at Cinnamon Grand

This Avurudu season, Cinnamon Grand Colombo invited guests to embrace the warmth, joy, and timeless traditions of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with a thoughtfully curated series of festive experiences for the whole family.

Blending authentic Sri Lankan heritage with the hotel’s signature hospitality, the celebrations promise a memorable April filled with traditional flavours, lively entertainment, and meaningful moments of togetherness.

The festivities began with the Avurudu themed tea buffet, at the tea lounge, where guests savoured a delightful spread of seasonal sweets, festive treats, and local favourites inspired by Avurudu traditions.

During the season, Nuga Gama came alive with Happy Avurudu, featuring a charming traditional sweet table followed by an authentic Sri Lankan lunch buffet. Guests immersed themselves in the festive spirit with traditional Avurudu games, cultural celebrations, and special seasonal activities, recreating the joy of a classic Sri Lankan New Year gathering.

Swinging into elegance and unforgettable memories

As the celebrations continued into the evening, Nuga Gama presented the Sri Lankan New Year Dinner on 14th April, an indulgent dinner buffet showcasing cherished festive recipes and beloved Sri Lankan flavours.

The guests enjoyed a host of seasonal experiences across the hotel. Coffee Stop featured the Avurudu Kavili Pop up, offering an irresistible selection of traditional New Year sweets, while palms of beautifully curated festive hampers perfect for gifting family, friends, and colleagues.

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the Avurudu feast at the lobby brought the traditions of the season to life with live raban performances by traditional Sri Lankan ladies and live cooking stations serving freshly prepared local sweet treats, creating an immersive festive experience for guests and visitors alike.

For those looking to extend the celebrations, Cinnamon Grand Colombo also introduced a festive Avurudu stay, inviting guests to enjoy the season with an exclusive city escape. Guests booking with the promo code CGA26 enjoyed special benefits, including 15% off on all food and beverage, 10% off spa treatments, and a complimentary stay for one child, valid for stays until 30th April 2026. Reservations can be made via cinnamonhotels.com.

The celebrations continue later in the month with Baila Night at Nuga Gama on 24th April, featuring a lively performance by Sri Band SL, followed by a delicious dinner buffet in a festive village style setting.

Celebrate Avurudu season with unforgettable flavours, cherished traditions, and heartfelt hospitality at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, where every experience is designed to capture the true spirit of the season.

Sri Lanka’s wildlife story has long been told through its giants — the stealth of the Sri Lankan leopard, the quiet power of the Asian elephant, and the ocean drama of the blue whale.

These icons have shaped the island’s global image, drawing travellers from across the world.

But as the sun slips below the horizon and the last safari jeeps return to camp, another Sri Lanka awakens — one that is far less known, yet just as extraordinary.

In the half-light of wetlands, along bunds of ancient irrigation tanks, and at the edges of village paddy fields, three elusive felines begin their nightly rounds. The Fishing Cat, the Jungle Cat, and the Rusty-spotted Cat — small, secretive, and largely overlooked — are now emerging as the island’s most intriguing untold wildlife story.

Fishing Cat

And according to researchers, their time in the spotlight may have finally come.

A Hidden World, Ready to Be Seen

“These cats have always been here — living quietly alongside us,” says Chaminda Jayasekara, a researcher and conservationist who has spent years studying Sri Lanka’s lesser-known carnivores.

“What is changing now is not the cats, but our awareness. We are beginning to understand that these species are not rare in the sense of being absent — they are rare because we have not been looking for them in the right way,” he said.

Jayasekara notes that all three species are distributed across wide swathes of the island — from the dry zone landscapes of the Cultural Triangle to the wetter lowlands and even human-dominated environments.

“The remarkable thing about the Fishing Cat and the Jungle Cat in particular is their adaptability. They are not confined to deep water. They use wetlands, paddy fields, scrublands — habitats that exist right next to where people live,” he explained.

Three Cats, Three Remarkable Stories

The largest of the trio, the Fishing Cat, is a wetland specialist — a muscular, spotted predator with partially webbed paws built for hunting in water. Across Sri Lanka’s vast network of tanks, marshes, and mangroves, it stalks fish with silent precision.

Globally listed as Vulnerable and considered endangered nationally, the species faces mounting pressure from wetland loss and pollution. Yet paradoxically, it is often found within sight of human settlements.

“Seeing a Fishing Cat hunting along a village tank is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences Sri Lanka can offer,” Jayasekara said. “It challenges everything people think they know about where wildlife belongs.”

The Jungle Cat, by contrast, is a creature of grass and scrub — long-legged, alert, and often active at dusk. It thrives in the margins where farmland meets wilderness, preying on rodents, birds, and reptiles.

Though not currently endangered, its habitat is steadily shrinking.

“These are landscapes we often dismiss as ‘empty’ or ‘degraded,’” Jayasekara noted. “But for the Jungle Cat, they are essential. Losing them means losing an entire ecological story.”

And then there is the smallest of them all — the

Rusty-spotted Cat.

