SriLankan NEGC Golf in Nuwara Eliya on August 27

SRILANKAN Airlines is teaming up with the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club to host the SriLankan NEGC Tour 2005 Golf Tournament August 27.

The tournament is open to both members of the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, and non-members holding a valid Sri Lankan handicap. The men's tournament will be played in three categories and the ladies tournament in two categories. The 18-hole tournament is to be played on a Stableford format.

The picturesque Nuwara Eliya Golf Club course, which winds its way through Nuwara Eliya town amid the mists and rolling hills of one of Sri Lanka's highest regions, is one of the toughest in the country and certainly pose many challenges to the golfers.

The course is in excellent condition, with the Captain of Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Sunil Jayakoddy, and his team having made every effort to ensure that participants get the very best conditions to compete in.

All winners will receive Air Tickets by courtesy of SriLankan Airlines. The overall winners in the men's and women's categories will each receive the SriLankan Airlines Challenge Trophy and a Business Class return air ticket to any of SriLankan's destinations in the Far East.

Other winners will receive Economy Class return air tickets to Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangalore.

The prize-giving will be held in the evening. In its efforts to promote Sri Lanka's image abroad as a destination of choice, SriLankan Airlines organizes many international sporting events in the island, from rugby to horse racing and surfing.

This is SriLankan Airlines' second golf event. The SriLankan Airlines Golf Classic will celebrate its 10th year this October. Played at the Victoria Golf Club, it drew nearly 300 golfers last year, 225 of them from 16 overseas countries.

SriLankan Airlines now flies to 49 destinations in 28 countries.

Aitken Spence holiday spree offers best value rates at top hotels

AITKEN SPENCE Hotels has challenged convention by embarking on a novel promotional campaign during the "summer season".

The Aitken Spence holiday spree which began on May 14 will continue till end of October. For those yearning for a memorable holiday up in the hills or on the beach, this is the moment you've been looking forward to.

Take the family or make it a trip with friends. For those in the mood for a second honeymoon or even a quick getaway break from the stress of work, this is the opportunity.

The holiday spree offers a discount card where you are entitled to additional discounts on A La carte beverage and laundry during the promotional period. The best way is to plan your holidays from now to October, so that you can take the best advantage from this holiday offer.

The hotel properties where the holiday Spree is offered are Neptune Hotel - Beruwela, Neptune Ayurveda Village - Beruwela, Golden Sun Resort - Kalutara, Browns Beach Hotel - Negombo, The Tea Factory - Kandapola, Bandarawela Hotel - Bandarawela, Earl's Regency - Kandy, Hill Top - Kandy and Club Rannalhi, Bathala Island Resort, Meedhupparu Island Resort in the Maldive Islands.

These hotels are located in scenic areas where one can relax and enjoy a holiday in cozy comfort.

The by word of the staff is friendliness and accommodation. Those on holiday will definitely benefit from the guest-oriented hospitality service Aitken Spence Hotels are renowned for.

Special events, theme nights and entertainment have been specially created to coincide with the promotion to keep the holiday-makers happy.

Aryana Garden Spa opens at the Airport Garden hotel

ARYANA Garden Spa at Taj Airport Garden was opened recently. The outdoor Spa features two treatment areas and allows guests to indulge in Asian Inspired therapies.

The Aryana Garden Spa is the first such Spa at the Taj Airport Garden Hotel, and boasts of naturally indulgent therapies which use the power of nature to heal and nuture.

The treatment menu uses local ingredients, and is ideal for the Jet Lag weary traveller, after Sun Soother for the Sun Worshipper, and the Body Conditioner and Rejuvenation treatment.

This Spa is the creation of Forbes and Walker Spas, which is a subsidiary of the MJF Group - makers of Dilmah Teas, and the people behind Aryana have been associated with some of the world's finest Spas including Chiva Som in Thailand, The Four Seasons and the Ritz - Carlton Spas in Bali, and Six Senses Spas of the Maldives.

The Aryana Garden Spa venture with the Taj Airport Garden is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m, and offers Body Treatments which include the Signature Relaxing Massage using pure essential oils, Deep Tissue Massage, Thai Massage and Reflex Zone Massage to list a few of the approach to complete well-being.

All therapists receive an extensive 500 hours of training at the Aryana Spa Academy.

Jetwing wins bartenders challenge

THE inaugural Bartenders Competition sponsored by Labels by Alpha Orient Lanka in association with Smirnoff and De Kuyper, the two fastest selling brands in the world, was held at the Blue Water, Wadduwa recently.

Manik Ratnasiri from the Blue Water was the winner of this inaugural competition. Other winners were Sampath Priyankara also of the Blue Water who was placed 1st runner-up and Bandara Devisekera of "The Beach" who was 2nd Runner-Up.

The Best Innovative Cocktail was created by Chamila Priyankara Bandara of Tropical Villas, Beruwala, while the Best Flaring Cocktail was from S.A.W. Jeewantha of The Light House Hotel, Galle.

This inaugural competition generated immense interest among participants and Labels by Alpha Orient Lanka will continue to sponsor this competition on an annual basis.

Facelift for Thotalagala Tea Plantation Bungalow

THOTALAGALA Tea Plantation Bungalow is to be refurbished. This colonial Tea Plantation Bungalow is situated in Haputale.

The bungalow is in an elevation of about 4500 ft. above sea level where the climate is crisp and cooling throughout the year, and is better known as a popular health resort.

This breathtaking bungalow has seven beautiful bedrooms, with antique wooden furniture. Three rooms have a fire place, with an impressive smoking room and an exclusive sitting room with a fire place, along with a dinning area and verandah.

There are four toilets, with bath tubs, and hot and cold water. To add splendour there is a fresh water swimming pool in the garden, wherein the water is taken from the mountain spring.

The Bungalow has a well maintained garden with terraced lawns and colourful plants, where you could spot several species of birds as the Pita Rathmalle jungle is in close proximity.

After the refurbishment the bungalow will have new toilet fittings, the rooms will be re-painted, with overall maintenance taken care of. The bungalow will be re-opened for occupation, early October 2005, with a fresh renewed appearance.

The quaint Sherwood Tea Plantation Bungalow, also situated in Haputale, has four well furnished bed rooms and three toilets, This bungalow commenced operations recently after being refurbished.