Business

A memorable weekend Yasmin Cader

Published

6 years ago

2020/10/4

My first thought when I chose Haritha Villas and Spa to spend a weekend at was to experience sun, sea, sand and calm. However, while I was driven through paddy fields of Sri Lanka’s untouched natural landscapes, I was amazed at what I saw and was wondering where my final destination would be. Till suddenly, we approached these majestic gates which swung open spinning a breathtaking welcome as we drove in. There was the GM – Maxime Rachel, flanked by the Sales Director Fazal Zawahir and my Villa Master – Wasantha all of whom were hidden behind masks, but I could still feel their welcoming smiles and warmth! I knew then, I was in for a memorable experience!

Haritha Villas and Spa is a privately owned boutique hotel set in lush surroundings. For those who love the sea, the management has made arrangements with their compliments to take their guests to the Riff hotel – just three minutes away to the stunning beach of Narigama.

I was guided to my villa which boasted a stunning view of tall trees, paddy fields and many varieties of lush foliage springing up wherever I looked. We sat on the sofas, chatting over a cup of freshly brewed Sri Lankan tea, after which, the Villa Master or personal butler Wasantha assigned to me walked me through the amenities provided. Each villa features an in-room check-in and SPA services, a personal butler, a private garden and dining area, a plunge pool and your own terrace with sofas. Room amenities include a minibar with a wine fridge, Illy espresso machine and tea-making facilities, a Bose Bluetooth sound speaker, IPad and Ophir toiletries. All the villas offer stunning views of the surrounding jungles and paddy fields.

I was told the owner of this luxury resort is Mr. Kostadin Tolev from Bulgaria who spent almost four years creating the beautiful spaces the resort boasts. While, the father of this truly unique and extraordinary architecture is Gary Fell- a world famous and multi-award winning architect from Bali (http://gfabarchitects.com/)

It was evident that luxury and privacy are at the heart of the hotel’s design. Seven intimate one-bedroom contemporary villas, with rooftops covered in greenery, each with its own plunge pool are beautifully combined with two colonial mansions comprising two en-suite bedrooms and a common large swimming pool.

I opted to laze around under thick sun shades watching the sun go down instead of taking a dip in my own plunge pool. Listening to the sounds of the birds, I was quick to recognize many and happier still to see wild peacocks loitering along pathways like it was their own!

The six acre property has individual villas dotted around the terrain with two mansions where a large family could stay. Though every Villa has its own plunge pool, the mansions have their private lap pool, large dining spaces and more. Luxury beamed from all corners of each en-suite room, furnished with tailor-made high quality curtains, comfortable bed linen with herbal and organic toiletries placed in the bathrooms.

Executive Chef Gunasiri fondly known as Guna treated me to a world class dining experience despite me being vegetarian! He offered unique unscripted menus at the restaurant called The View interconnected to a lounge which could be converted to a meeting space as well. Adjacent to it, is a 20-meter long infinity swimming pool and a Pavilion named Sal-Sala. Chatting to him while he dished out an interesting rice and curry meal for lunch, and later during dinner which was a four course meal, he proudly told me about their “Farm to Table” philosophy – an ethos close to their heart.

As I walked around the property I noticed that in the rooftop of each villa, doing well were rich crops of lemongrass and leafy vegetables.

Meanwhile, I enjoyed Villa Master Wasantha’s assistance throughout my stay. He was a star! His simplicity and humbleness made him an outstanding team player and an absolute asset to the hotel. By dusk, having discreetly done a turndown service in the room, he multi-tasks taking on added responsibilities. He curates all the mocktails and cocktails for the guests at the bar with ingredients freshly picked from the herb garden, as he also is a qualified molecular mixologist which he mastered when he worked overseas!

After a simple but hearty late breakfast, and another stroll around the property, I headed home bidding farewell to the team who by then seemed like family to me!

In my opinion, Haritha Villas and Spa is the absolute and ultimate haven for a writer, or for someone like me to totally unwind and rejuvenate. All I can wish for them is for more guests to arrive in the near future to enjoy what they have on offer!

Haritha Villas and Spa is a fairly new and well-established property on the market in the area and considered as one of the most luxurious properties in the region. The endorsements and excellent reviews on Trip Advisor, Booking.com and Expedia says it all.

All News Advertisement

Business

Low-floor buses launched to boost accessible public transport for differently-abled

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

A new low-floor bus service that gives priority to persons with disabilities and special needs was launched last Tuesday (21) from the Makumbura Multimodal Center (MMC).

The service was inaugurated under the patronage of Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake.

Accordingly, ten specially designed low-floor buses have been introduced into the transport service today. These buses are specially designed so that wheelchair users, visually impaired passengers and also expectant women can board the bus with ease, the Transport Ministry said.

