Features

MORE FUN AT THE MOUNT – Part 12

Published

5 years ago

2021/06/27

Sahan Weerasooriya

CONFESSIONS OF A GLOBAL GYPSY

By Dr. Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena DPhil

President – Chandi J. Associates Inc. Consulting, Canada

Founder & Administrator – Global Hospitality Forum

chandij@sympatico.ca

Personal Connections at the Mount

My Confession 11, published with the title of ‘The Greatest Love’ last week in the Sunday Island, resulted in more than the usual number of comments on social media. I was particularly happy to receive the following message on LinkedIn, “Fantastic article. I love the ending poem of the article dedicated to “the greatest love”, your mother. So touching and reminds every reader of the warmth and leadership role of a mother. Although, today is the day dedicated to all fathers, your article covers not only the great adventures and love of the hotel, but more importantly what a key role parents play in fostering children.” This message is very special to me because of the writer. He is Mr. Sanath Ukwatte, the Chairman of the Mount Lavinia Hotel (MLH) Group.

I met Sanath for the first time in his father’s office at MLH in early 1985. His father, Mr. U. K. Edmund, was one of those humble Southerners who came to Colombo and built significant business empires in mid-20th century Ceylon. He was a visionary business icon. After running the business of the Ceylon Government Railway’s entire catering operation, he built one of the two largest breweries in Ceylon, Three Coins. He purchased MLH in the mid-1970s, and expanded the great hotel while maintaining the early 19th century architecture. In early 1985, soon after I returned to Sri Lanka after completing my MSc in International Hotel Management at the University of Surrey, UK, I received a telephone call from the veteran hotelier Prasanna Jayawardene, who was the General Manager of MLH. He wanted me to join MLH as the Deputy General Manager, and wanted me to meet the owner and his young son, who was learning his father’s business.

At the end of the interview, Mr. U. K. Edmund stated decisively in Sinhala, “You are hired. When can you start work?”. I told him that I also have interviews with John Keells, Le Meridien, Oberoi and Coral Gardens Hotel; therefore, I needed a little time to decide. At that point, Mr. Edmund told me: “OK, go to all those interviews and see what happens. We will offer you much more than any of the others!”. I finally had job offers from all five companies, accepted the offer from John Keells and became the General Manager of their two largest resort hotels – The Lodge and the Village in Habarana. Sanath kept in touch with me, and offered me the post of the General Manager of MLH in 1988. Eventually I left a good job in London to accept Sanath’s generous offer on an expatriate contract for three years. Being the General Manager of MLH, was my last job in Sri Lanka, and easily the most memorable in my 50-year career in hospitality.

A Waiter at the Hut

During the 1972/1973 tourist season, four of my batch mates from the Ceylon Hotel School (CHS) and I continued to enjoy our work at MLH. Doing our co-op (in-service) as trainee waiters, we hardly made any tips serving the fixed four course dinner menu. Soon after the dinner service, we volunteered to work at the Little Hut, the famous night club at MLH. As tips were great at the Hut, we even did a couple of extra hours, without overtime wages. We also liked the live bands that played there. I always treated the hospitality business the same way as show business. One day I was happy when a top musician performing at the Hut, Ishan Bahar, asked me, “With your afro hairstyle, you look like a musician, would you like to sing in a band?” After work, around midnight while walking to the bus stand, we sang the top hits of the day that were played at the Hut. Inspired by Ishan’s comments, I tried to imitate Johnny Nash, and sang very loudly, but badly:

I can see clearly now the rain is gone

I can see all obstacles in my way…

Although I could not sing well, years later, I produced a series of popular stage music shows with choreographed dance routines, set changes and special effects, at hotels and BMICH, the national conference centre of Sri Lanka. At the finale of one of those shows in 1980s, Ishan Bahar called me on stage and presented a token of appreciation, painted by him and signed by all the musicians who performed at that show. In the early 1990s, as the General Manager of MLH I convinced Ishan Bahar, to return to limelight as the special guest artiste at the Hut at prime time on Saturday nights. Thank you for the music!

