Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort opens

by Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The newest addition to the rapidly increasing hotel properties in the country, the Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort was opened yesterday with an investment of Rs 750 m.

Owned and managed by Rosen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the four star resort will be the first star class hotel in the Sabaragamuwa Province.

"We are confident that the tourist boom will continue and the investment in the hotel industry will have long-term benefits. The resort has been built as an eco-friendly facility on seven acres of land.

It has already secured bookings from locals and foreigners. This resort will promote eco-tourism which is a trend that is fast becoming popular," Grand Udawalawe Safari Resort Director, Priyantha Dematagoda said.

The second stage of development will include a spa where a range of facilities will be available. With plans to break-even within four to five years, the hotel will provide visitors a host of facilities and a flavour of nature as the Udawalawe National Park is in close proximity, he said.

The resort which is 160 kilometres from Colombo is close to many strategic locations including Mattala airport and the Hambantota port.

The management of the hotel will support the development of the Ath Athuru Sevena, the elephant transit home to transform it into a top class tourist attraction. Staff have been recruited mostly from within the area and the hotel will make efforts to improve the socio-economic environment of the locality.

"We will engage in community development projects to uplift the living standard of the people and this hotel will make a difference in their lives though the initiatives taken to improve and preserve the environment," he said. The 53-room resort will comprise modern facilities including satellite TV and the internet. Among the other facilities are a conference hall with a capacity for 200, a restaurant to accommodate 250 people, a specially designed swimming pool, an open air theatre, a mini theatre, a gymnasium and other recreation facilities.