Sri Lanka - OutboundHolidays

Horse Racing in Nuwara Eliya

The Sri Lanka Turf Club is to once again organise two Horse Racing meets this year to entertain visitors to Nuwara Eliya. The Nuwara Eliya Race Course will play host to the Sri Lanka Turf Club organised eventswhere at least 20 thoroughbreds will vie for the twelve trophies on offer.

Each race meeting will consist of 6 races run with forty-five minute breaks in between.

In addition to experiencing the thrill of racing, there will also be other interesting diversions – Fashion shows and a show of fashion by attendees; which will attract a variety of prizes including; ‘Best Dressed Lad, ‘Best Dressed Gent’ and ‘Most Photogenic Personality’.

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Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka

FIVE STARS DELUXE RESORT | 4 SUITES | 112 DELUXE ROOMS

“A wonderful stay again..! Staff extremely helpful and hotel again fantastic…”

Reg Dickason
England Cricket Team
5th December 2007

In the Royal City of Kandy, the lush green hill capital of Sri Lanka, the Mahaweli Reach Hotel will captivate your imagination no sooner you enter its elegant interiors. The smiles of the staff always welcoming, complements the warmth of a friendly and personal level of luxurious service bestowed on all guests in traditional Kandyan flair.

The Hotel acquires its name from its unique location along Sri Lanka’s longest river, the great Mahaweli. The Mahaweli is to Sri Lanka what the Ganges is to India or the Yangtze is to China. Mahaweli Reach Hotel is located only a few minute’s away from the city centre of Kandy, providing guests with easy access to this great World Heritage City and all her beautiful and unique sites.

The Hotel further has the honour of being the first hotel in Kandy to obtain five star rating and continues to be the benchmark for hotels in the city.

History of the Mahaweli Reach Hotel

The story of the Mahaweli Reach is one woven with determination, courage and a sense of adventure. When its founder, Atul Panabokke, a tea planter by profession, embarked on this project in the early seventies, few would have believed that this venture could become a fledgling industry and would progress so far. His vision and commitment together with the able assistance of his wife and family laid the foundations for these remarkable achievements.

Commencing as a four roomed guest house where guests were welcomed and looked after by the owner, his gracious wife and sons, this enterprise has developed steadily. Firstly it was upgraded to a twenty three roomed hotel and later to fifty rooms and finally renovated and repositioned as a one hundred and fourteen roomed five star hotel. The first five star rated property in the City.

Still managed by the Panabokke family, Atul Panabokke’s vision of a modern hotel which maintains the old world charm and hospitality seems to have become a reality. His sons, Jayantha, the Managing Director, and Mohan, the Director General Manager of the hotel have managed to combine the traditional and modern and guided by their mother the current Chairperson of the Company, have developed a unique style of management.

In the recent years the story of the Mahaweli Reach has taken yet another twist. After going public, the majority shareholding in the hotel today is held by the Universal Group of the Maldives, which is yet another family owned and managed company. The synergies created by this strategic alliance are considered especially beneficial, as the Universal Group is one of the largest resort operators in the Maldives. Today amongst the hotels in Kandy, the Mahaweli Reach Hotel remains a market leader enjoying a reputation for quality and excellence, unobtrusive charm and a warm hospitality which comes from the heart.

ACCOMMODATION

112 tastefully decorated rooms with all modern amenities, complete with breathtaking views of the grand Mahaweli River or the tropical gardens of the hotel.

The hotel gives you the choice of 04 magnificent suites in addition to the Deluxe Rooms. The suites, The Presidential Suite and The Executive Suites, are designed for distinctive extravagance.

Presidential Suite

Telephone with IDD facility
TV
Piped music
Mini-bar
Room safes
A private balcony
24-hour room service
2 bedrooms
Jacuzzi in master bedroom
Large sitting / dining area
Kitchenette
Guest toilet
Air-conditioning & fans
Wall-to-wall carpeting
Garden / pool view

Executive Suite

Telephone with IDD facility
TV
Piped music
Mini-bar
Room safes
A private balcony
24-hour room service
Sitting / dining area
Guest toilet
Air-conditioning & fans
Wall-to-wall carpeting
River / garden & pool view

Deluxe Room

Telephone with IDD facility
TV
Piped music
Mini-bar
Room safes
A private balcony
24-hour room service
Air-conditioning & fans
Garden / pool / river view

CUISINE

The dining comprises a variety of international and Sri Lankan cuisine. As could be expected of a five stars hotel, there are different dining options suited to all guests.

