Colombo by Jeep, a novel experience

Touring Colombo city and its suburbs was a nightmare when LTTE terrorism was at its highest. Not only did the tourist arrivals hit an all-time low but even people living in urban areas were reluctant to come to Colombo for employment or day-to-day activities. But the eradication of terrorism has given a new lease of life to people of all walks of life, irrespective of their ethnic and religious affiliations.

Nishantha with his fleet of vehicles

1948 Land Rover Series 1, the latest addition to the Colombo by Jeep fleet

Rock climbing

In front of the old Dutch Hospital renovated and restored now a shopping arcade.

Middle of an ancient paddy field in Habarana

These war beauties can be amphibious too,

Since 2010, Sri Lanka's tourist industry has shown an unprecedented growth with all those involved in the travel trade among those who get the richest dividends of peace. The city of Colombo and its suburbs have been given a new lease of life with many development projects under the guidance of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Thanks to his untiring efforts, Colombo has not only become one of the safest cities in the world but also one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.

Adding colour to Colombo and the booming tourist industry in all other parts of the country will be a new fleet of open-to-air vehicles - Colombo by Jeep. The magnificent fleet of vehicles used in the World War era includes the 1948 Land Rover series 1.

You may have witnessed those war classics in movies such as Godfather, 1972, Pearl Harbour, Missing in Action, Air America, Deer Hunter, Delta Force or Platoon. But have you ever dreamt of driving a very same vehicle in your own country? That cherished dream could now be experienced in real life with the magnificent fleet of vehicles deployed by Colombo by Jeep.

There is a rapid growth in the tourism industry since the end of three decades of war against terrorism.

The government has placed the travel trade as a vital foreign exchange earner, endeavouring to make Colombo the most attractive city in the region. The Willys, Jeeps, Land-rover 1949 series 1 and the two fiat convertibles will add a new adventure to what 'Colombo by Jeep' offer tourists who will look for more than sun and sand.

At present the Sri Lankan road transport for tourists consists of several conventional transport systems, air-conditioned coaches, Minibus and vans, cars.

The only other option is the open top, double decker bus operated by a leading travel agent on a fixed rout on all city tours. A major transformation has taken place in every part of the country with foreigners and Sri Lankan expatriates flying to Sri Lanka for holidays, leisure and business.

They will be compelled to take a look around their favourite destination or their motherland to see for themselves the development and the changes that has taken place throughout the island, after the three decade long war against terrorism.

Colombo by Jeep will be the best option for people who are willing to compromise comfort to try out this new concept of touring to discover the indescribable naturalistic, unseen and untouched raw beauty of Sri Lanka.

Colombo by Jeep off-road adventure trips will bring together outdoors, nature, wildlife and down to earth people who prefer something different to common sightseeing in an antique World War 2 Jeep with fantastic tours fit every budget that takes one to other worlds, in terms of nature and adventure on private trails.

The City tours in two open 1942 world war Jeeps with tailor-made tours to any part of Sri Lanka City tours, off-roading, water crossing, and adventure safaris on private trails from extreme to moderate conditions.

There are unique and adventurous experience with basic training of off-road driving and recovery techniques while on tour, including night camping, night barbecues in picturesque venues overlooking lakes, rivers and sea.

Discovering Sri Lanka by Jeep is an island of enchantment - touring Colombo by Jeep and off-road on jungle safaris, adventure tours, eco-tours and nature trails.

For those tourists who prefer to experience something novel and unique, they now have a golden opportunity to tour Sri Lanka in these Jeeps and are assured of a memorable nostalgic experience.

European tourists who visit Sri Lanka during winter with a prime objective is to sun bathe, don't have to wait till they reach their hotel to do so as these open Jeeps, which they could get in a minute, will provide ample sunbathing while travelling to their destination with an option to protect themselves from rain.

In today's context rapid changes have taken place in every part of the country, a tourist or a Sri Lankan living abroad who is returning to the country after a couple of years will experience a totally different atmosphere.

