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| Sunday, 1 June 2003 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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God's Little Acre : A paradise on the scenic Bolgoda Lake by Beverley Jansz A mere thirty-five minutes out of the city of Colombo, on the banks of the Bolgoda Lake in Moratuwa, is an absolutely fabulous location called God's Little Acre. This is a private facility, which reserves the right of entry to maintain its exclusivity. It is just one and a half kilometres from the Galle Road on the Indibedda Road, which is also the road to the Yacht Club. The present clientele are up market connoisseurs of good food and things of beauty. No liquor is sold but guests are permitted to bring whatever they require without a charge for corkage. The food is out of this world, and is comparable with any five-star restaurant. Many people, who are desirous of having a high-class garden wedding, use this beautiful location overlooking the Bolgoda Lake, on account of its proximity to Colombo and excellent cuisine. The scenic beauty is absolutely incomparable. The villa is somewhat like a plantation bungalow and the broad verandahs are used for the restaurant. A couple of other thatched huts add to its beauty. The restaurant areas do not require even a fan, since there is a continuous breeze all day long. It is unbelievable but true, that you can sit under a tree and enjoy your meal at one o'clock in the afternoon with natural air-conditioning!! Several blue chip companies use the villa for their seminars and workshops. The Managing Director of God's Little Acre Manik De Silva was a tea planter and perhaps that is why the villa resembles a planter's residence. The staff are extremely courteous and obliging, and ensure that ones stay is a memorable one. The five bedrooms are provided with air conditioning, hot water and T/V, and they are very reasonable priced.The hotel offers Tea and Coffee free of charge, to resident guests. God's Little Acre offers a special exclusive apartment with all modern facilities for CEO's of large companies who wish to entertain special foreign and local guests, de Silva said. Boat rides on the Bolgoda Lake is one of the main attractions the hotel offers its guests. A unique feature at God's Little Acre is that it is surrounded by a 180 degrees of scenic water front. It is one of the few hotels that offers its guests 'English Scones' at tea time. God's Little Acre is a must for the connisseur says Manik. God's Little Acre is owned and managed by Drumkin Group. Its Managing Director is Manik de Silva. ###### The cosmopolitan elegance of Malaysia : Kuala Lumpur means "muddy confluence" By E. Weerapperuma Malaysia Truly Asia, is a verse from the promotional song that rings in your ears as you leave the Saloma Theatre Restaurant after enjoying the folklore dance and other traditional items of entertainment performed by Malaysian artistes. Saloma Theatre, a potpourri of Asia's three greatest cultures, Malay,Indian,Chinese and other ethnic races where one can enjoy the Malaysian and International style buffet while watching the most impressive Cultural performance. Colourful Malaysia thriving with cosmopolitan elegance and endowed with its rich culture, history along with magnificent scenic wonders, is undoubtedly the Jewel of Southeast Asia which amply qualifies to be a "tourist destination", unrivalled by any other in this part of the world. I had the fortune to visit Malaysia thanks to Malaysian Airlines, Colombo Office which facilitated the tour in their endeavour to expose Malaysia to the world while the 13th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was on at the Putrajaya, the administrative city of Malaysia.Malaysia has a lot to offer to tourists and they can take pride in having virgin rainforests dating back to 130 million of years and which retains their ancient splendour while bustling cities and towns boast of modern day sophistication. A myriad of exotic flora and fauna are an intrinsic part of the wildlife and unspoilt beauty found throughout the country. From pristine waterfalls to tranquil invigorating mountains and palm-fringed golden beaches fronting serene seas to refreshing jungles, it is a rendezvous with diversity and contrast designed to leave you spellbound and delighted. It offers challenging jungle-clad mountains, fascinating mangrove forests, exotic cultures, underwater marine life, and sweeping coastlines. Fishing village, caves, eagle square, Ostrich farm, birds feeding, canopy walk are some that would keep the visitor busy and enjoy his stay. You will never forget the thrill and experience you gain by touring in the cable car that takes you on