EXCURSIONS

Golf: Golf at the Victoria Golf Club

Dalada Maligawa: Dating back to the 16th century, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is located in the heart of the Kandy town. One of the most spectacular sections of this temple is the Patthirippuwa or Octagon, which was added by the king of Kandy in the early 19th century, the same King also built the Kandy Lake. Rituals, accompanied by flute, trumpets and drums, are enacted daily in the temple to venerate the relic. Public honour is paid to the Tooth Relic when the Esala Perahera, an ancient street pageant is held during the month of Esala in July/August each year. This extravagant event is a “must see” for any tourist and attracts thousands each year.

The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya: 3 miles from Kandy on the Colombo/Kandy road are the Pleasure Gardens of an ancient Kandyan Queen. The Gardens, spanning 150 acres, are a paradise of tropical foliage. It is well worth a visit, with seats, gazebos, pavilions and a restaurant at the entrance. Highlights of the Gardens include the Great Palm Avenue, the Orchid House, the Pergola, Octagon House to name a few.

Rangiri Dambulla Vihara – The Golden Rock Temple: The name Dambulla derives from Damba [rock] and Ulla [fountain], and comes from a continuous dripping of a single droplet of water into a brass pot that never overflows, within the main cave and image house of the rock temple.

This Vihara or temple was built by King Vattagamini Abhaya [43 to17 BC] and houses within the 4 main monasteries and the temples a 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of kings and 4 of gods and goddesses, which are all unique works of art, painted using ancient techniques that are only to be marvelled at today. Besides the statues, there are the most brilliant artworks adorning the walls and ceiling of the main gallery.

It was within this complex that the monks began the militant nationalist movement against the British in 1848. It is considered an art gallery of unique beauty.

Labookellie Tea Centre: Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Centre, situated approximately 1,500 meters above sea level in the heart of Labookellie Estate, one of the fine tea plantation in Sri Lanka, is today a popular stop in an international travellers itinerary providing an opportunity to experience Tea at its best in the salubrious hill country clime where it grows as well as providing an instructive glimpse into the manufacture of Ceylon Tea.

Sigiriya: Sigiriya is a UNESCO world heritage site and is widely regarded as the “Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World”. It held the Palace of King Kassapa completed with moats, walls, terraces and water gardens, a true citadel in the sky. Most spectacular is the famous Sigiriya Frescoes of celestial maidens that manifest an almost vivifying vibrancy and the Mirror Wall, where ancient murals and graffiti remain, unique in history.

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage: The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was started in 1975 by the Department of Wildlife on a twenty-five acre coconut estate on the Maha Oya river at Rambukkana. The orphanage was primarily designed to afford care and protection to the many baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. Initially this orphanage was at the Wilpattu National Park, then shifted to the tourist complex at Bentota and then to the Dehiwala Zoo. From the Zoo it was shifted to Pinnawela. At the time, the orphanage had five baby elephants which formed its nucleus. It was hoped that this facility would attract both local and foreign visitors, the income from which would help to maintain the orphanage.

The orphanage is now home to about 60 elephants, out of which many are baby elephants found, abandoned or orphaned in the wild. They are being cared, fed and trained by the wild life authorities. The orphanage has become a resounding success and is acclaimed as the only one of its kind in the world.

The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Visitors can accompany the elephants to the river close-by and join them taking their daily bath.

Lankathilaka Rajamaha Vihara: Bearing the same name as the famous construction of King Parakramabahu I at Polonnaruwa, this temple built in 1344AD by a minister of King Bhuvanaikabahu IV of Gampola, is located at Handessa and is an important architectural monument. A cruciform building that servers as an image house of The Buddha. The temple is full of exquisite painted scenes commanding unfolding village scenery of charm and beauty.

Depicted are the lives of 24 former Buddhas with a colossal seated image of Gautama Buddha at centre.

This shrine is also significant since it combines the worship of the Buddha with that of the Hindu gods and with other indigenous deities too. This feature of religious synthesis is also evident at Gadaladeniya, which belongs to the same period.

Embekke Devale: Built by King Vikramabahu in 1371AD, the Embekke Devale [Hindu Temple] is located at Welamboda. It is a superb example of architecture in wood. The wood art of this temple is astounding with dancers, swans, creepers, soldiers on horseback, floral emblems, double headed eagles and wrestlers magnificently carved out of the timber. Special treasures are the doorways of carved sandalwood and the palanquin used by King Rajasingha II.

