Paradise Ibiza to meltdown 2011

Demi Hewamanna

In just 16 days time we say goodbye to 2011 and as we know most goodbyes are always welcomed in a grand manner. The end of one year is no exception. Every

31 of the last month in the calendar, everyone gathers together – to reminiscence the good times, create amazing magic with one another and maybe just go crazy for the first time in one’s life.

This year end will be truly one to remember. The team of Lanka Event Management have got together to give simply the BEST in everything they offer. Zest got together with Lanka Hotels and Travel Director Malinga Fernando to know more of what they are upto for the 31st.

Paradise Ibiza

“The party we are having is Paradise Ibiza 2012. We want to bring about a new concept to the people of Sri Lanka. This is the first time in the country where it’s going to be an All Inclusive party,” Malinga said. We will be having an open bar from the start of the party till the time the party winds up. We will also be featuring the longest Ice bar where basically everything will be completely made of ice (50 tons of ice by the way) and the longest fireworks display as well coordinated from the sea (safety first with fireworks).

The night will definitely not be complete without the one thing that we all love best in this world and that brings this world together – MUSIC. “We are bringing down DJs who have performed with and opened for world renowned DJs like Bob Sinclair, Paul van Dyke, Edward Maya and the man himself Tiesto.

The lineup consist Dim Chris – resident DJ of Clubbing TV and is one of the most sought after French DJs. Malinga added that Dim Chris has done a single with UK pop artist Amanda Wilson – You Found Me. Next one on the list is Mexican sensation Broz Rodriguez who has being working with the DJs mentioned above. Last from the international list is Che Jose (origin Columbian), now residing in Australia and makinga big hit in the clubs Down Under with his originals and mixes that have topped the Australian charts.

And from the sands of Sri Lanka, they have got Shan D – leading R&B, Hip Hop Dj in Colombo. Then they have got Dilruck – a name everyone knows in the nightlife.

Local line up

He is the 2006 Denon DJ of the Year and from then on he started climbing up the ladder. Last but not least there is Van Luup who started off with introducing Ministry of Sounds to Sri Lanka and is now his name in the clubs of Middle East. There will also be entertainment by the KISS entourage. There will be two hot dancers from France to make everyone get in the groove along with Sri Lanka dance acts as well.

Keeping promises

“Very few of the people who are into events know what they are doing (Although there are many event management companies formed in the recent past, very few of them seem to have solid experience or expertise.) When I was working at the Hyatt Atlanta, working with an international team, I got the chance to see how an event is done and the full work that is put into it,” Malinga added.

The main concept of having it on the beach is because there is no other NYE beach party in Colombo.

After all we are an Island and we have to show the public that we have beautiful beaches and give a chance to explore them. We should be proud of Sri Lanka and a lot of foreigners love our beaches and what better way to experience it than a NYE on the beach. Plus people should be feeling free when they want to celebrate a grand event like this – without the suit and tie – one can go wild in glamourizing the beach with something Paradisy.

“Inquiries are being made from people abroad and even the local party is asking too and already people have booked up for the NYE beach party. Guests who buy the VIP package will be treated in a grand manner with tents in wooden flooring and so much more,” Malinga said.

Paradise Ibiza 2012 will be giving lucky people amazing prizes in competitions they participate in. Prizes include return air tickets, dinner vouchers at leading hotels, two nights stay at hotels as well and much more.

Malinga has been in the hospitality industrt for quite some time and hailing from St’ Thomas and Asian International School, he began his Hotel course at Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management.

All rounder

He did a course in F&B for six months and then joined Hilton Colombo as a trainee and flew to Switzerland to do his Swiss Diploma in Hospitality Hotel Management (2004-2006) at Les Roches and then went to Hyatt (Atlanta) where he was the Operations Management Trainee for one and half years. He has also worked at other international hotel chains – Marriot, Intercontinental and the Wit in Chicago. He came back worked at Elephant Reach Hotel (Yala) went to Chicago to do his Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management at Kendall College. Later on he came down and took over Lanka Hotels and Travel and started Lanka Events and Management. LEM has been doing so many events from it’s inception in 2008 and made it’s name very prominent in the industry.

So for all the party peeps – who are seriously looking for a ‘night to remember’ party…I do recommend Paradise Ibiza 2012. Listening to what they are offering like the 30 minutes fire display, dance acts and ICE bar – it’s sure to melt away all the bad memories of 2011 and let you welcome 2012 in a whole new refreshing manner.