Life style
Chef Indika’s culinary skills
by Zanita Careem
Located in the hills of Kandy is the Grand Kandyan hotel with Tusitha Samaraweera as the GM. Noted as a five star hotel in Kandy, the staff is known for always giving the extra mile to personalise and upgrade the customer experience. We talk to Indika Ekanayake,the executive chef who makes the hotel special with his delectable cuisine .
What makes the Grand Kandyan stand out from other hotels.
Our five star luxury hotel sets the tone showing the city of Kandy in all its glory with different panoramic views. It is a luxury property that ensure that the guests stay in comfortable ambience. The staff is known for always giving the extra mile of service to thier customers.
Having worked for some of the most prestigious hotels in Sri Lanka, starting from Galle Face, Taj Samudra Hotel and many international and prestigious hotels like Sheraton Sofital and Metropolitan Hot els in Dubai to Safir international hotel and IHG Crown Prince Plaza in Kuwait, He worked in Egypt for a Beach Hotel and gained experience Chef Indika is well known for his culinary skills and his charming persona. He believes that hard work and dedication throughout his career have been the mantra for all his success, he has achieved. The Hotel School in Mount Lavinia gave him a substantive start to his culinary career. He worked in many leading positions abroad earning fame medals and awards.
He has hosted many dinners for dignitaries here and abroad. He said . Chefs are like global ambassadors of their respective cultures. This is reflected during those state dinners.
Sourcing fresh local ingredients and cooking tasty cuisine have been the real mantra of Chef. Indika Cooking with the team in the kitchen give me immense pleasure he pointed out.
Explaining about his e passion for cooking. ” I am thrilled from the excellent feedback from the customers gives me the motivation and makes me spend more time in the kitchen.
Chef Indika, the executive chef at the Grand Kandyan, has a mission to give the best to their clientèle.
What is your opinion at the Grand Kandyan culinary experience? Yes I do love to dish out many varieties of cuisine I have been working here for many years now. The GM and my kitchen team are very cooperative. What I noticed about Grand Kandyan Hotel he said that people enjoy our meals. We have a grand ballroom to hold weddin
g, parties, meetings and all kinds of celebrations and we cater to
all the customer needs.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to improve and give the best to our clients. My forte is to create irresistible cuisines and offers to keep our guests to come to make sure we are delivering the best experience in town.
Who are the celebrities you catered and any memorable experiences?
There are many, kings, queens sheiks, Bollywood celebrities and many more VIPs. They all have written the best reviews about my food.
Your passion other than cooking?
I love to travel, gardening and photography I love to take photos of nature, wild life and people and also try out new recipes
What do you think Sri Lanka’s. prospects as a culinary destination.?
The Sri Lankan culinary scenario has changed drastically and is constantly evolving. The demand for local cuisine is growing as today’s local customers are health conscious and the demand for organic food is high.The demand for international cuisines like fusion food,Japanese and Indian food are growing as today’s customers are well travelled and they been exposed to the global food trends.
It doesn’t take long to realise, there is something different about chef Indika.
He has a restraint, a discipline and a control to his mannerisms, He has certainly created a benchmark at the Grand Kandyan Hotel in the Hills.
Life style
Put your body at the top of your beauty agenda
In a world where skin and hair care are often the main focus, maintaining a consistent body care routine is just as important—not only for looking good, but for overall wellbeing. That’s where The Body Shop Bath & Body Range comes in, offering everything you need to nourish and pamper your skin from head to toe.
From the basics (moisturisers and shower gels), the extras (hand and foot creams), right up to indulgent (body butters, yoghurts, and body oils) – what excuse have you for not loving and nourishing your body like never before?
It’s not just the assortment of bath and body products to choose from, it’s the Body Shop’s wide selection of flavours that will have your body spoiled for choice too! Choose from the legendary luxurious Shea Butter range (we recommend the Moisturising Body Butter), gloriously scented Strawberry selection (the Shower Gel is our fave), citrussy and vibrant Satsuma collection (we say start with the cleansing Face & Body Bar), the melt-in-the-skin goodness of the Moringa family (the Hand cream is a clear winner), or even the Almond Milk hydration heroes (psst…pick the Body Yoghurt).
With the year-end celebrations just around the corner, why not even share the gift of body-care? With far more than just a handful of products to pick from, and a little something for every skin type, you can check off most of your gift list already! The British Rose body care range will have one smelling like roses blooming in summertime (even when it’s winter and you’ve forgotten what sunshine feels like) and gives that beautiful body a healthy-looking glow.
The skin-loving formulas of The Olive body care products -infused with Community Fair Trade organic olive oil from Italy- with every refreshing squirt will almost instantly serve that Mediterranean glow-up and signature smile. The Body Shop’s not-so-well-kept secret of its Argan body care collection is like gifting a Moroccan hammam in itself. Or choose from the indulgently creamy and refreshing Avocado body care range for some head-to-toe pampering.
All products are made with over 90% ingredients of natural origin, certified by the Vegan Society, and sourced through the brand’s Community Fair Trade program—bringing some TLC not just to your skin, but to people and the planet too.
Why not get a head start on preparing your body for the most social season, and also get your hands on those festive gifts by visiting your nearest The Body Shop store?
Shop your old favourites or discover some new ones, at The Body Shop flagship store on Bagatalle Road, Odel in Alexandra Place, the Kandy City Centre, and the Colombo City Centre.
Life style
Can Prostate Cancer be cured ?
Dr. Wong Siew Wei, from Parkway Hospital visited Sri Lanka to attend the Annual Academic Session at College of Oncology which was held recently at Galadari Hotel. He spoke on Prostrate and Lung Cancer in two symposium sessions to a large audience.