Udawatte Kele Royal Sanctuary: Kandy, with its historical, archaeological and religious value, has always protected the Udawatte Kele Sanctuary even during the time when Kandy was the capital of the island. In fact, Kandy has been named “Senkadagala” in 1371, during the time of King Wickramabahu, because a Brahmin called “Senkada” who had lived in a cave found in this forest. During the King’s reign, a palace was built within the sanctuary, as it provided safety and is abundant natural beauty.

During the many foreign invasions, the King used to go into hiding in this area. Located to the north of Sri Dalada Maligawa [Temple of the Tooth], this virgin forest is about 257 acres in area and is home to a large number of bird species, animals and butterflies.

Check-in/Check-out Time: Check-in is 12.00 noon and Check-Out is 11.00 a.m. An earlier Check-in Time or later Check-out time can be requested on a case by case basis and the resort may agree depending on availability.

Address: Kandy, Sri Lanka

Airport: Colombo International – 110KM

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Climate change expert leads search for green consumption

Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, considered one of the world’s leading thinkers on energy, sustainable development and climate change, has been appointed Director General of the Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) at The University of Manchester.

He will head the body which aims to help deliver a revolution in green consumption through providing world class and authoritative research in this area. He will start the role in September 2008.

The Sri Lankan-born academic is Vice Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading scientific body evaluating the risk of climate change caused by human activity, and co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The SCI was established following a £25 million investment from Tesco, according to a statement issued by Prof. Munasinghe’s office.

Prof. Munasinghe, who will work part-time for the SCI, will be lead author on key research reports produced by the Institute and conduct research related to sustainable consumption and sustainable development. He will also supervise research projects and conduct discussions with governments, top level business leaders, policy makers and NGOs in the UK and abroad.

Trekking the Ramayana trail

They were on a Ramayana trail- a group of 90 pilgrims from India. Last week they ended a tour of sites associated with Lord Rama in Sri Lanka with bhajans being held at the Galle Face Hotel.

Sri Lanka is famous to Hindu devotees as the land of the Demon King Ravana. The Hindu epic, the Ramayana dwells on the beauty and splendour of Sri Lanka, for Ravana was said to be a rich king, the brother of Kubera, the treasurer of the Gods.

Ravana was deemed a great and good king by his own subjects and it is said that he is depicted with 10 heads, not because he was some kind of monster but because he had knowledge worthy of filling 10 heads. Yet all his knowledge, power and achievements had failed to remove his basic desire for women, legend says.

The fault was compounded when he went against all tenets of Hindu Dharma in seeking to seduce another’s wife and kidnapped the Indian princess Sita in her husband’s absence.

There are an estimated 50 sites in Sri Lanka, connected to the Ramayana of which the group visited four. They started the tour with a visit to the only Hanuman temple in Colombo, in Kalubowila. Hanuman is said to be the foremost among Rama’s devotees, the one who managed to leap from India to Sri Lanka in one bound to locate Sita, before Rama built a bridge to cross over.

From there, the pilgrims went to Munneshwaram temple near Chilaw. An ancient Shiva temple whose origins are lost in obscurity, Munneshwaram is said to be the temple where Rama got down to pray from the Pushpaka Vimana (Flying vehicle), on his way back to India after the war.

The next stop on the tour, was Ashok Vatika in Sita Eliya, a garden in which Sita was held captive and at which there is a temple dedicated to her.

The last stop was at Devurumpola in Welimada where Sita is said to have undergone a fire test to prove her purity and chastity after being held as Ravana’s captive.

The leader of the Indian group, an ex-soldier who has now devoted his life to Lord Rama, Ajay Swamiji of Thirveni Seva Mission Delhi, led them all in bhajans as they wound up their tour. They were joined by Chandrasekar Swami of the Hanuman temple.

By Thulasi Muttulingam

Home away from home for Hali-ela monkeys

A pioneering monkey project helps sort out a human-monkey conflict. Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports

The planning was meticulous. The operation carried out with precision, because the simian protagonists were clever and could also outwit their human cousins.

The plea for a solution for the woes of not only the farmers but also other villagers came from the community itself. The men, women and children of Moretota, about five km from Hali-ela, who had been beleaguered needed answers and quick ones at that. Humans were under attack – rilaw or Toque monkeys were rampaging through the village at will. A troop as large as 50-60 monkeys would descend on the village, destroy the vegetable crops, devastate the little paddy the families cultivated, even strip the larger trees such as jak and butter fruit, brazenly enter the homes and leave a trail of destruction.

