Holiday Inn

Haven in the metropolis:

Beverley Jansz

From Serendib to Ceylon to Sri Lanka, this island has reflected on every visitor, the true meaning of paradise. Sun kissed golden beaches, bountiful forest country and beautiful hill stations, all separated only by a few hours drive. An experience that sets Sri Lanka apart as the ideal holiday destination.

Colombo, the cosmopolitan capital of this paradise island is among the fastest growing cities in Asia. A harbour metropolis featuring ultra modern skyscrapers and colonial monuments. Futuristic cars and prehistoric bullock carts, Las Vegas styled casinos, night clubs and ancient dance forms. Exhibits of the East and memories of the West - all blending together in splendid harmony.

Standing majestically in the prime hub of this commercial paradise is the Holiday Inn Hotel. Among the finest hotels in the island today, with an exotic ambience that is truly an exclusive haven for every traveller, be it on business or on pleasure.

An eight-storey luxury accommodation, world class menu and every other conceivable luxury to invite you to 'just be yourself.' Just a few minutes away from every venue in Colombo and even that sunset walk on the beach. Only 45-minutes away from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Holiday Inn is conveniently located within close proximity to the city center.

Holiday Inn has 94 deluxe guest rooms, exclusive suites with double or king size beds. Luxury interiors that define new levels of comfort.

All rooms and suites are air-conditioned with individual controls. Private baths, television channel music, radio, in-house movies, refrigerators, mini-bar and IDD telephone. Rooms with a view; every room has a panoramic view of the city harbour and the placid Indian Ocean.

Holiday Inn has a large and beautiful fresh water swimming pool and all modern 5-star facilities, including an exclusive shopping arcade, hair dressing salon and a 24-hour room service, parking facilities on premises with valet services, reservations worldwide, private secretarial services, Multilingual translation services, Telex and facsimile machines, E-mail and Internet, private meeting rooms on request and Broad band Internet Access.

The 'Alhambra' the 'Hot Spot' for your delectable taste buds. Alhambra is considered among the choicest restaurants in the country today and possibly the finest when it comes to Moghul speciality food.

With world renowned, speciality chefs crafting the most exquisite dishes ever, the a-la-carte menu is worth writing home about. The restaurant features a special buffet every Friday night.

Gardenia, the 24-hour Coffee Shop that ironically serves the finest tea. The most sumptuous array of full course, Continental Sri Lankan and Chinese specialities. An exclusive wine list, sandwiches, snacks and other fast foods amidst a very comfortable and serene setting. Breakfast buffet and an a-la-carte menu too is offered to guests.

'Oasis' the cool spot, is an exclusive bar featuring the most envied wine list ever, with an Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., one for one on all drinks. 'Tempt Inn' the coolest pastry shop in the city, offers specialty delicacies that would make any baker proud.

The Liberty Ballroom at Holiday Inn, is among the finest conference locations in Sri Lanka. This can exclusively cater to over 1,500 guests or be partitioned for small gatherings. Equipped with all modern facilities, the Liberty Ballroom is ideal for business conferences and conventions, cocktails, weddings and exhibitions, Assistant Sales Manager, Holiday Inn, Dishan Joseph said.

Explaining further, Dishan said that the hotel's 'Persian Room', a largely decorative ambience that adds to every celebration, has the exclusive capacity to accommodate around 120 guests. It is the ideal, articulating setting for cocktails, wedding receptions and other banquet functions.

The Holiday Inn Gym comes fully equipped with the latest fitness equipment and facilities.

The Health Spa includes a Sauna, Steam Room and Health Bar. It is open to members and in-house guests, Senior Assistant and Sales Manager, Russel Malleappah said. He said that there are professional instructors to help guests out with all their fitness requirements.

Holiday Inn Hotel is owned and managed by Alhambra Hotels Ltd., operated under licence from Inter Continental Hotels Group (IHG). Its directors are F.J. Cader (Chairman), I.J. Cader (General Manager), M. Shanthikumar (Director Operations) and J.M. Ismail (Director Finance).

Holiday Inn can be reached via E-mail: [email protected].

Website: www.holidayinncolombo.com.

Jade tempts the most jaded palate:

Laugfs 'JADE' - 1st anniversary on grand scale

The first anniversary of the Jade Restaurant, Jubilee Post, Mirihana, Nugegoda was celebrated on a grand scale yesterday, amidst a host of VIPs and other leading personalities in the hospitality industry.

Jade Restaurant is the first of a chain of authentic Chinese restaurant which are being set up by Laugfs at strategic locations.

