Tissamaharama Resort: The
hospitality plus
The centre for excursion in the South, Uva, Sabaragamuwa
and East
Tissa resort is the biggest property of the Ceylon Hotel’s
Corporation, which is beatifuly located on the banks of ancient
Tissa Wewa. Tissa Wewa (Tank) was built by King Kavantissa about
2300 years ago. A low parapet wall skirts the bank of the wewa and
has lamps all along it - a very pretty sight at night. A small island-home
to a variety of birds and butterflies - is thick with mangroves
and only a short canoe ride away.
Originally
a Rest House, this pleasant two-storey structure still manages to
retain its informal, intimate atmosphere despite the addition of
swimming pool, several new rooms and an in-house shop, which provides
all the basic amenities as well as gift items.
The total room
capacity of the Resort is sixty and 20 rooms and three family rooms
are now under the refurbishment programme to be up lift to the superior
status. Under this refurbishment programme, 26 rooms have already
been upgraded with A/C, TV, mini bar, IDD facilities and piped music.
All the rooms have balconies that overlook the wewa.
26 air conditioned
rooms, which are divided into the categories of standard, Family
Rooms and Suites. The Tissamaharama resort has two restaurants.
In the line with Chairman Bodhi Ranasinghe’s thought ‘Gedara
Wage Kema Welak’ (Home Cooked Food) is the theme of all CHC
Hotels and Rest Houses.
“ The main restaurant is overlooking the wewa, can be accomodated
about 100pax” said the manager of the Resort P.A. P. S. Ariya
Kumara.
The resort is
maintained well, and the staff is courteous and accommodating. A
play area, kids’ pool and special menus are available for
children. “ CHC is very much concerned of the disabled people
and the ground floor has the facilities to accommodate wheel chair
users” he said.
The restaurant
also serves Western and Sri Lankan cuisine and the guests have the
choice of eating inside or down by the pool. The garden has plenty
to shade, most of it provided by a majestic old Bo tree.
Tissa resort
is not only a place for Sri Lankan visitors ,but many foreigners
visit on their way to Kataragama or nature lover to the popular
Yala National park.
“ The Swimming pool is on a raised level that doesn’t
have any obstruction for sun worshippers who want to work on their
tans’ he added.
The evenings
here are generally quiet, but you can listen to a cheery calypso
band playing away while you lounge in the bar with your drink, playing
carom or chess or cards. Or you can get an early night and be fresh
and ready for the amazing cultural and safari sight seeing opportunities,
which are less than an hours away.
The excursion
is a part and parcel of our package and we arrange day tours to
Yala, Bundala, Kalametiya , Bandarawela , World’s End and
Horton Plains or Buduruwagala . Over night tours to handapangala
kumana and Panama too are possible said the Senior Marketing manager
of the Corporation Ranjith Balasuriya |