Moretota was literally under siege. The houses were in shambles but more importantly the villagers had left off farming the land. The income of the families dropped drastically while the adults moped around their homes unable to engage in their livelihood.

Desperate for a respite, an appeal went out to Divisional Secretary Vijitha Nandakumara and discussions at that level reached the ears of Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, for it fell under his constituency which was the Badulla district.

That was when the expertise of the Clinical Sciences Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Peradeniya, was sought and readily given.

“In a situation like this, the tragic consequences would have been that the villagers would have wanted to exterminate the monkeys,” explains Senior Lecturer Dr. Ashoka Dangolla, adding that his department along with the Department of Wildlife Conservation stepped in to stop the monkeys being killed or injured by furious people.

It was in May that ‘Monkey Project’, the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, to trap a large number of monkeys, sterilize some of them and then translocate all captives to another location where they would no longer be a destructive force, saw the light of day.

The project began with Dr. Dangolla and his team mobilizing the support of the people, who had gathered at the Moretota temple under the guidance of the monk.

Usually in the cities monkeys become a problem due to improper waste disposal or dumping of garbage all over the place, of course, caused by human behaviour. But in Hali-ela, it was due to easier access to “delicacies” in the home gardens of the poor farmers, says Dr. Dangolla.

The villagers themselves volunteered to build the traps, lure the monkeys, firstly the inquisitive ones regularly into them by providing food, until they were confident and would come in their numbers, then close the traps and call the vets. Two big traps and several smaller traps were built by the menfolk while the womenfolk drew up rosters to lure and feed the creatures.

“Then we went along with Dr. Ashoka to sterilize both female and male monkeys,” says Assistant Lecturer Dr. Manjula Jayasinghe, who stressed that the babies or very young ones and pregnant and lactating mothers were excluded from this procedure.

The other team members were Lecturer Dr. Jeevanta Wijesinghe, Assistant Lecturer Dr. Madira Kularatne along with four final-year students of the Vet. Faculty. Of the 52 captured monkeys, only 38 were sterilized, said Dr. Jayasinghe, adding that they were then kept under observation post-op, with antibiotics being administered to prevent infections.

It was then time for them to be translocated. With the help of Additional Director M.C.G. Sooriyabandara and Chief Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Taraka Prasad of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the team had identified a lush island in the Randenigala reservoir for this purpose.

There are other animals including monkeys there and also food in plenty, said Dr. Jayasinghe. After a nearly 50 km journey by vehicle and a short boat ride across the waters, it was a new home for the Hali-ela monkeys in Randenigala, away from the wrath and dangers they could face by becoming a menace to humans.

Will they fit in?

How will the monkeys, with strong “family links” adapt to the new environment in Randenigala? Will the “pita gam karayo” have to face other warring troops? Will they miss their kith and kin left behind in Hali-ela?

No one knows, says Dr. Dangolla, adding that research on these aspects have not been carried out in Sri Lanka. But what choice is left, he asks. As jungles are cleared to give way to development and humans encroach on the habitat of animals, the monkeys too are losing their feeding grounds. They rampage through villages and farmland looking for food, and becoming a major problem for humans.

Dealing with the issue of sterilization, he says some people argue that one could simply translocate them without performing surgery on them. The surgery was done for two reasons. “Firstly, since we have not done a survey on the carrying capacity of the island to which they were released, to control their rapid growth. Secondly, controlling the numbers would help us to translocate some more troublesome monkeys to the same location without saturating the natural habitat under the first project itself.”

That is why it is better to try to reduce their numbers and then translocate them to a safer place. Otherwise they may become the victims of human anger, adds Dr. Dangolla.

‘Life’ Resort SriLanka for better life

‘Life Ayurveda Resort’, one of the pioneering Ayurveda therapy hotels, is located right on the Beach in Thalpitiya, Wadduwa, just 45 minutes drive from Colombo. Though it is nearly ten years old, ‘Life’ came to be known better after Aloysius Dissanayake, the Director/General Manager took over few years back.

The main Ayurvedic Physician of the Resort is Dr Mrs. Chandrika Dissanayake, who is the wife of DGM of the Resort.

This husband and wife combination of the Ayurveda Travel business has done the magical development to the Resort and gained a name as the top medical tourism attraction in Sri Lanka.

