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| Sunday, 6 March 2005 |
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Rafter's Retreat - nature at its best by Arundathie Abeysinghe
Situated on the grounds of a colonial era mansion Rafter's Retreat at Kitulgala, (only 100 kilometres away from Colombo) is a nature- friendly experience for those who want to live at a different pace for a few days. There are 11 tree houses overlooking the river, where you feel that you are almost on the banks of the Kelani river. The tree houses named 'Ehela' 'Wal del' provide a comfortable yet rustic living experience with their bedrooms through which one can experience nature at its best. The lodges have specially designed bathrooms and a lounge area. The tree houses and the dining area have been built with minimal clearing of the land, and the trees and shrubs surround the paths and the tree houses. The large open dining and lounge area with handmade wooden chairs and mud floors provide a perfect vista of the fast-flowing river. Rafter's Retreat is owned and managed by Channa Perera, a marine engineer by profession. An experienced lifeguard he first got the idea about rafting while visiting the United States. At Rafter's Retreat, one could enjoy nature in all its beauty and excitement, without undue damage to the surrounding area. Rafter's Retreat is a place where eco-tourism has been put into practice, than it being just a buzz-word. For nature lovers, a stay in an eco lodge is a wonderful experience. ############ Eden reinvigorates with Rs. 150 m investment by Jayampathy Jayasinghe Tsunami wreaked havoc on several hotels in the southern coastal belt particularly those beyond Kalutara extending up to the Yala National Park. Severe damage was caused to most hotels while some were partially damaged. The tsunami which struck the southern coast brought tourism to a grinding halt. However, partially damaged hotels have been renovated and are now operational. The Eden at Moragalla, Beruwela was one of the first star class hotels to be restructured and re-opened. The deadly tsunami which struck the Eden Resort and Spa caused colossal damage to ground floor rooms and other areas. The hotel underwent a complete refurbishment program costing Rs. 150 million. The renowned Malaysian architect Karim Hussein, did the renovation work in collaboration with Bali based Australian interior designer, Franco Benidinelli. Eden, a 158- roomed hotel with an investment of Rs. 650 million was opened a decade ago. Its occupancy rate at that time was soaring around 70 percent. Most of its clients were from Germany and the United Kingdom. A smaller number of tourists came from France and the Netherlands as well. Last week when we visited the hotel there were a few foreign tourists, relaxing near the pool-side, a far cry from what it used to be prior to the tsunami disaster. During the mid part of December up to the time of the tsunami the southern coast hotels experienced an avalanche of tourists from Western Europe. Most hotels were booked throughout the winter season till the tsunami disaster struck. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world which nets around Rs. 3 trillion a year. Experts have predicted that the industry will flourish again after people overcome the fear psychosis. ########### HACCP certificate for Mount Lavinia Hotel Mount Lavinia Hotel was the first Hotel in Sri Lanka to receive the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification. At the presentation ceremony Wirasinha said: 'Mount Lavinia Hotel being a historically famous Hotel in Sri Lanka with international recognition as an outstanding institution has set an example to other organisations in the country by achieving this certificate which guarantees the high standard of quality and the safety of food served to customers. Wirasinha said HACCP is a logical scientific system that assures safety in food processing and preparations. The introduction of HACCP has signalled a shift in emphasis from resource intensive product inspection and testing to preventive control of hazards at all stages of the food chain. The award of this certificate by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) to Mount Lavinia Hotel is a commendable achievement realised through the cooperation and commitment of two leading organisations in the country working together towards the promotion of quality and efficiency in every sphere of service, he said. |
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