Features

Culture shock at the Ceylon Hotel School

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/25

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

On entering the Ceylon Hotel School (CHS), I motivated myself to treat the world as my oyster. My plan was to dream big, work hard, and dive deep to find my pearl. Well, it was certainly not a bed of roses or plain sailing, as many obstacles awaited my first day of a long career journey towards becoming a hotelier.

Marching orders!

On October 11th, 1971, I did not need any help from my alarm clock, to wake up early to go to CHS for our day one orientation. All freshers were rudely awoken around 5:00 am by a handful of loud-mouthed second year students, who were the designated rag leaders. We were lined up on the basketball court and were forced to do 50 push ups. When one senior heard that I was a Judo fighter, my rag harassment was doubled to keep me under control. That meant 100 push ups for me, every morning, during the rag period.

We then had a cold shower in a large bathroom with 20 shower heads, but no partitions. This was worse than what I had experienced during my annual visits to Diyatalawa army camp as a cadet. After dressing up and having breakfast, all 28 newcomers in my first-year batch were ordered by seniors to line up in pairs. As commanded by the rag leaders, we marched for a few minutes from the CHS hostel located at 78 Galle Road, Colombo 3 to Samudra Hotel, opposite the Galle Face Green (current location of Taj Samudra Hotel), where CHS was located. A ritual of the CHS’s week-long rag was that the freshers had to stop marching briefly to salute every female we passed during our morning routine along the Galle Road.

Historic building

We nervously entered a historic, 100-year-old colonial building which housed CHS and a 10-bedroom Samudra Hotel, both which were managed by the Ceylon Tourist Board. This was the original location of the famous Colombo Club one of the oldest, and most old fashioned ‘exclusive’ gentlemen’s clubs in Ceylon built in 1871. This building was also the former Colpity Race Course Grandstand. I had no clue of the significance of this building where I would spend most of my next three years. I was surprised to learn these details, when my father gave me a brief history lesson, a few days later.

German welcome

“Guten Morgen!” We were welcomed to CHS by its German Principal, Herr Reinhold Sterner flanked by t

wo German lecturers and a Swiss-German Maître d’hôtel. From his stern look, I knew

at once that the Principal disliked my long curly hair, moustache, side burns, thick belt, and the ‘groovy’ bell bottoms. Later that day, I was compelled to shave off my moustache and shorten my hair. We were more comfortable with the Sri Lankan faculty led by Mr. Eardley Edrisinha, Vice Principal, who impressed us during the orientation by remembering the full names of all 27 of my batchmates. Mine was the only name he did not remember. Perhaps that was owing to my poor performance at the interview and my unsuitability to join CHS.

Later, we met four 1969 graduates from the very first batch of CHS who had undergone two years of postgraduate industrial and teacher training in West Germany on Carl Duisberg Society scholarships. They returned to join CHS as Lecturers to understudy the experienced European lecturers. They were in their mid or late 20s, fluent in German, dressed well, and were generally more friendly with the students. We were inspired by them, and we wanted to be like them in five years’ time (and some of us did manage to do so). There were several excellent part-time teaching staff, but we were far more interested in a young and beautiful German lady with long blond hair, and often clad in fashionable miniskirts, who taught German at CHS.

Culture shock

Teaching students in hotel schools in western countries is generally easier as they are more familiar with aspects such as western food, wines, cheeses, formal dressing, and using different types of cutlery and glassware. In our case, we had to learn everything from scratch. Up to that point, most of us had eaten all our meals at home with fingers, never tasted a wine, and some of us had never worn a tie! All communication at CHS was done in English, although we communicated mainly in Sinhala when at the hostel. One thing we were not free to do at home or high school before joining CHS was smoking. Therefore, we were shocked when a couple of young lecturers offered us cigarettes when we dined at their tables. We felt like adults at that point. Almost all male adults smoked at that time, and it was cool.

We were fortunate t

hat in the style of Germanic education, CHS was a hands-on school. We had lots of practical training or lab sessions. We basically had practical labs everyday – International cooking, Sri Lankan cooking, and restaurant service twice a week. The fifth day we had to practice dining etiquette as customers in the training restaurant, and on alternative weeks we had to wash d

irty dishes, (which I hated). I also disliked spending the whole morning of every Saturday cleaning CHS – kitchen, restaurant, classrooms, toilets etc.

Mastering dishwashing

I was told that cleaning and washing dishes at CHS was a good starting point for anyone who eventually wants to become a Hotel Manager. I did not believe it then, and got into trouble at CHS when I identified that activity as free labour. Fifty years later, I would recommend it to any aspiring hotelier, as once one climbs the steps of the career ladder, one never gets a second chance to gain such experiences. In my mid-career, as a Director of Food & Beverage or General Manager of hotels, I had overall responsibility for Kitchen Stewarding Departments with around 35 employees. That brief dish washing experience at CHS and Hotel Samudra helped me to understand the role of kitchen stewards and the importance of their hard work, which in turn helped me to become a better, more understanding hospitality manager.

Learning the ropes

Soon after settling at the CHS, we got a few opportunities to get some work experience outside the CHS and earn a little pocket money. As this type of ad hoc work assignments during our year-one was not mandatory, some studious students in my batch ignored such opportunities. At 17+ years of age I was the youngest, and most immature, in my batch. Throughout my three years at CHS, I hardly did any studies. However, very early on I understood that I am joining an industry where action learning at workplace was the best education for a future Hotel Manager, than reading books to master service, cooking and hotelkeeping. It also provided much needed pocket money for cigarettes, alcohol, chocolates, movies, and small gifts for girlfriends. With that attitude, I jumped at any such opportunities that came our way. In fact, when I graduated after spending three years at CHS, I was easily the most experienced in my batch. By the time I graduated I had gained part-time work experience in ten diverse organizations.

All News Advertisement

Features

Crucial test for religious and ethnic harmony in Bangladesh

Published

17 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

17 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

17 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.