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Experience of a lifetime

This Valentine's Day at the Mount Lavinia Hotel is guaranteed to be an experience of a lifetime. 

Let the magical skylight lead you to the greatest venue. You will be able to see the skylight from February 11 onwards from 8 pm to 10 pm and all night on the 14th. The sky will be lit up with circling lazer beams seen for the first time in Sri Lanka. The skylight will beam 6 kms up into the sky and will be visible from Colombo and suburbs.

This is not all. There will be an amazing light display once you arrive at the party. These lights and special effects have never been seen before in Sri Lanka. To add to the special evening, Zodiac Star- liners have been in the field of music for over 10 years will be there to perform just for you. 

Their music consists of new charts hits, Pop, Classic, their own originals and even oldies. Zodiac has performed in Doha, Singapore and Kuwait. They have already released their first CD and are awaiting the release of the second to the international market. DJ's from Imagine Entertainment will also chip in to keep you going from dusk till dawn. See yourself moving to the beat on a giant screen. 

There will be many prizes and surprises as well as crazy competitions. You might just have a chance at becoming the Valentines Queen. The magnificent Empire ballroom will be the venue for this crazy Valentines party. Zodiac members: Roshan, Sudath, Samantha, Waruna, Jeewa, Chulaka and Nishantha.

The party will be held on February 14 (Sunday). 

Purple Rain back again-at Cyclone 

By Sanath Weerasuriya 

Can you remember the band 'Purple Rain' who rocked the music scene during late 80's and early 90's in Sri Lanka? 

Geoff and his boys went their own way and that was the end of the road for 'Purple Rain'. They were a massive success both in Sri Lanka and in European music circuits.

After many years of silence, Geoff has decided to revamp his old outfit to suit the new millennium. 

'Purple Rain' is now back and they are in action at the popular night club 'Cyclone'. 

The line-up comprises Derek Wickramanayaka on guitar, Joe Thambimuththu on bass, Shafi on keyboards/guitar, Sudu on keyboards, Jude on drums and Geoff on vocals. 

'Purple Rain' performs on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 'Cyclone'. 

According to Geoffrey Fernando, they hope to leave for Switzerland very soon. 

'Not like the good old days, we are concentrating more on the local market. We just thought of having a short gigs in Switzerland every three or four months. That way we will be exposed in Europe as well as Colombo,' he said. 

They take shows, gig and weddings too other than the regular performance at 'Cyclone'.

'Our former drummer Lal lives in Switzerland and he joins us whenever we are in Europe,' Geoffrey said. 

Meanwhile 'Cyclone' is hoisting its first ever 'Valentine's Dance' on February 14 with 'Purple Rain'. According to Russel Fernando of 'Cyclone' they promote live music at this night club than DJ music. 

"Cyclone is the only club in Colombo at the moment that gives live music for its fans five days a week," Russel said. 

'Purple Rain' will be in action at a leading five star hotel for this millennium dance. 'It is not fully finalized yet but will be coming through. Certainly we will be in Colombo this year,' he said. 

An unique "Cats Eye"

By Sanath Weerasuriya 

Some bands are unique in their music and some are great performers. But Cats Eye is an unique band all round.

They are the only band in Sri Lanka that has performed fifteen years throughout uninterrupted at the same venue.

"Cats Eye" from Moratuwa is proud to have been performing at the prestigious 5 star hotel in the South, "Triton Hotel" Ahungalla continuously for 15 years from 1984, which they believe is a unique achievement. The band which was formed 20 years ago comprises leader and founder member Dillan Fernando who plays keyboards and handles vocals as well. Dillan's wife, Sriyanthi Fernando is also a vocalist.

Her two brothers, Nirmal Mendis palys lead guitar and Shermal Mendis plays Bass and handles vocals. Ransiri Peiris, the drummer and Nihal Asmond vocalist are other members of the band. 

" We are also grateful to Wimal Peiris who played lead guitar, renowned musician Ivan Jayaratna, well-known vocalist, Fahmy Nazeek, Melantha Perera of "Mirage" and Erashmilal de Silva and Nihal Fernando of Nirro who helped and were with Cats Eye in the progress of the band" Dillan said. 'The band owes its success to the management of Aitken Spence Ltd., he said. The management of Hotel Triton, Ahungalla, Mahinda Ratnayake, the Director operations, Roshan Fernando, the General Manager and Niran Ratwatta, Resident Manager to whom we are very grateful for giving them the oppportunity to perform at the Hotel Triton for 15 long years, he added.

Ransiri, Dillan, Siriyanthi and Wimal are together for the last twenty years in the band. 

