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| Sunday, 13 February 2005 |
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A sacred city due to link with 'Rama Seetha' Nuwara Eliya also known as little England for its cool climes, British architecture and natural beauty is also promoted as a sacred city because of its link to the " Rama Seetha "love story.
She was married to King Rama of India. Finally King Ravana went to India and brought Queen Seetha to Badulla. However, looking after her created a lot of problems for the King so that he had to hide her in several places. According to legend she had first been hiding close to Welimada at the Paranagama Sthripura Gal Lena. She had stayed amidst tight security and this made her sick. This worried King Ravana who wanted to find a solution for her sickness. The place where she stayed in India was similar to Nuwara Eliya with a cool climate and beautiful surroundings. Therefore he took her to Nuwara Eliya where she was permitted to go about freely. The place she stayed came to be known as Seethaeliya. Any person travelling from Nuwara Eliya along the Welimada road for about five miles can reach Seethaeliya. Today it is well known for vegetables and a variety of flowers such as roses and carnations. There is also an old Hindu Kovil at Seethaeliya. In the old days it was known as "Seetha" kovil but today it is known as "Seedai Amman" kovil. The Hindus make vows at this kovil because they believe that there are miraculous powers. Seetha Ela Adjoining the Seetha kovil is a stream known as the "Seetha Ela" According to legend when Queen Seetha came to reside at Seethaeliya there had been no stream and all her needs of water had been supplied by the king. Once when she got angry with the king she had refused to drink the water supplied by the king saying that it is better to die dashing her head on the rock rather than drink water from your enemy. Saying so she had dashed her head. Fortunately she was not injured but there was an opening on the rock and water started gushing. Today it is known as the Seetha Ela. Kondagala According to legend Queen Seetha had very long hair and she had found it very difficult to dry it after a bath. Therefore after a bath she used to spread it across a big rock which is today known as Kondagala. A person travelling from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy along Ramboda Pass can see the Kondagala. Divrum Wela To show her devotion to her husband she made a vow in front of a Bo tree. The place where the Bo tree is situated is known as Divrum Wela. Even today there is an old Bo tree at this place. Legend has it that eventually Seetha's husband King Rama won the fight with King Ravana and took his wife back to India. *********** Colombo Plaza annual 'Service Awards' The Colombo Plaza recently held its annual 'Service Awards 2005' in recognition of the yeomen service rendered by its longstanding employees. This year, 83 Associates counting over 5 to 30 years of service, were recognised and honoured for their contribution towards the hotel's success. Each employee was also given a token in gold in accordance with the years' of service. At the ceremony, Colombo Plaza's General Manager, Rohan Karr, said the Service Awards recognised the contribution rendered by these associates/employees while reiterating the hotel's commitment to appreciate and applaud those who contributed towards its success over the years. "We are rewarding you for all the hard work and support that you have given the hotel through its different phases. We urge you to continue with your dedication," the General Manager said. Emphasising the Colombo Plaza's vision to be the number one hotel in Sri Lanka, Karr said making that vision a reality was possible within the not too distant future. "We are not there yet with our product, but when it comes to people, we have the best in the hospitality trade working with us. With such commitment from people like you, there is no doubt we can make our vision a reality", he said. **************** No change in business at Jetwing Hotels Jetwing Hotels said that it has always been 'business as usual' at all their hotels. Even though there was a loss of one of their hotels following the tsunami, the rest of the group bounced back to business immediately. A spokesperson for the group said, "there was no need to close any of our other hotels, since the damage was at its bare minimum" Second to the Yala Safari Game Lodge, The Blue Water was the other hotel affected. Water had flooded the ground floor and sixteen rooms were not functioning. However, the Blue Water was open for guests and functioning as normal by January 1. Lighthouse Hotel and Spa was one other hotel affected, but the hotel was not closed for any renovation and functioned at its normal pace. Having lost the Yala Safari Game Lodge, which was damaged beyond repair, Jetwing Hotels said that this hotel will be rebuilt as a 50-roomed luxury property. Plans are already being drawn up and the building will be completed by 2006. Moreover construction on the other properties in Nilaveli and Sigiriya will also continue. Jetwing Hotels owns and manages, Hunas Falls Hotel - Kandy, St. Andrew's Hotels - Nuwar Eliya, The Beach - Negombo, Ayurveda Pavilions - Negombo, Tropical Villas - Beruwela, Blue Oceanic Beach Hotel - Negombo, Vil Uyana - Sigiriya (opening 2006), Seashells Hotel - Negombo, The Beach Camp- Nilaveli (opening 2005) and Sea Garden Hotel - Negombo. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Travelling from Colombo for 174 kilometers you reach Nuwara Eliya and
another two kilometers will take you to the village Seethaeliya. According
to legend King Ravana who ruled the country from Badulla kidnapped Queen
Seetha.
