Treasure Island Magazine VOL - 03 ISSUE 09

VOL - 03 ISSUE 09

History of Nuwara Eliya and Details

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A cup of tea in Nuwara Eliya

Flying Ravana for all adrenaline 62 junkies!

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Reliving the Ramayana in Nuwara Eliya

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F E AT U R E S

VOL - 03 ISSUE 09

CONTENTS

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SIR SAMUEL BAKER THE PIONEER OF THE BIRTH OF NUWARA ELIYA

HISTORY OF NUWARA ELIYA AND DETAILS

SIR SAMUEL W. BAKER WAS KNOWN TO BE ONE OF THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT INDIVIDUALS WHO SPEARHEADED THE BIRTH OF NUWARA ELIYA. BAKER WAS KNOWN TO EXPLORE THE LANDS THAT WERE INVADED BY BRITAIN. WHEN HE WAS 24 YEARS OLD, HIS EXCURSIONS BROUGHT HIM TO CEYLON.

34 A CUP OF TEA IN NUWARA ELIYA ON MY TABLE STEAMING A CUP OF BLACK CEYLON TEA, IN THE BACKGROUND IS TAPPING PIANO MUSIC, SEVERAL PEOPLE IMMERSED IN COMFORTABLE CHAIRS RELAXING THE ATMOSPHERE HERE.

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RELIVING THE RAMAYANA IN NUWARA ELIYA RAMAYANA, ONE OF THE GREATEST HINDU EPICS OF ALL TIME, IF NOT ONE OF THE GREAT EPICS OF ANY TRADITION OF LITERATURE, TELLS US ABOUT THE WAR BETWEEN PRINCE RAMA, THE SEVENTH AVATAR OF GOD VISHNU, AND KING RAVANA, THE KING OF SRI LANKA, OVER THE ABDUCTION OF PRINCESS SITA, THE AVATAR OF GODDESS LAKSHMI, VISHNU’S CONSORT.

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HAKGALA GARDENSKING RAVANA’S HERB GARDEN HAKGALA IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS (UP COUNTRY) OF SRI LANKA LIE BENEATH THE TOWERING HAKGALA ROCK SOME 10KM SOUTH OF NUWARA ELIYA (LITTLE ENGLAND) WITH MAJESTIC VIEWS ACROSS HILLS RECEDING IN TIERS INTO THE DISTANCE.

NUWARA ELIYA DISTRICT IS LOCATED IN SRI LANKA’S CENTRAL PROVINCE. WHEN THE BRITISH REDISCOVERED NUWARA ELIYA IN 1818 IT WAS COVERED IN THICK JUNGLE AND MARSHY LANDS. NUWARA ELIYA WAS REDISCOVERED BY DR. JOHN DAVY.

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HIDDEN WATERFALLS OF UMA OYA A TEAM CONSISTING OF FIVE PERSONS INCLUDING US MADHUSHANKER HETTIARACHCHI AND NIROSHA ANURUDDHIKA SET OUT TO EXPLORE THE UPPER REGION OF THE UMA OYA WITH THE TEAM' TRAVEL IN SRI LANKA - SOBASIRI, TO SEE WHAT OTHER WATERFALLS LAY IN THE UPPER REACHES OF THE FALLS.

48 THE HOLY TRINITY CHURCH WHEN THE BRITISH RULED SRI LANKA, THEY CREATED A SMALL TOWN THAT RESEMBLED THEIR OWN COUNTRY IN THE FORM OF NUWARA ELIYA. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY IS OFTEN KNOWN AS “LITTLE ENGLAND”, WHICH WAS USED AS A HOLIDAY DESTINATION BY ENGLISH SOLDIERS OF THAT ERA.

52 SANDATHENNA OR MOON PLAINS MOON PLAINS IS A NEW ATTRACTION WHICH IS STEADILY GAINING ATTENTION FROM TOURISTS AS WELL AS LOCALS. MOON PLAINS OR IN SINHALESE ‘SANDATHENNA’ IS A CENTRAL PLAIN LOCATED IN NUWARA ELIYA.

F E AT U R E S

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CONTENTS

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ROYAL HILLS, A HEAVENLY GETAWAY FOR AN AWESOME HOLIDAY

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FLYING RAVANA FOR ALL ADRENALINE JUNKIES!

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GALLWAYS LAND NATIONAL PARK

LAYING A FEW KILO METERS EAST OF THE MAIN TOWN IS A MONTAGE FOREST CALLED GALLWAYS LAND. THIS LITTLE PATCH OF LAND IS FAMOUS FOR ITS BIRD LIFE, WHICH INCLUDES 10 SRI LANKAN ENDEMICS. IT ALSO OFFERS THE VISITOR TO VIEW WILD BOAR, BARKING DEER AND OTHER ANIMALS.

54 HERITANCE TEA FACTORY SURROUNDED BY HILLS AND TEA PLANTATIONS, THE TOWN OF NUWARA ELIYA IS THE PERFECT GETAWAY FROM SRI LANKA'S TROPICAL HEAT. THE TOWN ENJOYS SPRING LIKE WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

55 TEA: NATURE GIVEN MEDICINES THE LEGENDARY DISCOVERY OF TEA DRINKING DATES BACK TO 2737 BC, WHEN CHINESE EMPEROR SHEN NUNG FOUND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF THE BEVERAGE.

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SITA'S PLIGHT

67 A' LANKAA RESORTS AND SPA

70 COCONUT INDUSTRY OF SRI LANKA

72 BALLY’S MARKETING AWARD CEREMONY 2019

74 'PATA' SRI LANKA CHAPTER BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

76 - 77 NEWS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES HON. NAVIN DISSANAYAKE Minister of Plantation Industries I am very pleased to announce the 'Wasantha Senakeliya' (the festival of the sun) The exhibition started during the colonial era to showcase the Estate economic system has been continuously held for two centuries. Therefore this year depict the 200 th anniversary of this exhibition.

The festival of the Sun is a time when the people of Sri Lanka enjoy the festivities with traditions. The city of Nuwara Eliya has always been blessed with good weather during the month of' 'Bak' (April). Therefore this is the time when people of all races and religions converge to 'Nuwara Eliya' to enjoy the season.

During this period there are various races, Competitions, Motor Races, Botanical Shows, Musical Shows, and several other activities to be enjoyed by the visitors. This summer festival of 2019 with both locals and foreigners who will no doubt come to a Nuwara Eliya will enjoy the festivities without any hindrance. The present economic and political environment has lent support to the Tourism Industry, Therefore I wish the Spring Festival 2019 organized by the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council every success, and may this New Year Season bring peace and prosperity to the whole of Sri Lanka.

HISTORIC / S I R

S A M U E L B A K E R - T H E P I O N E E R O F T H E B I R T H O F N U WA R A E L I YA

Sir Samuel Baker

The Pioneer of the birth of Nuwara Eliya

Taxt and Pic By: Shelton Hettiarachchi

Sir Samuel W. Baker was known to be one of the two most important individuals who spearheaded the Birth of Nuwara Eliya. Baker was known to explore the lands that were invaded by Britain. When he was 24 years old, his excursions brought him to Ceylon. He pioneered the cultivation of various crops and initiated, farming in Nuwara Eliya, bringing down all requirements including the staff, and animals necessary for cultivation.

Baker established his farm of 10 acres and lived in a house - now known as the Republican International School.

Many individuals colonized in and around Nuwara Eliya after Baker established his farm for jobs. Baker was also an avid hunter who went on excursions around Nuwara Eliya whenever possible. It was during one of these excursions that he stumbled upon a beautiful waterfall in Horton Place that is known as the Bakers Falls today. Although Baker left Sri lanka in 1866, his cousins and other relatives remained. Their graves can be viewed at the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Church to this day.

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History of

Nuwara Eliya and details Nuwara Eliya district is located in Sri Lanka’s Central province. When the British rediscovered Nuwara Eliya in 1818 it was covered in thick jungle and marshy lands.

Nuwara Eliya was rediscovered by Dr. John Davy.

When Sir Edward Barnes arrived as the Governer in Sri Lanka, in 1824, he began construction of roads and shelters in Nuwara Eliya.

Sir Edward Barnes made Nuwara Eliya a destination for the British residing in Sri Lanka for rest and relaxation and he is known as “father of Nuwara Eliya” After Edward Barnes, Sir William Horton became the Governor of Sri Lanka. He was also the editor of “Colombo Journal”, and he wrote extensively on Nuwara Eliya. These articles were read by Samuel Baker who came to Sri Lanka and started a farm in Nuwara Eliya.

Sir William Gregory made the “Gregory lake” and by using the water of the lake he constructed the first hydropower station in Sri Lanka at Nuwara Eliya.

At the British time, and even today, Nuwara Eliya was called the “little England”. However the history of Nuwara Eliya does not start with the British, areas of the district, like Kotmale and Hanguranketha, are frequently mentioned in ancient Sinhalese texts.

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HISTORICAL / H I S T O R Y

O F N U W A R A E L I YA A N D D E TA I L S

History of

Nuwara Eliya and details POPULAR TRAVEL SPOTS IN Nuwara Eliya DISTRICT HORTON PLAINS Horton Plains is a unique place to visit and it’s the highest plateau in Sri Lanka. It situated 2100 meters above sea level and contains 2nd and 3rd highest peaks of Sri Lanka, namely Kirigalpoththa kanda (2390 meters) and Totupola kanda (2350 meters). The land area is about 3160 hectares. Horton plains can be reached from Ohiya railway station or from Pattipola railway station. Its 32 kms from Nuwara Eliya town. Horton plains was rediscovered in the British era by the planter Thomas Farr and named after British Governor Sir Robert Horton.

Horton plains was protected during the British era under the Administration Order of 1873, it was named a Natural Reserve in 1968, and a National Park on March 16th, 1988. Part of Horton plains National Park was named a “Mixed Cultural and Natural World Heritage” on August 2nd, 2010.

Horton plains the coldest and windiest location in Sri Lanka and consists of ecosystems such as mountain evergreen forests, grasslands, marshy lands and aquatic ecosystems.