'Sangramayaka Natabun' : tale of woe 

Hiring car driver Jayasena's wife dies leaving behind two children Priyantha and Vinitha.,without a mother to look after them. Mis-ihamy is his mother in law who is a domestic servant of a rich mudalali in the village. One day Jayasena meets a woman who-se name is Susila who resemblesd his dead wife. 

Both of them fall in love and marry against the wishes of Susila's brother Sumathipala and Misihamy.

The couple live in a shanty in the town.

Misihamy lives with her grand children Vinitha and Priyanthi.

As the wage she receives is insufficient to make both ends meet,Priyantha leaves school and joins the merchant's house also to work as a domestic but Vinitha continues to attend school.

Jayasena who lives in the slum with his newly married wife faces problems from a thug called Wimale while Sumathipala marries a woman named Hemawathie.

Susila conceives Finding it difficult to live in the slum she leaves to live with Misihamy.

However life becomes more complicated when Susila creates problems with Hemawathie. 

As these problems crop up the family faces severe hardships.

Jayasena with the intention of earning a fast buck starts transporting illicit liquor and is trapped by the Police. 

The climax of this teledrama'Sangramayaka Natabun' begins with Jayasena held in Police custody and Susila giving birth to a child who later dies.

'Sangramayaka Natabun' is telecast on Swarnavahani on Thursdays. 

Persevere to win a reward -Benegal

By Kumaradasa Wagista.

Indian film scholar,avid reader Shyam Benegal was in Colombo on a two day visit last week. Presiding over a media briefing at Taj Samudra the soft spoken filmmaker expressed his views on Indian and world cinema trends.

His advise to Sri Lankan filmmakers was that they should work out strong strategies to exploit the huge Asian expatriate market.Films made with characters pleasing to others will be an attraction to audiences.It would be difficult for Sri Lankan films to penetrate into countries which enjoy a huge national market in film production and exhibition."Indian films did not fare well at box office levels in 1998.'Titanic' was the only film which made a tremendous impact at box office.The Telugu film industry is the strongest in India"he added.

He attributed that one of the reasons for crisis in Bollywood films was the television, where a fair percentage of Hindi film goers are now enjoying the doorstep entertainment on the mini screen. 

Mr Benegal made his first film at the age of 12,in 16 mm format titled 'Fun During Holidays'.It comprised shots taken by him of family events taken from his father's camera."I studied technique and cinema grammar by reading books before and after graduating from the University"he said.However his debut feature film was 'Ankur',a script written by him 12 years prior to it being made into a film by him.As he was so dedicated towards film making he did not give up hopes to find a producer to make 'Ankur'"For 12 years I went in search of producers carrying 'Ankur' script with me.I didn't give up hopes.Finally I succeeded"he reminicised those difficult days.Nothing was offered to him on a platter he sweated hard to achieve success. 

From a very young age he was inspired to cinema by seeing films regularly in a theatre close to the place where they lived."I saw certain films with the consent of my parents.Some of them were seen by getting friendly with the operator." 

It was the time when Shyam Benegal was going in search of locations to shoot 'Ankur' He had to travel some 15 to 18 miles between two points.In this exercise he had to pass an army cantonment,whose motto 'Bash On Regardless' appeared in bold letters.Even now he repeats this motto when asked what advice he would give to modern day youth."Stick to a committment, you will be rewarded" is Mr Benegal's advice. 

Skills of good film script writers is another essentiality for films as the screenplay is the spine of any film.Efforts should be made to train the educative youth so that they may choose it as their profession."Good script writers are handsomely remunerated in any country.In commercial cinema specially it's a lucrative business". 

In answer to agitations made against the screening of 'Fire'Mr Benegal said in a democracy views of any section have to be tolerated.'Fire' is doing well in many parts of India.The agitation was politically motivated.Cinema of the middle class,discussing problems of the urban middle class and the urban youth has always shown a tendency to succeed at box office levels."Their imagination sets the agenda right" he added. 

An actor should be elastic like a painter's paint brush.He should be in a position to deliver the goods according to the role he is playing."An actor will starve if he is arrogant and non adjustable" 

Sci-fic films go hand in hand with technology.The Indian film industry faces technological challenges. 

Indian films received state recognition recently because from the beginning film people did not voice their grievances.It was as large as a cottage industry.In the pre Independence era there existed the old styled studio system. Film production, distribution and exhibition were handled by the studios.As time passed this cycle broke away.Later it developed with financiers coming into the scene.These financiers charged heavy interest for their money.It ranged from 22 to an unbelieveable rate of 60 percent.The interest rate went up according to the need of money. Finance was not given simply but a procedure had to be followed. The script, cost insurance, bond guarantees, guarantee of release were necessary. 