Each bus has 30 passenger seats and separate seating areas have been allocated for passengers using wheelchairs.

The pilot project operates on routes from Makumbura to Colombo Fort and from Makumbura to Kadawatha. These routes also cover major hospitals including the Colombo National Hospital and the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.

Speaking at the event, Subject Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that while these buses prioritize the differently-abled community, they will also provide a comfortable and reliable transport service for all passengers.

He also noted that 122 low-floor buses are planned to be introduced into service before the end of this year, and that in the future the service will be expanded to areas such as Kandy, Batticaloa, Matara and Jaffna.

Business

Nestlé Lanka Announces Change in Leadership

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Nestlé Lanka Limited has announced the appointment of Manav Sahni as its Chairman and Managing Director effective 01 May 2026. He will be succeeding Bernie Stefan, who will be transitioning to a new global role within the Nestlé Group. Bernie Stefan led Nestlé’s Sri Lankan operations through a particularly challenging time since 2023 – and has successfully guided the company through a strategic turnaround, positioning it on a axis for sustainable growth.

Speaking on his tenure at Nestlé Lanka, Bernie commented “Leading Nestlé Lanka has been a deeply meaningful chapter in my Nestlé journey. I am grateful to have worked alongside an amazing and resilient team that continues to make a difference for Sri Lankans across the country. On a personal note, it was an amazing opportunity to live on this beautiful island and experience firsthand the openness, warmth and kindness of its people, which has been the highlight of my Nestlé career to date. As Nestlé Lanka marks 120 years of enriching Sri Lankan lives, it is especially humbling to reflect on the role we have played in building on this legacy – positively touching individuals and families, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing our sustainability commitments. I am thankful to my colleagues, partners and stakeholders for their collaboration and trust, and to the wider business community, including through my role as a Board Member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, for the opportunity to reinforce Nestlé’s commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. I leave very confident in the strength of the team and the journey that lies ahead.”

Manav Sahni brings with him over 18 years of experience in the FMCG & Telecom sector. Prior to taking on the role as Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka Limited, he has been heading Nestlé’s Dairy business for the South Asia Region, where he expertly managed a highly diverse portfolio, driving sustainable business transformation.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka at such a pivotal moment in its journey. Nestlé has been part of Sri Lankan households for generations, and I am excited to work with the team to continue delighting consumers with tasty and nutritious products, while strengthening the positive impact we create through our brands and initiatives.”

Business

Majestic Cineplex Returns Bigger Better and More Immersive

Published

2 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Ceylon Theatres will unveil the newly revamped Majestic Cineplex on the 29th of April 2026, beginning a new chapter for one of Sri Lanka’s best known cinema destinations. Located at Majestic City Colombo, Majestic Cineplex returns with major technology upgrades, enhanced comfort, and a range of premium viewing options, reinforcing Ceylon Theatres’ long standing reputation for raising the bar in cinema entertainment experiences in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the upgraded Cineplex will be completely open to the public from 29th April 2026 onwards.

For generations of moviegoers, Majestic Cineplex has been a landmark venue in Colombo, and its latest transformation brings together the nostalgia of a familiar name with the excitement of a modern cinema experience. Leading the new screen line up is Majestic Platinum, which introduces Sri Lanka’s first and only digital LED cinema screen. Designed to deliver sharper visuals, deeper contrast, richer colour, and outstanding clarity, the auditorium features a 3D 4K Tricorne LED Cinema Screen together with Dolby Atmos surround sound. Majestic Platinum offers 226 seats, including 18 VIP recliner seats for those chasing a premium cinema experience.

The cineplex also features three additional theatres, each designed to offer a high quality movie experience. Majestic Superior includes Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, and 7.1 surround sound, with seating for 150 patrons. Majestic Ultra features the same advanced projection and audio systems with 149 seats. Majestic Gold offers a more private luxury setting with Barco 2K projection, 3D capability, DTSX surround sound, and 30 leather recliner seats, ideal for those looking for the most premium and exclusive experience.

Patrons can also enjoy an upgraded café experience with freshly prepared and ready to eat food available for purchase at the counter, along with convenience of being served to your seat. The new café experience, together with the upgraded theatres make for a more relaxed, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience for everyone.

Discussing the relaunch, Ganga Rathuvithana, General Manager Operations at Ceylon Theatres said, “Majestic Cineplex has always been a special part of Colombo’s cinema culture, and we are proud to welcome audiences back with an experience that reflects the future of movie entertainment. We have always believed in investing in the best available technology, from introducing Sri Lanka’s first 3D cinema to now launching the country’s first digital LED cinema screen. Our revamped Majestic Cineplex is designed to give movie lovers something truly special.”