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Horton Plains can be reached by any of the following roads: • Via Nuwara Eliya, Ambewela and Pattipola (32km) • Via Haputale or Welimada, Boralanda, Ohiya (38km) • Via Nuwara Eliya, Hakgala, Rendapola, Ambewela, Pattipola (38 km)

FARR INN Farr Inn war built by Thomas Farr as his hunting lodge but, today this Farr Inn is used as the Horton Plains Information Centre.

BAKER’S WATERFALL Situated in the Horton Plains National Park Baker’s Falls is 20 meters, 66 feet. (See waterfalls section)

WORLD’S END The southern edge of the Horton Plains has an altitude of 2140 meters and has a sheer drop of 4000 feet.

The World's End has two ends. They are small world's end and big world's end. The both ends are apart from 1 km from each other.

CHIMNEY POOL Chimney Pool is a pool in Horton Plains at an elevation of 2,082 meters above sea level. It’s a natural pool created by Belihul oya, one of the main tributaries of river Walawe.

Little above the Chimney Pool is a manmade dam.

NUWARA ELIYA SHANTHIPURA VILLAGE Shanthipura village is the highest village in Sri Lanka. If you like to visit Shanthipura village you have to go along Kandy-Nuwara Eliya road and turn to Shanthipura road. When you go to Shanthipura village there is a place named Kalapura with a viewing stage. One can also find a temple.

PIDURUTALAGALA MOUNTAIN Pidurutalagala Mountain is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka, 2524 meters (8292 feet) above the sea level. British named this mountain as “Pedro” (a derivation of ‘piduru’, the Sinhala word which mean straw in English) and the meaning of the Sinhala name, “Pidurutalagala”, straw laden mountain. There’s a manmade road to access Pidurutalagala mountain. At the top of the Pidurutalagala Mountain one can see old “Toposcope”.

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History of

Nuwara Eliya and details PIDURUTALAGALA FOREST RESERVE The area covered with forest around Pidurutalagala mountain, named as Pidurutalagala Forest Reserve.

HAKGALA STRICT NATURE RESERVE Hakgala strict nature reserve, a cloud forest, is adjacent to the Hakgala botanical garden.

Hakgala strict nature reserve was designated as a strict reserve on February, 1938. This nature reserve has an area of 11.42 square kilometers.

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THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION The governor’s mansion was built in the 1800s by the father of late William Scott, who built Castlereagh Reservoir and Warleigh church.

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE 190, Kandy Road, Bambarakele, Nuwara Eliya Telephone: 052 2222535 / 052 2222789

ST. XAVIOUR’S CHURCH St. Xaviour’s Roman Catholic Church was built in 1884.

ST. XAVIOUR’S SCHOOL Parish school founded in 1859 was renamed as St. Xaviour’s school.

ASOKARAMAYA A Buddhist temple located on Badulla road, walking distance from Nuwara Eliya town.

SRI LANKA RED CROSS SOCIETY – NUWARA ELIYA 160, Badulla Road, Nuwara Eliya.

Telephone: 052 2235018

STRAWBERRY FARMS IN NUWARA ELIYA There are many strawberry farms in Nuwara Eliya where guests can buy strawberries and see how they grow.

HIIL CLUB CEYLON Hill Club Nuwara Eliya was founded in 1876. The original building which served as a club house was centered around the present billiard room. Today Hill Club Nuwara Eliya is a private resort.

The Hill Club, No: 29, Grand Hotel Road, Nuwara Eliya Telephone: 00-94-52-2222653

QUEEN VICTORIA PARK Queen Victoria Park is located at Nuwara Eliya town centre. Victoria Park consist of 27 acres of land. It was named to commemorate the 60th jubilee coronation of Queen Victoria in the year 1897. Queen Victoria Park was originally used as the research field of Hakgala Botanical garden.

In the late 19th century a German Princess planted an Oak tree in this research field, and that’s the beginning of the park. Nanu Oya tributary flows across the Queen Victoria Park.

GREGORY LAKE Gregory Lake is located at Nuwara Eliya and is 4 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya town along the Badulla road. Gregory’s Lake was constructed between 1872 – 1877 by Governor William Gregory. This was constructed by building a dam across the Thalagala stream, which is the main tributary of Nanu Oya. At that time, the main purpose of such lake is to generate hydropower electricity for Nuwara Eliya town.

RACE COURSE NUWARA ELIYA Nuwara Eliya Race Course is a one of the highest in the World, located at 6128 feet above sea level. In the British era John Baker, who bred and trained racing horses, built a race course around a small hill on his land. Gradually the practice of horse racing developed along with the race course.

The Sri Lanka Turf Club holds its annual race meet between 9th and 23rd April at the Nuwara Eliya Race Course. The Governor’s Cup is held on 16th April each year.

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History of

Nuwara Eliya and details GALLWAYSLAND BIRD SANCTUARY Gallwaysland Bird Sanctuary is located at Nuwara Eliya, walking distance from the city center. This sanctuary covers an area of 57.6 hectares of land and was declared a wildlife sanctuary on May 27th, 1938. And on May 18th, 2006 this was upgraded to a sanctuary. In this bird sanctuary there are many endemic and non endemic bird species as well as many migrant bird species.

Main entrance is from Nuwara Eliya Udupussellawa road.

NUWARA ELIYA GULF CLUB This 18 hole golf course was founded in 1889. Nuwara Eliya golf club is one of the oldest of its kind in Asia.

HNB BUILDING No: 42, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nuwara Eliya Telephone: 052 2222348 / 052 2222856 / 052 2223786 Cargills Building, Municipal Market and Municipal Council These are old buildings from the colonial era.

NUWARA ELIYA OLD RAILWAY STATION Now there is no railway service to Nuwara Eliya. But, in the late Colonial era there was a railway track to Nuwara Eliya starting from Nanu Oya railway station. This is a narrow gauge railway track and it proceeds to Kandapola, crossing the Nuwara Eliya town. There are few ramnants of this railway track. Nuwara Eliya old railway station is today used as the CTB Depot and a ruined railway bridge can be seen near the Polo ground.

ST. ANDREW’S HOTEL St. Andrew’s Hotel is a private residence during the British era. It’s built according to Tudar house tradition.

NUWARA ELIYA POST OFFICE Nuwara Eliya post office was declared open in 1894.

OLIPHANT TEA ESTATE Oliphant tea estate is located near Ramboda-Nuwara Eliya road. Oliphant estate is significant because the first 30 tea plants sent from China to Sri Lanka were planted here by Mr. Laurence Oliphant.

BAKERS FARM First ever agricultural farm in Nuwara Eliya. This farm was established by Samuel Bakers and was named “Bakers farm”.

And even today there is a stone letter left in the Bakers farm.

PEDRO TEA ESTATE/FACTORY Pedro tea estate/factory is the closest tea factory to Nuwara Eliya town. It’s located near Pidurutalagala Mountain.

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CEYLON BEER Brewing beer in Nuwara Eliya commenced under Sir Samuel Baker in 1881 at Lover’s Leap.

POLICE MOUNTED STATION OIC Mounted Section Nuwara Eliya No: 41 1/1, Udupusellawa Road, Nuwara Eliya Telephone/Fax: 052 3522252

WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENT Erected in 1923 this monument was created to commemorate and honor soldiers who fought and died during the First World War.

TOMBSTONES 1. John Rogers - Gulf Ground 2. Sir William Rock – Judge died in May 19th, 1838 3. Ebenisher Golder Manro (Ibenishan Gordon Mendrow) - Killed by a wild buffalo on January 24th, 1841 near Elephant Plain. He is the son of Lt. John Manro. Born in November 1st, 1814 4. Lady Olivia Mary Caldecote – Wife of the last Governor of Sri Lanka – Holy Trinity Church grave yard.

SRI LANKAN FIRST HYDRO-POWER PLANT As you know the Sri Lanka’s first hydro power plant is located at Nuwara Eliya Black Pool area. This hydro power plant was named as Black Pool Hydro power plant. Sir Henry Macllam, the governor to Sri Lanka from 1907 – to 1913, ordered engineer Rightland to generate electricity of Queens House in Nuwara Eliya. Righland used boiling water to make electricity. But, in 1910 Rightland and Wimaladharmasooriya ( a local engineer) used Gregory’s lake dam and built a hydro power house near Black Pool. Water was transported by steel pipes, and on March 15th, 1912 Black Pool Hydro power Station was opened by Sir Henry Macllam.

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History of

Nuwara Eliya and details OLD ABANDON NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY LINE - NANU OYA TO NUWARA ELIYA/ UDUPUSSELLAWA (UPR) This narrow gauge railway line was constructed by the British to transport tea from Brookside to Nanu Oya. It was also used to transport Indian labourers. This railway line functioned for 36 years.

It stopped taking passengers in 1940’s and completely closed in 1950. Nuwara Eliya railway station is now used as a CTB Depot.

BAKER’S WARD – BASE HOSPITAL NUWARA ELIYA After rediscovering the Nuwara Eliya by the British, there were no proper roads to access Nuwara Eliya from major sea ports. Mr. Samuel Baker, 1831-1837, planned to build a house and to have a large vegetable and animal farm at Magastota in Nuwara Eliya. In 1848 he went to England and came back to Sri Lanka, with plants, animals and other necessary equipment with his brothers John and Valentine.

With a great difficulty they bought their goods to Ramboda, but the stretch between Ramboda to Nuwara Eliya is the worst part of the road, and the cart they were travelling in fell off the road. His brothers and his crew died on the spot.

Only Samuel Baker survived. He buried all the bodies and came to Nuwara Eliya.

At that time there was no hospital in Nuwara Eliya. So, Mr. Samuel Baker made a Hospital in Nuwara Eliya in memory of his dead brothers. Even today the “Baker’s Ward” is there in the Nuwara Eliya Base Hospital.

AMBEWELA Ambewela is a small town in Nuwara Eliya District and is well known for dairy products. It has Sri Lanka’s largest grassland.

AMBEWELA FARMS There are two farms at Ambewela, Ambewela Farm and New Zealand farm. Ambewela has cattle, rabbits, pigs and goats.