Artistic films were assisted financially by the National Film Development Corporation but on the strength of the script.Shyam Benegal's A Search of India-Discovery of India was a film financed by NFDC. 

Lighthouse Hotel: heritage site 

The fortified city of Galle, a living monument is the best preserved fortified city of the Colonial period in South and South East Asia. It is a UNESCO World heritage site. The Lighthouse hotel symbolises this fortification and the architecture thus blends with the environment. 

Situated five minutes from the city centre of the Fort on the Southern Coast, the Lighthouse Hotel has been created by Geoffrey Bawa and belongs to the Hayleys and Jetwing Group. Bawa emulates the character and Dutch style of architecture.

The Lighthouse Hotel is perhaps the only significant addition in recent times to the Hospitality Industry in Galle, it has 65 rooms overlooking the sea, and presents an ideal stopover for the tourist heading down the southern coast. 

Buildings and structures however do not make a Hotel. The management and staff are key components in the Hotel Industry. This hotel has a charm of its own and the staff keeps alive the ever famous dictum 'Cleanliness is next to Godliness'. 

The present Manager Ranjan Peiris has been in charge since the foundation stage and is largely responsible for the popularity of this strategically located hotel in the colonial town of Galle.

The management team of Lighthouse Hotel led by Ranjan Peiris is unique because he leads from the front. It is a hands on style of management. From the daily supervision of the Hotel to the magnificent food, Lighthouse stands apart. Ranjan Peiris has done more. He has brought the traditional Southern Hospitality to the Lighthouse. 

The keypoint of this hotel is the cuisine, handled by two qualified Chefs with international training. 

Mohan Kulatunge, the Head Chef hails from Kandy, is a hotel school graduate with over 15 years experience. He has worked with French and British Chefs in Five Star hotels abroad and specialises in Western cuisine. Recently he has represented Sri Lanka in Geneva, promoting Sri Lankan food and tourism in collaboration with AirLanka. 

Mohan says that the secret of good food is the genuine and fresh ingredients he uses.

"Our vegetables are fresh. They are brought down daily in refrigerated vans from Nuwara Eliya." said Mohan "The secret of our good cooking is not only fresh meats, fish and vegetables but fresh ingredients. 

Our Fish menus consist of the day's catch in the Galle seas. "We give value for money and many visitors patronize Lighthouse Hotel for its excellent cuisine." 

Mohan is ably assisted by the Sous Chef Nihal Senanayake who has over 15 years of experience in the culinary trade having also worked in Five Star hotels abroad.

The Lighthouse Hotel has 2 dining restaurants. The Fine Dining restaurant is called "The Cinnamon Room," which is an exclusive place where individual dishes are made to order. For the preservation of freshness, texture, taste and presentation great skill is required.

The General Restaurant is The Cardamom Cafe. The Lighthouse Hotel is already making a name for its cuisine. Mr and Mrs. Rolf Gaiser from Switzerland said, "The food here is on par with any international hotel in Europe."

"It's value for money," said Mrs. C. Burnet of UK. The guests always make repeat visits from Western Europe, Holland and UK to savour 'Southern hospitality.' 

A resort in a sylvan setting

Culture Club Resorts, which is situated in the heart of Sri Lanka's Culture Triangle celebrated their fifth anniversary recently. 

A concept of chalets, scattered in a large area creating a typical village environment with luxury comforts. It has 92 air conditioned chalets spread on 12 hectares, with hot and cold water, telephone, pipemusic, lounge and verandah etc., overlooking the picturesque Kandalama Lake, in a sylvan setting of woods and lush vegetation. It is only 160 km away from Colombo and located in the centre of the Cultural Triangle with easy accessibility to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla. 

The design of Culture Club embraces and celebrates its spectacular environment. The spacious lobby is open-sided, with exposed timbers supporting a high roof. There are a number of rough wooden carving turned out from what grew on the site. The cottage style rooms are set along stone paved paths running through a natural landscape of trees, shrubs and rocks. Though appointed to luxury standards, the claytiled cottages admirably capture the aura of a simple village. 

Film "Bahu Bhariya" creates stir in family 

By Kumaradasa Wagista. 

Films stir the interest of the film -goer. But here is a film that created a stir among family members of an actress doing a role in this film. It is to be projected before the Public Performance Board (PPB) shortly. 

'Bahu Bhariya' revolves around an executive officer Kapila (Ranjan Ramanayake) married to Navoda (Vasanthi Chaturani). Although the couple seems to be living happy outwardly, Kapila and Navoda face a problem,they have no children.The couple are in search of a child to be adopted as their own. Meanwhile Kapila comes to know Theja (Sangeetha Weeraratna).With the passage of time their association develops and as a result Theja gives birth to a child.Kapila compensates Theja with money and hands over the infant to Navoda requesting her to bring it up as their own child.However Kapila hides the fact that he is the child's father. 

