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TALAWAKELLE: Talawakelle Resthouse is run on an old Colonial building, which has a history of over 100 years. It is on the Talawakelle-Kotmale road close to the Talawakelle junction, in a most scenic location surrounded by beautiful mountains and ever-green tea plantations.

Prominently displayed at the reception is the "Theme" of the rest house which reads:

Going by the theme, the environment at the resthouse is very homely and pleasant. All guests are treated by the Manager S. Thilakaraj and his staff, with a friendly and personal touch.

BREATHTAKING: The Kotmale Oya and in the background the ‘Udarata Menike’ on one of her runs to Badulla

The main attraction of the Talawakelle Resthouse is the soothing sounds of the Kotmale Oya which runs adjacent to the resthouse. Visitors get a beautiful view of the cascading waters of the Kotmale Oya from their bed rooms.

Another attraction of the resthouse is the sight of the "Upcountry Menikes" (trains) which run adjacent to the resthouse.

At night the lit-up trains that pass the resthouse from Colombo to Badulla and vice versa is a breathtaking view for "train spotters". The resthouse has 12 guest rooms which are reasonably priced.

COLONIAL TOUCH: The Talawakelle Resthouse

It is an ideal spot for family outings, company picnics, seminars and other functions due to the cool climate, reasonable prices and courteous service. Taking a plunge into the Kotmale Oya is yet another big attraction.

The resthouse offers safaris to St. Clair and Devon waterfalls, two of Sri Lanka's most beautiful waterfalls located on Hatton-Nuwara Eliya road, which is in close proximity to the resthouse. The resthouse also offers guests a visit to the Tea Research Institute (TRI), which is only a 15-minute drive from the resthouse.

The resthouse is also a popular stop-over for tourists travelling to "Little England", on the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya road. It offers typical Sri Lankan cuisine in addition to Western, Eastern and Chinese dishes. It also has a well-stock bar.

Talawakelle Resthouse is run by a well-experienced hotelier in K. Sugumar, who is also the Managing Director of the Peak Rest in Hatton and the Tea Garden Hotel Complex in Watawala. Talawakelle Resthouse is a member of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) Resthouse Managers' Association.

Museum and Maitland State room opened

MT. LAVINIA: As part of its bicentenary celebrations Mount Lavinia Hotel launched a commemorative book on July 14, during a spectacular ceremony followed by the opening of the refurbished museum/gallery with the unveiling of the portraits of the former Governors of Sri Lanka during the British occupancy.

The book titled "Mount Lavinia - The Governor's Palace" consists of 136 pages which provides information in great detail about the legendary Mount Lavinia Hotel, its history, architecture, occupants, festivities, etc.

Kandyan dancers leading the special guests in traditional style. In the picture are British High Commissioner Dominick Chilcott, Viscount Ian Maitland, Viscountess Maitland and Henry Brownrigg.
Picture by Sulochana Gamage

The book is compiled by Shevanthie Goonasekera on behalf of "Paradise Isle Publications", a publication house based in London, managed and owned by two Sri Lankans.

Talking to the media Ms. Goonasekera said: "It took five years of intensive and comprehensive research to get all the necessary facts about the Mount Lavinia Hotel and its legendary occupants. I had to travel to Sri Lanka many times to collect the information from the National Archives.

In addition, I had to go to Scotland to trace the ancestry of Sir Thomas Maitland." A descendant of the legendary Sir Thomas Maitland, Viscount Ian Maitland presented "Mount Lavinia - The Governor's Palace" to Chairman of Mount Lavinia Hotel Sanath Ukwatte.

The descendants of Sir Thomas Maitland and Sir Robert Brownrigg graced the ceremony to unveil the portraits of their forefathers at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, who were former British Governors of Sri Lanka.

Governor Paget's portrait was unveiled by the British High Commissioner and Governor Barnes's portrait by Director of the Hemas Group Abbas Esufally. Sophia Brownrigg's portrait was unveiled by Mrs. Chilcott, wife of the High Commissioner.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a portrait of the mysterious Lovina Aponsua by Sanath Ukwatte. The unveiling took place in the newly created museum and gallery of the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The VIPs and guests who arrived specially for this occasion from England arrived at Mount Lavinia in the ceremonial Viceroy Special from the Fort railway station.

From there they were escorted to a red carpet welcome at the hotel in a colourful procession, which comprised traditional drummers, contemporary dancers, white horses and trumpeters.