Travel

Hotel Hemalee - The pioneer hotel in the Cultural Triangle
 

Text & pix Beverley Jansz

Construction of Hotel Hemalee, Giritale began on May 27, 1970 as the first tourist hotel to be built in Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. The hotel's official opening dates back to September 14, 1972 under the patronage of the then Deputy Minister, Economic Affairs and Plan Implementation, MP for Minneriya, Ratna Deshapriya Senanayake, also attended by the late Dharmasiri Senanayake a former Tourism Minister. Founder of Hotel Hemalee, the late A.W.P. Ranasinghe was a popular hotelier in the 1970's. During that period most of the popular tourist hotel personnel patronised Hotel Hemalee for their stay while building their hotels, following the footsteps of the late A.W.P. Ranasinghe.

Standing majestically on a 1-1/2 acre of land on the Colombo-Polonnaruwa road at Giritale, the hotel offers 16 guest rooms, very moderately priced, says the youthful and versatile Managing Director of the hotel, Bandula Ranasinghe, who underwent studies in New York. Hotel Hemalee is a popular stop-over for tourists visiting Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle. The hotel offers jeep safaris and Elephant rides. The restaurant with beautiful interior decor, can accommodate around 100 guests and is ideal for seminars and conferences.

The hotel has a well stocked bar. Special discounted packages are offered to Sri Lankans for family outings and company picnics, for weddings and honeymoon couples. The land on which Hotel Hemalee stands, has been beautifully landscaped. Hotel Hemalee is owned and managed by Channel Hotels Ltd, Kohuwala. Its Managing Director is Bandula Ranasinghe.

[email protected]

Warm welcome for First Lady at Galadari

To mark the United Nations Day dedicated to fight violence against women, Galadari Hotel organised a series of programmes from November 25 to December 15, including workshops and media conferences.

A flag too was issued to mark the event, by the Legal Aid Commission, at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo.

Here Chief Guest, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa being welcomed by General Manager Galadari Hotel, Sampath Siriwardena, on arrival at the Galadari Hotel.

Christmas on a grand scale at Pegasus Reef Hotel

Pegasus Reef Hotel, Hendala has made elaborate arrangements to celebrate Christmas on a grand scale, Director, Carson Cumberbatch Hotels, Paddy Withana said.

The celebrations will commence on December 15 and end on January 1, 2007. Special Christmas cakes and puddings, with special hampers will be available at the hotel's Pastry Shop from December 15. Take away orders too will be accepted for Roast Turkey or Roast Pork Loin, at the Pastry Shop of the Pegasus Reef Hotel. An exciting Kiddies Party has been planned for December 23, with an International dinner buffet at the Garden/Main Restaurant from 6 p.m. onwards with live music by 'Lazer'.

A Sundown Cocktail with an International dinner buffet will be offered to guests on December 24, at the Reflection Deck/Main Restaurant with live music by 'Snap'. A Christmas Brunch is on the cards for December 25 at the main restaurant, together with a Christmas Sit-Down dinner, with live entertainment by 'Familiar Faces'. A Mongolian BBQ dinner has been planned for Friday, December 29 at the Pool Deck, with music provided by 'Familiar Faces'.

An International Dinner Buffet is on the cards for Saturday, December 30 at the main restaurant. An International buffet lunch has been planed for December 31, together with a New Year's eve Gala Dinner dance to usher in the New Year, at the Main Restaurant/Main Ballroom.

A New Year's Brunch is on the cards for Monday, January 1 at the main restaurant with live music by 'Snap'.

A host of prizes and surprises have been planned throughout the Christmas season. The selection of the "Pegasus Queen' will be the highlight of the 31st night dinner dance, where many valuable prizes and surprises have been planned, Resident Manager, Pegasus Reef Hotel, Ravi Kurukulasuriya said.

The "Gingerbread Hut" at Ceylon Continental

A perfect place to enjoy Xmas Goodies, Cookies, Cakes and traditional Chocolates with your family and friends will be at the "Gingerbread Hut" at La Patisserie de Paris, the Pastry Shop of the Ceylon Continental Hotel, Colombo until December 31.

Pick up some delicious Goodies from a wide selection of Dutch Breudher, Christmas Stollen, Christmas Cake, Mince Pies, Ginger Bread Santas, Xmas Pudding, Gingerbread House with cookies and many more.

Guests could savour a variety of traditional cakes such as Date Cake, Love Cake, Traditional decorated Christmas Cake, Santa Face Cake, Marzipan Christmas Tree Cake, Xmas Star Cake, Xmas Stollen, Jingle Bell Cake and many more will be available at the Gingerbread Hut throughout this season.

Cookies like Basler Leckerli (Honey Cookies), Basler Brunsli (Almond Chocolate Cookies), Anis Chrabeli (Anise Crescents), Cinnamon Stars, Amaretti and Coco Macroon too will be available during this festive month.

Delicious traditional Chocolates like Santa with Girl, Santa with Toys, Santa with Deer, Xmas Tree, Chocolate Bell, Chocolate Boot and assorted Chocolate Boxes will also be available at the Ginger Bread Hut daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., a spokesman for the hotel said.

Rhythm of Calypso at Villa Palma Beach Resort
 

Text and Pix by Beverley Jansz

Leader of the ‘Ramblers’ calypso group, Charles Nawala Adhikaran (third from left) receives his award from Manager, Villa Palma Beach Resort, Eric Rodrigo, Guitarist of the group, Gamini Fernando, Congo player, Ananda Guyes, Organiser of the event, Kelum Jude Fernando and Executive Chef, Anil Senadeera are also in the picture. Members of the seven groups that entertained the tourists

A unique competition was held at the Villa Palma Beach Resort, Pamunugama last week to select the best Calypso Group, out of the many groups that entertain tourists in tourist hotels.

During the day's programme, seven leading Calypso music groups entertained tourists and invitees with scintillating music as part of the competition.

Villa Palma Beach Resort offered the participants and guests a delicious Sri Lankan lunch buffet. Valuable prizes and surprise too were offered by the hotel. 'Ramblers' calypso music group from Negombo was selected the best Calypso group and was presented a cash prize. The competition was organised by Kelum Jude Fernando and compered by Lyric Writer, Denzil Nugegoda.