In addition vegetables are also grown. It is famous for cheese such as Edam, and Gouda. At 12.30 pm every day one can see the milking of the cows.

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AMBEWELA MILCO FACTORY When one travels along the Horton plain road from Ambewela, one can visit Ambewela Milco Factory, which produces milk powder.

Contact numbers are 052 5670728 / 052 5670726. You are allowed to visit the factory. However it’s more convenient if you call and inform your arrival as sometime the factory is closed for the public. (Phones and cameras are not allowed in inside the factory)

AMBEWELA WIND POWER PLANT Ambewela wind power plant is managed by Aitken Spence PLC. The generated electricity is connected to the national gird. It produced 3Mws of power.

KANDE ELA LAKE Kande Ela Lake is located at Mipilimana. Boat rides are available.

KANDE ELA FOREST GARDEN Kande Ela forest garden is located near the Kande Ela lake. Kande Ela forest garden is maintained by the Forest Department for educational purpose. Nature trails are available.

CASTELREAGH / DICKOYA Castelreagh can be reach via A4, Colombo-Awissawella main road, and then via A7, Avissawella-Hatton road.

It’s easily accessible from Hatton town.

CHRIST CHURCH WARLEIGH Christ church Warleigh at Castlereagh was built in 1878, by the tea planters in the area. One of the original bibles that were gifted to the church still exists.

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History of

Nuwara Eliya and details GOVERNOR’S MANSION Governor’s Mansion was built in 1878 by William Scott, the Governor at that time.

DICKOYA BASE HOSPITAL Dickoya Base Hospital is located near the Hatton-Maskeliya main road, near Norwood.

CASTLEREAGH RESERVOIR Castlereagh reservoir airport – Located near the reservoir Sri Muththumariamman Kovil – An old Hindu kovil.

Lethenty Estate – Located at Hatton Dickoya estate - Originally owned by the Scottish Ceylon Tea Company Ltd, Dickoya estate was one of the earliest plantations in the hill country.

Maskeliya Police station – Located in a colonial building

NORTON BRIDGE NO: 0 KM POST At the Norton bridge double cut junction.

MARTIN AIR DC 8 MEMORIAL Located at the Norton Bridge junction. And this was erected by the Norton Bridge Police.

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MASKELIYA Maskeliya is 81 kms away from Colombo

MASKELIYA RESERVIOUR Maskeliya reservoir fishing huts - The Fishing Huts is a set of cabins built during British days, but it is not a fishing location any more. It is located at the edge of Mooray Estate in Maskeliya which spans over 3000 acres of land. The cabins are built on the bank of Baththulu-Oya, which separates the tea estate from the Adam's Peak Wilderness Sanctuary – This is a natural reserve in Sri Lanka. It is the third largest (by area) of the 50 sanctuaries in the country Adam’s peak falls - This waterfall is commonly known as Sri Pada falls due its proximity to Sri Pada holy mountain.

Since this waterfall lies inside the Gartmore estate it is also known by the name Gartmore Falls.

ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH TELEPHONE: 052 2277206

TALAWAKELE Talawakele is located along A7, Colombo-Awissawella road. Talawakele is 3932 feet above sea level. It’s a major tea cultivation area. Not a travel destination.

UPPER KOTMALE HYDROPOWER PROJECT Upper Kotmale Hydropower project is located at Talawakele. Upper Kotmale Hydropower project was ceremonially opened by President Mahinda Rajapakshe on July 14th, 2012. It consists of two generators with 75MWs. Upper Kotmale Hydropower project was planed in 1960s but had been abandoned but started again in March 3rd, 2006.

TEA RESEARCH INSTITUTE (TRI) The Tea Research Institute was founded in 1925 under the Tea Research Ordinance. The institute had its beginnings in Kandy and was later moved to Nuwara Eliya. In December 1929 the tea research institute was transferred to the present location at St. Coombs estate in Talawakele. Two estates St.Coombs in Talawakele and St. Joachim in Ratnapura, are operated under tea research institute.

MLESNA TEA CASTLE Mlesna Tea Castle is located near the 82nd Km post on A7 highway overlooking Devon Falls.

KOTMALE KOTMALE RESERVOIR/DAM Kotmale reservoir was constructed by the financial assistance of Swedish government. Construction work was commenced in February 1979 and was completed in 1984. Hydropower generation started in June 1985. Kotmale dam can be crossed via Pusellawa-Ulapane highway. Its 12 km away from Gampola town.

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History of

Nuwara Eliya and details SUSPENSION BRIDGE NEAR KOTMALE DAM There’s a suspension bridge near the Kotmale dam over the Kotmale oya.

KOTMALE SEYA (MAHAWELI MAHA DAGABA) Kotmale reservoir was constructed under the Mahaweli project. Due to Kotmale reservoir, 16 grama sewa divisions, 66 villages, 4 tea estates and 18 temples went under water. Minister Gamini Dissanayake proposed that a stupa should be build near Kotmale reservoir. This stupa is the bubble shaped (Bubbulakara). It is 274 feet high and 200 feet in diameter.

This stupa is the tallest stupa built in Sri Lanka after 1300 years.

DEHUDU KADULLA Dehudu kadulla or the northern boundary of the ancient Ruhunu kingdom is located near Kotmale. It can be accessed through Pussella-Ulapane road. Only two people can pass at once.

PUSULPITIYA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA Pusulpitiya is located along the Kotmale reservoir bank road. Sri Lankan legends say that, Prince Dutugemunu spent his childhood in the Pusulpitiya village. Pusulpitiya Raja maha viharaya was very important place in Polonnaruwa period. It is said that the tooth relic was hidden in this temple for few years due to Kalinga Maga’s rule (1215-1236)..

KOTMALE RIVER 4th largest river in Sri Lanka. It starts from the Horton plains and is a tributary of Mahaweli River. Kotmale River has its own tributaries. They are Panna oya, Dambagastalawa oya, Nanu Oya and Pundalu oya.

RAMBODA Ramboda is 54 km away from Colombo

SRI BAKTHI HANUMAN TEMPLE Ramboda is where Rama gathered his forces to fight with king Ravana. The Sri Bakthi Hanuman Temple was built in honour of Hanuman. Inside the Hanuman temple there’s a 16 foot height statute of Hanuman. This is located near the Ramboda town.

CHARIOT PATH There is a stretch of barren land known as the “Chariot Path”, in Ramboda little above the Sri Bakthi Hanuman Temple.

Ravana took Sita to Asoka forest along this road.

SITA TEAR POND Near the Ramboda Bakthi Hanuman Temple (above-on chariot path) there’s a pond named as “Sita Tear Pond”, which formed, according to legends, from Sita’s tears.

RAMBODA ROAD TUNNEL Ramboda road tunnel is the longest road tunnel in Sri Lanka and is located along the A5 main road near Ramboda (Gampola-Nuwara Eliya road). Ramboda road tunnel was constructed with Japanese funding. It is 225 meters long. This was constructed in 2006 and opened to general public on February 21st, 2008.

LABOOKELLIE TEA ESTATE 415 hectares tea estate beside the Nuwara Eliya road. In the morning visitors are allowed to visit tea factory to view how the tea processing is done.

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THAWALANTENNA Thawalantenna is a small bazaar at the Nuwara Eliya-Gampola main road. Thawalantenna is the place where, ancient travelers used to rest with their cow carts in ancient days.

HANGURANKETHA Hanguranketha was an important area during Kandyan era. 27 miles from Kandy it was used by Kandyan kings to evade foreign invaders. For example when the British marched to Kandy in 1803, King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe and other Adigars (Ministers) evacuated Kandy and moved to Hanguranketha.

POTHGUL MAHA VIHARAYA Haguranketha Pothgul Maha Viharaya was constructed where Haguranketha ancient royal palace was located. In 1818 the British troops destroyed the royal palace. In 1830 Rev. Poholiyadda thero began the construction of a temple where the royal palace was. Rev. Doratiyanne Attadassi thero finished the construction. One can see a lot of ancient monuments such as moonstones, stone carved vessels and a part of gun used by the British in war against Sinhalese.

HANGURANKETHA MAHA VISHNU DEWALAYA Founder of the dewalaya is not known, but King Rajasighe II and King Wimaladharmasooriya II donated lands and assisted the dewalaya. In 1818 the British troops built a fort near this dewalaya, thus some parts of the dewalaya was damaged. But, later it was repaired.

DADIMUNDA DEWALAYA Dadimunda dewalaya lies behind the Vishnu dewalaya. One can see an excellent stone carving named as “Pancha Nari Getaya”, with five ladies.

MANDAWELA ANCIENT TEMPLE Mandawela ancient temple was erected in Dambadeniya period.

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HISTORICAL / H I S T O R Y

O F N U W A R A E L I YA A N D D E TA I L S

History of

Nuwara Eliya and details WEGAMA ANCIENT TEMPLE Wegama Raja Maha Viharaya was constructed in the Gampola period by Princess Henakanda Biso Bandara. When the British attacked temple of the tooth in Kandy, the tooth relic was brought to Wegama Raja Maha Viharaya for protection.

KITHULPE RANPATHGE TEMPLE An old temple from Anuradhapura period.

WILWALA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA Another temple that belongs to the Anuradhapura period.

OTHER PLACE TO VISIT IN HANGURANKETHA Watarakgoda Pussadewa Temple - Pussadewa Thero, one of the 10 generals of King Dutugamunu and who later became a priest following the war, lived here. Therefore it is called Pussadewa temple. Nowadays only few scattered ruins can be seen.

Morapaya Raja Maha Viharaya - A precious golden Buddha statue can be seen at this temple. It was placed by Maliyadewa Arahath Thero, last Arahath Thero of Sri Lanka. This temple is situated close to Belihuloya, in early part of 17th century temple was desroyed by a landslides and Buddha statue vanished. Later it was found by two merchants.

Current temple was built in early part of 19th century.

WALAPANE SERPENTINE ROCK This is the largest and only green serpentine rock that exists in Sri Lanka. This rock is named as “Garadagala”. If you like to visit serpentine rock, from Nuwara Eliya go to Ragala then Manthreethanna to reach the Garadagala.

