Nuwara Eliya - In season

As during any other year around this time, the popular hill resort is all alive and kicking and as in all previous years, it's all in full bloom.

by Prasad Abu Bakr

Nuwara Eliya, as we all know converts itself from a sleepy town to 'a city of lights' every April of the year, living upto its name, if one happens to translate its meaning into English. But this year it is not going to be like any other.

The seasonal happenings are stretched out throughout the month of April which otherwise was squeezed into a mere 2 weeks of the month. In fact things are already happening as visitors are already there taking part on the seasonal activities.

As the conviction stands that outsiders visiting Kandy are the biggest threat to the city's environment the same unfortunately can not be said about Nuwara Eliya. Many people of the township too needs to be educated about cleanliness. "

We are working on this and have achieved good results, for example the council has put the haphazard parking menace to rest in a very short while by imposing heavy fines and sticking to the rule beyond any outside influence" explained an authority.

According to the plans laid out for this season it is said that the activities are stretched a little beyond the 'seasonal timings' of the past as to accommodate more traffic that arrived this season too.

The Annual Open Badminton Championship for the 'Mayor's Cup', Horse Races, Indoor Cricket Tournament, Radella Speed Hill Climb, Motor Cross trials and finals, Golf Tournament for the 'Captain's Prize' and the 'President's Cup' Football Tournament, Mountain Bike Races, Volley Ball Tournament, Kabadi and Elle Tournaments, Netball and Table Tennis Tournaments are all what were on the cards planned as sports promotional activities throughout this month, with both male and female sports activist in mind.

The Annual Flower show which attracts a large number of spectators is expected to culminate with a grand carnival atmosphere that prevails annually, has in attendance leading bands and singers to entertain the public. This major musical and entertainment programmes which are held on a daily basis adds tremendously to the seasonal fun.

From today onwards a downward trend in arrivals is expected to take place to the hill station where many locals look forward to as their annual holiday getaway. They all come in numbers with all family and friends. It is also an event for the locals too. Businesses thrive during this time making looking for accommodation in the vicinity a trying task for anybody who arrives without a proper hotel reservation.

Amidst all the huff and puff Nuwara Eliya remains the favourite holiday hub of locals, be it in April, June or December. Be it holiday or honeymoon. Be it summer holidays or the cold October chill that leads to an even colder Christmas in December. Nuwara Eliya it is for all seasons, to all Sri Lankans.