After the tips

I quickly got interested in optimising my tip earning potential. More than the desire for making money, it was somewhat of a competition within myself. I started observing experienced waiters who made lots of money through tips. Most of them had good social skills and knew how to up-sell. I learnt those skills very quickly. I started recommending lobster to customers who were thinking of shrimp, Champagne to customers who were thinking of wine and fillet steak to customers who were thinking of beef stew. It worked most of the time. I also identified high spending customers and became friendly with them, while memorizing their favourite drinks and dishes. Most of the experienced full-time waiters were from villages which meant that they were not very fluent in English. That provided the trainee waiters from CHS a slight unfair advantage when promoting and up-selling products to European tourists.

Employee Relations

MLH at that time had a very colonial style hierarchy with several levels of employee meal rooms. Although we were trainee waiters, because of our CHS connection we were treated a little differently. For example, we were not sent to the common employee canteen in the basement for our meals. We were served our meals at a comfortable clerical staff meal room on the first floor. I was always uncomfortable with this preferential treatment. I was keen to avoid any jealousy from the full-time employees who were helping us to learn the profession. Therefore, ignoring advice from a couple of my CHS buddies, I addressed some of these senior waiters as ‘aiyya’ (elder brother), ‘uncle’ or ‘boss’. They liked that as I was showing them respect.

Tip Records

One thing I learnt quickly is that to up-sell food and beverage, one needs good product knowledge. When we were not too busy, I commenced studying the cocktail lists, wine lists and à la carte menus. I sought Chef Publis’s help in understanding some of the dishes I was not familiar with. He was always very helpful and friendly, and went into detailed explanations in Sinhala. All of these efforts made me a better waiter who earned lots of tips. Every night during my commute to home, I would sit at a back seat on the top deck of a red double decker to count my tips. When I went home, I announced my successes to my mother. I soon kept a target for each month and recorded daily tip earnings on a handwritten sheet. For my first month at MLH, I reached my target of Rs. 1,000 in tips. Considering that my salary for the same month at MLH was only around Rs. 100, my tip earnings were a lot of money at that time.

A Workers’ Strike

One afternoon when five of us arrived at the hotel for our shift, we were surprised to see most of the staff outside the hotel shouting slogans against the management. They were aggressive. Even the employees who were usually very friendly with us looked and sounded angry and unfriendly that afternoon. I realized how peer pressure can change attitudes of some people, very quickly. Owing to the support of the socialist government of Sri Lanka at that time, the left-wing trade unions controlled by the LSSP, were very strong. A union delegate ordered us to go home and said, “We will not let you go into the hotel today. Until the management changes their unfair rules, we will close MLH!”

My batch mates and I were scared, but I gathered some courage to inquire the reason for this sudden strike. The American General Manager had insisted that all staff wear Hyatt uniforms, which included trousers and shoes. In his mind, maintaining Hyatt standards, at any cost was a top priority. Unlike now, most employees coming from villages had never worn western clothes. They wore sarongs and slippers, and never in their life wore a pair of shoes. That day the lesson I learnt was that managers must balance corporate standards with practicality, while understanding human challenges.

This lesson helped me to avoid a major strike in Jamaica in late 1990s when the union there refused to wear a section of Le Meridien uniform, as it reminded them of the dark days of colonial slavery. My superiors in the corporate office of Le Meridien in Paris insisted that corporate standards must be maintained at any cost. I disagreed and was able to eventually change the corporate policy in recognition of the cultural challenge.

I told the chief union delegate in the middle of the MLH 1972 strike, “We simply cannot refrain from working today. We are students and not members of your union. If we don’t work today, most likely we will be expelled from CHS.” He disagreed. After further negotiation he asked me to come down to the employee quarters with him and meet with the union leader for a one-on-one meeting. I met a powerful leader of LSSP trade union. His name was D.G. William who later became an LSSP Senator. His commanding personality and his booming voice, made me very nervous. However, with a brave face I narrated my rationale. He listened and thought for a while, before telling the chief union delegate, “This boy has a reasonable point.”