Weighing little more than a kilogram, this tiny feline — found only in Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal — holds the distinction of being the world’s smallest wild cat. With its soft, rust-coloured coat and disproportionately large eyes adapted for night vision, it appears almost unreal in the wild.

“To encounter a Rusty-spotted Cat is something very few people in the world have experienced,” Jayasekara said. “It is not just a sighting — it is a moment of disbelief.”

A Tourism Opportunity After Dark

What makes these cats especially compelling is not just their rarity, but their accessibility.

Unlike the island’s larger, more famous wildlife, sightings do not always require long hours inside national parks. Instead, they can occur in carefully managed landscapes — wetlands, forest edges, and even within the grounds of eco-sensitive hotels.

One such example is Jetwing Vil Uyana, a property that has quietly demonstrated what is possible.

Located in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, the hotel sits within a restored wetland ecosystem where all three cat species have been recorded. Over more than a decade, guided night walks conducted by trained naturalists have offered guests rare glimpses into this hidden world.

“These experiences must be done with extreme care,” Jayasekara emphasised. “Low-impact lighting, small groups, and knowledgeable guides are critical. If done incorrectly, we risk disturbing the very species we are trying to protect.”

A Changing Global Audience

Sri Lanka’s tourism narrative has long revolved around its “big five” — elephants, leopards, sloth bears, blue whales and sperm whales. But global travel trends are shifting.

Today’s wildlife traveller is increasingly seeking intimate, lesser-known experiences — encounters that feel personal, rare, and authentic.

“For a visitor from Europe, where wild cats are virtually absent, the idea of seeing even one species is exciting,” Jayasekara said. “To potentially see three — in one country, in one journey — is extraordinary.”

He believes Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to capitalise on this niche.

“This is not about replacing what we already have. It is about expanding the story — showing that Sri Lanka is not just about large animals, but also about the small, the secretive, and the scientifically fascinating.”

Conservation Through Experience

Beyond tourism, the implications are deeper.

The Fishing Cat continues to decline due to habitat destruction and human conflict. The Rusty-spotted Cat remains poorly studied, with significant gaps in scientific knowledge. Even the adaptable Jungle Cat is losing ground as grasslands disappear.

Jayasekara argues that responsible tourism can play a vital role in reversing these trends.

“When communities begin to see value in these animals — not as threats, but as assets — attitudes change,” he said. “A Fishing Cat alive in a wetland can generate far more long-term benefit than a wetland converted for short-term gain.”

Tourists, too, become part of the conservation chain.

“A single meaningful encounter can transform how a person sees the natural world. They go back, they share the story, and suddenly these small cats are no longer invisible.”

The Night Belongs to Sri Lanka

Across the island, as darkness settles over ancient reservoirs and forest edges, this quiet transformation is already underway.

A ripple disturbs the surface of a tank — a Fishing Cat at work. In the tall grass, a Jungle Cat pauses, ears alert. And somewhere in the shadows, almost impossibly small, a Rusty-spotted Cat watches with luminous eyes.

These are not distant, unreachable moments. They are unfolding now — in landscapes that millions pass every day.

Sri Lanka has long been celebrated for what it shows the world in daylight. But, as researchers and conservationists now suggest, its future may also lie in what it chooses to reveal after dark.

“The story is already here,” Jayasekara said. “We just need to tell it — carefully, responsibly, and with the respect these animals deserve.”

By Ifham Nizam

In the highly specialised field of spine surgery, few names command as much as Dr. S. Vidyadhara, renowned for his precision, innovation and patient centric approach. He has emerged as one of India’s leading spine surgeons, with an international reputation for handling complex spinal disorders. From minimally invasive procedures to advanced deformitities, his work reflects a seamless blend of cutting edge medical expertise and compassionate care, making him a trusted figure for patients across the region and beyond. He is the Chairman and Head of Department for Spine Surgery and Consultant for Robotic Spine Surgery at Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru. He is recognised for his expertise in non-surgical and operative treatments for neck and backpain due to his impressive credentials.

Dr. Vidyadhara has many degrees related to Spine Surgery. To advance his knowledge and abilities, he has many fellowships and affiliations. He has also made major contributions to the field of spine surgery therapy. From 2017 to 2020, he held the positions of Editor of the Scoliosis newsletter and Chairman of the Communication Committee of SRS USA.