The story takes the first twist when Navoda's suspicion is aroused asTheja visits Kapila on and off pestering for money.Later even Theja's husband Samson (Susan Fernando) also joins her.Later Kapila finds out that Theja is a fancy woman and her husband Samson is an underworld thug.What happens to Kapila ,Navoda and the adopted child has to be seen only when 'Bahu Bhariya' is released. 

Written and directed by Udayakantha Warnasuriya of "Gini Avi Saha 'Gini Keli'fame, he said I have introduced a few sex scenes into the film which are presented artistically.There is no crude sex in any scene.Also sex is not forcibly introduced into any scene.It's natural sex that is portrayed in it. Director Warnasuriya is confident that 'Bahu Bhariya'can help to overcome the present crisis in the cinema. It's a family film relating a family story" he added. 

Main titles behind the screen in the film are Jayanath Gunawardena (cinematography),Lucian Bulathsinghala (lyrics),Stanley de Alwis (editing),Dulip Gabadamudali (music),Athula Adikari and Samitha Mudunkotuwa (playback),Donald Jayantha( assistant director),Ranjith Jayasuriya (producer on behalf of Ureka Films),Udayakantha Warnasuriya.(screen writer and director) 

Confifi wins environmental award 

The Confifi Group of Hotels was the proud recipient of the 1998 SLAAS award for Environment (General Institutional Category). 

The award identified several Environmental friendly changes in an activity resulting in significant economies in the use of limited or non-renewable resources and in the reduction of pollution. 
The award ceremony took place recently, at the BMICH with Chief Justice G.P.S de Silva as the chief guest. 

From its inception, the Confifi Group has always strived to be as environment friendly as possible in all its business activities. These values have been implanted and entrenched in whatever business activities that the Group has undertaken, since its birth twenty-seven years ago. 

However, environment conscious businesses may strive to be, there are practical limitations, partly due to improper legislation, insufficient funds, lack of technology and know-how, as well as, inadequate implementation of the statutory rules. 

Long before 'Sustainable Development' became a fashionable word, the Confifi Group had embraced a practical and pragmatic approach in its growth and expansion, balancing carefully, development and environmental issues. 

Eden gets dynamic team 

Chamindra Fernando, who has assumed duties as General Manager in August of Eden Hotel, the only officially recognized 5 Star Hotel in the beach, has appointed two dynamic people to take charge of the Kitchen and Food Beverage departments respectively. 

Sunil Silva who has become Executive Chef in December 98, has had varieties of experiences in internationally and locally renowned hotels, including Colombo Hilton, Glasgo Edinborough Hilton, and Al Alain Intercon in UAE. He has been joined by Granville Arendtsz who has similar experience from Colombo Hilton and Holiday Inn UAE. 

According to Chamindra Fernando, who has spent nine years in Australia in various hotels including Eden on the Park, Melbourne, "now we have got the team together, we can enhance productivity and surpass the customer expectations". 

He quotes the Management "Guru", Peter Drucker, who says any business has two basic functions - that is marketing and innovation. While he is proud of being the General Manager of an extremely beautiful property with a huge potential, he says that only way to achieve and maintain long term competitiveness is the "Innovation" which he and his team are totally committed. This exercise, no doubt, would enhance the value to the ultimate shareholders. 

The Executive Chef Sunil Silva has no doubt revolutionized the way they do things at Eden, the proof of which is the Grand Buffet Set-up on the 31st night which was themed as a paradise on earth. 
Both Sunil and Granville work very closely with customers' feelings and their pulses in order to exceed customer expectations. 

In keeping with their mission and vision to utilize the local talent, Eden organized a cultural evening featuring a local dance group "Ruhunu Ballet" on January 15. Evening started with a romantic setting by the Pool, where the guests tucked into the Grandiose Seafood Buffet. Both the garden and stage were very well lit in a carnival atmosphere. Among the many stalls, Wood Carver with an amazing talent performed in front of the guests creating an impression. The beautiful display of local garments and games of skill organized by various departments of the hotel, no doubt, added value to the evening. 

Yogendran, the local Astrologer cum Palmist, was seen predicting the good fortune to the foreigners. "Ruhunu Ballet" demonstrated their talents with various types of low country dancing. 
The main feature of the evening was selection of "Mr. Eden". David from Belgium was selected as "Mr. Eden" by a panel of judges appointed from the guests while Bart from Belgium and Bill from US were judged as 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively. 

