SLN opens its tenth hospitality venture 'Malima Club
House' in Uswetakeiyawa :
Navy leads in hospitality industry
By Ranil Wijayapala

The rooftop of the Club House, Sky Harbour |

The poolside |
 |
Banquet Bay of
the Club House
Pix: Thilak Perera |
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Navy Commander
Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage |
Director
General, Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle
|
During the three decades long conflict the role of the Sri Lanka Navy
expanded beyond the territorial waters of Sri Lanka in search of
floating warehouses of the LTTE. But the dawn of permanent peace
following the victory against the LTTE terrorism in May 2009, gave ample
opportunities for the Sri Lanka Navy to engage in diverse sectors as
their commitments in the sea shrunk systematically with the improved
security situation in the country. The Sri Lanka Navy's contribution to
the development drive and the economy of the country came handy during
the past four years and their contribution to the tourism sector, a
major focus of the government in its development drive, was made clear
with their contribution of ten ventures to the hospitality industry in
Sri Lanka.
'Club House' the tenth venture Sri Lanka Navy embarked in the
hospitality industry, was launched recently in Uswetakeiyawa in the
Colombo North facing the scenic view of Colombo harbour at a distance,
increasing its hospitality ventures under the brand "Malima" (compass).
The 'Club House', the latest addition to 'Malima' umbrella bears the
signs of becoming a jewel to the people in Uswetakeiyawa and the people
in Colombo North region as it has the potential of becoming the most
attractive reception hall for people who cannot afford to have the
luxury of having their weddings in star class hotels.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, introducing Sri Lanka
Navy's newest venture in the hospitality industry to the media, said
that the Sri Lanka Navy which embarked on the hospitality industry in
2011 under the patronage of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has
come a long way by constructing 10 such new ventures.
Starting its first venture 'Light House Galley' at the Navy
Headquarters premises the Navy has expanded its wings across the country
with the construction of three Reception Halls in Kantale, Poonewa and
Kirindi Oya and other tourist resorts, Sober Island Resort, Trincomalee,
Fort Hammenhiels in Karaianagar in Jaffna, Nature Villa in Panama,
Weligambe Villas in Mirissa and Golf Club in Trincomalee.
"We wanted to see how best we can contribute to the economy of the
country and how best we can contribute to the tourism industry of the
country. So we embarked on utilising the beautiful locations we have
around the country North to South and East to West", he said.
"Since we have our ventures spread throughout the country similar to
a compass, we thought of naming them under the brand name 'Malima' or
'Compass', the Navy Commander said, explaining the launching of Navy's
ventures under the brand name 'Malima'.
The newest venture constructed in Uswetakeiyawa, is on a land
belonging to the Navy camp Kelani.
Club House the latest addition to the Malima group encompasses the
luxury banquet hall, 'Banquet Bay' a dining area, 'Oceanic Hall'
complete with a lounge to cater for receptions and also as seminar hall
for corporate functions, a scenic lawn along with a pool facing the
beach and its focal point, the rooftop terrace; 'Sky Harbour', aims at
fulfilling the gap in the market for a luxury venue to host weddings,
corporate functions and other occasions.
"The Beauty of these projects is that the Navy has not acquired
anything new.
We have built all these ventures on the foundations in existing
locations and even renovated old buildings with modern conveniences to
make them popular tourist attractions", the Navy Commander said.
Sometimes the Navy has build these ventures preserving the antique
value of these building which have been sometimes built during the
colonial period.
"The purpose of these ventures is to contribute to the economy of our
country and to support the expanding tourism industry in the country and
to open the most tranquillised locations the Sri Lanka Navy has around
the country for the common people as well as the tourists", the
Commander said.
The Sri Lanka Navy also make use of the hospitality industry to
develop the skills of the Naval personnel as it has quite large number
of personnel within the Sri Lanka Navy.
"With the end of the war the task of the Navy was slightly limited at
sea, so we have enough manpower and resources and we wondered how best
we can utilise these resources. Therefore we engaged in urban
development and helped improve the urban canal system. The hospitality
industry is the biggest venture that we have embarked upon in this
endeavour", the Commander said.
The commander said that the Navy personnel engaged in this profession
can one day join the hospitality industry once they retire from the
Navy.
Vice Admiral Colombage said that profits gained from these ventures
are purely utilised for the welfare of the sailors and their families
and to build houses for the war heroes, mostly in the Navy.
"Through this venture we are providing concessionary rates for other
military personnel to have their weddings and their functions", he said.
Director General of the Media Centre for National Security under
Defence Ministry Lakshman Hulugalle said that Navy's contribution to the
tourism industry is commendable at a time when Sri Lanka is targeting to
attract 1.5 million tourists to Sri Lanka by 2015.
He said Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has guided the Sri
Lankan Security Forces towards a new dimension in the post conflict
scenario and get their contribution towards reconstructing and
beautifying the Colombo city.
"One prominent feature in this sector is that they are disciplined
when fulfilling their duties and can achieve any given target", he said.
"In the tourism industry also the involvement of the security forces
is very high. They are earning big profits from the ventures they have
entered. The involvement of the security forces in the tourism industry
has enabled the local tourists to enjoy the benefits of the improved
tourism sector in the country as Security Forces are offering their
destinations for the local tourists at a comparatively lower price", he
said. |