Sri Lanka Tourism Blog

Photo credit : smartovski (flickr)

Rory Spowers - The Guardian

‘Our job was always seen in negative terms,” said Siggi. “But now we can feel some dignity in what we do. And we make more money than before, without fighting over it.”

We were sitting in a palm thatch lean-to on the “golden mile” of beach stretching from Beruwela to Bentota on Sri Lanka’s south-west coast. To our left, an impeccably clean stretch of sand was given added colour by artistic displays of hats and sarongs hanging from wigwam structures of sticks and driftwood. To our right, a tall green fence separated us from the Riverina Hotel’s swimming pool, where two English families were playing water polo. “One day we hope the fences will come down,” added Sujit Yamasinghe, the young sociologist spearheading the LINC (Learning Involving Nurturing Communities) project which has elevated Siggi from “beach boy” status to “beach operator”, boosted his income and prospects, while simultaneously improving his relations with foreign guests, local people and the management of the Riverina Hotel.

On busy tropical beaches, from Bali to Barbados, the scene is familiar: an almost incessant stream of hawkers, “beach bums” in regulation surf shorts, Bob Marley T-shirts and crowned with dreadlocks, offering everything from massages and sunglasses to boat trips and local tours. Although their exchanges can be friendly and engaging, they are often regarded with suspicion and can become irritatingly persistent.

Having lived the last four years in south Sri Lanka, I know how family trips to the beach can be marred by these interruptions. There are only so many times you can say no to the same toy wooden boat and sarongs.

Until recently, this stretch of Sri Lankan coast, an area badly affected by the 2004 tsunami, was no exception. Hundreds of “beach boys” gathered outside the hotels, hassling their prey on the other side of high green fences. At the Riverina Hotel, the problem had become so severe that tourists rarely ventured to the beach from the hotel compound. Even locals and hotel staff kept their distance, for fear of the friction that might ensue. One hotel operator had likened the informal industry to “a mafia”.

Now, thanks to an initiative implemented by Sri Lanka’s Responsible Tourism Partnership (RTP) and sponsored by the UK Travel Foundation and tour operator Kuoni, the situation has been reversed. Noisy hordes of hustlers, who previously secured their game by pestering the loudest, have been replaced by teams of Beach Operators (BOs), dressed in official T-shirts, their names embossed on the sleeves and seated in the shade under palm frond beach huts. Tourists now come to them, rather than the other way round. Of the 72 originally trained under the scheme, 65 are now operating in teams of four or five. The proceeds from their commissions, sales and tips are then pooled and split equally between the group.

“The first thing we did was replace the term ‘beach boys’ with ‘beach operators’, providing a link between the formal and informal tourism industries,” said Sujit.

And since only one representative from each group needs to be on the beach at one time, you’ll often find just 14 BOs on the golden mile, rather than a swarm of 70 .

This informal industry has a long history and some of those working the beach are continuing a family profession stretching back generations. Many are eager to point out that some local politicians and successful businessmen started their careers by selling trinkets and tours on this strip of beach, while hotel managers accept that the local knowledge and foreign language skills of the BOs are often superior to that of their own staff. All too often however, large hotel developments have ignored the needs of the local community and left many unemployed, thereby creating the sort of tension that evolved at the Riverina.

Now local community activities, ranging from New Year and Independence Day celebrations to cricket matches, integrate foreign guests with hotel staff and the BOs. Unlike two years ago, when hotel staff would hardly dare venture to the beach, the BOs actively promote the Riverina among their contacts. A Community Fund has been established, creating a welfare system that helps pay for funerals and other events that can financially cripple poor families.

The positive results of the LINC project have been systemic, stretching to beach-cleaning and tree-planting programmes to combat erosion, with BOs working alongside hotel employees. The neighbouring Neptune Hotel, a white concrete complex designed by the celebrated Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa in the 1970s, has also signed up to the project. “We always had a good rapport with the BOs and are the only hotel not separated from the beach by a fence,” said general manager Samantha Gunaratne. “But after seeing the success of the Riverina pilot project, we invited Sujit to replicate it here and relations have become even better.” The hope is that the model will now be rolled out on other Sri Lankan beaches.

Back at the Riverina, instead of feeling enclosed and intimidated, tourists walked undisturbed to the beach. One or two stopped to chat with the BOs assigned to them, discussing the details of impending excursions to local markets and temples. Gone are the cries for “massage”, “sarong” and “coconut”.