LIHINIYAGALA CAVE TEMPLE Lihiniyagala cave temple is located near Walapane town. This was constructed by king Dutugemunu (161-131 B.C.) The temple’s image house is in a large cave, 150 feet in length and 12 feet in height.

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AMBAGAMUWA Ambagamuwa is located 109 km away from Colombo

AMBAGAMUWA INSCRIPTION The Ambagamuwa inscription was made by king Vijayabahu I, 1070-1110 A.D. It is located along the NawalapitiyaGinigathhena road, near the 28th mile post.

GINIGATHHENA Ginigathhena is 50 km away from Kandy and 110 km away from Colombo.

BOGAWANTALAWA “Bogawantalawa valley is one of the top ten places in the world to have a cup of tea.” – The Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper has reported. Bogawantalawa can be access from Balangoda.

TOMBSTONES OF JULIA MARGARET CAMERON AND HER HUSBAND MR. C.H. CAMERON Mr. and Mrs. Cameron came form England in 1875 and bought a large land from Bogawantalawa named “Cameron Watte”. When they came from England they bought their coffins with them. Their tombstones are at St. Mary’s Church at Bogawantalawa.

WATERFALLS IN NUWARA ELIYA DISTRICT RAMBODA WATER FALL Ramboda Falls is 109m high and 11th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 729th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Pussellawa area, on the A5 highway at Ramboda Pass. Its formed by Panna Oya which is a tributary of Kothmale Oya. Altitude of the falls is 945m above sea level.

DEVON FALLS Devon waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Sri Lanka and is situated at Thalawakale. This fall is above 1159m from sea level. This waterfall is about 98m.

There is a Kovil near Devon falls worshipped by Tamil workers of Tea plantations. There is also a bungalow constructed by British governor on 1923.

Devon waterfall is close to Nuwara Eliya Hatton main road. Use Hatton Thalawakele - Nanu Oya - Nuwara Eliya road so you can visit both St. Clair and Devon waterfalls.

BAKER’S FALLS Baker's Falls is a famous waterfall in Sri Lanka. It is situated in Horton Plains National Park on a tributary of the Belihul Oya.The height of the Baker's waterfalls is 20 metres (66 ft). The falls were named after Sir Samuel Baker, who was a famous explorer. Many Rhododendron and Fern bushes can be seen around the waterfall.

LAXAPANA WATERFALL Laxapana Falls is 126m high and the 8th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and 625th highest waterfall in the world. It is situated in Hatton area in Nuwara Eliya District. It's formed by Maskeliya Oya near the confluence of Kehelgamu Oya and Maskeliya Oya which forms Kelani River. The Falls gives its name to twin Hydroelectricity Power stations, Laxapana which generates 50MW of electricity and New Laxapana which generates 100MW. Popular folklore says that this is the place where Buddha mended his saffron robe when he was visiting Sri Pada. The name of the waterfall derives from Sinhala words of "Laxa" means Hundred thousand and "Pahana" or "Pashana" means rock.

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䈀攀猀琀 圀椀猀栀攀猀⸀⸀⸀⸀⸀⸀⸀⸀

一愀瘀椀渀 䐀椀猀猀愀渀愀礀愀欀攀 䠀漀渀⸀ 䴀椀渀椀猀琀攀爀 漀昀 倀氀愀渀琀愀琀椀漀渀 䤀渀搀甀猀琀爀椀攀猀

眀椀琀栀

䌀漀挀漀渀甀琀 䌀甀氀琀椀瘀愀琀椀漀渀 䈀漀愀爀搀

ᰠ䌀漀挀漀瘀椀氀氀愀ᴠ

刀攀猀漀爀琀猀

一椀氀愀眀攀氀椀

䈀漀瀀椀琀椀礀愀

䬀愀琀栀愀爀愀最愀洀愀

倀愀氀攀椀

䌀漀挀漀渀甀琀 䌀甀氀琀椀瘀愀琀椀漀渀 䈀漀愀爀搀

㤀⼀㐀㈀㠀 Ⰰ 䐀攀渀稀椀氀 䬀漀戀戀攀欀愀搀甀眀愀 䴀愀眀愀琀栀愀 䈀愀琀琀愀爀愀洀甀氀氀愀

䄀渀甀爀愀搀栀愀瀀甀爀愀礀愀

倀愀猀椀欀甀搀愀栀 䠀漀琀 䰀椀渀攀 㨀 ⬀㤀㐀 ㄀㄀㔀 㔀㐀㤀 㔀 㔀 ⬀㤀㐀 㜀㄀㠀 ㌀ 㐀 㜀㄀㈀ 䔀 䴀愀椀氀 㨀 挀挀戀挀漀挀漀瘀椀氀氀愀䀀最洀愀椀氀⸀挀漀洀

EXPLORE / A

C U P O F T E A I N N U WA R A E L I YA

A cup of tea in

Nuwara Eliya

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On my table is a steaming cup of black Ceylon tea and in the background is tapping piano music. Several people are immersed in comfortable chairs relaxing in the beautiful atmosphere here. The elegant colonial interior of the Grand Hotel brings me to the days when it was the residence of the contemporary Governor Edward Barnes and it was called "Barnes Hall."

Text & Pix: Alina Kręcisz

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EXPLORE / A

C U P O F T E A I N N U WA R A E L I YA There are picturesque mountain ridges surrounding Nuwara Eliya in front of me, gilded by the morning sun. In 1819, when John Davy, an English military physician and writer was hunting here, the mountain ridges have overgrown with virgin forests full of leopards, elephants and deer. He was the first, who drew attention to the unusual climate of this place. His encouraging report grabbed Barnes's interest and he decided to build his holiday home here.

Soon, Nuwara Eliya became not only a big game hunting place and a military camp, but also a sanatorium and a holiday resort for the English colonists.

Exotic climates are also suitable for growing vegetables and flowers. In 1848, Samuel Baker, formerly known as the African explorer, founded the first farm in this area. Today this area is famous for its strawberries, flowers, carrots, leeks, lettuce and many other vegetables.

After the coffee crisis caused by the devastating plague, a tea covered this region. The growing forests were replaced by larger tea plantations and Nuwara Eliya soon became the second district in the country of cultivating one of world's best tea.

Today Nuwara Eliya is a bustling town with the atmosphere of recent times, with its characteristic housing and several colonial buildings. Among them are the post office, the previously mentioned Grand Hotel and the golf club. The Hill Club Hotel - once the only gentlemen's club and Queen's Cottage, formerly the residence of the governors and now the president of Sri Lanka are also iconic figures in the vicinity.

The beautiful Lake Gregory is also a significant beauty in Nuwara Eliya. The lake was designed to the recreation of the English elites. Just a few steps away is the highest Race Course in the world, located at the end of Victoria Park. The inaugural race took place in 1875.

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Currently, almost after two centuries since John Davy discovered the value of this place, "Little England", situated at an altitude of over 1800 m, unchangingly attracts domestic and foreign tourists. The most popular season is from March to May and August to September when bright mountain air gives respite from the biggest heat. The city presents its whole beauty in April, when nature blooms with all its beauty, and elegant hats and umbrellas of ladies colourfully flowering at the Race Course.

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By: Madhushanker Hettiarachchi Pix s by: Nirosha Anuruddhika

DESTINATIONS / H I D D E N

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W AT E R FA L L S O F U M A O YA

Hidden Waterfalls of Uma Oya A team consisting of five persons including us Madhushanker Hettiarachchi and Nirosha Anuruddhika set out to explore the upper region of the Uma Oya with the team' Travel in Sri Lanka - Sobasiri, to see what other waterfalls lay in the upper reaches of the falls.

As there were supposed to be no waterfalls above the Uma Oya we had to trek 15 kilometers at a minimum.

After obtaining the tickets on that morn of 2019/3/3 to view the Boburu falls

OUR JOURNEY BEGAN In a short time, we found a path up from the foot of Boburu falls, leading to the top. Using this path through the forest soon were able to ascend to the top of the falls. The initial climb took a lot of time as the terrain was very rough. On this path, we could see another two waterfalls above this point.

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DESTINATIONS / H I D D E N

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W AT E R FA L L S O F U M A O YA

We traveled hiking through this shrub jungle on a path parallel to the stream.

Our aim was to find the waterfalls that were somewhere in this forest.

After about three hours of trekking and passing several minor waterfalls, we came upon Uma Oya's first hidden waterfall. The 'falls we came upon was about 80 feet high. As this was the dry period there was less water there to be seen, This was one of at the most beautiful waterfalls ever to be seen by us.

After photographing these falls we then continued in search of the other falls. A short distance from this point we came across the second largest waterfall.

While it had a similar width it was about 60ft in height.

This fall was flowing over marble like rocks.

The previous water fall we saw was called ' Scout Falls'. This name was given because the start of the Uma Oya, Boburu Falls had been the Freda Scout Camp was situated nearby. Because of' nature of the rocks at the second waterfall it was named 'Marble Falls'.

We both then proceeded to 'climb higher as I saw the there was a storm gathering. On our way, we passed several small falls and lakes which had islands formed by the water flow.

We have probably become the first team to see these beautiful falls that are at the start of the Uma Oya, above the Boburu Fall's.

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DESTINATIONS / H I D D E N

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W AT E R FA L L S O F U M A O YA

After hiking over 15 kilometers through very rugged terrain and brush we saw the 'Scout Falls' which was named by us and also the Marble falls'. Thus we ended our trek succeeding in discovering these two hidden waterfalls, that no one has seen before.

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TRANQUILITY / R E L I V I N G

T H E R A M AYA N A I N N U WA R A E L I YA

Ramayana in Nuwara Eliya Reliving the TEXT BY: RATHINDRA KURUWITA

R

amayana, one of the greatest Hindu epics of all time, if not one of the great epics of any tradition of literature, tells us about the war between Prince Rama, the seventh avatar of God Vishnu, and King Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka, over the abduction of Princess Sita, the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort. Rama defeats Ravana with the assistance of Hanuman, the monkey king portrayed as the eleventh avatar of Shiva after a struggle of cosmic proportions.

