Category: General

Overnight camping resumes in Uda Walawe.

Good news for wildlife lovers. The Wildlife Conservation Department has announced this week that all camp sites and bungalows within the Uda Walawe National Park are now once again open to the public to stay. Earlier in the year, the park officials stopped issuing permits to the public to use the campsite and the parks… Read More »

Peace hopes grip Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Tourism is poised to roll out its post conflict strategy. The following is a recent media release from Sri Lanka Tourism. “Sri Lanka’s president declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) saying the country has been “liberated from terrorism”. President Mahinda Rajapakse delivered a “victory speech” in parliament on Tuesday… Read More »

AROUND THE FORT IN 80 LIVES – Galle book launch in Oct 2008

Galle’s growing reputation as a hub for literature grows again in October with the launch of AROUND THE FORT IN 80 LIVES at the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel on Friday 24 October. The launch of this fascinating book on the Galle Fort should be great fun with a cocktail party and dinner.

New Ayurvedic wellness property – Muthumuni Ayurveda Beach Resort

For those that are looking for Ayurveda wellness by the sea, now there’s a new addition in Beruwala – Muthumuni Ayurveda Beach Resort. Opened about a month ago, this is a well laid out place with individual chalets, swimming pool, serene Ayurveda centre and yoga / meditation pavilion. Muthumuni started out many years ago with… Read More »

New yoga retreat in Hikkaduwa – House of Lotus

During my travels to Hikkaduwa recently I discovered the House of Lotus, a homely and tranquil yoga retreat in Dodanduwa just by Hikka town. Short-term to more intensive two week Yoga programmes are conducted here by the owners Claudia and Ernest. The five rooms are nice and airy and have private terraces opening out to… Read More »

Pre-holiday reading – New website with leading Sri Lanka authors.

A Sri Lankan company called Z–World has started a website to sell books by Sri Lankan authors, on the internet. Soft copies of the books are available for download on this site and to my knowledge this is the first such opportunity offered to readers to buy books from Sri Lankan authors on the internet.… Read More »

The Fortress re-launches the 'Lime Spa'

The Fortress Hotel, Red Dot’s favourite beach hotel on the south-west coast, is re-launching its “Lime Spa” in August 2008. The Lime Spa, managed by Per Aquum, manages the spas at Fortress in Sri Lanka and Huvafen Fushi, Maldives. Per Aquum has gone though a complete re-branding of all spas in the properties they manage.… Read More »

The Joy Of Spontaneous Travel.

As the only member of the Red Dot team not allowed the joy of largely permanent living in Sri Lanka, the tension has been building. It’s been several months since I managed my last trip. So here I am, travelling vicariously, reading a Guardian travel section about the Art of Spontaneous Travel. It’s a very… Read More »

River Café chefs in Galle.

Two chefs from the famous River Café in London, visiting Sri Lanka on a 5 week surfing tour, took time out from the beach to cook a stunning 6 course dinner for 30 at The Dutch House in Galle. A starter of Inzimino, a dish involving chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, white wine and spinach, was followed… Read More »

New Archeological Museum for Sigiriya

Some good news for those of us worried about the preservation of our heritage. The Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka has initiated the establishment of an Archeological Museum, a long overdue facility for the magnificent attraction of Sigiriya Rock Fortress. This new museum would enhance the experience to Sigiriya and would allow the visitors… Read More »