He then ordered the delegates to let five of us to proceed to MLH to work. That was my first experience of situational leadership. That afternoon we worked very hard as there were not enough employees to serve the guests in a hotel that was full. The strike was settled just before dinner service. The management gave in. Those employees who were uncomfortable wearing trousers and shoes were allowed to continue working in sarongs and slippers.

Decades later I did an assignment for another great hotel in Sri Lanka of the same vintage as MLH, the Galle Face Hotel. My three-month long assignment there was as the Consultant to then Chairman, Mr. Cyril Gardiner. My client made the arrangement to convert the board room of the hotel as my temporary office. This board room had been re-named by Mr. Gardiner, after one of the greatest trade union leaders of the country – late D.G. William.

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Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

A political protest that led to governmental change in Bangladesh mid last year. (photograph: imago)

Will the Bangladesh parliamentary election bring into being a government that will ensure ethnic and religious harmony in the country? This is the poser on the lips of peace-loving sections in Bangladesh and a principal concern of those outside who mean the country well.

The apprehensions are mainly on the part of religious and ethnic minorities. The parliamentary poll of February 12th is expected to bring into existence a government headed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist oriented Jamaat-e-Islami party and this is where the rub is. If these parties win, will it be a case of Bangladesh sliding in the direction of a theocracy or a state where majoritarian chauvinism thrives?

Chief of the Jamaat, Shafiqur Rahman, who was interviewed by sections of the international media recently said that there is no need for minority groups in Bangladesh to have the above fears. He assured, essentially, that the state that will come into being will be equable and inclusive. May it be so, is likely to be the wish of those who cherish a tension-free Bangladesh.

The party that could have posed a challenge to the above parties, the Awami League Party of former Prime Minister Hasina Wased, is out of the running on account of a suspension that was imposed on it by the authorities and the mentioned majoritarian-oriented parties are expected to have it easy at the polls.

A positive that has emerged against the backdrop of the poll is that most ordinary people in Bangladesh, be they Muslim or Hindu, are for communal and religious harmony and it is hoped that this sentiment will strongly prevail, going ahead. Interestingly, most of them were of the view, when interviewed, that it was the politicians who sowed the seeds of discord in the country and this viewpoint is widely shared by publics all over the region in respect of the politicians of their countries.

Some sections of the Jamaat party were of the view that matters with regard to the orientation of governance are best left to the incoming parliament to decide on but such opinions will be cold comfort for minority groups. If the parliamentary majority comes to consist of hard line Islamists, for instance, there is nothing to prevent the country from going in for theocratic governance. Consequently, minority group fears over their safety and protection cannot be prevented from spreading.

Therefore, we come back to the question of just and fair governance and whether Bangladesh’s future rulers could ensure these essential conditions of democratic rule. The latter, it is hoped, will be sufficiently perceptive to ascertain that a Bangladesh rife with religious and ethnic tensions, and therefore unstable, would not be in the interests of Bangladesh and those of the region’s countries.

Unfortunately, politicians region-wide fall for the lure of ethnic, religious and linguistic chauvinism. This happens even in the case of politicians who claim to be democratic in orientation. This fate even befell Bangladesh’s Awami League Party, which claims to be democratic and socialist in general outlook.

We have it on the authority of Taslima Nasrin in her ground-breaking novel, ‘Lajja’, that the Awami Party was not of any substantial help to Bangladesh’s Hindus, for example, when violence was unleashed on them by sections of the majority community. In fact some elements in the Awami Party were found to be siding with the Hindus’ murderous persecutors. Such are the temptations of hard line majoritarianism.

In Sri Lanka’s past numerous have been the occasions when even self-professed Leftists and their parties have conveniently fallen in line with Southern nationalist groups with self-interest in mind. The present NPP government in Sri Lanka has been waxing lyrical about fostering national reconciliation and harmony but it is yet to prove its worthiness on this score in practice. The NPP government remains untested material.