There are hundreds of millions of both Hindus and Buddhists who insist that the events of Ramayana actually took place and each year a large number of people take the Ramayana Trail, a journey visiting the sites described in the epic. Although traditionally the trail consisted of sites in India and Nepal in recent years many devotees have shown an active interest in visiting the Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka.

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WHERE PRINCESS SITA WAS KEPT Legend has it that Princess Sita, kidnapped by King Ravana, was held in a forest of Asoka trees during her captivity in Sri Lanka and there are some who believe that she was held around Nuwara Eliya. The concentration of Asoka trees, the discovery of three idols, one of which was that of Sita, almost a century ago, the belief that King Ravana’s palace was located near the vicinity and odd shaped holes on the granite rock supposed to be footprints of Hanuman convinced devotees a while back that a spot five kilometres away from Nuwara Eliya town along the road to Kandy was where Sita was imprisoned by King Ravana. Thus came to existence the Sita Amman Kovil, “the only Sita temple in the world”, built along the lines of South Indian temples, next to a clear stream where the guides of the temple assure you that Princess Sita bathed, sat on the stones of the bank, and prayed. The temple can be found five kilometres away from Nuwara Eliya on the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya road.

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TRANQUILITY / R E L I V I N G

T H E R A M AYA N A I N N U WA R A E L I YA

Ramayana in Nuwara Eliya Reliving the

“This has been a place of worship for centuries, if not millennia.

Three idols were found at this site a century ago which indicated that”, said one of the caretakers of the temple.

“This has been a place of worship for centuries, if not millennia. Three idols were found at this site a century ago which indicated that”, said one of the caretakers of the temple. “There is a heavy concentration of Asoka trees around the temple and you might remember that the Ramayana states that the Princess was held captive in an Asoka forest. There is also a spot in the stream where the water is tasteless; the Ramayana states that Sita cursed the water and we believe that's the place she cursed. Adjacent to the Sita Kovil we also have a Hanuman temple.”

According to the caretakers of the temple there is also evidence that Hanuman, the monkey god, has been here. They point at odd shaped holes on the granite banks of the stream and state that those holes were made where Hanuman stepped.

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“The pooja times of the temple are between 8 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6.30 pm. We have a large number of devotees each day and a lot of foreigners who know about the Ramayana visit the site,” said a caretaker.

HUGE POTENTIAL During our visit to the colourful temple we observed that a large number of foreigners, mostly of Indian origin, at the site taking a keen interest in the story of the place. With the ever increasing interest in the Ramayana and the debate on whether these events actually took place there is huge tourism potential here and attractions like this temple might be what's needed to attract tourists to Nuwara Eliya throughout the year, instead of just a few months of the year.

TRANQUILITY / T H E

H O LY T R I N I T Y C H U R C H

The Holy Trinity Church When the British ruled Sri lanka, they created a small town that resembled their own country in the form of Nuwara Eliya. It is a well known fact that this beautiful city is often known as “Little England”, which was used as a holiday destination by English soldiers of that era. The entire city has inbred characteristics that resemble England, to the point that the British took steps to build a Church in 1833. This Church is known today as the “Church of the Holy Trinity” which has stood for over 166 years.

Taxt and Pic By:

Shelton Hettiarachchi

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In 1833, the building of this Church began, with the raw materials being transported via ship straight from England. The building took place for a span of 20 years,, finally seeing

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completion in the year 1852, on the 24th of February. Reports state that this Church was consecrated

by Bishop James Chapman and was known to be the largest Church to have been built during the British era. The Church’s popularity can be evidenced by the number of graves that is found in the cemetery within the Church premises.

According to some of the record stored in the Church vestry which includes recordings of births, marriages and the deaths of the parish members, the first burial was of the mother of “James Hodge” by the Anglican priest H.M. Von Dadleyson. Interestingly enough, the first marriage

which was also conducted by the same priest happened to be that of a Sri Lankan (then Ceylonese) couple; Astagey Francisco Perera, of Wadduwa and Horadu Godagasmage Catherine, of Galle.

One of the most intriguing points about this Church is the vestibule of information held within the Church vestry which includes records spanning over 162 years.

Additionally, the intricate stained glass windows and the vast pipe organ bears testimony to the rich history of this Church. This pipe organ, which was out of order was restored in 2001 and is still in use for special events. Queen Elizabeth II herself once visited the Church while she was on holiday in 1854.

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HISTORIC / H A K G A L A

G A R D E N S - K I N G R AVA N A’ S H E R B G A R D E N

HAKGALA GARDENS

King Ravana’s Herb Garden Taxt and Pic By: Shelton Hettiarachchi

Hakgala in the Central Highlands (Up country) of Sri Lanka lie beneath the towering Hakgala Rock some 10km south of Nuwara Eliya (Little England) with majestic views across hills receding in tiers into the distance. Among the gardens in the island, Hakgala Botanical Gardens is second only to renowned Perdeniya Royal Botanical Gardens of Kandy, the gateway to the Central highlands.

The rock of Hakgala rises 450 meters (1500 feet) above the gardens & believed to be one of the two places (the other being the cave at Ella) where King Rawana held Sita, consort of Lord Rama of great Indian epic Ramayana. The soil of the area around Sita Eliya temple close to the Gardens is darker than elsewhere in the island. According to the legend, it was in this area Lord Hanuman, in his rage, wreaked havoc on the villages & the forests: his tail was set on fire by King Rawana. The darkened soil is said to be no accident or design of nature. The strange circular depressions in the rock by the adjacent stream are believed to be the footprints of King Rawana's elephant. Of course all of these tales belong to Mythology in Sri Lanka.

The shady Spice garden to the right on main entrance bears a fine selection including cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Some of the oldest nutmeg trees planted in the year 1840 still in fine fettle.The Rose Garden, twin terraced block of land is home to more than 100 varieties of Roses. Some of the varieties of the Roses were imported & planted by

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the British colonial rulers of then Ceylon.

The glass house, indoor garden displays blooming species & varieties of Begonia, Peperomia, Saintpaulia, Primula, Glaxinia, Steptocarpus & Pelargniu.The orchid House shows off a captivation of exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda & their hybrids. Around the orchid House are several hardy orchids including the largest orchid in the world (Grammatophyllum speciosum) which produces flower spike up to 2.5 m long & the green orchid (Coelogyne meyeriana). Close to the Orchid House is a small Plant House containing a variety of green house plants such as ferns, begonias, African violets, Episcia diffenbachia, Phildendron bromelia & Anthuriaum. The Cactus house exhibit over 800 species including Agaves, Opuntia, Kalachoe, Cereus, Rebutia, Rhipsalis while the Flower Garden displays numerous annual flowers arranged according to the height & colour of the plants.

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DESTINATIONS / S A N D AT H E N N A

OR MOON PLAINS

SANDATHENNA OR MOON PLAINS Taxt and Pic By: Shelton Hettiarachchi

Moon Plains is a new attraction which is steadily gaining attention from tourists as well as locals. Moon plains or in Sinhalese ‘Sandathenna’ is a central plain located in Nuwara Eliya.

Amongst the jagged peaks of the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka; are the surprisingly beautiful and vast slopes of the Moon Plains. Located just off the Nuwara Eliya city; this most recently opened attraction, was once the dump site of the tons of garbage used by the dwellers of the nearby city. It was cleaned and reconditioned in 2010, and is now classified as an Agricultural and Environmental Tourism Zone by the Municipality of Nuwara Eliya.

Covered in a verdant carpet of healthy grass; the Moon Plains are home to many wildlife elk, wild buffaloes, dear, the occasional leopard and many types of birds. However, the main point of interest is the viewpoint of the ‘Mini World’s End’. A location on the apex of a sharply dropping cliff, that gives a 360º view of the surrounding landscape.

As such, the Moon Plains prove to be an ideal place for a hike or a cycling tour, with beautiful landscapes galore. The view from the Mini World’s Peak at sunrise is especially spectacular; with the golden glow of the sun, mixing with the mist that wreaths the peaks and valleys surrounding the area. This photo-worthy location is not to missed during a visit.

It is a vast greenland surrounded by forest reserve, tea estates, vegetable farmlands. It is a 10 min drive from Nuwara Eliya. The main attraction of Moon Plains is the mini Worlds End at the edge of the plain, which gives a 360 Degree view of the surrounding mountain peaks and distant farmlands.

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DESTINATIONS / G A L WAY ’ S

L A N D N AT I O N A L PA R K

GALLWAYS LAND NATIONAL PARK Laying a few kilo meters east of the main town is a montage forest called Galway’s land. This little patch of land is famous for its bird life, which includes 10 Sri Lankan endemics. It also offers the visitor to view wild boar, barking deer and other animals. For the more adventurous visitor this is an ideal place to visit as it can be reached only on a walking trail.

Prepare yourself by wearing comfortable clothes (as you will be walking quite a bit) and maybe even equip yourself with a pair of binoculars for a close look! Don’t forget your cameras, as this is something you want to capture and cherish.

These trees are also home to over 20 species of birds including rarely seen birds that are native to Sri Lanka as well as foreign birds. You can also see migrant birds and endemic birds soaring above you while others can be seen nesting and feeding their young.

In addition to the birds, you can also observe many valuable tree species along with various colourful flowers and blossoms at the Gallways Land National Park.

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RELAXATION / H E R I TA N C E

T E A FAC T O RY

HERITANCE TEA FACTORY Taxt and Pic By: Shelton Hettiarachchi

Surrounded by hills and tea plantations, the town of Nuwara Eliya is the perfect getaway from Sri Lanka's tropical heat. The town enjoys spring like weather throughout the year. A favourite retreat of the British during colonial times, Nuwara Eliya is dotted with English country style houses and sprawling gardens, earning it the name Little England. Stop by the well-maintained Central Park, which is awash with flowers between March and May. Make time for an evening stroll on the numerous walking paths around Gregory's Lake, which is located just south of the town.

A hotel of character and star-class, set in an emerald teascape 6,800 feet above sea level, only six degrees from the Equator. In the mountain range, which gave the world Pure Ceylon Tea, the hotel began as a factory built in the days of the British Era. It has been converted so that much of the original style and machinery remains, a reminder of the past in perfect blend with innovations of the present.