‘Most of our customers Europeans and Germans head the top in arrivals’ said Aloysius Dissanayake

‘Life Ayurveda Resort’ formally known as Lotus Ayurveda Hotel, consists of ten air conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, well equipped treatment Centre and the main restaurant.

The Restaurant serves local and international cuisine and special Ayurvedic food is served for guests on doctor’s recommendation.

‘Our main asset is the well equipped Ayurvedic Treatment Centre and it is the focal point of this Resort. Well trained and experienced Ayurvedic Therapists and qualified Ayurvedic Physicians are at guests or at patients’ service.

Most of the overseas visitors come for treatments or to escape from the busy, hectic life of the West and to overcome stresses’ explained Dissanayake.

The resort has a special garden area with a courtyard pool with flowers. Various endemic flora in the original style, and an open area of a herbal garden with treatments outdoors. This is unique in Sri Lanka.

‘Ayurveda is a gentle method of healing. The applications are natural, delicate, not offensive, non-invasive. This kind of medicine requires an understanding between healer and patient. The methods include plant medicine, natural food, massages’ explained Dr Chandrika.

Ayurveda, the knowledge of life, is a natural medical system from India and Sri Lanka, more than 5000 years old. It arose from the observation of human and plant. A harmonious balance of body, mind and spirit built, stand in the centre.

‘The ayurvedic treatment is over the centuries, its practical application to a complex system matured, which in many ways modern medicine can enrich landscape.

Sharp observations and selfless research led the Ayurveda measures to optimize all areas of life discover a deep insight into the nature of being reflect.

Three compliance leads to a balanced life on physical, mental and spiritual level.

Thus binds the Ayurveda in the maintenance of the laws of nature, of which the modern man’ she said.

The treatment includes ‘Varmana’ in the first week, ‘Virechan’ on second week, ‘Basti Nasayam’ and ‘Raktha Mokasana’ on third week and ‘Head Pack’ on fourth.

By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix Neil Siriweera

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Hakgala in harm’s way

Legend has it that Hakgala was King Ravana’s pleasure garden where he kept the beautiful princess Sita whom he had abducted from India. Today, visitors to the hill country rarely miss out on a visit to Hakgala and while walking around many wonder what lies behind the fences of the Botanical Gardens.

Only few realize that it is the Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve (SNR), a montane cloud forest, as important as the rainforests of Sinharaja or Knuckles in terms of biodiversity and watershed capacity.

Like any other SNR, Hakgala is restricted to all but those who are involved in scientific research and even they can enter only with a special permit obtained from the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC).

Even amidst all this protection, the Hakgala SNR (declared in 1938, Hakgala is one of three Strict Nature Reserves and is the only one in the wet zone, the other two, Ritigala and Yala Block II, being in the dry zone) is under serious threat due to land-grabs and encroachment, problems that have dogged it for decades.

These were some of the shocking disclosures at a recent forum organized by the Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL) to launch ‘Hakgala Under Threat – A Review of Conservation Status and Management Needs’.

As much as 25% of the Hakgala SNR has been encroached on, a survey by EFL has revealed. This is indeed an alarming trend considering the fact that Hakgala is also protected by another law which prohibits the granting, leasing or otherwise disposal of state lands over 5,000 ft in altitude. Hakgala being above 5400 ft, therefore, also comes under this protection.

However, encroachers at Hakgala include the Ambewela cattle farm, Warwick tea estate and other small-scale cultivators who have occupied sections of it.

According to the Management Plan drawn up in 1999 by the DWLC, 16% or 182.88 ha of the Hakgala SNR, were claimed to be under encroachment. A 2006 survey has found that there are 152 encroachments, excluding the Ambewela farm, covering about 50 hectares.

“But the boundaries considered in this survey are not those of the original survey plan. They include a much smaller area for Hakgala,” EFL officials point out. EFL claims that the figures cited by DWLC are massive underestimates of the current encroachment problem which its own survey has indicated as covering 150 ha and involving at least 200 households. This together with the encroachments by the Ambewela farm doubles the DWLC figure.

Encroachment by the Ambewela farm had begun a few decades ago, with even a survey plan of 1945 by the Survey Department including sections of the Hakgala SNR as part of the farm. This error had been the starting point of the large scale encroachment of Hakgala, states the report issued by the EFL.
Hakgala, environmentalists point out, is part of the Central Highlands Forest Complex which has been identified as being of the highest national importance for watershed protection by the National Conservation Review. It plays a particularly significant role in maintaining stream-flow over the year, especially dry season flows while also acting as a ‘water tower’ for the Uva Basin and the Uma Oya. Therefore, degradation of Hakgala will affect the whole country.

