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Dreddy's takes over Komala's
By Rajika Chelvaratnam
Kishore Reddy, the former Oberoi Hotel chef making waves with his chain of restaurants, is adding another feather to his cap - an exclusive Asian cuisine restaurant open for 24 hours.

"Dreddy's - Food of Asia" is Reddy's latest venture. The new restaurant replaces Komala's, a fully vegetarian restaurant owned by John Keells Holdings. "Dreddy's", which will come to life in mid-November would be the first fully-fledged 24-hour restaurant in Sri Lanka and will offer a range of Asian specialties spanning more than 20 countries.

"There is no other restaurant which offers so many cuisines under one roof. We have certain dishes which cannot be found in any other restaurant in Sri Lanka," said Reddy, who owns the Pavilion and other restaurants in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya.

Reddy's key to survival in a market which offers an increasing variety of food is his offer of a unique range of cuisines under one roof any time of the day for 24 hours. "We want to target different times and different clientele," said Reddy. The restaurant will offer breakfast from Rs. 30 upwards and a full rice and curry meal for Rs. 99. "No one can provide the same atmosphere and service for the prices we offer," he said.

Sunethra Gunesekera, a senior director at John Keells Holdings said that the reason they had to close Komala's was because the idea of a exclusive vegetarian air-conditioned restaurant did not turn out to be a very feasible one. The restaurant catered to a particular class of people and the market was not simply big enough. "We tried out the idea and it didn't work out so we closed it," added Gunasekera.
Dreddy's is aiming at working class people and families, who could visit the restaurant and feel comfortable in its atmosphere.

"We're not expecting to make profits from the first day. We want to basically make this a popular place and then naturally the profits will come," said Reddy. Despite the costs in setting up the restaurant as well as the overheads being extremely high Reddy says they would not tax the people. "The best of luxuries will be available at the most economical price," said Reddy.

Central Finance acquires hydro firm
Central Finance has acquired a 57 percent stake of the Mark Marine Services Ltd hydropower plant situated at Carolina Estate at Watawala. The facility, developed at a cost of Rs. 230 million has a generating capacity of 2.7 MW.

"The exceptional location both in terms of hydrology and geological dimensions has enabled the plant to operate at efficient levels and in fact has recorded the highest capacity usage in 2001 amongst the other mini hydro power plants currently in operation, despite the adverse whether conditions which prevailed during this period," a company statement said.

Compared to other substitute power supply methods to the national grid this is one of the most environmentally friendly power plants which has obtained approval from the Central Environmental Authority and other regulatory bodies, it said.

GOSH! - A shop to make heads turn
The natural exuberance of Sri Lankans and their tendency to exclaim is the inspiration behind the name of Colombo's first exclusive hair and accessories shop for women which opened in the city's most fashionable mall last week.

GOSH! - a shop at the lobby level of Crescat Boulevard has more than a thousand different accessories for hair, ears, necks and hands, most of them studded with scintillating crystal that is bound to have female customers exclaiming, according to a statement from the owners.

The accessories range from simple hair bands and clips to sparkling tiaras, hair slides and clasps ideal even for the grandest occasion, earrings, necklaces, rings and other hand accessories, as well as easy to wear hair pieces and wigs. GOSH! prices start from Rs. 5!

GOSH! Director Emily Wai said many Sri Lankan women visit hairdressers when they have to attend a function. "With our accessories, many of these visits become unnecessary."

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