The 'magic' oil that lured tourists to Lanka

by Beverley Jansz

"When my 13-year old paralysed sister was miraculously cured by Ayurvedic treatment, I was determined that I will someday spread the word of Ayurveda throughout the world.

At the start it was only a 'dream,' but I thought to myself 'I will hit the world market with these two bottles of Ayurveda herbal oil, which I took along with me to Switzerland to begin my campaign to give Ayurveda its due place around the world.' These were the sentiments expressed by Sunil Seneviratne, Managing Director, Ayurveda Walauwa Tourist Hotel and Hotel Club Paradise, Bentota.

Seneviratne is the pioneer in spreading Ayurveda to the Western world, and his company 'Sri Budhasa' was the first to release a brochure on Ayurveda.

In 1990 Sunil wrote to all the leading travel agents in Europe regarding the launch of Ayurveda. By 1996, Sunil received a tremendous response from leading tour operators who had visited Sri Lanka to learn more about Sri Lanka's traditional Ayurveda treatment.

Sunil is now the proud owner of one of Sri Lanka's pioneering Ayurveda hotels, the "Ayurveda Walauwa." He is also the owner of Hotel Paradise, Bentota. Due to his untiring efforts, a large number of tourists from Germany, Switzerland and all parts of Europe flock to Sri Lanka now, for Ayurveda treatment.

The "Walauwa" is equipped with facilities for enhanced Ayurveda treatment, together with leading and well experienced Ayurveda doctors under the direction of Ayurveda Professor M.S. Cooray Vidyashekhara who treat foreign guests at the most traditional Ayurveda clinic which is equipped with all facilities.

Sunil Seneviratne is a Ceylon Hotel School Graduate and his Swiss wife Dr. Rita Albiez, is a medical doctor qualified in Acupuncture. Dr. Albiez has a wide knowledge in Ayurveda. Based in Switzerland, Basel, Dr. Albiez is responsible for promoting Ayurveda in Europe.

[email protected]