Soil erosion will cripple large-scale hydro projects like Uma Oya and Rantambe by reducing water inflow. The sediments which will be deposited in the waterways due to soil erosion will flow down to the reservoirs causing problems.

Meanwhile, environmentalists explain that the area currently used as grazing lands have pastures with imported grass seeds that are alien to the area.

The threat of these grasses spreading in the SNR as invasive species is enormous, in the light of most national parks battling with invasive species. The close presence of cattle to wild animals could result in wild animals being vulnerable to pandemics like the hoof and mouth disease.

Concerned over the degradation of the Hakgala SNR and no action by the DWLC, the Environmental Foundation had stepped in, filing legal action against the DWLC in 1988 over illegal encroachments. While recognizing the 1938 boundaries, the court had ruled that attempts to bypass the legal provisions that afford the Hakgala SNR the highest protection should be disregarded and ordered the DWLC to remove all encroachers. Despite the DWLC giving an undertaking to court, no action had been taken to remove the encroachers.

Once again in March 2006, EFL had filed another case to halt further encroachment immediately and remove the present encroachers. The respondents – DWLC, Divisional Secretaries and other government institutions – had agreed to act but once again nothing had happened.

DWLC Director-General Ananda Wijesooriya told the forum that the department is working to remove illegal encroachers. However, the largest encroacher – the Ambewela farm — is not considered at this stage.

World Bank representative Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya emphasized the need for other government departments that are more powerful to support the DWLC. “It should be a collective effort, otherwise the DWLC will get isolated. We have seen this happen in the past.”

“Hakgala is an important ecosystem and it is important to protect it before irretrievable damage is done to the Strict Nature Reserve,” said environmentalist Jagath Gunawardene.

By Malaka Rodrigo

Source: sundaytimes.lk

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Pol Oya, SriLanka – its lure and charm

The morning was bright and pleasant in Koggala and a two-hour boat ride along Pol Oya was ideal to start off the day. Pol Oya is considered as Sri Lanka’s largest natural lake consisting of eight islands including the famous island named Madolduwa.

Madolduwa, is a popular island because of the novel “Madolduwa” by Martin Wickramasinghe. I remembered the heroes of that interesting novel Jinna, Upali, Siripala, Dangadasa and Ranadewa and could remember how they became the heroes of my childhood.

View of the Pol Oya ( Koggala Lake)

There are so many places from where people can start their boat ride on Pol Oya.

When you reach Koggala sign boards indicating “Madol Duwa” are in more than a few places. Sadly, most people visit Madol Duwa only, because of its distinctive popularity but they lack the knowledge about the other seven islands.

But on your boat ride to Madol Duwa, you can see the other islands as well.

Kathduwa was the first island that comes into view. “This became a famous island in the Second World War because the Japanese used this island to land sea planes. It is still used today by Air Taxis as one of the places which they land their sea plane at. Other places include Marawila and Nuwara Eliya,” the animator accompanying me P.G. Sarath was somewhat against this practice due to ecological issues.

Madin Duwa (Kurulu Duwa) was next. This was an island where you can see hundreds of birds on. If you want to watch the birds there the best time is the evening, because the birds come to roost at that time, I was told.

We went along the Pol Oya. In just a few minutes I could see the biggest island on the lake Thala Thuduwa Duwa. According to Sarath, it has a Sylvan (wilderness).

Madin Duwa (Kurulu Duwa)

Then there is another island named Koth Duwa which has four water bungalows owned by private owners. People can’t enter this island because it is private property. But we could see it while moving.

The first island that we could set foot on was Ganduwa which was a cinnamon island. There were many cinnamon trees on this island with a small house and a family living there.

This family shows how the cinnamon product comes out for our meal and the process of clearing the cinnamon sticks, rolled and dried it on the roof. A woman put the dry cinnamon into the grinding stone and ground it. Their final process is to packet the cinnamon. Visitors can buy fresh cinnamon from them. And also they can enjoy the cinnamon tea (like I did!).

We returned to the boat again. I saw the next island Diyamera Dupatha which has many towering trees. We did not enter this island but passed it and reached Madolduwa where we got off. I went around Madol Duwa and saw the well, Sekku gala still there. I could imagine how Upali and Jinna lived in this island. But now it is an ugly state of affairs that are taking place here such as people throwing their litter about and empty bottles being thrown after consumption of liquor, I was told.

