Hotel Sapphire embark on a major refurbishment drive

Hotel Sapphire Wellawatte has decided to invest on a car park, additional rooms, spa and a laundry under their ongoing refurbishment programme.

The Hotel built in 1976 with 40 rooms has added additional features since the management was taken over by EAP Ediriinghe group in 1985.

According to General Manager, of the hotel M. Mahadivulweva, the hotel got a new life after the management change. "We have 51 rooms and are looking at adding more luxury rooms. The management will be constructing a two-tier car park in the new wing, which would be behind the existing hotel.

The laundry would cater to in houseguests as well as for people in the area. The swimming pool, which was introduced on their first floor recently, has added value to the hotel and a Spa would be constructed on the same elevation along with a gymnasium.

The investment for the refurbishment comes from profits generated with in the hotels and the pay back time for the capital would narrow due to this.

Sapphire, which is one of the oldest excising city hotels also, has made a name for their food and has a reputation for hosting multi religious weddings. "This is our best revenue generation," he said.

All facilities to hold weddings in their air-conditioned halls are provided by the hotel including the group-wedding photograph. "This is a specialised service we provide," he said. Hotel has hosted over 6000 weddings so far. (SS)

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John Keells to rebrand its hotels

John Keells hotels are to rebrand some of its hotels under the new logo Cinnamon. The announcement in this regard is expected to be made at the next World Tourism Mart, the second largest travel industry showcase in London in November.

The flagship of Keells Hotels, Bentota Beach a tropical resort and a popular location for romantic weddings is going to be one hotel which would be under the logo Cinnamon. Bentota Beach Hotel was opened in 1970 and in the following year the Hotel received 4 star classification.

Neckermann Reisen, a tour operating brand of the Thomas Cook Group, has ranked Bentota Beach Hotel among the 100 best and most popular resort hotels.

One of their city hotels and some other properties too would be branded under this name, said an official of Keells. (S.S)

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Chinese Tourism ties strengthened - NCCSL President

NCCSL President, Mrs. Nirmali Samaratunga who is presently in Beijing as part of the Business Delegation accompanying President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, said that the President's speech at the Sino -Sri Lanka Trade Investment and Tourism Seminar organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) held at the Sri Lankan Embassy, focused on the many benefits in the area of trade, tourism and investment.

Also what Sri Lanka had to offer to Chinese Investors. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Anura Banaranayake also addressed the gathering and highlighted the close ties Sri Lanka and China enjoyed, which could be built on to strengthen key sectors such as tourism, especially in view of Sri Lanka's approved destination status.

He added that in view of the approved destination status granted, Sri Lanka could now be a very attrative destination for Chinese Tourists.

Samaratunga said that the seminar was well attended by Chinese Companies mainly in the areas of infrastructure, construction, tourism and trade and the delegation had an opportunity of having discussions on areas of interest.

She said that the business community appreciates efforts of the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, to strengthen the trade and investment ties between Sri Lanka and China.

This important visit, where several agreements were signed with China covering a range of economic activities including finance, infrastructure, construction and tourism would contribute significantly to the economic development of Sri Lanka, particularly by way of strengthening the country's infrastructure.

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HK legislators can travel to Guangdong soon

Hong Kong pro-democracy legislators yesterday welcomed a rare invitation from Beijing to visit China - a move some observers said is an attempt by the Communist government to improve its standing in the former British colony.

Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang ('—1/2(r)?v) announced Tuesday that Beijing has agreed to let all 60 local lawmakers - including some harsh critics of Beijing who are currently banned - to visit Guangdong Province on Sept. 25 to 26.

Opposition legislator Lee Cheuk-yan (o"" H), who hasn't visited China in 16 years, said he believed Beijing was sincere because it didn't ask any of the lawmakers to change their views as a precondition.

"This reflects a more relaxed way of handling things," he said. One major point of conflict has been Beijing's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in June 1989, in which at least hundreds were killed. Hong Kong's opposition has repeatedly denounced the crackdown, but Beijing has stood by its decision to send in troops.

Legislator Emily Lau (1/4B1/4z-%) also welcomed the invitation to Hong Kong lawmakers, but urged Beijing to allow pro-democracy figures from Hong Kong to travel in China freely. The pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po newspaper reported that the banned lawmakers would be issued single-entry travel permits for the upcoming trip.

The newspaper hailed the visit as a breakthrough, describing it as "a small step to Guangdong, a big step for communication." But political scientist James Sung called it an olive branch aimed at delaying proposed democratic reforms in the territory.

Courtesy Taipei Times

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Artists to fly the artlink WOMAD festival flag

Budding young artists from around the world will come together in a unique project for the first WOMAD Sri Lanka Festival of Drums to be held from September 21-25, an event of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB).

The artists will create a series of 30 flags, reflecting the vibrant nature of WOMAD Sri Lanka for display at each of the festival sites - Galle Face Green, Kandy and Negombo - providing a stunning visual element to the festival.

The flag project was initiated by the WOMAD Foundation, WOMAD Projects Singapore, the British Council, Germany's Goethe Institut, the French Embassy and the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts (VAFA), as part of the ongoing Artlink project in Sri Lanka.

The main goal of Artlink WOMAD Sri Lanka 2005 is to encourage the exchange of ideas and expertise of young Sri Lankan and European artists.

Renowned UK artist Angus Watt will lead the project, conducting a series of workshop sessions to design and make the flags, together with French artist B'atrice Dacher, German artist Mrs Cora de Lang, as well as seven Sri Lankan artists.

Lifestyle store Barefoot will provide a space for the workshops to take place, where the 30 flags will be assembled by a group of skilled local seamstresses.

SLTB Chairman, Udaya Nanayakkara, said WOMAD Sri Lanka will provide a unique platform for the flags to be enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.

"The flags will symbolise the cultural collaboration between all the artists involved. And they will also give festival-goers the opportunity to see firsthand the skill of Sri Lankan craftspeople and artists," he added.

WOMAD Sri Lanka Festival of Drums will feature a host of activities, including four indoor theatre concerts at Bishop's College Auditorium on September 21-24 and four Club Night sessions on September 22-25, at The Gallery, Beira Lake.

The Main Festival Field at Galle Face Green (September 24-25) will come alive at night and feature performances as well as a Global Village of crafts, textiles and musical instruments, with an exciting selection of Sri Lankan and international cuisine.

Acoustic concerts will take place in the grounds of the University of Peradeniya in Kandy on September 22 and on the beachfront of Negombo's Browns Beach Hotel on September 23.