Sunday Times 2

Standing at the entrance to Tintagel, his family around him, Chairman of Paradise Road companies Shanth Fernando prepared for what he knew would be one of the “biggest achievements” of his life and career – a hallmark moment in the history of the building in which he stood. It was November 14 and Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo was to play host to British Royalty.

Another chapter in Tintagel’s history: Stately home now boutique hotel graced by royalty

Selected by a team who flew in from the UK in advance to smooth the road ahead, Paradise Road Tintagel was the boutique hotel chosen to host the Royal Couple, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during their stay in Colombo for CHOGM 2013. “There were very few changes necessary to the building,” says Shanth, “we were chosen for what we are.” Certain rooms had to be reconfigured to host key events – the library for instance had to be converted into a space where critical bilateral talks could be held.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived first at 6.30 p.m. after a tea at the British High Commission to welcome their Royal Highnesses to Colombo. Prince Charles arrived later after meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Duchess of Cornwall was given what used to be Mrs. Bandaranaike’s suite (the South West suite) while the Prince of Wales occupied the South East suite.

In past years, Tintagel was best known as the stately home of the Bandaranaike family. Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike bought it for his son, Solomon West Ridgeway (S.W.R.D.) who became Prime Minister in 1956. Shot on the verandah of Tintagel in 1959, he died, leaving their home to his wife Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Entering the political arena, Mrs. Bandaranaike became the world’s first female Prime Minister in 1960 and was re-elected in 1970 and 1994, making her the longest serving Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Tintagel was her home right up until 2000, when she passed

The Library: Venue of the bilateral talks

away.

Tintagel’s political pedigree came to the fore when the hotel hosted a high profile CHOGM luncheon for 10 world leaders to meet Prince Charles. Invitees included the Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Perry Christie and President of Vanuatu, Lolu Abil. Special menus created by Tintagel’s kitchens, including a new signature dessert, were unveiled for the occasion.

As Prince Charles arrived in Colombo on his 65th birthday, birthday greetings were in order and a special birthday cake was created by Shanth’s wife Angelika Fernando and presented to him the following day.

Warm welcome: Prince Charles is greeted on arrival at Tintagel by Mrs. Angelika Fernando, as Shanth Fernando, daughter Annika Fernando and grandson look on. Pic by Sandun de Silva

The hotel was also bedecked with flowers so that it looked its best. White lilies, orchids and roses were chosen by Shirani Jayasuriya of Shirohana who took a personal interest in ensuring the very best flowers were decorating the hotel interiors and also provided the bouquet which was presented to the Duchess on arrival by Annika Fernando, the eldest daughter of Shanth and Angelika. Shanth cherishes the compliment he received from the Duchess who declared the hotel quite beautiful.

In 2008, a year after it opened, Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo was the only Sri Lankan property to make Conde Nast’s much hyped ‘Hot List’. The hotel has since received many accolades in local and international publications. In a statement released to the press, the owners said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses very recent stay at Tintagel Colombo, no doubt cements the hotel’s position, as ‘the’ hotel to stay in in Colombo’.

Orchid corner: A Shirohana touch at the entrance to the library	Grand staircase: With the signature black and white Paradise Road carpets