In an interview, Dr. Wong from Parkway Cancer Centre shared the cause, side effects and the varied treatment methods of advanced Prostrate Cancer He shared his view how robotics have influenced prostate cancer surgeries. Using the advanced surgical systems,miniaturized robotic instruments are passed through several small keyhole incisions in the patient’s abodomanto allow the surgeon to remove the prostate and nearby tissues with grat precision.Then the prostate is eventually removed through one of the keyhole incisions. Benefits of robotic surgery are less blood loss, less pain shoter hospital stay, faster recovery. The rates of major side effects from robotic surgery are about the same as as open surgical approaches.
Can prostrate cancer be 100% cured?
With early diagnosis treatment of prostrate cancer is often highly curable. Many people diagnosed with prostate cancer can live a normal life when the cancer hasn’t spread beyond their prostrate for several years following treatment.
What is prostrate cancer?
According to Dr. Wong prostrate cancer develops in the prostrate, a small walnut shaped gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men.
Is prostate cancer, a serious disease and what are its symptoms?
In early stages, prostate cancer symptoms are rarely visible. But as the disease progresses, complicated symptoms may surface, making the patient uncomfortable . He will always be in discomfort and uncomfortable.
Some of the symptoms noticed are pain in the the lower pelvic area,frequent urination,trouble urinating, burning sensation or weak urine flow.Sometimes he may find it difficult to control his movements. Blood in the urine,painful ejaculation,pain in the lower back,hips or upper thighs or even bone pain are some of the symptoms.
There are several modifiable and non modifible risk factors that might affect the risk of prostate cance. Modiafiable factors can be the diet,obeisity,smoking,chemicalsubstances (men working in factories and sex transmitted infections. The non modifiable factors include age, family history. If the cancer is limited to the prostate it is considered as curable. If the disease has spread to the bones or elsewhere outside the prostate, it is considered stage 4 cancer, This is treated with pain medications,hormonal treatment, chemotheraphy,and radiopharmaceuticals,radiation and other targetted therapies. The outcome is associated with age and other associated health problems
Are prostrate problems always a sign of prostrate cancer?
Not at all. Not all growths in your prostate are cancer Luckily prostate cancer usually grows slowly. Most tumors are diagonised before the cancer has spread beyond your prostate >prostate cancer is highly treatable at this stage
There is another greater risk for prostate cancer,if you’re a black origin or of African ancestry. Family history is also one of the risk factor, this person is more likely to get prostrate cancer, family
Dr. Wong pointed out, screening can help diagnose prostrate cancer early. Most cancers diagnosed in the early stages can be cured with proper treatment.
Is prostrate cancer curable?
Finally Dr. Wong mentioned prostrate cancer awareness, coupled with early detection and advance in treatment, makes managing the disease more effective. Men should be proactive about their health, understand the risk factors, and a better quality of life. Stay informed, stay healthy, and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and loved ones from prostrate cancer.
Life style
Ringing in the festive season with Italian pop star Matilde G and Sri Lankan DJ Rapa
Located on the unspoiled eastern coastline of Sri Lanka with the region regarded for lesser-known cultural and natural wonders, Sun Siyam Pasikudah invites guests to discover an extraordinary festive season filled with cultural charm, natural beauty, and unforgettable celebrations. Headlined by Italian pop singer and songwriter, Matilde G, and Sri Lankan DJ and music producer DJ Rapa, the recently refurbished resort that is part of the renowned Maldives-owned hospitality group Sun Siyam Resorts, is gearing up to deliver a December to remember said a press conferemce.
Guests are in for a big treat. On 21 December, Sun Siyam Pasikudah will host Italian pop singer and songwriter, Matilde G, based in Singapore, who has performed on major stages worldwide, earning the “MUSIVV Award 2023” in Dubai as the best singer residing outside the Middle East. An independent artist distributed by Universal Music Group, her music has garnered over 10 million streams and eight million YouTube views. Matilde has collaborated with Sun Siyam Resort in the Maldives and performed at high-profile events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix Singapore 2023, cementing her status as a rising international star.
Matilde G will also join again on Christmas Eve at Sun Siyam Pasikudah putting up a performance together with Sri Lankan multi-genre DJ and music producer DJ Rapa known for seamless blends and diverse sets, in celebrating the countdown with firework displays. Earlier that day, the hotel will also have a Xmas cookie-making class for kids and adults.
The release said on Christmas Day, guests can indulge in a delectable festive lunch before enjoying lively DJ sets by local talent DJ RAPA by the pool. As evening sets in, a BBQ dinner with live entertainment will set the stage for Santa’s much-anticipated arrival. Meanwhile, guests can savor a selection of cocktails during sunset at the Aqua Lounge, adding a magical touch to the celebrations.
As the year comes to a close, Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers a day filled with festivities. Children can kick off the celebrations with a fun-filled treasure hunt, while everyone can enjoy a relaxing DJ set by the pool. The evening features a grand New Year’s Eve gala dinner on the beach, culminating in a countdown to welcome 2025. To mark the start of the new year, guests and staff come together for a traditional Sri Lankan celebration, including a milk-boiling ceremony, followed by an authentic New Year’s breakfast that highlights the island’s rich culinary heritage.
Sun Siyam Pasikudah is known for its sustainable luxury hospitality, boasting over 34 individual villa rooms and some with private plunge pools. Each restaurant at the property serves as a gateway to the flavors of the island, whether it’s fresh seafood at the Beach Shack, an intimate dining experience at The Cellar, or Sri Lankan classics at the Tea House. It also has the biggest wine cellar in the Eastern coast. The resort also has a kids play area and a karaoke room.
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