To stay at the Tea Factory is to experience a hotel like none other. Step into its reception, and you are where the factory's leaf drying process was carried out. The atrium is latticed with steel and at its top, two giant wooden fans capped with brass remind you that the bedrooms are on floors that used to be the withering lofts.

The tea packing room is now the hotel's popular bar. Where tea was sifted and graded is the hotel's fine restaurant of class; its modern kitchen used to be the engine room. The cuisine is definitely "my cup of tea", whatever your preference.

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TEA / TE A : NAT U R E G I V EN MED I C I N E

TEA: NATURE GIVEN MEDICINES BY: M A B RANATUNGA

T

he legendary discovery of tea drinking dates back to 2737 BC, when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung found medicinal properties of the beverage.

Emperor Shen claimed that tea improves the health and recommended as a remedy for kidney trouble, fever, chest infection, and tumours. In the early days, tea was enjoyed by the Emperor and the royal court circle. Later in the 1670s it was introduced to the common man.

Today, tea is considered as the world’s second-most popular drink, after water. Every day over two third of the world’s population consumes more than 2 billion cups of tea. Tea is grown commercially in more than 60 countries and yields an annual harvest of more than 5 million tonnes of leaves.

Tea was first introduced to Ceylon (Sri Lanka as it was known prior to 1972) in December 1839, when a batch of tea seeds were brought from the Calcutta Botanical Gardens and planted at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya.

Tea planting on a commercial basis commenced in the year 1867 pioneered by a Scottish planter James Taylor known as the ‘Father of Ceylon Tea’. Taylor arrived in Ceylon in 1851 and collected tea seeds from the Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya in 1866. The seeds were planted in Field 7 of the Loolecondera Estate in Hewaheta. This nineteen acre piece of land was the beginning of the golden era of tea plantation in Sri Lanka where tea bushes flourished under the shade of his cinchona trees.

Depending on the manufacturing process, teas are classified into three major types: 1. Nonfermented green tea, produced by drying or steaming the fresh leaves to inactivate the polyphenol oxidase and thus, arrest oxidation; 2. Semi-fermented oolong tea (produced when the fresh leaves are subjected to partial fermentation before drying); 3. Fermented black and red (pu-erh) teas which undergo postharvest fermentation before drying and steaming, respectively. Although the fermentation of black tea is due to an oxidation catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase, fermentation of pu-erh tea is attained by using microorganisms (Cabrera et al. 2006).

Approximately 76–78% of the tea consumed is black, 20–22% is green and less than 2 % is oolong tea (McKay and Blumberg 2002).

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TEA / TE A : NAT U R E G I V EN MED I C I N E Today, tea has received considerable attention due to the health benefits of the compounds that it contains.

Over 700 chemical constituents including flavonoids, amino acids, vitamins, alkaloids and polysaccharides (Thomas et al. 2006) and over 500 flavor compounds have been identified in tea leaves (Rawat and Gulati 2008). Most of them are purported to be antidiabetic, anticancer, antiobesity, antiaging and antihistamin (He et al. 2006; Sharangi 2009).

Anti Cancer effects Scientific evidences have shown that intake of tea may reduce the risk of cancer. The major compound contributing to the anti-cancer activity of tea is the polyphenolic compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is the most abundant catechin in tea and exhibits anticancer effects through a variety of mechanisms. Currently, studies are underway to use green tea and catechins for preventive and therapeutic treatments for cancer as a “Botanical drug”. United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has approved “Polyphenon E”, a standardized green tea polyphenol preparation as a medication for genital warts (Isemura, 2015).

Anti Obesity effects Obesity is one of the serious social problems in most of the developed countries. Obesity leads to other diseases such as fatty liver, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Recent findings revealed that intake of a diet containing 2% green tea powder could improve lipid metabolisms and suppress fat accumulation. Anti-obesity action of tea is due to the availability of compounds catechins, caffeine and theanine. Further clinical studies suggested that combination of a moderate exercise and intake of tea could suppress fat accumulation in humans (Sayama, 2015).

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Anti Diabetic effects Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease that shows abnormal elevation of chronic and/or postprandial blood glucose levels. A number of studies have indicated that the ingestion of tea catechins is effective in preventing a rise in blood glucose level. Studies are continuing to understand molecular mechanisms of multi anti-diabetic activities of EGCG. Several epidemiological studies (the scientific study of the distribution and determination of disease) suggested that habitual drinking of tea reduces risk of DM (Miyoshi, 2015).

Prevention of heart diseases Recent research has found that daily intake of tea reduce the risk of heart diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies revealed that green tea catechins and black tea theaflavins and thearubigins have the ability to inhibit lipid oxidation and plaque formation, thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases. Also, intake of tea reduces cholesterol, blood clotting and improve endothelial functions that lead to reduce the risk of stroke (Amarakoon, 2004).

Anthocyanin rich TRI 2043 cultivar developed by TRI

Food supplement produced from tea GABA extract

Botanical drug prepared from tea catechin extract

Anti Allergic effects Allergy has been defined as a disease of excessive immune activity and many people are reluctant to use antiallergic medicine as a result of side effects and high cost. Hence, there is a demand for the development of functional foods for allergy prevention. Recent studies showed the anti-allergic effects of epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3”Me) and epigallocatechin- 3-O-(4-o-methyl) gallate (EGCG”4Me) isolated from Japanese green tea over “cedar pollinosis” (pollen allergy). It was found that regular intake of tea produced from the variety “Benifuiki” which contains EGCG3”Me significantly reduces symptoms of cedar pollinosis in Japan. Also, other compounds in tea leaves such as theogallin, epigallocatechin, and polysaccharides have anti-histamine properties (Yamamoto et al., 2015).

Anti-aging effects The number of elderly population is increasing all over the world with parallel increase in the number of dementia patients. The most important risk factor for dementia is aging. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during many physiological processes and accumulation of ROS is considered to be the major cause of senescence. Generally, body’s oxidative defense mechanism deteriorates with aging. Hence, human diet supplemented with anti-oxidants is beneficial in reducing the risk (Amarakoon, 2004). Catechins are powerful antioxidants and recent studies suggested that they can prevent Alzheimers’s disease. In addition theanine and amino acids in tea suppress stress induced senescence. (Unno, 2015). Overall, habitual intake of tea reduces the diseases of old age and improves the quality of life in the elderly.

Other medicinal properties Theanine, (5-N-ethylglutamine) is the most abundant unique amino acid found in tea which helps in producing a calming effect on the mental state by lowering blood pressure. It is known to be a neurotransmitter in the brain and imparts mind relaxation-inducing effect in humans and suppresses oxidative damage, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral depression under psychosocial stress. Anthocyanine, purple colour pigment found in tea leaves has the ability to lower blood pressure and purple tea rich with anthocyanine has become more popular among tea growers.

GABA or gamma-aminobutyric acid available in tea has anti-hypersensitive action, facilitate brain metabolism and decrease blood pressure. It has been estimated that green tea leaves contain 24-39 mg/100 g of GABA and suitable as a food supplement.

In addition to these medicinal properties of tea, today, increasing attention is given for exerting functional properties.

Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI) is working on developing tea cultivars with variable levels of important metabolites and promotes them for producing high value diversified products.

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Best

seafood

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Nuwara Eliya Grand Dewasiri Cottage and Sea Food Restaurant No.19, Grand Hotel Rd, Nuwara Eliya

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RELAXATION / R O YA L

H I L L S , A H E AV E N LY G E TAWAY F O R A N AW E S O M E H O L I D AY

ROYAL HILLS, A HEAVENLY GETAWAY FOR AN AWESOME HOLIDAY Royal Hills is an epitome of luxury located in Upper Lake road, Nuwara Eliya. Overlooking the Gregory lake, it is gifted with lush beauty and a tranquil ambience.

The property is inclusive of 20 rooms with an amazing view. Lake View and Mountain View rooms come with a private balcony overlooking the iconic Gregory Lake or the tea plantations. All rooms are well spacious and equipped with modern amenities including in-room Wi-Fi access, a wardrobe, flat screen TV with access to your favorite channels, private bathroom with bathtub and hot water.

Royal Hills belongs to the Royal Holidays travel company.

Speaking to Royal Holidays Chairman/ Managing Director, Ranjeewa Fonseka, it was evident that Royal Holidays is one of the best destination management companies. “Having a travel company was always a dream; one I knew that I could succeed with. After having worked for around 15 years, in 2009, I decided to open my own travel company” he added with an ambitious smile on his face. Royal Holidays mainly caters to the Chinese and Indian tourists.

Many attractions in the area could be easily accessed from Royal Hills as it is within easy reach from Nuwara Eliya. Horton plains national park, Gregory Lake, Hakgala Botanic gardens, Lipton Seat and Ramayana are some of the spectacular entities in the vicinity. It is also in close proximity to couple of water falls, tea estates and mountains.

An array of activities can also be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including cycling and hiking. The dry cleaning, ironing service and laundry facilities are available as well.

Royal Hills offers you mouth-watering dishes belonging to a variety of cuisine. It offers the option of in room dining as well. The superb customer service and warm hospitality offered at the Royal Hills will surely make your stay ever so memorable.

If you are planning a visit to Nuwara Eliya, hop into Royal Hills for an amazing holiday experience.

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Chairman/ Managing Director, Ranjeewa Fonseka

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ADVENTURE / F LY I N G

R AVA N A F O R A L L A D R E N A L I N E J U N K I E S !

Ravana FOR ALL ADRENALINE JUNKIES!

Taxt By Kalhari Pitigala Pic By Chamila Karunarathna

FLYING RAVANA IS SRI LANKA'S FIRST EVER MEGA DUAL ZIP-LINE, LOCATED AMIDST THE LUSCIOUS GREEN ESTATES OF ELLA, SRI LANKA. IT IS ONE OF THE MUST VISITS IN THE VICINITY OF ELLA AND ONE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING AN ADVENTUROUS TIME THERE. SWINGING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS WILL BE AN AMUSING EXPERIENCE MIXED WITH A TOUCH OF AN ADRENALINE RUSH. IT OFFERS AN ENCHANTING VIEW OF THE PICTURESQUE MOUNTAINS WHILST STRETCHING FOR MORE THAN HALF A KILOMETRE. IT SLIDES AT 80KMPH AND MEANT FOR ADVENTURE ENTHUSIASTS WITH A PASSION FOR EXPLORATION.

