Lalitha: a new four-star hotel in Matara

A.W. Gunawardhana, Matara Central correspondent

OPENING: A long felt need of the Matara Town has been fulfilled today, by a small entrepreneur who has inaugurated a four-star hotel in the locality of Pamburana within the Town limits of Matara.

The newly-opened hotel will function as an attraction for foreign tourists, and business tycoons arriving from abroad.

Opening of this luxurious hotel at a time when the Matara Town is being re-designed and rebuilt to suit the requirements of the international community is a great fillip to town-folk who could find avenues of self-employment in various other ways by winning the hearts of the tourists.

Another bridge is now being built along-side the existing Mahanama Bridge with the aid received from South Korea.

Streets too will be broadened to that extent, a new hospital accommodating 10,000 beds will be built, a new suburb town will be built in the Godagama locality, said the Minister of Ports, Aviation and Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera when he spoke as chief guest at the opening ceremony of 'Lalitha Hotel' located on the Galle Road, Pamburana-Matara.

He said that dedication and will-power of this small entrepreneur made him the proud owner of a four-star hotel within the town limits of Matara.

The Mayor of Matara S.M.W. Upul Nishantha Deputy leader of the UNP Karu Jayasuriya, Opposition Leader of SPC - Justin Galappatti, Matara District Secretary Gaminie Jayasuriya, Several members of the S.P.C. - Head of Pradeshiya Sabha and leading businessmen were present.

Minister Samaraweera further said this luxurious hotel opened today is a great necessity in view of the Express way between Colombo and Matara and the vast schemes in progress in the District of Hambantota specially the proposed airport at Weerawila. Matara is a great city full of erudites, poets and sportsmen of International level. It was more so in the past.

Owner of the Hotel Complex Lionel Liyanage said curries available at the hotel are prepared out of his own produce from beds of vegetables running into a number of acres.

New Year celebrations at Hilton Colombo

As we get closer to welcome the year 2007, Hilton Colombo is also getting ready with their festive events for the forthcoming season. December 31, has always been special for everyone. Time for laughter and cheer, good food and dancing. It is time to put back all your worries and welcome the year with a new heart.

If you still haven't decided how you want to welcome the new year take a look at what Hilton Colombo has in store for you.

"For the first time, the Gypsies will be with us at the Grand Ballroom together with Pearl", said the hotel's Marketing Communications Manager Gigi De Silva. Gypsies and Pearl have won so many hearts of the Sri Lankans.

The hotel is very proud to have these two bands play at their biggest dinner dance; Silver Ball. A massive buffet spread will also be available prepared by Executive Chef Rohan Fernandopulle with a breakfast buffet for those who want to stay on until dawn.

Apart from the above we were told that the Il Ponte dinner dance is also going to be a grand show. The band Phase 3 with DJ music will be played at the Il Ponte pool area.

"Our main focus here is on families, the young and the young at heart", added De Silva. Keep discovering fun and friendship and good food. There will be prizes including airline tickets to be won at both dances.

There is something happening at every outlet in the hotel. For a more relaxing and soothing evening Thorana Lounge will lift your spirits with the Karl Katz ensemble; live jazz band.

After all the partying, there will be a special "Hangover Brunch" prepared on January 1, 2007 from 11.30 am to 3.00 pm.

Christmas at Pegasus Reef Hotel

CELEBRATIONS: Pegasus Reef Hotel, Hendala has made elaborate arrangements to celebrate Christmas on a grand scale, Director, Carson Cumberbatch Hotels, Paddy Withana said.

The celebrations will commence on December 15 and end on January 1, 2007. Special Christmas cakes and puddings, with special hampers will be available at the hotel's Pastry Shop from December 15.

Take away orders too will be accepted for Roast Turkey or Roast Port Loin, at the Pastry Shop of the Pegasus Reef Hotel.

An exciting Kiddies Party has been planned for December 23, with an International dinner buffet at the Garden/Main Restaurant from 6 p.m. onwards with live music by 'Lazer'.

A Sundown Cocktail with an International dinner buffet will be offered to guests on December 24, at the Reflection Deck/Main Restaurant with live music by 'Snap'.

A Christmas Brunch is on the cards for December 25 at the main restaurant, together with a Christmas Sit-Down dinner, with live entertainment by 'Familiar Faces'.

A Mongolian BBQ dinner has been planned for Friday, December 29 at the Pool Deck, with music provided by 'Familiar Faces'.

An International Dinner Buffet is on the cards for Saturday, December 30 at the main restaurant. An International buffet lunch has been planed for December 31, together with a New Year's eve Gala Dinner dance to usher in the New Year, at the Main Restaurant/Main Ballroom.

A New Year's Brunch is on the cards for Monday, January 1 at the main restaurant with live music by 'Snap'.

A host of prizes and surprises have been planned throughout the Christmas season. The selection of the "Pegasus Queen' will be the highlight of the 31st night dinner dance, where many valuable prizes and surprises have been planned, Resident Manager, Pegasus Reef Hotel, Ravi Kurukulasuriya said.

Seasonal bonanza at Ceylon Continental

COOKIES: It's the Season for family and friends, pick up some delicious cookies, goodies, chocolates and traditional cakes from the Gingerbread Hut at La Patisserie de Paris of Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo, from December 1 to 31.

Traditional Christmas Cakes, Dutch Breudher, Xmas Stollen, Mince Pies, Date Cake, Santa face cake, Gingerbread House & Love cake and many more delicious goodies will be available at the pastry Shop.

Cookies like Honey Cookies, Almond Chocolate Cookies, Sweet Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies & Coco Macroons with tempting Chocolates will be available at the Gingerbread Hut.

Sip traditional Christmas Cocktails and Mocktails and get into the festive mood. Most promising bands in attendance throughout the week at the Heist. Fashion shows by leading Models in Sri Lanka every Friday and Saturday 9.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at the Heist Bar.

Carols by the Christmas tree at the Lobby on December 22 and 23 from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Listen to and join in with the harmonious voices of the Bishop's College Colombo Choir to welcome the Christmas Spirit.

Festive hampers will be available at the Gingerbread Hut - La Patisserie de Paris from December 1 to 31.

Fingara makes giant Christmas cake

CAKE MIXING: Sri Lanka's exclusive Family Club, Fingara Town and Country Club has turned out over 250kgs of Christmas Cake for its members and customers this season, a press release said. The traditional cake mixing ceremony took place at the club recently with the participation of company officials.

Jilan de Silva, Executive Chef, Pradeep Dabare, Pastry Chef, Upul Asanka Siriwardena, Chef de Party of the Pastry Section and Senior Chef de Party Prasad Renuka, Chef de Party, Dimuthu Chithrathman and Thushara of Fingara is credited with mixing in the choicest ingredients to produce a whopping 250kgs of traditional cake mixtures to celebrate this Merry Christmas season. Sumptuous mixtures will be divided to make over 1,500 portions.

In the picture are Mervyn Jayasinghe, Deputy Chairman, Hiran, Serasinghe, General Manager, Sanjeewa Weerasingh, Operations Manager, Jilan De Silva, Executive Chef, Adrian Gomas-F and B Sales Manager, Richard Fernandez, Senior Assistant Manager, Pradeep Dabare and Upul Asanka, Pastry Chefs, Chef de Party and rest of the kitchen team at Fingara Town and Country Club mixing the choicest ingredients.

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