Hotel Sunset Beach

Sweden entrepreneurs promote Lanka Tourism:

by Beverley Jansz

Overlooking the gorgeous Negombo beach is Hotel Sunset Beach, a luxurious property offering 40 air conditioned beach front guest rooms. Built by a leading hotelier, Sena Gunawardena in 1995, at the inception Hotel Sunset Beach had 26 rooms. After a massive investment, Gunawardene entrusted the hotel to Jetwing Hotels Ltd for marketing purposes.

Jetwing managed and marketed the hotel until 2003. In 2003, Hotel Sunset Beach underwent a massive refurbishment and now it shines as a three-star property in Negombo . In 2006, the hotel entrance and lobby area was shifted to Carron Place, from Seneviratne Mawatha, Negombo and given a new look.

The hotel now stands as a star class property with all modern facilities. The 40 guest rooms including one large suite, are equipped with modern facilities including A/C, mini-bar, hot/cold water, room service, telephone with IDD facilities, laundry service etc.

The hotel has a beach front restaurant offering delicious Western, Eastern, Chinese and Spicy Sri Lankan cuisine prepared by expert chefs. The restaurant specialises in seafood from the "catch of the day" from the Negombo beach which is famous for crabs and prawns. The restaurant also offers an 'A-la-carte' menu. "Hotel Sunset Beach in very popular among German, Dutch and British tourists" General Manager, Eardley de Costa said.

Recently Hotel Sunset Beach was taken over by two top Sri Lankan businessmen, Shirley Dassa (Chairman) and Sumith Pathirana (Director), who live in Sweden, promoting Sri Lanka tourism in Sweden.

Livewires in Hospitality Industry

Nirmo Thambapillai

Beverley Jansz

Nirmo Thambapillai, who had his early education at Royal College, joined the Ceylon Hotel School in 1969 when tourism was at its infancy in Sri Lanka and has never looked back since.

I first met Nirmo over 20 years ago at Hotel Lanka Oberoi (now Cinnamon Grand). When I called on Nirmo, now a Director of Ceylinco Hotels to feature him on "Live Wires in Hospitality Industry", he was the same old "Evergreen down to earth" personality that I met 20 years ago. No wonder Nirmo is one of Sri Lanka's leading Live Wires in the Hospitality Industry.

Graduating in the early 70s, he worked for a short while at the Mount Lavinia Hyatt Hotel and then was selected by the Oberoi Hotels and was one of the first batches on Management Trainees to proceed to New Delhi, India.

Nirmo who was the first Training Manager of Lanka Oberoi was responsible in training all staff who joined the Hotel. Moving on into operations, Nirmo progressed in his career both in Sri Lanka and Overseas.

He has worked for leading hotel chains like Sheraton, Oberois, Taj, Meridien and Ramada in Sri Lanka, India and the Gulf.

He has had the opportunity to be of service to various Heads of State and dignitaries such as Margret Thatcher, Princess Diana, King Hussain of Jordan, Hosni Mubarak, Yassar Arafat, Assad, Mohammed Ali and many more.

"What staff lack today in the Hospitality Industry is the passion to please your customer. This is not something that you are born with... but gained through constant training and liking what you do," Nirmo said.

"Attitude is a key factor and this has to come down the line from the top. Constant training is a must. At the Oberois we always had a batch under training and they always filled in the vacancy created by staff leaving. We have to realise that in the Hospitality Industry staff turnover is high all over the world," he emphasised.

Nirmo, who has been the General Manager for the leading Hotel chains in India the Taj and the Oberoi both in Sri Lanka and overseas considers being recruited on three different occasions by Mr. Biki Oberoi to join Oberoi Hotels speaks volume for a Hotelier. His stints with the Oberois were in Sri Lanka, India, Baghdad and Saudi Arabia.

Nirmo has now joined the Ceylinco Hotels as their Director to take the Hotel and the Food and Beverage sector forward based on the visionary leadership of the Chairman Dr. Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawala and Deputy Chairman Mrs. Scille P.C. Kotelawala.

Say "I do" at Ceylon Continental

Say "I do" at the warmest heart in Sri Lanka Ceylon Continental Hotel for the biggest day in your life.. Make it a fairy tale wedding. Glamorous venues with outstanding services to make your occasion memorable all life long.

Cat's Eye Ballroom

Experience the ambience and the breathtaking view of Sri Lanka's most valuable location. Situated at the Rooftop. The carpet of the Cat's Eye Ballroom has now been replaced with a brand new, graceful and extremely attractive carpet imported from Britain. The Cat's Eye could accommodate 200 guests.

Sapphire Ballroom

The Continental's most spacious and luxurious Banquet Venue. Perfectly suited to hold any event that demands glamour and uniqueness. Situated in the Lobby level of the hotel.

Sapphire Ballroom can accommodate 500 guests.

Moonstone Ballroom

The unique underground Ballroom with elegant Chandeliers and glamorous tiled floor.

The outcome of your celebration will be simply magnificent. Moonstone Ballroom can accommodate 200 guests. For the most memorable day in your life filled with sweet memories.. Special services and facilities are offered for weddings and home coming functions at the Ceylon Continental Hotel Colombo.

The following benefits will be offered complimentary to the bridal couple. Accommodation on the day of the wedding, breakfast served complimentary to the room, free use of pool and fitness center facilities, Bridal settee and coffee table, ceremonial red carpet, decorated oil lamp, area for photographs with backdrop, special ice carvings, free pressing of one suit, dress or saree and much more.

Experience real hospitality in true continental style at the warmest heart in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Continental Hotel, says the hotels' Public Relations Executive Onitha Gurugalla.

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