Travel

Finco invests Rs 700 m on Ulagalla Resort

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The Ulagalla Resort in Tirappane, Anuradhapura, is a boutique hotel over 200 years old. It has an echo of history.

A throwback to the days when it was the abode of many a chieftain whose rule extended to Padeniya a remote hamlet in the North Central Province.

The Ulagalla Resort's Resident Manager Lalin De Mel said that the resort (Walauwa) has been restored to its original state and is furnished to retain its distinctive character.

"The resort is located closer to the cultural triangle and other historic sites." he said.

Meanwhile, several luxury chalets are being built adjacent to the main resort that overlooks a stretch of paddy fields.

To the West is the famous Ritigala mountains in the distance. The chalets are situated adjacent to a stretch of jungle belonging to a forest reservation.

Beyond that is an abandoned Wanamaduwa reservoir filled with salvinia weeds.

The reservoir probably have been neglected for a long period of time. It's bund hugs the jungle from one side.

General Manager De Mel said the guests who check into the chalets can order food around the clock to suit their appetite.

"This arrangement has been made to suit the time zones of Western nations." The Chalets will display names of ancient kings and queens instead of numbers and will be equally priced except for the Presidential suite.

Our main clients will be from the United Kingdom and France, he said.

Referring to food served at the chalets, De Mel said food will be prepared in front of guests and will be offered a silver service but no buffets.

The guests can enjoy their meals outside their chalets in the garden if they wish, he said.

Ulagalla Resort's General Manager Marketing, Ranjaka De Mel said they are considering building chalets for the handicapped tourists but the plans are still in the pipe line.

He said, the grand opening of the Chalets will be in August this year but would commence operations in May.

The Ulagalla Resort will have 25 luxury chalets spread over an area of 58 acres. Each Chalet consists of a floor area of 800 sq ft which include a separate living area. The property will have a 30 meter fresh water swimming pool and electric cars to shuttle guests within the vast compound. "We will be importing horses for the guests to ride on them for their relaxation.

In addition there will be archery, canoeing and excursions for recreational activities.

They can either proceed to Trincomalee or Anuradhapura and get back in the evening." The total investment of the Ulagalla Resort is over Rs. 700 million.

Another milestone at the Ulagalla Resort is the largest Solar Park with a capacity of 125 KVA to provide 50 percent of the power requirements of the chalets.

The Solar Park is presently under construction and Rs 120 million has invested in this project.

The Ulagalla Walawwa Resort (Pvt) Ltd, is a BOI approved project, owned by the Finco Group of Companies.

SriLankan partners with Etihad to expand wings

SriLankan Airlines has expanded route network to New York, Chicago, Athens, Cyprus, and Turkey through the enhancing of its code-share partnership with Etihad Airways. Mohamed Fazeel, Head of Worldwide Sales, said: "North America is an important market for Sri Lanka and SriLankan Airlines, and we are delighted to once again serve our customers in New York, and to add Chicago as well."

There has been a steady increase in passenger traffic from the United States and Canada to Sri Lanka following the dawn of peace.

They include Sri Lankans domiciled there.

SriLankan's network already serves the west coast of the U.S. with a connection to Los Angeles through Malaysia Airlines, and the addition of New York and Chicago would serve those on the east coast.

"The code-shares to Larnaca in Cyprus, the Greek capital Athens, and Istanbul in Turkey have strengthened the network in a region where there are large numbers of migrant workers from Sri Lanka," said Fazeel.All five of these services provide direct flights to Abu Dhabi, with 12 onward connections to Colombo each week between SriLankan and Etihad.

Code-sharing refers to the arrangement between two airlines by which passengers of one airline can fly on flights of the other.

Passengers then have an increased number of destinations to fly to. For the airlines, it provides opportunities to serve more destinations without having to invest in more aircraft and infrastructure.

Code-sharing is usually between airlines of similar standards, to ensure that passengers receive excellent service.

