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| Sunday, 8 February 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Serene Hotel Mihintale : Fully refurbished as star-class hotel by BEVERLEY JANSZ
The Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) realising its tourist potential, took over the guesthouse at Mihintale the same year. The CHC demolished it and constructed a modern building with ten guest rooms, renaming it Hotel Mihintale. The new hotel was opened by former Minister of Tourism, the late S. Thondaman on July 23, 1993. At that time, A.K. Mallimarachchi was the CHC Chairman.
Since veteran hotelier Bodhisiri Ranasinghe was appointed Chairman of the Ceylon Hotels Corporation last year, Hotel Mihintale has been given a new facelift with complete refurbishing. Built on two acres of land, artistically landscaped, Hotel Mihintale now stands as a star-class hotel offering guests all modern facilities. All guest rooms have been given a new look with elegant furnishing. They are now equipped with all modern facilities including A/C, telephone and room service. Four of the guest rooms which are 'deluxe' are also equipped with colour TV and mini-bar. Hotel Mihintale is popular as a stop-over for tourists visiting Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and other places of tourist attraction in the Vanni. The main attractions in close proximity to the hotel is the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, just two km. walking distance and the Mihintale Wewa from where tourists could spot peacock, deer and a large species of birds. The hotel has an elegantly furnished restaurant which could accommodate over 100 guests. It offers delectable Western, Eastern, Chinese and spicy Sri Lankan cuisine not only to resident guests but to others who patronise the hotel as a stopover spot as well.
Due to the efforts of Bodhisiri Ranasinghe the present CHC Chairman, Hotel Mihintale is now one of the best maintained hotels in the Central Province, Manager Shirley Balasuriya said. Balasuriya is a versatile hotelier with over 30 years experience in the CHC. The hotel stands in a most scenic location at Mihintale and has become popular not only among Sri Lankans but foreign tourists who wish to spend a peaceful holiday away from city life, Balasuriya said. Senior Manager,Marketing/Travel, Ceylon Hotels Corporation, Ranjith Balasuriya and his marketing team are making all efforts to popularise the hotel as a star-class location in the Eastern Province after Hotel Mihintale was given a new lease of life under the guidance of Chairman, Ranasinghe. ************ Elephant Polo attracts tourists The 4th Annual International Elephant Polo Tournament will take place in front of the historic ramparts of the World Heritage Fort of Galle, from February 9-14. Teams from Australia, Scotland, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Nepal will be trying to prise the Taprobane Trophy from last years champion Sri Lanka. Under the auspices of the Ceylon Elephant Polo Association (CEPA), the Taprobane Elephant Polo Club will once again be hosting a tournament renowned for its frenetic activity both on and off the field, says a press release from the CEPA. The 2003 matches were attended by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and many regulars of the now global Elephant Polo circuit. (see www.elliepolo.com). The popularity and success of this tournament reflects the growing interest in Sri Lanka as a top tourist destination, with its south coast rapidly developing as the alternative riviera of choice to those long established in the mediterancan. ************ Romance in the Wings from ACA
Floating in a hot air balloon feels as if you're suspended in the wind. The earth appears to be turning below. The horizon rises as you dip to kiss the treetops and again widens until the landscape spreads to incredible panoramic dimensions. A mere whisper of wind on your cheek tells you that the balloon has changed direction, moving with the breezes through the crystal blue sky... this is how many describe their ballooning experience and above all it is the "tranquillity, a surreal, peaceful and quiet experience." The Big Sri Lanka Balloon was customized for the country, capacity of carrying up to 16 people, under the vibrant colours that make up the envelope have all been inspired from the Sri Lankan National Flag, even down to the "Singha Kodiya" that graces centers of the balloon. Seeing this gentle, colourful angel of the sky sweep past stops everyone in their tracks to gaze into the Sri Lankan heavens. Inspired by the diverse landscape, natural wonders, rock fortresses, vast tanks and wild life of the country Director Adventure centre Asia Peter Stewart sought to bring the first commercial and equally inspiring new aviation product to the country so everyone could share intimately what nature and history has moulded to make what guests believe to be the most spectacular sights experienced, including even veteran balloon passengers from abroad. "It is a great boost to tourism and offers a new, exciting product that will support Sri Lanka as the new landmark destination to world tourism with great diversity of adventure, culture, wild life..." says Peter Stewart. ..."the travel industry is embracing hot air ballooning, realizing now that it is a safe and professionally run activity." With daily flights from Kandalama/Sigiriya, news of flights is reaching those adventurous of heart who also want to find out why many thousands choose to venture into the skies each year. With a 220 year history of flight ballooning seems to have it right in being classed "the safest form of aviation in the world." A Typical Flight is made up of a total travel experience of approx 4-hrs duration starting with the preparation and inflation of the balloon, flight briefing, takeoff, flight, landing and retrieval and return to your hotel after a champagne breakfast. A typical flight schedule is the early morning i.e. Sunrise, with flights commencing soon after dawn. for more information www.ac.asia.com will guide you there... a romantic valentine morning flight perhaps! (Beverley) |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Mihintale Resthouse had a modest opening in 1993 as a small guesthouse
with only two rooms. It was managed by the Urban Development Authority.
As February is ushered in it seems the first two weeks of the month are
blushed with romance, red hearts, roses and dinners for two amidst candles
and wine... Hot air ballooning also seems to be winning the hearts of the
romantics with a sojourn into the skies above Sigiriya with Adventure
Centre Asia (ACA) in Sri Lanka's "Land Like no Other" hot air
balloon. It's unique from all other forms of flight in that there is
little sensation of motion or perception of heights.