At Manipal University, Dr. Vidyadhara teaches spine surgery as an adjunct visiting professor. Various injection techniques for posterior and transform aminal lumbar interbodyfusion (PLIF/TLIF), spinal issues, minimally invasive spinal stabilisation, artificial disc replacement, microscopic and endoscopic approaches, complex cervical spine surgeries, scoliosis correction surgeries, spinal osteotomy for kyphosis, surgical operation for spinal tumours, and spinal column reconstruction are among his areas of expertise. In addition to his impressive credentials and expertise, Dr. Vidyadhara speaks Kannada, English, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam,Tulu, and Konkani with ease. His bilingual aptitude allows him to communicate effectively with patients from various language backgrounds, assuring them comfort and understanding during therapy. Dr. Vidyadhara is the best spine surgeon in Bangalore. Throughout his career, Dr. Vidyadhara has received various honours and recognition for his accomplishments. Notably, he is the first Indian to have held the position of Chairman of the Scoliosis Research Society, USA’s CommunicationCommittee (2017–2020). In addition, he was the first Indian to receive the prestigious Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship in 2012. Dr. Vidyadhara has received multiple awards for his research, including the Orthopaedic Association and the 2010 Best Research Award from the International Society for the Study of Lumbar Spine (ISSLS). Among other prestigious journals, his research has appeared in Spine (Phila Pa 1976), Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, and Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery. Fellow scholars have acknowledged and referenced his work, highlighting its importance and relevance. Dr. Vidyadhara is considered a preeminent spine surgeon due to his significant credentials, knowledge, and contributions to the profession. His dedication to quality care and his fluency in several languages make sure that patients receive excellent care and clear communication throughout their therapeutic journey. Some of Dr. Vidyadhara’s services include spinal surgery, musculoskeletal pain management, fracture treatment, joint dislocation treatment, spinal discsurgery, spinal disorders/injury treatment, spinal deformity correction, scoliosis correction, column traumatology, diskslip/herniated disc treatment, wrist problem treatment, percutaneous vertebroplasty for compression fracture, and neck and spine biopsy.

Q1: Why is spine surgery considered one of the most complex areas in modern medicine?

A: The spine is far more than a structural framework. It protects the spinal cord and the network of nerves that control movement, sensation, and vital organ function. In spine surgery, precision is everything. A deviation of just a few millimeters can mean the difference between full recovery and serious complications.

Every spinal condition is also highly individual. Successful outcomes demand meticulous planning, advanced imaging, and a deep command of biomechanics, neurology, and spinal alignment working together. This is why truly world-class spine units are rare. I lead one of the most advanced spine centres in South Asia, where cutting-edge technology, deep clinical expertise, and seamless multidisciplinary collaboration consistently deliver outstanding outcomes for our patients.

Q2: Do you see scoliosis as a significant health issue in Sri Lanka, particularly among adolescent girls?

A: Yes, scoliosis is a significant and often under-recognized problem in Sri Lanka, especially among adolescent girls. It typically develops during the adolescent growth spurt, and because early-stage scoliosis is painless, it is easily missed without proper screening.

A 2025 study published in the Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health examined school children aged 11 to 15 years in the Colombo District and found an AIS prevalence of 4.3%. This is consistent with findings from international school screening programmes for this age group. The concern is that many children still present late. When scoliosis is detected at an advanced stage, curves can progress rapidly, leading to visible deformity, chronic pain, breathing difficulties in severe cases, and significant psychological distress.

DR. S VIDYADHARA Chairman and Head of Spine Surgery and Consultant – Robotic Spine Surgery

The encouraging reality is that early detection changes outcomes dramatically. With timely awareness, school screening programs, and early specialist consultation, most children can be managed effectively and long-term complications can be prevented. Improving awareness among parents, schools, and primary healthcare providers is critical.

Q3: What does the term “robotics” mean in the context of spine surgery?

A: Robotics in spine surgery refers to computer-assisted robotic platforms that help surgeons plan and execute procedures with exceptional precision. The robot does not replace the surgeon. It enhances the surgeon’s accuracy by guiding instrument placement based on preoperative imaging and real-time navigation, reducing the margin for error significantly.

Q4: What types of robotic systems are used in spine surgery, and does this technology make surgery significantly more expensive for patients?

A: Robotic systems are currently used for precise implant placement, complex deformity correction, and minimally invasive spine procedures. While the technology itself is sophisticated, it does not necessarily translate into significantly higher costs for patients. In practice, robotics reduces complications, blood loss, hospital stay, and the need for revision surgery, making it cost-effective over the longer term while meaningfully improving safety and outcomes.

Q5: Why is maintaining good spine health so important for overall well-being?

A: The spine is central to posture, movement, balance, and nerve function. A healthy spine supports everything from daily activities and work productivity to overall quality of life. When spine health deteriorates, the consequences extend well beyond physical pain. Chronic disability, reduced mobility, and even mental health decline can follow. Simply put, when the spine suffers, the whole person suffers.

Q6: Many patients fear spine surgery. How safe is it with modern techniques?

A: Spine surgery today is safer than it has ever been. With advances in imaging, intraoperative navigation, neuromonitoring, minimally invasive techniques, and robotic assistance, outcomes are far more predictable, complications are significantly reduced, and recovery is faster. The key factors are proper patient selection, timely intervention, and surgery performed at experienced centres by trained spine specialists. Fear should never be the reason a patient delays necessary care.

Q7: What general advice would you give to the public to maintain good spine health and prevent problems?

A: Simple, consistent daily habits make a meaningful difference:

Maintain good posture while sitting, working, and using mobile devices

Stay physically active and build core muscle strength

Avoid prolonged sitting and poor ergonomic setups

Maintain a healthy body weight

Seek early medical advice for persistent back or neck pain

Prevention, early detection, and timely care will always deliver better outcomes than delayed treatment.