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| Saturday, 6 September 2003 |
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Novel experience at Hanwella Ambalama : New outlook to an age-old concept 'Ambalama' located in upper Hanwella is a rest house designed for those who desire to savour the healthy village splendour in a calm and serene atmosphere. '
Ambalamas' during the time of Sinhala kings were roadside resting places erected to cater to weary travellers. Providing new life and meaning to this age-old concept, this new 'Ambalama' has been built as a rock edifice giving pride of place to ancient architecture. Foreign and local tourists on their way from Colombo to the hill country and back break journey here to enjoy its soothing comfort and hospitality. Ambalama offers visitors Western, Chinese as well as local cusine. Its 'Walan Kade' restaurant offers Indian food after 6.00 p.m. daily. "We don't claim to be a 100 percent indigenous outfit. We give due place to Western food and custom. But greater attention is paid to provide a tasty and wholesome indigenous meal," said Ambalama's Managing Director, H. D. Thiyambarawatta. 'Ambalama' has been designed by Consultant Architect, Jayantha Bibile by blending age-old tradition with modern facilities to cater to the discerning tourist. As you enter from the main entrance you come across the main restaurant which can accommodate 45 people at a given time. From there you enter the "Pinthaliya" an open space providing coffee and other refreshments. 'Pinthaliya' built on top of a small pond made of old bricks is an attractive haunt for visitors.
A few feet away from it is the 'Sellampitiya' a play house for children with its equipment made solely out of wood. Thence you come to "Atapattu Maduwa" a conference hall which can be used for meetings or seminars. From there you come to the cottage style residential rooms built separately on stilts amidst trees and other natural foliage. There are five such cottages or rooms. The first of these is "Kumbal Geya" made mostly of clay. One can even savour the surrounding environment by removing its coverings if he or she so desires. The second cottage is the 'Kammala' made of iron. The third is the 'Wadu Maduwa' made of timber. Next is the 'Guru Gedera' a two storeyed cottage for the whole family. The fifth cottage known as 'Weda Gedera' can accommodate eight persons. Every room or cottage has an attached bathroom made of stone. The swimming pool at 'Ambalama' is a unique creation named "Ulpengeya". It has two sections, one for adults and the other for children. The 'Ulpengaya' is replete with a 'bar' which can be reached through a special tunnel. "We don't make much ado about environment protection because the concept is built in at 'Ambalama'. The experience gained in the hotel trade abroad was utilised by me to design this holiday resort in an expanse of 6 acres," says Architect Bibile. Each section at Ambalama has been built as a separate unit. When you travel along High Level Road the traffic congestion you encounter with its resultant tension and agony eases as you reach Hanwella. 'Ambalama' which adds a new dimension to that sense of relief is a novel experience one should enjoy at least once in a life time. ########### International symposium to save elephants The International Elephant Foundation of the USA together with the Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust of Sri Lanka have organised the International Symposium on Saving the Elephants, from September 19 to 21 at the Colombo Plaza hotel. Over 150 delegates from Europe, USA, Australia, Africa and Asia have confirmed their participation at this event which will focus on exchanging experience and information on elephants, among the participating countries. Sixty topical papers will be presented at this symposium. Given the rapid reduction of the African and Asian species of the elephants in the wild, much attention including research, studies and surveys are being made to find solutions to problems and strategies to conserve these animals. This time Sri Lanka is privileged to organise and host this symposium. Interested persons can register online at the official web site www.slwes.org/shcic. |
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Produced by Lake House |
As you descend a few steps from here you come across 'Wakkalama' a two
storeyed building built of clay and a thatched roof which serves as a
'bar'. 'Wakkalama' which has tables made of old toddy barrels serves
foreign and local liquor including varieties of beer.