Jade Restaurants at Jubilee Post which could accommodate around 80 guests, has fast become a very popular family spot due to the fact that alcohol is not being served. It offers nothing but the best in Chinese cuisine prepared by hand picked expert chefs.

The restaurant which began with authentic Chinese food, has now expanded and is offering Continental favourites in the form of Stakes and Grills every Monday and Tuesday. An 'A-la-carte' menu too is on the cards.

The Chinese signature dishes which are extremely popular among diners are Peaking Hot and Sour soup, Singapore Chilly Crab, Jumbo Prawns in Garlic sauce and the all time favourite Cuttle fish in hot butter sauce 'Jade' style.

The restaurant, at Jubilee Post is also operating a wayside BBQ at the restaurant premises to cater to Laugfs Super Market shoppers, motorists and others who go for a quick snack.

The outlet offers BBQ meats and seafood at very attractive prices, from 5 pm to 9 pm, daily.

The second Jade Restaurant was opened by Laugfs Holdings in the heart of the Maharagama town recently and this too has become a very popular family dining spot due to its very convenient location with the Laugfs Fuel Court and SunUp Super Market in the same compound, Director/General Manager, SunUp Super Markets and Jade Restaurants, Ravi Dahanayake said.

He said that the Super Market chain will expand from the current number of ten to 30 within the next two years, with

 expansion to other countries in the Asian Region. Within a short period, Laugfs, whilst being a Corporate Giant, is a very popular household name, Ravi said.

Further, Laugfs Corporate identity is to provide total solutions to the Sri Lankan consumer and that is the only reason why Laugfs are expanding their operations to the suburbs of Colombo, Ravi said. The fine dining facilities offered out of the city of Colombo, is one such corporate thinking, he added.

The first anniversary celebrations which began yesterday at the Jade Restaurant, Jubilee Post, is offering its guests a one-week promotion upto May 31, with a host of prizes and surprises, including a gift pack for every table, a raffle draw offering valuable prizes, Operations Manager, Laugfs Restaurants (Pvt) Ltd. Nimal Wijesinghe said.

Laugfs Holdings Chairman is W. K. H. W. Wegapitiya, Tilak de Silva (Managing Director), Ravi Dahanayake (Director/General Manager SunUp Super Markets/Jade Restaurants), Takura Gunasinghe (Deputy General Manager), Vasantha Pamunuwa (Deputy General Manager), Prasanna Suriyaarachchi (Finance Manager), and Nimal Wijesinghe (Operations Manager) Laugfs Restaurants.

B J

SLITHM introduces new study programs

The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel management (SLITHM) which offers management and Certificate Level courses for youth is a Government holding under the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

The SLITHM has its' state of the art training facility at No. 78, Galle Road, Colombo 03 and has satellite schools in Kandy, Matara, Anuradhapura & Bandarawela. Youth between the ages of 17 - 24 years are eligible to apply.

Those who possess a minimum of two simple passes at the G.C.E. Advanced Level are eligible to apply for the Management Diploma course and students with a minimum of three credits and three passes with simple passes for Mathematics & English for Ordinary Level may apply for the Certificate Level courses.

This rule does not apply for Industry personnel. The duration of the Management Diploma is three years while the Certificate Level courses are of five months duration.

There is also a bridging option for the Certificate level students to join the final year of the three year Management Diploma course with an Industrial experience component of two years.

Students with backgrounds in CIMA, Human Resources and Marketing etc. also have the option to join the Management Diploma course in the final year, should they opt for a career in the hospitality industry. Under the Mahinda Chinthana concept it is also proposed to conduct short courses in Engliish, French, German and Japanese, Courses in Pastry Making and Fruit, Vegetable, Butter and Ice carving will also be introduced in the near future.

These programmes will be open to all age groups and will be conducted by a panel of well experienced lecturers. This will be a boon to students, house wives and those who wish to embark on a self employment projects or those aspiring to do a study programme as Tourist Guides Lecturers, Translators, and Guest House owners etc..

A certificate of participation will be awarded to all participants at the conclusion of the course.

The institute also encourages schools to visit the facility to see the SLITHM in operation.

These facilities could be arranged by contacting the Senior Lecturer in charge. Further details regarding the institute and courses offered may be obtained by contacting the Senior Lecturer in Charge, SLITHM on 081-2233066 or by writing to SLITHM, 64, Sangaraja Mw., Kandy.

E-mail : [email protected]

Fax : 081-2203649