the space between the mountains.Kuala Lumpur the Capital city of Malaysia emerged from the mining town in the late 1800s with the discovery of tin at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. " Kuala Lumpur" which means "muddy confluence" was declared Capital City on February 1, 1972 is fondly referred to as KL, is the pulse of the nation and lead the country's fast paced development in information technology, commerce, economic growth, sports, leisure,industry and social life.PUTRAJAYA, the Garden City with 4.581 ha named after the First Prime Minister late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haq,is the futuristic city of Malaysia. It is the new Administrative capital of the country and was declared a Federal Territory in 2000.Petronass Twin Towers claimed to be the World's tallest building, soars to a dizzying 452 metres, is a magnificent sight of architectural splendour. It is the most impressive landmark in the modern city Kuala Lumpur. No other location other than the Twin Towers offers the visitor access to such magnificent views of one of the Asia's fastest growing cities. It provides you a truly spectacular sights of KL by day and by night. ###### Silver jubilee celebrations : from steward to manager Beginning his hotel career as a humble steward at Bentota Beach Hotel in 1976 and rising to the post of the Manager of a star resort, is a significant achievement for Gihan Imbulana, who has been appointed manager of Olenka Sunside Beach Hotel, Marawila. He celebrated his silver jubilee in the hotel trade at Olenka last week. A product of the Ceylon Hotels School, Imbulana is a graduate of Peradeniya University. He successfully completed a course in Business Management at the NIBM. After serving many star class hotels in Sri Lanka in lower capacities for a period of 12-years, Gihan was appointed Resident Manager/F&B Manager of the Galle Face Hotel, in 1987.In 1990 he left for Switzerland where he worked at the Bahn Hof Buffet Restaurants, in Zurich for one year as a trainee. From 1995 to 1997, Imbulana served the Peacock Beach Hotel, Hambantota as its Resident Manager. In 1998 he left for Saudi Arabia to take up the post of Manager of a popular hotel chain 'Darin Seafood Restaurants'. In 2001 Imbulana joined the Sirimedura Hotel, Seeduwa as its Manager Operations. He left Sirimedura recently to take up the post of Manager of Olenka Sunside Beach Hotel, Marawila. by BJ ###### Great Wall's 'great things' Great Wall Restaurant has done great things over the past 13 years for the Sri Lankan hotel industry. With three other branches located in the city, added to which is the sparkling restaurant on the ground floor at Sumathi Court at Colombo 3, Great Wall has something new happening. Commencing from Sunday June 15, it sweeps guests into a carnival mood as a follow-up to the Hawker Street festival. The steamboat festival with a difference with live music turning on the toe tapping fun, and brides get their day in June with a complimentary choice dish specially prepared by expert Chinese Chef, Zhang Hui, who has been at Great Wall for over two years catering to the Sri Lankan palate. A master in authentic Chinese cuisine, Hui has fine tuned local chefs in the Chinese art, at the Great Wall. Sri Lankan Chef, Siri who has over 17 years experience in the preparation of Chinese food, has also been with Great Wall for over 11 years as an asset in keeping up the demands of sating the palette, says Restaurant Manager, Great Wall Restaurant, Adrian Gomez, a hotelier with many years to his credit here and over 12 years overseas. ###### Hotelier passes away Chrysantha Gunesekera, who was involved in the hotel industry for three decades, passed away in the United States of America (USA) on May 10 and the cremation took place on May 15. He was 48 years old at the time of his death. An old Trinitian, Chrys, as he was popularly known in the industry left for the USA in 1984 and was Assistant General Manager of Best Western Red Lion Inn of Blacksburg, Virginia. Earlier he was attached to the Sheraton Hotel and was Banquet Manager in Blacksburg. He was awarded Sheraton's Silver Pin for "Outstanding Performer". This is normally awarded to those with over five years of service, but Chrys, was given the award after only one year. Before he left for the USA, he was attached to Blue Lagoon Hotel in Nilaveli, Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Tangalle Bay Hotel, Swanee Hotel in Bentota, Imperial Oceanic Hotel in Passekudah and Dulmini Beach Cottages in Aluthgama in various executive capacities. Chrys leaves behind his wife Bhadra and 12-year-old daughter Minoka, who are also in the USA. |
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