Gadadessa Estate, a marvel of nature

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Do you want to unwind yourself in a peaceful and tranquil environment surrounded by green plush landscape? The Gadadessa Estate with mountain-capped tea plantation and vegetation is an ideal home for relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

High-end clientele

Located 20 kilometres on the Kadugannawa -Gampola Road the Gadadessa Estate of the Vinseth Group is a 50-acre property with a holiday resort for high-end discerning and adventure clientele who love to revel with nature.

The hotel was built with an investment of Rs.50 million by world renowned US architects in 2007.The resort comprises star-class rooms with modern amenities and facilities for recreation and entertainment.

The Base Camp and the Octagon House built in the shape of an octagon with timber from the United States is an architectural marvel that would mesmerise visitors to the location.

The breath-taking view of the thick forest and the mountain range offers a refreshing and invigorating experience. The flow of the streams across fields nurturing vegetation, the chirping of birds from dawn to dusk, monkeys swinging from branch to branch, the wild boar and the deer display nature's splendour.

The Gadadessa Resort is an eco-friendly home which has a well -sustained aquaculture system, manufactures bio-gas with the use of cattle-dung from the dairy farm and the operation of mini hydro power plants.

The use of renewable energy is another unique feature of the hotel which generates energy by the use of solar and wind power. The Vinseth Group is a leader in the solar power and engineering sectors in the country.

Non-profit oriented

Chairman Vinseth Group and Gadadessa Estate, Bede Cooray said that the Gadadessa Estate is not a profit oriented venture but rather a home for quality clientele who could appreciate nature and the beauty of the location.

The holiday home is patronized by primarily Western travellers who love nature and adventure. The ambience and the salubrious climate woo visitors to the pristine location which has full occupation.

The mouth-watering dishes and cuisines of the dedicated and caring staff are fond memories of visitors to the Estate.

Guests could visit the historic Embekke Devalaya and other historical and archaeological sited in Kandy.

The property comprises 14 acres of tea plantation, five acres of rubber and an acre of vanilla cultivation.

Around 30 families are benefited from the tea plantation which provides employment to around 50 people in the locality. Nearly 4,000 kilograms of tea is harvested a month and income from the rubber plantation is satisfactory, said Tony Ellawela, the caretaker.

Vanilla cultivation

"Vanilla cultivation which is at its initial stages has huge potential for a vibrant market.

We hope to expand vanilla cultivation. Cloves, pepper and cardamoms provides a good income", he said. The road leading to the estate from Paranapattiya junction is in a precarious state. Residents said that they face untold difficulties due to the pathetic state of the road.

Authorities have turned a blind eye and repeated appeals for renovation have fallen on deaf hears.

Tourism is one of the major revenue generating industries in the country. A good road network is vital to promote tourism and achieve the targets envisaged for the industry. Sri Lanka tourism is expecting around one million visitors this year.