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

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.