Travel Getaways

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse recently awarded Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa with a fourstar certification.

Subash Hotel, Jaffna, comprising 36 rooms was the main hotel in Jaffna, where many visitors to Jaffna stayed, including VIPs. It had been requisitioned by the armed forces during the war and handed back to the family owners.

The Sri Lanka Army-owned newest holiday resort in the deep southern wild, ‘Lãya Safari’ at Palatupana, Yala bordering the Yala National Sanctuary was declared open by Speaker of the Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa with the presence of Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Heritance Hotels was once again in the spotlight when Heritance Ahungalla was presented with the Gold Award at the National Green Awards concluded recently at the BMICH.

Ranna212 is now a member of Switch Asia through the organisation’s ‘Greening Sri Lanka Hotels’ initiative toward sustainable tourism practices.

Eastern Hotel Developers have announced holiday offerings said to “encourage travelers to escape the warm temperatures and indulge in the chilly hill side atmosphere with amazing specials”.

Keells Resorts bagged three coveted awards at the just concluded Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2011.

Blending old world charm with modern luxury, Tamarind Hill Galle has been re-launched after extensive refurbishment to the external areas of the entire property, the hotel’s management, Asia Leisure Holdings (Pvt) Ltd announced yesterday.

The Economic Development Ministry in its endeavour to attract one million tourists by 2012 opened another tourist resort, Amagi Lagoon Resort & Spa in Negombo recently.

Dolphin Beach, located on the unspoilt Alankuda Beach in Kalpitiya, was recently awarded a ‘Certificate of Excellence’ by TripAdvisor.