SriLankan already has code-share agreements on Etihad flights to seven other cities, and also code-shares on flights of Malaysia Airlines and the British airline bmi.

Etihad, Malaysia Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines respectively code-share on a number of SriLankan Airlines' flights from Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur Jeddah and Dammam to Colombo.

Fazeel said: "It is our strategy to strengthen the worldwide operations through the code-share partnerships, and last month's additions mark a significant expansion of our network to tap several new prospective markets.

Culinary Art 2010: A grand slam by Jetwing Beach

The culinary specialists of Jetwing Beach led by Chef Priyantha Weerasingha earned spectacular results at the recently concluded Culinary Art 2010 by bagging a total of twenty-eight medals.

Tipped as Sri Lanka's biggest food and hotel show, the Culinary Art 2010 was an ideal stage set for the Jetwing Beach team to reinforce their credentials as one of the best in the business of Culinary Art in Sri Lanka and rest of Asia.

The Jetwing Beach team became the only hotel outside Colombo to win two Gold Excellence medals. They participated in thirty-five events and managed to win twenty-eight medals. Apart from the attractive tally of medals, the most lucrative outcome of the event for Jetwing Beach was their overall performance by winning medals in different types of events.

Silver medals were awarded for the five-course set menu and Sri Lankan cookery is an achievement to cherish as Jetwing Beach aims to surprise the booming Sri Lankan Tourism industry with exclusive gastronomic experiences.

Artistic vegetable and butter carvings turned out to be another key strength of Jetwing Beach which was reasonably recognized with three silver medals.

Jetwing Beach was placed 4th overall in the culinary section at the Culinary Art 2010. Jetwing Hotels are pursuing a mission to be world class in everything they do; they have recently set up a centre of excellence for food and beverages. The results of the Culinary Art 2010 are indeed encouraging and will be a boost to the whole team at Jetwing who are committed to providing a legendary service.

'The success of Jetwing Beach at the Culinary Art 2010 is an endorsement of Negombo as a hotspot for food seekers', said Hyacinth Gunawardena the General Manager of Jetwing Beach.

Executive Chef Priyantha Weerasingha of Jetwing Beach is a native of Gampaha; he is an expert in Japanese cuisine and believes in variety, quality and creativity.

'Aachara' for State employees from SriLankan Holidays

With the huge success of its 'State Bank Offer', SriLankan Holidays, the award winning leisure arm of Sri Lankan Airlines has introduced 'Aachara' a special package for all State employees to celebrate public holidays and long weekends.

The package offers an attractive discounted percentage from the regular Mega 999 packages to three Far eastern destinations; the Lion City Singapore, modernistic Malaysia, Bangkok the shopper's paradise and romantic Maldives.

General Manager SriLankan Holidays Amith Sumanapala said, "We have recognized the importance of our State employees and opened up the State Bank Offer to all State employees; so they can now take a well-earned break from work and plan an exciting yet affordable holiday overseas with their families."

The SriLankan Holidays discounted packages include return airfare with all taxes, two nights/three days hotel accommodation with breakfast on twin sharing basis and return airport transfers at destinations. "Our all inclusive packages will undoubtedly bring them a totally new dimension, a new experience and furthermore an expose to new Asian cultures at best possible rates in town.

This is our special way of saying thank you to all State Employees", he said.

In addition to this is the option of extending the stay for 14 days.

This offer is valid for travel between January 1, to March 31, 2010 excluding peak periods and bound to be a holiday treat indeed.

Heritance Kandalama Spa among Asia's Top five

Luxury Insider, Asia's leading luxury online magazine announced that the Six Senses Spa at Heritance Kandalama is among the top-5 sustainable spas in Asia. Heritance Kandalama has been celebrated for its green philosophy and is widely recognized as the five-star resort that put eco tourism on the map in Sri Lanka. "We are committed towards sustaining and further developing our environmental programs implemented and we are delighted to be recognised for our efforts" said, B.H.R Sariffodeen, Assistant Vice President, Aitken Spence Hotels.