Rory Spowers runs Samakanda “bio-versity” (samakanda.org) where the bungalows cost from £40 per night.

A Year in Green Tea and Tuk-Tuks, Rory Spowers’ book about moving to Sri Lanka, the 2004 tsunami and the creation of Samakanda, is published by Harper Element, priced £8.99.

By Rosanne Kolemeyer Anderson, Photo Credit: Jen Maree
Reminiscent of love and romance, a river cruise to that perfect hideout is a fun-filled exploration of nature’s splendour: the marvellous mangrove, nestling on the Bentota river in close proximity to one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, the Bentota beach where the sea meets the river is one attraction not to be missed. But going there when there is bright sun is best as the romantic hideout is quite dark and capturing the beauty of it on camera may be unfavorable.

Entering the small cave like entrance of lush green vegetation: this mangrove has been in existence for the past three decades or so, Supun the guide narrated as he barely managed to steer the boat through leisurely: the mangrove thriving in the sheltered bay is being trimmed and kept accessible by the boat houses in Bentota .

An ecosystem with diverse attraction of fascinating flora and fauna embedded in the nutrient rich sediment deposits which continues to withstand severe environmental exposure and the alternating mix of fresh and salty water; the mangrove on the Bentota river is yet another of lassana Sri Lanka’s attractions drawing almost every visitor to the area to make a trip down stream.

The valuable wood produced by the mangrove Supun explained is durable and water resistant while its properties, the bark, the leaves and the flowers are wide and varied.

The mangrove simply looks a beautiful work of art depicting its intricacies in size, length, breadth and colour in the form of twisted bark and bushy clusters spread over a vast area of its terrain; some touching the water, so well grown almost totally hiding the sunlight even at noon blending with the equally spread out exquisite long drooping branches of different length and shades of earthy colour making it a perfect merge of nature’s grandeur and gift to the Pearl of the Indian Ocean: a tourist attraction and indeed a land like no other.

Hotel Lanka Supercorals - Hikkaduwa is ideally situated in close proximity to famous marine sanctuary with exotic coral formation in Hikkaduwa.Hundred kms South of Colombo Hotel Lanka Supercorals sited on a spot marvelously landscaped green garden.

It is a prefect stopover for those who seek the pleasure of sun sand and surf. The hotel has been refurbished and opened last year after the damage caused by the tsunami.

Hotel Lanka Supercorals, which originally had 100 guest rooms has had soft opening with 40 guest rooms, and is over looking beautiful Hikkaduwa Beach.

Thirty one rooms are directly sea view and all rooms are equipped with A/C, hot/cold water shower, balcony, high speed internet facility, International Sports Channel on Cable TV, mini bar offered for Sri Lankan holiday makers during the coming Avurudu season.

The hotel has two spacious specialty restaurants serving all meals. Western, Chinese and oriental cuisine along with B.B.Q, buffet is the specialty of the main restaurant, while fresh seafood and Sri Lankan cuisine serves at the other restaurant.

Coral bar offers a well stocked range of wines, spirits, liquors, beer and fresh fruit juices.

Apart from that, pizza hut and super café are the two popular places for snacks.

As a part of a recreation and animation, hotel offers two separate swimming pools. One is specially designed for kids and the main pool separately for animation programmes, water polo and other water based activities.

Beach Volley Ball and indoor games too are popular with overseas travellers.

Hotel Lanka Supercorals also offers excursions for travellers and there are tailor made programmes for holiday makers.

‘Half a day excursions to Galle Dutch Fort, Maadu Ganga River Safari, sightseeing tour of popular Moonstone Mine off Kahawa and sea safaris are some of the popular trips arranged by the hotel’ said Rohan de Silva, Manager of Hotel Lanka Supercorals

The other most popular attraction is the Cinnamon Trail and Eco Tour.

The guests are taken to a large cinnamon cultivation owned by Devmith Kaggodaarachchi, the Managing Director of the hotel for a tour.

‘This is quite a popular event, especially with foreigners. They love to see cinnamon cultivation, cropping and other processing up to packing. This is unique to this area’ said Mr. Kaggodaarachchi.

Photo Credit: Pradeep Jeganathan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pradeepics/51797733/)

Arugam Bay was awarded the Highly Commended Best Destination award at the World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards Ceremony at Excel in Docklands, London on 14th November 14, 2007. Out of the thousands of nominations received, Costa Rica and New Forest were the other two nominees.
Arugam Bay is classed among the top ten surfing destinations in the world. The village itself is a delightful experience. There are no big hotels. The community has developed tourism by dint of their own hard work and imagination.
Three star establishments rub shoulders with low-key stilt cabins and coconut palm leaf cabanas, and tourists share the beach with local fishermen.
The wild and rugged scenery, elephants meandering at the edge of the village, abundant birdlife, and mysterious archaeological sites have made this a long-time favourite destination for travellers.
The three ethnic groups - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, work and live in harmony. The population of 3,000 families is made up mostly of small family managed hotels/guest houses and restaurants.
The President of Arugam Bay Tourist Association (ABTA) Abdul Raheem, said that “ this award is the best thing that has happened to the Arugam Bay tourism community”.

The tourism sector is not threatened by the war and the number of tourist arrivals has increased during the past two months. Tourism in the Eastern Province will develop if there are more domestic aircraft services, said Managing Director Arugam Bay Travels and Tours (Pvt) Ltd., A.M. Jaufer.
Arugam Bay which offers the best setting for discerning visitors with its stretch of sandy beaches is a popular tourist destination for water sports, wind surfing, surf riding, snorkelling, scuba diving and bird watching.

The Lahugala National Park for elephants, historical sites such as the Magual Maha Viharaya, Mudu Maha Viharaya and the Kudimbigala Viharaya and the Kumana Bird Sanctuary are some of the prime sites for tourism in the East.

The East coast stretching over 300 kilometres rated as the best sea coast in the country is one of the main tourist attractions. The East coast season spans from April to October.

The tourist season in the Eastern Province begins in April and continues up to November. The annual tourist arrivals in Arugam Bay are over 2,500.

“The number of tourists visiting the East can be increased with better infrastructure and hotel facilities”, Jaufer said.

Roads, electricity, water supply and other infrastructure facilities will be developed under the Nagenahira Navodaya program.

Arugam Bay Travels and Tours will receive an award for responsible tourism at this year’s World Travel Mart at the ExCell Exhibition Centre in London.

Honoured with the Brand Excellence Award at the 2006 SLIM Awards for his enterprise, Jaufer also runs the Arugam Handicrafts (Pvt) Ltd. which was launched in 2005. “Helping rural women to develop their cottage crafts will be more beneficial to the cottage industry than encouraging women to leave their homes to work in institutions”, Jaufer said.

He said it was after the tsunami that people realised the potential of the rich natural resources that surrounds them besides the sea.

The objective in launching the organisation is to provide employment to make quality products and capture international markets.

Arugam Bay Handicrafts was launched realising the raw material available in the area which could be turned out into handicrafts and utility items, he said. Sea shells, coconut shells, ‘hana’ (hemp) and reed growing close to the sea shore are turned out into attractive handicrafts to delight local and foreign tourists.

Colourful hemp mats in varying sizes and patterns for carpets, wall hangers, mats, bags, baskets, table mats and ladle holders are some of the other items produced by the organisation.

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Not all vacation deals are meant to suit everyone. Most of the time, families are looking for economical vacation packages. That does not mean resorts or luxurious cruise deals. Just a comfortable travel lodge and other leisure activities as well as reservations for car rental

By Sanath Weerasuriya, Pix by Dunstan Wickremaratne.
Narigama, Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular beach destinations in the world. Since the tourism boom in the seventies, Hikkaduwa leads its way from the front to attract a major portion of Lanka’s tourist arrivals. After almost three decades, the popularity for this place never changed.

Sunil’s Beach Hotel stands tall amongst the rest in Hikkaduwa for the last twenty five years catering to guests from all over the world. Situated in the sun kissed, palm fringed golden beaches of Narigama, Sunil’s Beach Hotel offers its guests all those little comforts they really look forward.

The hotel has 54 delicately appointed spacious standard double rooms and six deluxe/suite rooms overlooking the sea. ‘Our top priority is to give the guest an extremely obliging personalized service. I think it is important to give the best service, that will go long way. Food, comfort and other things come second, if we can cater to their needs and wants’ said T. Piyadasa, acting Manager of the hotel.

Other facilities at the hotel includes AC and non AC rooms. Air-Conditioned and Non-Airconditioned Rooms, En-suite bathrooms equipped with shower and toilet, running hot and cold water and courteous 12 hour room service. Seagull Restaurant of the hotel is the main dining area and it serves a wide array of Eastern and Continental cuisine prepared by P. Ruwan Kumara, the master chef. Sea food specialities are the most popular among its visitors.

‘Savour the typical Sri Lankan weekly buffet with spicy Sri Lankan dishes prepared the original way to suit your palate’ he said.

Mermaid Bar located adjoining the spacious reception Lounge and just while away the evening listening to feet tapping live music.

The main target market of the hotel is the German market. ‘We get lot of German tourists and MWR. Travel Agent in Germany is the top agent for us’ Mr Piyadasa said. ‘Apart from European Market, our main vision is on Sri Lankan travellers. Excursions and cultural shows are some of the other interests of the European travellers’ he said.

Outdoor dining is a popular event with guests and large garden by the pool provides the facility for the service. A Doctor on call and laundry service are the other facilities available at the hotel. Sunil Beach Hotel is owned and managed by businessman Sunil Siriwardena.

England’s cricketers have just started their tour of Sri Lanka, drawing thousands of fans in their wake. Rosanna de Lisle highlights some of the treats that await the Barmy Army.

Sri Lankans never seem to stop smiling, but when the England cricket team last toured their country, in late 2003, they had genuinely good reason to be cheerful.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka starts on October 1 with a one-day international in Dambulla, followed by two more on the same ground and two in Colombo. Sri Lankans like the excitement of day-night cricket and will bunk off work to watch screens on street corners, but it’s the Test matches in December that are expected to draw thousands of England fans.

So here’s our guide to the three Test venues, along with a few ideas for the companion who’s along for the ride rather than the wickets.

If dialing any of the phone numbers from outside Sri Lanka, replace the initial 0 with 0094.

Kandy: First Test, December 1-5

The hill capital was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings and still has a majestic air that is not all to do with its fresher weather. Arrive from hot, heaving Colombo and Kandy’s magnificent Temple of the Tooth, its calm grey-green lake and its steep, wooded hills seem to belong to another country.

The ground
The Asgiriya Stadium is carved into a hillside. England usually play well here, helped by the kinder climate. “Kandy tends to produce nail-biting, adventurous cricket,” says Charlie Austin. “The pitch is quicker and bouncier and the Kandy supporters are very vocal - this is Murali’s home town. They take on the Barmy Army and the camaraderie is very good.”

Where to stay
Much the loveliest place is The Kandy House, but its nine rooms are already booked during the cricket. However, there are plenty of larger hotels, comfortable if slightly staid, perched above the lake and river. The best bets are Amaya Hills, Earl’s Regency, Mahaweli Reach, Hunas Falls, Thilanka; from around £50 double b & b. The scenic Victoria Golf Course has a lodge and chalets.

Where to eat and drink
Kandy is not well endowed with restaurants but the most atmospheric place to eat is Helga’s FollyPub Royal (cocktails and dinner, about £10 per person; book ahead on 081 223 4571). Bamboo Garden (081 447 6099), up the hill from the Temple of the Tooth, is a cheap and cheerful Chinese with a terrace, bar and big screen; main courses from 400 rupees (£1·75). The colonial at the Queens Hotel and first-floor Pub, both on the main drag, Dalada Veediya, will be post-match hangouts.

Diversions from the field
The fantastically gilded Temple of the Tooth draws pilgrims from all over the world. Go at 10am or 6pm to see ceremonies; don’t expect to see the Buddha’s tooth relic, which is in a casket.

The Kandyan Arts Association has dance and drumming every day at 6pm. The British Garrison Cemetery is full of tea planters, whose stories are told by the caretaker. The Botanical Gardens are worth an hour or three. The elephant orphanage at Pinnawela is well known, but you will learn more about elephants, and can ride one, at the Millennium Elephant Foundation up the road.

Senani Silks, near Royal Palace Park, is great for saris. Isini Gems, opposite, is a museum as well as a shop. Waruna Antiques on Peradeniya Road is worth a rummage.

Matale, 14 miles north of Kandy, is famous for its spice gardens and for the renowned batik artist Ena de Silva’s Heritage Centre (066 222 2404). Book three days ahead to have lunch and you’ll be served up to 20 exquisitely slow-cooked curries.

Colombo: Second Test, December 9-13

At first sight, the capital is chaotic and charmless, but beyond the ugly thoroughfares there are pockets of serenity - avenues of rain trees, parks, temples and the odd grand public building.