We already saw the seven islands. The last on my journey was Weduwa. It was a temple where nearly 25 monks resided. I entered this island which had a dagoba and some dwellings. “There are many people who come to this place to observe sil on poya days,” said D.H.Somasiri a tour guide. It was a serene location. This island was ideal for meditation, as was now being used as.

We returned to terra firma again with pleasant memories…and with new experiences for me also. Like many others, when I came on the journey to Pol Oya I had in mind only Madol Duwa. But apart from Madol Duwa there are seven other islands too providing us equal fascination…

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Whirl with the wind – Kitesurfing in SriLanka

Natasha Fernandopulle explores the sport of the fearless on Lankan shores – Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara

The feeling of flying over water where the only form of propulsion you have is the wind and where the only person in control is you is a sensation that most adventure lovers would love to feel.

I bet you may wonder what this is all about. In fact, when I first went across to Buba in Mount Lavinia, I really didn’t know what to expect. Kitesurfing; as in surfing with the help of a kite? This is what I thought and this is exactly what it was all about.

Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is an extreme sport which uses the power of the wind to pull a rider through the water and this is done on a small surfboard or kiteboard. The sport is still in its infancy, but is rapidly growing in popularity. And when it comes to Sri Lanka, our country being an island, kitesurfing can be done all throughout the year, depending on which part of the coast you are in.

According to Mischi Walter – a professional kitesurfing instructor based in Sri Lanka, “as much as this sport can be fun, it can be very dangerous if you don’t know how to handle your equipment properly. You also need to be aware of your surroundings – the wind, water and ground situation,” he says, adding that in spite of all the precautions, “you will have an accident at some point!” says Mischi, so remember to concentrate on what you are doing.

“You need to get over a certain fear point – doing so gives you an adrenaline rush,” Mischi says smiling. “Even children can learn the sport, overseas there are people who are over 70 who are kitesurfing!” added Mischi.

“It’s the best sport in town, and never feel discouraged if you are taking a long time to get up on the board, because it happened to me, but it’s worth the effort and the wait,” said Julian Bolling, adding that the sport brings together some, “cool people to hang out with” and “it’s pollution free!”

“Rugby? Hikkaduwa Beach Fest? Nah, I’d rather be kitesurfing!” says Dilsiri Welikala. “It’s extremely addictive and loads of fun. You’re completely free, and the only noise you hear is of the wake coming off the back of your board,” he says, adding, “When you launch, you hear a sound that’s amazing. It’s just you, the wind and the board.”

“It was in Feb 2007 at the Kiteboarding Camp organised by some friends when I was first introduced to kiteboarding. I was blown away by the dynamics of the sport and what attracted me the most is that when you’re kitesurfing, it’s just you and the elements, the wind blowing hard and the sea all around you; pure peace infused with adrenalin!” was Previne Wicks’ opinion on the sport.

And as the only local female to have tried out kitesurfing in Sri Lanka, Mihiri Salpitikorale had this to say. “As much as the adrenaline rush beckons, out of respect for natural elements, I’m taking kite surfing really slow so I can enjoy it with minimal damage.”

Mads Jansen Raunsbaek, has an interesting account about the development of the sport, “The first person to kite surf in Sri Lanka was a German guy called Ben.”He went on to explain that this was in December 1999 when he noticed some colour on the water, “when I looked out the window I saw a guy with a kite starting from Mambos and straight out through the main point.” He had already had an idea about the sport from an article which he had ripped out of a magazine and recalls, “when I saw it, I knew it was my call.”

This all happened while he was tattooing a client he said, “I was stoked; I jumped up and told my customer we had a 20 minute break and ran to the beach and waited for him to return.” The kitesurfer, Ben, he recalls, had a Naish Ar 3.5 and the first big Naishkiteboards. He gave him a magazine and later had a chat with Mads about the sport.

He goes on to state, “I’m pretty sure that that is the start of Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka. The third person to kite in Sri Lanka was Holger Brummer from Negombo. We met in Hikkaduwa in 2001. Then Dirk Hanel came, followed by all the others.”

“Kitesurfing has now started to grow in Sri Lanka, and that’s what we want,” says Mads, adding, “We want more information about kitesurfing, safety and so on. And just to make it bigger and bigger and bigger in Sri Lanka,” he said.