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The manager of the site, Mr. Mattis has over 12 years of experience in Bunji jumping and Zip lines at Netherlands.

All the equipment and installation have been done by a qualified Netherland company and the zip lines have been certified under European Rope Course Association (ERCA) to ensure maximum passenger safety. Professional instructors who have been trained in Netherlands are present at the site. They are dedicated to make this adventure ever so memorable whilst ensuring maximum safety.

It offers a beautiful bird’s eye view of the Ella rock and the little Adam’s peak. Once you are released from the zip, you will feel as if you are flying over the sky with a 360 degree view over the area. You can witness this marvellous experience for about 40 seconds.

For more details log on to www.flyingravana.com

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Sita's plight

HISTORIC / S I TA ' S

PLIGHT

Text by: Chanaka de Silva

The true story of the epic starts with the abduction of Sita. For it is after the banishment of Rama to the forest does the real epic begin.

With the background being that of Gods and Goddesses, it is said that Rama is an incarnation of Vishnu, God of Protection. Vishnu is one of a trinity of the three most important Hindu gods – Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector, and Shiva the destroyer. Vishnu has had nine incarnations on earth as different beings. One of these is as Rama.

Vishnu will have ten incarnations in all, the tenth is yet to happen! Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi is Vishnu's wife and whenever Vishnu incarnates she incarnates with him.

Teachers might like to look at paintings of Vishnu and Lakshmi, as both gods have specific attributes which are always included in the paintings. The Ramayana begins in heaven as Vishnu and Lakshmi look down and see the earth overrun with demons. They decide to come down to earth to get rid of the demons.

They are born as Rama and Sita.

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>

Rama's Court, Folio from a Ramayana The Monkeys and Bears Build a Bridge to Lanka

>

Throne to his half brother. Who apparently is not the one who actually desires it either. His mother secures it for him from the king from which she has earlier extracted a promise.

Here the poem is written to suggest that it is anything but a perfect romance. But however reading between the lines it is very obvious that it is not so. Sita, the consort of Lord Rama and an avatar of Sri Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess that denotes good character, good fortune, prosperity, success, and happiness.

She is esteemed as the paragon of spousal and feminine virtues for all women.

Sita is the central female character and one of the central figures in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. She

is described as the daughter of the earth goddess, BhĂźmi and the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Videha and his wife, Queen Sunaina.

She has a younger sister, Urmila, and the female cousins Mandavi and Shrutakirti.Sita is known for her dedication, self-sacrifice, courage and purity.

Sita, in her youth, marries Lord Rama, the prince of Ayodhya.

Who won the hand of Sita after performing all the feats of strength that was required. This is when disaster strikes. Rama looses the

Rama decides to honour the request of his father and agrees to go into the forest. His brother fully aware of the hardships they would face offers to go with them. After marriage, she goes to exile with her husband and brother-in-law Lakshmana. After a sad farewell form the subjects to see their prince leave the trio departs.

The exile to the Dandaka forest and the life within it could not be in anyway easy or comfortable.

To a princess who would have been waited hand and foot all her life, in the prime of her youth, this would have been a horrendous punishment. Even today camping in the forest is done to experience TREASUREISLAND.LK / VOL - 03 ISSUE 09

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HISTORIC / S I TA ' S

PLIGHT Valmiki Reciting the Ramayana to His Pupil Bharadvaja

> > a back to nature life, with the basic requirements only. To be reduced to this level so soon after her marriage to Rama would not at all been very comfortable. To live in a palace and then to move into a forest is not easy. Surrounded by wild animals , snakes, insects and other wild beings is not a life that would have suited Sita at all.

On the other hand to Rama who would also have been used to the comforts of all that a palace offers the forest would have been a boring nightmare that he had to endure.

Here enters Ravana's sister Shuparnakha. From what the epic says, she is a woman infatuated by Rama's good looks. Like any womanl she falls in love with this handsome man. To Rama this would have been no more than a distraction to a dull and boring life.

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>

Lakshmana meet Ravana's sister Shuparnakha

Hanuman before Rama

While in exile, the trio settle in the Dandaka forest from where she is abducted by Ravana, the Rakshasa king of Lanka. She is imprisoned in Ashoka Vatikain Lanka until she is rescued by Rama, who slays her captor.

woods of Southern India, sometimes living with her forest-dwelling Asura relatives,Khara and Dushana, on Ravana's orders. She also had conceived a son by Vidyutjihva known as Shambhri who was accidentally killed by Lakshmana.

The cause of the trouble really begins here in the forest. When Surpanakha – The sister of Lord Ravana falls in love with Rama. The background of this part of the tale is thus. At the time of conquering Rasatala (the underworld), her brother, Ravana decided to visit his newly married sister, where he discovered Vidyutjihva's true motive to marry Shuparnakha – to kill Ravana. In Shuparnakha's absence, Vidyutjihva attacked Ravana, who in self-defense killed his brother-in-law.

This earned Ravana his hurt and miserable sister's great displeasure, and the widowed Shuparnakha then split her time between Lanka and the

Considering the mind of Shuparnakha who had to bear the loss of her husband and son, would be one that suffered greatly. In loneliness and sorrow. In such a time of great loneliness she meets Rama.

To whom she sees as perhaps a way out of her loneliness and sorrow, that she feels. Only to find that she has been toyed with.

Next: the cause of the battle Sources www.apnisanskriti.com commons.wikimedia.org detechter.com thebestphotos.eu thereaderwiki.com en.wikipedia.org

RELAXATION / A '

L A N K A A R E S O R T S A N D S PA - A W O R L D C L A S S H I G H E N D B O U T I Q U E R E S O R T

A' LANKAA RESORTS AND SPA

A WORLD CLASS HIGH END BOUTIQUE RESORT

A'

LANKAA RESORTS AND SPA IS A WORLD CLASS HIGH END BOUTIQUE RESORT PERCHED ON A SOLID ROCK AT 1,000 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL WITH 360° BREATHTAKING VIEWS, WITH A PRIVATE WATERFALL, AN INFINITY SWIMMING POOL AND UPSCALE ACCOMMODATIONS AND INDIVIDUALIZED UNIQUE SERVICES.

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RELAXATION / A '

L A N K A A R E S O R T S A N D S PA - A W O R L D C L A S S H I G H E N D B O U T I Q U E R E S O R T

It is located on the historic trail leading from the coastal plain to the Uva southern mountain range where the climate is always cool and refreshing.

Resort comprises of five buildings.

They are designed in different angles to capture the maximum airflow through the building and capture the sunshine to the fullest whilst making the entire resort truly environment friendly.

The timber carving you see in this paradise resort is not found anywhere else in Sri Lanka.

Most of the exclusive suites are designed to capture the splendid sunrise from the luxury comfortable beds of our guests.

On a bright sunny day with deep blue skies, you can see miles and miles into the horizon, while at times, there is possibility to be engulfed with mist within a matter

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of minutes. The new luxury resort will accommodate 34 suites and 10 luxury rooms which are designed for wellness/health environment and immersed into Balinese spa experience.

The architecture of the entire setup is fantastic, intentionally embracing a very unique mystical blend of the 'Ravana/Ramayana” cultural heritage and thus encouraging us to delve into the rich history of Sri Lanka, the very land where the major part of the epic Ramayana took place. The magnificent and mighty king Ravana expanded his kingdom all the way to Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Vietnam etc up to the Mayan kingdom. Ramayana is not just a story: it presents the teachings of ancient Hindu sages in narrative allegory, interspersing philosophical and ethical elements.

The song of Valmiki has become a pillar of principles, a symbol of the victory of good over evil, and a metaphor for the battle between the forces of light and darkness within every human soul and thus inviting guests to indulge their senses among the clouds, to experience an out of this world moment of tranquility and consciousness that is sure to remain with them for years to come.

Sri Lanka is the proud custodian of more than 50 Ramayana historical sites from the place of Seetha Devi’s captivity to the battlefields where vast armies clashed, to the groves of exotic herbs dropped by the monkey god Hanuman, to the ultimate theatre of war where Lord Rama slew Ravana, demon-king and Lanka.

Mr. Vasudevan Rasiah

Guests will be able to enjoy a 24-hour restaurant as well as a Singapore inspired 'Hawker's Centre' where they can feast on regionally influenced street food varieties as well as some favorite foods of different countries.

The construction of a private heliport is currently under way making the option available for special guests who wish to reach the resort directly from Colombo.

The resort offers amazing facilities such as rooftop paragliding and wellness facilities for those who wish to holiday and experience more of a health-based tourism stay. For those who love trekking, plenty of tailormade hikes can be arranged.

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EVENTS / C O C O N U T

INDUSTRY OF SRI L ANKA

H.K. Udaya Rupasinghe Chairman, Coconut Development Authority

Sampath Samarawickrema Director - Marketing Development & Research

Coconut is one of the major plantation crops plays a pivotal role in the economy of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is considered as one of the leading exporters of coconut products in the world other than Philippines, Indonesia, India. Sri Lankan Coconut is well accepted in the world market for its unique sweetness and pleasant smell.

Sri Lanka exports about 37 major categories of coconut products to over 125 countries in the world. As like kernel products also Sri Lanka is well recognized in the world market for coir fiber products and demand for coir fiber products expressed a strong tone over the past few years due to increasing concern over environmentally friendly products & demand driven by rapid growth by emerging markets.

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Coconut is the second major plantation crop in Sri Lanka. Rice being the first. The extent of the land cultivated with coconut amounts to around 440,000 ha (20% of the total land cultivated) Around 5% of the population of the country relies on coconut as source of income. In present, the production of coconut has been remaining about 2500 -3000 millions of nuts. But most of the harvest nut is used for local domestic consumptions. The domestic culinary consumption absorbs 65% -70% of the national coconut productions. It is only, the surplus after meeting the culinary demand that is available for kernel based industries. Owing to the limited supply of nuts, the Coconut Development Authority aims to direct the industry towards adding more value to its products, in order to optimize the revenue from the industry.