As a first step towards national reconciliation it is hoped that Sri Lanka’s present rulers would learn the Tamil language and address the people of the North and East of the country in Tamil and not Sinhala, which most Tamil-speaking people do not understand. We earnestly await official language reforms which afford to Tamil the dignity it deserves.

An acid test awaits Bangladesh as well on the nation-building front. Not only must all forms of chauvinism be shunned by the incoming rulers but a secular, truly democratic Bangladesh awaits being licked into shape. All identity barriers among people need to be abolished and it is this process that is referred to as nation-building.

On the foreign policy frontier, a task of foremost importance for Bangladesh is the need to build bridges of amity with India. If pragmatism is to rule the roost in foreign policy formulation, Bangladesh would place priority to the overcoming of this challenge. The repatriation to Bangladesh of ex-Prime Minister Hasina could emerge as a steep hurdle to bilateral accord but sagacious diplomacy must be used by Bangladesh to get over the problem.

A reply to N.A. de S. Amaratunga

A response has been penned by N.A. de S. Amaratunga (please see p5 of ‘The Island’ of February 6th) to a previous column by me on ‘ India shaping-up as a Swing State’, published in this newspaper on January 29th , but I remain firmly convinced that India remains a foremost democracy and a Swing State in the making.

If the countries of South Asia are to effectively manage ‘murderous terrorism’, particularly of the separatist kind, then they would do well to adopt to the best of their ability a system of government that provides for power decentralization from the centre to the provinces or periphery, as the case may be. This system has stood India in good stead and ought to prove effective in all other states that have fears of disintegration.

Moreover, power decentralization ensures that all communities within a country enjoy some self-governing rights within an overall unitary governance framework. Such power-sharing is a hallmark of democratic governance.

Features

Celebrating Valentine’s Day …

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love, romance, and affection, and this is how some of our well-known personalities plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day – 14th February:

Merlina Fernando (Singer)

Yes, it’s a special day for lovers all over the world and it’s even more special to me because 14th February is the birthday of my husband Suresh, who’s the lead guitarist of my band Mission.

We have planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day and his Birthday together and it will be a wonderful night as always.

We will be having our fans and close friends, on that night, with their loved ones at Highso – City Max hotel Dubai, from 9.00 pm onwards.

Lorensz Francke (Elvis Tribute Artiste)

On Valentine’s Day I will be performing a live concert at a Wealthy Senior Home for Men and Women, and their families will be attending, as well.

I will be performing live with romantic, iconic love songs and my song list would include ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Burning Love’, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’, ‘The Wonder of You’ and ‘’It’s Now or Never’ to name a few.

To make Valentine’s Day extra special I will give the Home folks red satin scarfs.

Emma Shanaya (Singer)

I plan on spending the day of love with my girls, especially my best friend. I don’t have a romantic Valentine this year but I am thrilled to spend it with the girl that loves me through and through. I’ll be in Colombo and look forward to go to a cute cafe and spend some quality time with my childhood best friend Zulha.

JAYASRI

Emma-and-Maneeka

This Valentine’s Day the band JAYASRI we will be really busy; in the morning we will be landing in Sri Lanka, after our Oman Tour; then in the afternoon we are invited as Chief Guests at our Maris Stella College Sports Meet, Negombo, and late night we will be with LineOne band live in Karandeniya Open Air Down South. Everywhere we will be sharing LOVE with the mass crowds.

Kay Jay (Singer)

I will stay at home and cook a lovely meal for lunch, watch some movies, together with Sanjaya, and, maybe we go out for dinner and have a lovely time. Come to think of it, every day is Valentine’s Day for me with Sanjaya Alles.

Maneka Liyanage (Beauty Tips)

On this special day, I celebrate love by spending meaningful time with the people I cherish. I prepare food with love and share meals together, because food made with love brings hearts closer. I enjoy my leisure time with them — talking, laughing, sharing stories, understanding each other, and creating beautiful memories. My wish for this Valentine’s Day is a world without fighting — a world where we love one another like our own beloved, where we do not hurt others, even through a single word or action. Let us choose kindness, patience, and understanding in everything we do.

