Preserving ancient values...:

'Ulugalle Walauwwa' transformed into scenic Holiday Resort

by Dharman WICKREMARATNE
 

Transforming a century old Walauwwa, protecting its historical values and pristine glory, into a modern day resort is no easy task. This exclusive transformation of an ancient walauwwa inherited by a 'Ratay Mahaththaya' (Village Headman) in the colonial era, built in the far away environs which displayed salubrious chimes, brought to meet the present day trends with all that glory is a miracle. It was done by the eco-friendly green field venture lover, Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa who spearheads the gigantic task of tourism development in a target oriented manner.

Minister Rajapaksa is a result oriented politician up with the challenge of economic development in many spheres. He believes in innovation to broaden ownership with the participation of the people in development.

Historic venue

To reach this historic venue, you got to travel 150 kilometers from Colombo to Dambulla, take the Dambulla-Anuradhapura Road to meet the rural village of Thirappane. Two kilometers away from this village, you could reach the Ulagalle Walauwwa which has a gate designed to the traditional ancient sculpture. The rehabilitation of this ancient cultural site was engaged by Minister Rajapaksa to speed up the economic development drive embarked upon, after crushing a three decade old terrorist war. The location is certainly a tourist attraction that needs more facilities. With that in mind, the minister has tread to meet the challenge.

Minister Rajapaksa has taken up many and more challenges to develop the tourism sector. Ulugalle Walauwwa restoration project is one such brainchild of the Minister. Speedy development in the tourism sector is aimed to accommodate the target oriented figure, as the international community today recognizes Sri Lanka as safe tourist destination. The minister has decided to expand from star class hotels to resorts and holiday bungalows. With the assistance of the Board of Investment (BOI), the Tourism Ministry targets 2.5 million tourists by the year 2016. Therefore, investors are encouraged to construct the required 50,000 rooms for accommodation of the target figure countrywide.

Massive project

The Ulugalle Tourist Resort is a BOI approved project with the construction undertaken by a local construction company named ICC.The expertise of the institution helped complete this massive project in just under 13 months, a dream turned into reality in the construction sector. The early construction of this project was a dream of ICC Chairman Sarath Weerasuriya and his deputy Harsha de Saram. That was how the Ulugalle Walauwwa turned into "Ulugalle Holiday Resort". This is also the first ever environment friendly luxurious bungalow project completed in the history after a three decade old war.

This picturesque holiday resort project constructed at a cost of Rs. 700 million has twenty five chalets spread in the beautiful hamlet that covers fifty eight acres. Adding more colour in an environment friendly manner is the Ulugalle Lake and the Wattambu Lake on either side, bringing the cool breeze into the hamlet. The completion of this innovative holiday resort brought brighter light and colour to that remote hamlet area. This reality was based on devotion, dedication and commitment by the team spearheaded by Minister Rajapaksa.

At the inauguration of this historic Ulugalle Holiday Resort project, Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa pointed out that though it was a BOI approved project, only essential items were imported while the rest were met locally to complete the scenic scheme which was an honour to the government and its policies. 'Environ friendly hotel projects of this nature occupies a special place in the tourist market with exclusive attraction to tourists', claimed the minister.

In this scenic beauty of the resort, a twenty acre paddy yielding area located between the main walauwwa and the spread out chalets is added with lovely greenery that surrounds them. The ICC construction company which completed its task with no harm to the environment, planted one thousand green plants parallel to the construction to add more comfort to the location. The cooling breeze that cut across the location brings comfort to any mind. There is also an exclusive vehicle in the walauwwa called 'Buggy' operated by an environment friendly battery system causing no smoke pollution to the location.

Each of the twenty five chalets in the hamlet has an area of 800 square feet with all basic facilities and amenities comprising bed rooms. They look more attractive and colourful with the modern architectural ornaments and furniture in place.' 'The private swimming pools and hospitality afforded at this location will immensely satisfy tourists', quipped incumbent Resident Manager, Lalin de Mel. General Manager, Gunasiri Abeysinghe explained that the ceilings, floor and walls of the chalets have been put up with 'Dura' boards exclusively made by the ICC. The construction of this exclusive resort in that hamlet not only brings comfort to human species but also to animals which roam the area causing no fear to visitors.

Cultural values

Minister Rajapaksa, has greatly protected the ancient cultural values of the site during the re-development .If you visit this walauwwa, you would see the original windows with the carving-"KBG 1916" on the fan lights. The letters 'KBG" are reported to be the abbreviations of the name of the Village Headman who occupied that walauwwa during that period. It was also the period the walauwwa had come under construction, historical facts do indicate.

While absorbing the values of the ancient architectural values preserved at the location, one could enjoy a meal of his taste with modern cutlery served and offered by a friendly team of stewards, opined the Chief Chef, Aruna Tennekoon and added that meals of tradition or any type was prepared on order. Vegetables and fruits grown at the location are mainly used for the preparations on order.

Only carbonic fertilizer is being used to cultivate these vegetables and fruits for human consumption. The environment friendly solar power plant erected at the location which generates the largest capacity in the country provides 125 kilo watts a day. It meets fifty per cent of the entire project requirement. Water is de-salinated and purified by special plants to reduce the thickness of water to five per cent for drinking purpose. The resort is added with a gymnasium and an Ayurvedic spa centre. What more... you could view beautiful birds, enjoy horse riding, rowing and arrow sport. It's a complete experience to the value of your money.

A stay at this location will also help visitors and tourists to pay homage to Atamasthana, Anuradhapura, just 20 miles away from Ulagalle.

Mihintale, Matale and Polonnaruwa surrounds the location at short distance while the Kawdulla, Wilpattu National Parks and the National Namal Uyana are also special attractions within a few hours.

This exclusive green field venture in tourism has generated employment opportunities directly and indirectly to uplift the living standards of the people in the area. The minister, by this innovative project, with the private sector participation, has re-iterated the meaning of a Growth and Development Strategy, the urgent need for speedy economic development.

(The writer is an environmental Journalist)