. Irangani Lanka Geeganage (Director).

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager