Sri Lanka Tourism Blog

Nature, Culture, Luxury… a Lifestyle!

The newest and most ambitious project of Jetwing Hotels, located within 5km of the ‘8th Wonder of the World’-Sigiriya- is the creation of a truly ‘Lifestyle Hotel’. Sigiriya, located within the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is famous for its rich history and Sri Lankan heritage. Vil Uyana situated within view of Sigiriya rock, on the flatlands that stretch to the west, integrates into an ancient plan - a plan to irrigate, in the tradition of the Sinhala kings.

The introduction of a wetland on reclaimed agricultural lands within the Dry Zone, provides the unique backdrop for this exciting new property. Inspired from local and rural traditions.

A private nature reserve provides a haven for wildlife and a setting of peace and tranquility. The hotel is possibly the first in the world to construct a wetland system with lakes and reed beds to form a private nature reserve.

This has allowed for the first time in Sri Lanka for rooms to be built over water. Centered around water bodies are parklands and woodlands, designed for leisure; an extension of the ancient practice of planning gardens for pleasure.

A challenge has been overcome, for the conversion of Dry Zone chena lands formed by slash & burn agriculture, to a seasonal wetland (land that is inundated by water for part of the year). The colonization of the new habitats by local fauna and flora has been accelerated by the planting of reed beds and groves of trees.

5 acres of land was used to re-grow paddy using traditional methods of farming and harvesting, providing a new and exciting feature. Rooms have been placed within the paddy fields, thereby giving the guest a unique opportunity of participating in both the farming and harvesting if they wished; yet another first in Sri Lanka! The regeneration of the forested groves create a feeling of ultimate privacy and seclusion in the Forest Lodges, the largest of the Chalets.

The tastefully designed rooms boast space as its hallmark of luxury. Dine in the privacy of your room or ‘under the stars’ or simply relax and pamper yourself at the Island Spa with a range of treatments to choose from.

The many components of the ecosystem will be subject to continuous monitoring. The hotel is unique in building a research facility from inception. Comfortable accommodation will be provided to researchers locally and internationally, overcoming one of the key logistics hurdles to field work. The research center also has a library, a room for laboratory based work and a computer room. The guest will be a participant in the metamorphosis of tourism as a champion of conservation. The environmental awareness will be an important aspect of a new ethos.

As part of Jetwing’s responsibility towards local communities an English teaching program is being held in two Buddhist temples located near Vil Uyana. Namely, Rotawewa and Kimbissa. Unemployed youth now attend these classes where they are trained to read, write and speak English. Halfway through their 6 months training they will receive hotel craft training in a field selected from Hotel Housekeeping, Reception, Restaurant & Bar and Cookery. The objective of the initiative is to make them gainfully employable. Some of them will have the opportunity to join Jetwing while others can look for employment in other companies in Sri Lanka or even overseas.

Whether it is the nature lover in you or the task of ‘finding yourself again’ treat yourself to an experience…come be part of the lifestyle!

This prestigious property is scheduled to be opened in Autumn 2006.

25 Tastefully appointed Chalets set in 3 distinct ‘habitats’:

7 Water Pavilions 1030 Sq. Ft (Dining Deck 200 Sq. Ft)

6 Paddy Field Villas 1030 Sq. Ft (Dining Deck 200 Sq. Ft and Plunge Pool 200 Sq.Ft)

2 Marsh Villas 1030 Sq. Ft (Dining Deck 200 Sq. Ft and Plunge Pool 200 Sq. Ft)

10 Forest Lodges 2100 Sq. Ft (Private Pool)

Spread Over 24 Acres of Land

Location:

169 km from Colombo (About a 4 ½ hr drive)

153 km from the International Airport (About a 4 hour drive)

By: kirthi hulangamuwa

While crossing the Yoda Ela on a narrow bridge to the precincts of Minneri Devalaya a devotee is awe-inspiring with reverential sentiment -triggered by anticipation.A stone’s throw from Elahera town nestled on a picturesque setting over a vast stretch of paddy fields and bewitching Ambanganga, there stands a shrine room dedicated to Minneri devio. The deity is supposed to be the deified form of king Mahasen, builder of many tanks among which Minneriya ranks foremost. Legend has it the king held his council with the ministers and yodayas (giants) on the very spot where the devalaya stands to day on the bank of the Yoda ela. Power of the overlord reverberates in valleys and plains, forests and households of the district of Polonnaruwa.

An archaic Bo tree that is believed to have sheltered the king and his retinue stands beside the shrine. Though not a huge edifice with pomp and ceremony this solitary monument unfolds volumes of lore and legend. For illness, dispute, distress and the like this simple yet magnanimous place of worship proved a panacea, they say. An offering is made to the deity soon after the harvest with the participation of the whole farming community. It is a fulfilling of a vow made to their protector and benefactor for granting the favours of a bountiful harvest sans famine, disease and drought.

In distress - be it prejudice or prudence - peasant farmers make a vow at the shrine in the simplest form of tying a ‘pandura’ on the trident (thrishula) believed to have been used since Polonnaruwa era. Coincidence or not, mere chance or otherwise several incidents of assistance by the deity are recorded. Incurable diseases, family disputes, long overdue law suits, drinking habits etc. are made good. Wisdom and tradition twist interminably with phenomenal results granted for the benefit of the peasantry. In my ramblings in the wilderness over thirty years, mostly alone, I have stumbled upon few similar hallowed shrines that attract veneration.

Kapuralas

Inhabitants of the area fled following the invasion of Maga, the disreputable South Indian prince who brought destruction and misery to the monarchy of Polonnaruwa in 1214. Jungle tide rose over the sovereignty. There are few families who braved atrocities perpetrated by the aggressor. A long line of kapuralas are hailing from one such family being the hereditary heirs to the devalaya.

Elephants

Leaving the authenticity of the divine power at bay and rendering it more tantalizing, I shall guide the weary traveller to a more promising I territory to watch pachyderms of elephants.

The place: Ihakuluwewa. You travel down the tarred bund of Yoda ela for twenty miles and at Diyabeduma a weather beaten track will take the traveller to the upper reaches of Minneriya tank- where all it happens.

I am meticulously avoiding main thoroughfares which the ignorant travellers use. He goes, probably sees or not and returns crestfallen, mostly. All big games are there: elephants, wild buffalos spotted deer sambur and the like. Approximate habitats are shrouded by a vast canopy of tree tops. Golden sandy beds of dry streams planked by thick foliage on either side create a cool rendezvous for the denizens of Minneriya. They commence their promenade here at the glorious sunset that would leave a nature lover speechless2Assortments of water birds congregate on shallow end while large wings festoon the sky over the glassy liquid.

Wildlife enthusiast is tempted to scan around probably with untrained eyes out of sheer curiosity. Nervous, he may look here, there and sees nothing. You are advised to look into the jungle and not at it as impending dangers appear from nowhere. It had happened to me when I confronted a wild buffalo, the most formidable animal when provoked.

Elahera canal

The canal that replenishes thirsty Minneriya tank is the brainchild of King Wasaba (77 AD). Ambanganga was intercepted at Elahera with hewn stones and earth embankment rendering the imprisoned waters gush through a narrow stone gap ensuring the outflow is incessant and persistent.

Galloping water crashes into the canal below and travels twenty four miles along the foot of Sudu Kanda while irrigating paddy fields below. The gradient of the waterway is said to be one inch to one mile. The canal was navigable during the epic period of King Mahasen. The monarch had sailed up to Oru-Bendi which literally means tamarind tree which boats moored. He is said to have had overtures on a village damsel.

The antiquated tree withstood all weathers till recently. It had seen the rise and fall of many a monarch, prosperity and calamity alternatively until the whole region was succumbed by the irrepressible jungle eight centuries ago. In the 1930s revival dawned owing to the genius of one Man. His name is D.S. Senanayaka.

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