Janaka Palapathwala (Singer)

Janaka

Valentine’s Day should not be the only day we speak about love.

From the moment we are born into this world, we seek love, first through the very drop of our mother’s milk, then through the boundless care of our Mother and Father, and the embrace of family.

Love is everywhere. All living beings, even plants, respond in affection when they are loved.

As we grow, we learn to love, and to be loved. One day, that love inspires us to build a new family of our own.

Love has no beginning and no end. It flows through every stage of life, timeless, endless, and eternal.

Natasha Rathnayake (Singer)

We don’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day. When you’ve been in love with the same person for over 25 years, you realise that love isn’t a performance reserved for one calendar date. My husband and I have never been big on public displays, or grand gestures, on 14th February. Our love is expressed quietly and consistently, in ordinary, uncelebrated moments.

With time, you learn that love isn’t about proving anything to the world or buying into a commercialised idea of romance—flowers that wilt, sweets that spike blood sugar, and gifts that impress briefly but add little real value. In today’s society, marketing often pushes the idea that love is proven by how much money you spend, and that buying things is treated as a sign of commitment.

Real love doesn’t need reminders or price tags. It lives in showing up every day, choosing each other on unromantic days, and nurturing the relationship intentionally and without an audience.

This isn’t a judgment on those who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s simply a personal choice.

Melloney Dassanayake (Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2024)

I truly believe it’s beautiful to have a day specially dedicated to love. But, for me, Valentine’s Day goes far beyond romantic love alone. It celebrates every form of love we hold close to our hearts: the love for family, friends, and that one special person who makes life brighter. While 14th February gives us a moment to pause and celebrate, I always remind myself that love should never be limited to just one day. Every single day should feel like Valentine’s Day – constant reminder to the people we love that they are never alone, that they are valued, and that they matter.

I’m incredibly blessed because, for me, every day feels like Valentine’s Day. My special person makes sure of that through the smallest gestures, the quiet moments, and the simple reminders that love lives in the details. He shows me that it’s the little things that count, and that love doesn’t need grand stages to feel extraordinary. This Valentine’s Day, perfection would be something intimate and meaningful: a cozy picnic in our home garden, surrounded by nature, laughter, and warmth, followed by an abstract drawing session where we let our creativity flow freely. To me, that’s what love is – simple, soulful, expressive, and deeply personal. When love is real, every ordinary moment becomes magical.

Noshin De Silva (Actress)

Valentine’s Day is one of my favourite holidays! I love the décor, the hearts everywhere, the pinks and reds, heart-shaped chocolates, and roses all around. But honestly, I believe every day can be Valentine’s Day.

It doesn’t have to be just about romantic love. It’s a chance to celebrate love in all its forms with friends, family, or even by taking a little time for yourself.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special or enjoying your own company, it’s a reminder to appreciate meaningful connections, show kindness, and lead with love every day.

And yes, I’m fully on theme this year with heart nail art and heart mehendi design!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but, remember, love yourself first, and don’t forget to treat yourself.

Sending my love to all of you.

Features

Banana and Aloe Vera

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/12

Sahan Weerasooriya

To create a powerful, natural, and hydrating beauty mask that soothes inflammation, fights acne, and boosts skin radiance, mix a mashed banana with fresh aloe vera gel.

This nutrient-rich blend acts as an antioxidant-packed anti-ageing treatment that also doubles as a nourishing, shiny hair mask.

* Face Masks for Glowing Skin:

Mix 01 ripe banana with 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel and apply this mixture to the face. Massage for a few minutes, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off for a glowing complexion.

* Acne and Soothing Mask:

Mix 01 tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel with 1/2 a mashed banana and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture to clean skin to calm inflammation, reduce redness, and hydrate dry, sensitive skin. Leave for 15-20 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

* Hair Treatment for Shine:

Mix 01 fresh ripe banana with 03 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel and 01 teaspoon of honey. Apply from scalp to ends, massage for 10-15 minutes and then let it dry for maximum absorption. Rinse thoroughly with cool water for soft, shiny, and frizz-free hair.