The ground

The Singhalese Sports Club is Sri Lanka’s Lord’s. There’s no lighting here, so one-day matches happen at Premadasa Stadium. There’s no breeze and the ground can get hot and humid - for spectators as much as players. Leave the grass banks to the locals and find a seat in the shade.

Where to stay

The teams stay at the Taj Samudra. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you want to wake up in no doubt about where you are in the world, you’d be better off at the Galle Face Hotel. This seafront institution is decidedly worn and the older rooms are probably only for those who wish the empire had never ended, but the Regency wing now has modern bathrooms (double b & b from £47).

For more sophistication, stay at one of Colombo’s new boutique hotels. The Park Street Hotel is a quietly swish conversion of a colonial bungalow (www.taruvillas.com; double b & b from about £140). Casa Colombo packs bold contemporary design into a Moorish palace. The décor is too funky for its shirt, but the MacBook, iPod and personal butler standard to each room make for a cosseting stay (www.casacolombo.com; double b & b from £180).

Where to eat and drink

England fans congregate at Clancy’s, the bar of the Colombo Cricket Club. Bayleaf, an Italian restaurant with a large garden, is also within walking distance of the SSC (79 Gregory’s Road; 011 535 9653). The Cricket Club Café (34 Queens Road; 011 250 1384) is highly themed, with Bradman’s burger and lots of memorabilia on the menu.

The Gallery Café (2 Alfred House Road, 011 258 2162) has great fusion food and, as the former office of the celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa, even better style; dinner and drinks from £20 a head.

Beach Wadiya serves simple seafood right on the sands. It’s barefoot-relaxed, but you need to book (2 Station Avenue, 011 258 8568).

Diversions

Cricket widows should be consoled by Colombo’s shops. Paradise Road (next to the Gallery Café) sells chic contemporary homewares at prices so tempting you may want to ask about shipping; at Barefoot (706 Galle Road), vibrant, hand-loomed textiles are fashioned into everything from clothes to toys; and Odel (5 Alexandra Place) sells clothes made locally for Western labels, but without Western price-labels.

Galle: Third Test, December 18-22

Dangling into the Indian Ocean like a chunky jewel, Galle Fort is both historic and increasingly hip, as more and more of its 17th-century Dutch merchants’ houses are turned into hotels, villas and shops. Happily, it remains a living, working town and hasn’t become a museum.

The ground

The stadium should be rebuilt in time for the Test, but it’s really only the pitch that is vital: the game can be seen from the ramparts. “It’s like the carnival comes to town - it’s fabulous,” says Olivia Richli, manager of Amangalla, the Fort’s most sumptuous hotel. “There’s a party atmosphere on the ramparts and everyone gets very, very red.” Hats and sunscreen essential.

Where to stay

The teams stay at the Lighthouse, a late Bawa masterpiece that stands dramatically on a headland a mile from the Fort. Two freshwater pools and a superb spa draw non-residents, as does the sunset over the ocean (www.jetwinghotels.com; double b & b from £85).

Galle’s clutch of boutique hotels - Amangalla and the Galle Fort Hotel inside the ramparts, the Sun House and Dutch House in the new town - are fully booked during the cricket, but will be open to diners and drinkers. Tamarind Hill, a colonial mansion near the Lighthouse, should be open by December (www.taruvillas.com, double b & b from about £110).

There are plenty of cheaper options along the coast, such as Sun and Sand and Thambapanni Retreat in Unawatuna, and Amaya Reef and Cinnamon Gardens in Hikkaduwa.

Where to eat and drink

The best spots for sundowners are the Lighthouse, the Rampart Hotel in the Fort and the Ladyhill (Upper Dickson Road). Dine at the Galle Fort Hotel (091 223 2870), which has terrific pan-Asian food, or the Sun House (091 438 0275), where there’ll be a barbecue for up to 40 in the courtyard and a plasma screen in Dick’s Bar (free tuk-tuk shuttle from the ground). The bars - and beaches - of Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa will reliably rock into the night.

Diversions

There’s so much to see and do around Galle that even a cricket tragic could be tempted to miss a few overs. Wander round the Fort, taking in the Dutch church, temple, mosque, bastions and some surprisingly good shopping (find Barefoot, Elephant Walk, Mimimango and several jewellers on and around Church Street).