The use of fresh nuts for culinary purposes, gives rise to the waste of other material that could be used in the value addition process.

Thus the Coconut Development Authority aims to promote a shift

in consumer habits that would result in development the industry and reducing the wastage for the first time in Sri Lanka 's history, foreign exchanges in the coconut sector exceeded the Ninety-Five Billion Rupees (95 billion) mark in a single year. At the end of 2018 it was a most successful year for the coconut industry.

Exports of number of coconut based products showed progress in terms of foreign exchange earnings well as quantities exported to a number of destinations. Most significant had been Virgin coconut oil, Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream, Coconut Milk powder, King Coconut, Coconut Water, Coconut Flour, activated carbon Molded Coir Products, Fiber Pith and Rubberized Coir Pads. The objective is to increase the foreign exchange earnings by exporting quality Coconut based products to contribute towards economic growth of our motherland & uplift the quality of life of communities engaged in the Coconut industry in Sri Lanka.

Finally, CDA target is to earn US$1.4 billion in 2022.

The coconut industry in the county is of a very high standard. It is also done at a level that the international buyers get produce of the required quality for their markets.

Therefore the coconuts produced in Sri Lanka, are done conforming to the highest hygienic and health standards. The Coconut Development Authority maintains constant supervision of the industry.

Hence this has enabled the produce to demand a higher price in the international market.

Therefore the Sri Lankan government is always monitoring the quality of the coconut produced in the country.

The geographical location of the country has made it a preferred place to purchase coconuts for import by overseas buyers.

H.K. Udaya Rupasinghe Chairman Coconut Development Authority

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EVENTS / B A L LY ’ S

M A R K E T I N G AWA R D C E R E M O N Y 2 0 1 9

Bally’s Marketing

Award Ceremony

2019

The Bally's Marketing Award Ceremony 2019 was held at the Shangri La Hotel. This year too it was a glamourous event with very attractive cash awards for the best performers. Marketing Star of the Year Gold was awarded to Mr. Asitha Melan, Silver to Mr. Fawaz Jasook and Bronze to Mr. Arshad Mohideen.

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The Marketing star of the year 2018 (Gold) Mr, Asitha Melan Awarded by Mr. Anuradha Perera- Deputy Chairman

The Marketing star of the year 2018 (Silver) Mr, M J M Fawaz Awarded by Mr. Anuradha Perera- Deputy Chairman

The Marketing star of the year 2018 (Bronze) Mr, Arshad Mohideen Awarded

by Mr. Anuradha Perera- Deputy Chairman

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EVENTS / THE PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA) SRI LANKA CHAPTER BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

LUXE ASIA (PVT) LTD GRABS THE PACIFIC ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA) SRI LANKA CHAPTER BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2019

T

he “PATA Bowling Championship 2019” organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Sri Lanka Chapter was held on the 30th of March, 2019 at the Excel World Entertainment Park, Colombo 10. The Bowling Tournament was organized as another initiative of the PATA Chapter to strengthen unity and co-operation amongst the member companies of the Association and other Travel Trade Companies. The event was sponsored by Bally’s Entertainment.

Luxe Asia (Pvt) Ltd gained a staggering 418 points to win the title, while Holiday Plan DMC followed closely behind as runners up with 401 and Detroves Travel (Pvt) Ltd scoring 355 points at the competition.

47 teams from leading companies participated at the tournament and Luxe Asia (Pvt) Ltd, Holiday Plan DMC, Detroves Travel (Pvt) Ltd, Classic Travel, Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Roots (Pvt) Ltd, Shangri- La Hotel Colombo and Viluxer Holidays Sri Lanka competed in the final round of play as the top nine highest scoring teams.

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75

NEWS / N D B

N A M E D “ B E S T D O M E S T I C B A N K I N S R I L A N K A” AT A S I A M O N E Y B E S T B A N K AWA R D S

NDB NAMED “BEST DOMESTIC BANK IN SRI LANKA” AT ASIAMONEY BEST BANK AWARDS

Also wins Best Corporate and Investment Bank Sri Lanka 2019 – NDBIB and Best Bank for Premium Banking Sri Lanka 2019NDB Privilege Asiamoney is considered among the most influential financial magazines and a leading authority on finance, banking, investment, and treasury in the Asia- Pacific region.

The magazine is read and trusted by the region’s leading companies, bankers, brokers, investors, regulators and policy makers. The coveted Asiamoney awards identify different banks that have excelled across a range of core banking activities over the past 12 months in the Asia-Pacific region.

As part of the Euromoney group, Asiamoney identified the best of the best in all countries across a range of core banking services through a vigorous process which included interviews with the Bank’s senior management in addition to the application being reviewed and analyzed by a team of editors, journalists and researchers. The final decision was then made by the editorial committee. Asiamoney considered the strengths of the entire domestic and international franchise in deciding these awards, across retail, commercial, cash management and payments, foreign exchange, trade finance, capital markets, advisory and wholesale operations.

NDB was recognized as the “Best Domestic Bank in Sri Lanka” for the first time among an accumulation of significant Banks like Kotak Mahindra Bank (India), Citi (India), KBZ (Myanmar), Brac (Bangladesh), and HBL (Pakistan).

The awards ceremony, which took place at the JW Marriott, Pacific Place, Hong Kong felicitated NDB with three of the most coveted awards in the Sri Lankan Banking Industry: the “Best Domestic Bank in Sri Lanka 2019” and the “Best Bank for Premium Banking Sri Lanka 2019” for NDB Bank along with the “Best Corporate and Investment Bank Sri Lanka 2019” for the NDB Investment Bank of the NDB Group.

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NDB Group CEO Dimantha Seneviratne and NDB Senior Vice President Sanjaya Perera accepting the award (left)

Commenting on the awards, Group Chief Executive Officer of NDB Mr. Dimantha Seneviratne said, “Winning these awards

by Asiamoney is a proud moment for us, and a testament to our ability to demonstrate growth, relative outperformance compared to peers and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions and client needs. These awards reaffirm our dedication to support our clients and customers for their success. The strengths of NDB are showcased across the entirety of the corporate and investment banking operations.”

Winning the “Best Domestic Bank in Sri Lanka 2019” as well as the “Best Bank for Premium Banking Sri Lanka 2019” titles for the first time is a testimony for the dedication of the highly capable team at NDB. The Bank, although not the largest lender in the Sri Lankan Banking industry, is one of the fastest growing banks for many years.

The award for ‘Best Bank for Premium Banking Services’ emphasizes on how NDB has outperformed the Bank’s competitors in the market as well as the Bank’s stringent strategy in great initiatives such as digital services and relationship management. This award was won in recognition of the Bank’s years of consistent effort, innovative thinking and fruitful labour.

Additionally NDBIB being named “Best Corporate and Investment Bank Sri Lanka 2019” for the third consecutive year comes in the backdrop of winning the “Best Investment Bank Sri Lanka” by Asiamoney's related publication Euromoney for the seventh consecutive year in 2018. NDBIB recorded a stellar performance for 2018 with all three product verticals of debt capital markets, equity capital markets and M&A advisory performing exceptionally well.

NEWS / HUAWEI SRI LANKA LAUNCHES P30 PRO “WORLD’S FIRST LEICA QUAD CAMERA WITH 50X ZOOM”

HUAWEI SRI LANKA LAUNCHES P30 PRO “WORLD’S FIRST LEICA QUAD CAMERA WITH 50X ZOOM”

Huawei Debuts HUAWEI P30 Pro; Features Breakthrough Sensor, Lens and Design

Huawei launches Huawei P30 Pro in Sri Lanka. In the picture from left Singer Sri Lanka PLC Director Operations Jagath Perera, Singer Sri Lanka Group CEO Mahesh Wijewardene, Huawei Device Sri Lanka Country Head Peter Liu, Singer Sri Lanka PLC Marketing Director Kumar Samarasinghe, Huawei Device Sri Lanka General Manager Kalpa Perera

Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart device manufacturer launched the Huawei P30 Pro at a gala launch event held at Shangri La. Changing users’ opinions on smartphone photography,the HUAWEI P30 Pro is equipped with world’s first Leica Quad Camera System, including a 40MP main camera with the HUAWEI’s world’s first SuperSpectrum Sensor, a 20MP ultrawide angle camera, an 8MP telephoto camera, the HUAWEI ToF Camera and a 32MP front camera that takes selfies to a new level.

Expressing his opinion on the launch of Huawei’s new device, Huawei Device Sri Lanka Country Head Peter Liu stated “Huawei has consistently offered the best smartphone devices to our valued customer base through innovation. The Huawei P30 Pro, the latest addition to the Huawei P Series, comprises of many new features including the world’s first SuperSpectrum Sensor as well as a new HUAWEI Time of Flight (ToF) Camera and enhanced optical and AI image stabilization technology. With these revolutionary technologies, HUAWEI P30 Pro capture incredible photos and videos in every scenario.

The 1/1.7-inch HUAWEI SuperSpectrum Sensor looks at light in a fundamentally new way, delivers extraordinary photography and videography experiences across a wide range of scenarios and lighting conditions—including extreme low light— producing images with enhanced detail, color and clarity.

Through a new periscope design, theSuperZoom Lens supports high fidelity magnification of 5 times optical zoom, 10 times hybrid zoom and 50 times digital zoom. Unique to the HUAWEI P30 Pro is a HUAWEI ToF(Time of Flight) Camera that captures depth-of-field information to deliver accurate image segmentation.

The SuperPortrait feature captures even the smallest details, such as individual strands of hair. AI HDR+ enables the front and rear cameras to combine multiple photos taken in quick succession to eliminate overexposed and backlit images.

Supporting aspiring mobile videographers, the HUAWEI SuperSpectrum Sensor enables spectacular low-light video capture so night scenes appear bright and highly detailed. HUAWEI AIS and OIS support stabilization for all video capture settings, resulting in a perfect, steady shot. Additionally, the SuperZoom Lens allows for crisp close-ups, while the AI Video Editor enables users to add background music and special effects to their videos, turning the HUAWEI P30 Series into a mobile production studio.

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