This event was one of a series of such happenings organized by newly appointed General Manager, Chamindra Fernando.

Rare treat of Indian music 

Indian music fans are in for a rare treat on February 13 when two renowned Indian artistes, Ustaad Zakir Hussain (Tabla) and Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Flute) combine their talents to produce sheer musical wizardry at Taj Samudra Hotel. 

Both the tabla and the flute being as ancient as the great sub-continent itself are divinely played by these two artistes - each one a virtuoso in his field and together they create a magical blend that is bound to transport their listeners into a blissful state of nirvana. 

This programme organised by the Rotary Club of Colombo hopes to raise a sum of Rs. 1.5 million that will be channelled towards their community betterment projects and be their major fund raiser for the year. The Rotary Club gives top priority to areas such as housing for the poor, education and the commissioning and installation of a CAT scanner in the Badulla hospital. 

Flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia is a continuing sensation giving as many as 35 concerts a month. He became the first Indian soloist to perform at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow - a rare honour and a testimony of his universal appeal. 

Jean Pierre Rampal one of the greatest Western classical flautist bowled over by the sophisticated notes that flowed from Chaurasia's simple bamboo flute insisted on playing with him just to absorb some of the maestro's style! Haunting, playful, flirtatious, earthy and spiritual - a string of adjectives could be used to describe the notes that emerge from his flute but in actuality its sound defies description - for it tears you apart leaving you naked and vulnerable.

Inexorably he together with Tabla exponent Zakir Hussain have wooed the young Indian back into the classical fold. The tabla like the flute goes back to the dawn of Indian musical culture. 

An accomplished tabla player can send the blood coursing through your veins at his will, soft and sensuous, deep and throbbing, the thrust and parry of his drumming reaching a crescendo when mind and body become one in a uniquely sensuous experience. 

The son of one of India's tabla playing legends Alla Rakha Zakir Hussein on stage has the raw power and demeanour of a young stallion - sheer power emanates from his entire body as he urges the tabla to do his will. 

The pulsating throb of Zakir Hussain with his tabla and the mellifluous notes of Chaurasia's flute will transport the listener into the mystical world of a music replete with the richness and glory of an ancient civilization.

Big boost for Timeshare 

By Ishan Sheriffdeen 

One of the world's leading multinational companies involved in the tourism sector, is to popularize the concept of "Timeshare" locally, which is said to offer unique benefits to the upper-middle class traveller. 

Asian Vacation Concepts Sri Lanka Pvt Ltd. (part of Royal Group of Companies), commenced operations in the country few weeks back, expecting to boost the above concept among its targeted clientele. 

Timeshare (also known as "Holiday Ownership), offers discerning consumers the opportunity to purchase fully furnished luxury accommodation in resort condominiums, usually in weekly intervals. It enables a member to own his/her holiday, instead of merely renting hotel rooms. Besides, it also allows a member to use his/her apartment by himself, lend it out to friends/family or even rent it out. 
Timeshare, originated in the French Alps in the 1960s, was introduced to the US in early 1970s. 
Commenting on the concept, Patrick Visser (Project Director of Asian Vacation Concepts Sri Lanka Pvt Ltd) said that the booking of future resort accommodations on today's existing prices is the best advantage (financially), compared with expensive "Holiday Homes", as it allows the traveller to plan his/her travelling needs for the long-term, eliminating possible financial risks caused by inflationary conditions or recession. 

Royal Group which itself owns ten resorts, is connected to a chain of 3300 resorts worldwide, through an international exchange system named "Resource Condominium International" (RCI).
"We are not just a marketing company, but a development company selling our own resorts. Our ten resorts are affiliated to RCI. By purchasing membership in our resorts, one could automatically exchange to any of the 3300 RCI resorts worldwide. It simply means that a member of this system is free as a bird and could select/exchange the resort time owned by him with any of the hotels belonging to the chain at his or her discretion". Resorts of leading names in the hospitality industry such as Hilton, Ramada, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Sheraton, Hyatt are connected to this exchange system", Mr. Visser explained. 

"The Sri Lankan response towards these concepts is good, despite skepticism. Sri Lankans do have money and they do travel a lot, as they have families all around the world".We are looking at a segment of citizens who earn around Rs. 25,000-30,000 per month on average (the Upper-middle class category). The period of membership extends to 80 years, while the subscription varies from Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 lakhs, depending on the length of the vacation, the type of room, season and country, company sources revealed. 

Mr. Visser said that the company hopes to buy a resort in Sri Lanka (preferably in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya areas), after the lapse of six months of operations, and thereafter expand its offices to Negombo and Kandy. 

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