Surf at Hikkaduwa, dive at Unawatuna or head into the hinterland to Sinharaja rainforest, Samakanda, a visionary ecological project (www.samakanda.org), or Handunugoda Tea Estate (091 228 6364) which produces some of the world’s finest white tea.
# Red Dot Tours (0113 815 0864 or 01937 842846, www.reddottours.com) is the official agent for the England cricket tour. The company can book all the hotels mentioned above. Its packages are especially good value: Kandy Test, including return flights, eight nights’ b & b, airport and stadium transfers, tickets to all five days of the Test, from £905 per person, based on two sharing. Colombo and Galle Tests, with flights, transfers, match tickets and 16 nights’ b & b, from £940pp. Red Dot is also putting on events for supporters during each Test.

Themed ‘Tourism opens doors for women’, the United Nations World Tourism Day 2007 (UNWTO) will be celebrated on September 27 in the picnic area in Bentota from 5.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. UNWTO has selected Sri Lanka to be this year’s host country for this important event. Sri Lanka has been a UNWTO member for over 30 years.

International delegates, UN World Tourism Organization officials, architects, social scientists, lawyers, doctors, engineers, diplomats, librarians, writers, bankers, insurers, hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents, entrepreneurs, fashion designers, beauty consultants, sports and media personalities will be present.

In addition to the main ceremony several events have been lined up including a women tourism leaders summit, a UNWTO online Photographic Competition at the Taj Exotica Hotel, Bentota, International press conference and a special postal stamp will be issued to mark this day.

Announcing Sri Lanka as a “Green Lung Destination”, the launch of UNWTO WPP world children’s program and a cultural show in the evening in the Bentota Picnic Area after the Official Celebration Ceremony are also lined up. Many events have also been planned by the regional tourism authority along with stakeholders of the industry from September 26 to 28.

It includes a canoe competition, a mini marathon/fun run/a biking event, a competition on “Building Sand Castles” on the Beach, A one day cultural and sports program titled “Sinhala Aluth Avurudu”, a mini marathon/fun run/a biking event and a painting competition and exhibition.

A promotional campaign themed “Men don’t get it” and staging of pow wow events of professional women will be staged till October 31. Each provincial council too has planned a host of events to commemorate this year’s WTO day.

Tourist Ministry Secretary P. M. Leelaratne said, World Tourism Day is commemorated on September 27 each year by appropriate events on themes selected by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the United Nations World Tourism Organisations (UNWTO) Executive Council.

Dangling like a dewdrop from the southern tip of India, the island nation of Sri Lanka is a topographical marvel, where rolling emerald plains gently blend into forested hills, and colorful Buddhist and Hindu temples dot the landscape like jewelry. But the beaches that fringe the perimeter of Sri Lanka are what best capture hearts, especially the sloping sands of Bentota, on the island’s southwestern ridge. Tucked between the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and a lazy blue river just behind it, Bentota Beach is a top choice among sun worshippers who know a garden paradise when they see one.

UNAWATUNA beach, in the Galle district, is classified as one of the most beautiful and fascinating beaches in the world. Unawatuna is a paradise for beach lovers, both foreign and Sri Lankan.

The beach is surrounded by a number of star class hotels, and cabanas and is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations. Most of the hotels which were damaged by the tsunami, have now been completely refurbished, and Unawatuna has regained its glamor and splendor.

True to its name, Hotel Flower Garden, at Unawatuna, has been built on a marvellously landscaped one-acre garden which resembles a min-flower garden. It is located within walking distance to the world famous Unawatuna beach, in Galle district.

The hotel which began with nine cabanas in 2003, now offers 25 luxury cabanas with all modern facilities to the discerning traveller.

All cabanas are equipped with A/C, hot/cold water, mini-bar and room service. Hotel Flower Garden has a beautiful and large swimming pool and a well stocked bar.

The restaurant offers the very best in Western, Eastern and Sri Lankan cuisine, together with an ‘A-la-carte’ menu.

The restaurant specialises in French, Italian and German cuisine, the preparation of which is personally supervised by the young owner of the hotel, K. Sassi, who holds a Degree in Food and Beverage, having successfully completed a course in Hotel at Ricken, St. Gallen, Switzerland, for five years as its Food and Beverage Adviser from 1992 to 1996. The hotel offers tours to Koggala Lake, Turtle Farm, fishing in Weligama Bay Beach.

A visit to the ‘jungle beach’ is a unique feature offered by the hotel to tourists.