Source: sundaytimes.lk

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The Blue Water Hotel, Wadduwa, Sri Lanka

DELUXE BEACH HOTEL | 100 STANDARD ROOMS

The Blue Water is located on a sublime stretch of the Wadduwa coastline, where the waters become a shimmering speculum of the clear blue sky. The hotel offers a spectacular view of the sea, and stands amidst a cool cluster of coconut palms that line the water and throw shadows into its scintillating blueness.

Walk down the cool white corridors, and be greeted by the spectacular sight of a lush green coconut palm garden. Get hypnotised by the soothing sounds of cascading ponds and fountains. The swimming pool is too good to resist – so too the excellent cuisine. By night, the Hotel’s stunning elegance is accentuated even more. Rooms are simple but luxurious – loll about in crisp linen the shade of shell.

ACCOMMODATION

The Blue Water offers 100 well appointed and very comfortable rooms that are all centrally air-conditioned with individual temperature controls, so you can set your own chill level. All rooms are sea view with a private balcony or terrace that also look down on to the wonderful garden below. Electric Power is British spec and there’s also piped Music and Satellite Television. All rooms are fitted with a fully stocked Mini Bar and Personal Safe. Attached bathrooms have hot and cold water and both a bath and shower.

DINING

At The Blue Water you can always expect to be fed well and with a sumptuous array of local and international cuisine. The chefs turn out delicious gourmet and buffet cuisine and the fine dining restaurant is the perfect venue to savour the delights with a glass of fine red. The hotel aspires to a philosophy of quality food prepared in a health conscience manner with prominence given to fresh local produce.

The Blue Water offers guests the following restaurants:

The Seven Seas – 24-hour coffee shop
Admiral’s Room – fine dining
Porthole Bar
The Clipper Bar
Sea Board Deck (Sports Bar)

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

Large Swimming Pool / Kiddies Pool
Fully equipped gymnasium
Tennis Courts
Squash Courts
Badminton
Table Tennis
Billiards
Theme Nights
Large garden area
Night Club
Evening Programme with live entertainment
Animator
24 – hour room service
Wide 200mtr beach frontage
Doctor on call
Business Centre
E-mail and Internet facilities
Travel Counter
Car Rental
Parking Facilities
Baby sitter on request
Baby cots on request
Hotel shop
Gem & Jewellery shop
Hair & Beauty salon
In House Movies
Tours organised on request
The Spa (NEW)

THE BLUE WATER SPA

The Blue Water Spa takes a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well being providing a sanctuary for the senses. The architecture of the Spa Pavilions draws upon local inspiration to blend seamlessly with the natural environment of The Blue Water. Massage treatments are based on relaxing techniques that has passed through the hands of many generations. The health and beauty remedies make use of aromatic oils and herbs and spices with ancient healing powers.

Spa treatments include massages, facial beauty treatments, body wraps and body scrubs. The Blue Water Sp offers over fifteen different treatments to choose from.

TRAVEL SHOP EXCURSIONS

The Blue Water boasts of having some of the best naturalists in Sri Lanka. There are excursions of all types including snorkelling or scuba diving on the coral reefs at nearby Hikkaduwa, which is also world famous as a surf destination. On the southern coast of Sri Lanka any seaboard activity can be arranged, even deep sea or big game fishing which is becoming increasingly popular is available through a host of operators all down the coast, from Beruwela to Tangalle.

Maduganga (river) Boat Safari – Half Day Excursion – An interesting insight in to coastal mangrove systems and amazing bird and animal life in the backwaters of the southern coastal belt.

Sinharaja Rain Forest – Day Excursion – One of the oldest natural rainforests remaining on the planet and a world protected biosphere. The Sinharaja is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Udawalawe National Park – Day Excursion – Renowned as the best national park to view elephants in Sri Lanka. I’m no expert on elephants, however the elephants at Udawalawe looked slightly smaller than their cousins we’d seen at Yala, and upon asking our guide why? I was told that the elephants of Udawalawe were Swamp Elephants, which I believe to be true.

Yala National Park – Day Excursion – This is truly wild country with plenty Elephas maximus and the elusive Asian Leopard. Yala is known to have the worlds highest density of leopards in the wild, so your chances of seeing one is almost certain. search on Flickr.com for “Yala Leopard”.

Cultural Tour – Half Day Excursion
White Water Rafting – Day Excursion
Bird Watching – Day Excursion
Mineral Exploration – Three-Day Excursion

ADDRESS: The Blue Water, Thalpitiya, Wadduwa. 12560 Sri Lanka
AIRPORT: Bandaranike International Colombo

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