They will be tempted to take a closer look around the country and the development and the changes which have taken place under the directions of the President.

These war classics offered at Colombo by Jeep are amphibious too. With eco-tourism becoming one of the fastest growing segments of tourism being in Sri Lanka for centuries, natural beauty and the lush greenery will attract more tourists if they could get a closer look with tours of this nature.

Most importantly, Sri Lanka's geographical diversity endows it with rich and varied wildlife, conserved in many national parks and other protected areas. Yala, Uda Walawe, Wasgomuwa and Wilpattu are among the most popular wild life parks.

The beautiful and classic fleet of vehicles offered at Colombo by Jeep is capable of taking you to any part of the island.

Colombo by Jeep is a novel concept of Nishantha Abeysekara who has been in the hospitality industry. Having started his career at Tilly's Beach Hotel as a waiter, Nishantha has come a long way climbing up in the ladder and excelling at Triton Hotel and then at Taj Samudra as a Management Trainee.

Training in all departments at the Taj Samudra, Nishantha specialised in Food and Beverage and was soon promoted to the position of Assistant Manager Food and Beverage Department in charge of the hotel's Coffee Shop.

With the opening of the Hotel's new discotheque My Kind of Place, Nishantha was appointed Manager. "I was solely in charge and responsible for recruiting and training of staff, purchasing of equipment, compiling menus and drink lists, selection of bands, music and entertainment as well as launching of theme nights" said Nishantha.

After three years at the Taj Samudra, Nishantha moved on for a short stint at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi where he functioned as Assistant Manager, Food and Beverage Department. He was overall in charge of the Supper Club at the Lanka Oberoi which was the only Supper Club in Colombo at that time patronised by VIPs and corporate clients.

Nishantha then moved to foreign climes armed with a string of accolades and diplomas and certificates. He began his stint at the Oceanic Hotel Khorfakan - formerly the Holiday Inn - in the United Arab Emirates and held the post of Food and Beverage Manager. A year later he moved to the Holiday Inn, Bahrain where he worked for three years as the Manager of the Coffee Shop where he proved his mettle.

On returning home to Sri Lanka Nishantha joined the Star Club as General Manager/Consultant. Using his five-star hotel experience, he was successful in creating a totally new concept for the club, projecting it as an up-market 'Five Star' operation. He explains that this was achieved with the introduction various marketing plans and strategies, resulting in this property enjoying the reputation of being one of the most successful and prestigious operations in Colombo.

Nishantha made a giant step forward in his life with his own restaurant "The Copper Chimney" which he identifies as "a small operation with big aspirations".

Talking about his latest venture - Colombo by Jeep, Nishantha said he always wanted to something novel and unique. "I was thinking how I could contribute to Sri Lanka tourism in my small and humble way. I wanted to offer something unique to the tourists, something they would remember for the rest of their lives," said Abeysekara who is a well-known figure in the

travel trade.

As this is the first time in history of world tourism this type of antique Jeeps are used in tourism industry, Nishantha said it took nearly ten years, to collect and restore these antique war beauties, and those have all the amenities used in the World War II still intact.

"All these Jeeps are tested in rallies over 600km and they are restored and maintained by veteran driver Mangala Ahangama.

Even Colombo's old buildings and archaeological sites are being restored to the original state under the guidance of the Defence and Urban Development Secretary. Hence, I thought of doing something which will go hand in hand with ancient buildings, something related to the tourism industry," he said, speaking about the idea that prompted him to embark on this unique project.

I wanted to preserve these vehicles and give the driving experience to who really care for them. I started collecting these War Jeeps to build a fleet to cater to the tourists who are fed up of the usual air conditioned cars and vans, who would prefer to compromise a bit of comfort to something adventurous and unique which they will only enjoy in Sri Lanka. I'm looking forward to tie up with any hotel or tour company who is interested in this project," he said.

Nishantha thanked Ahangama for helping him with the restoration of the vehicles - World War 11 Jeeps and regular maintenance offered.