Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

EHALAGALA LAKE RESORT

Explore ancient heritage, adventure and wildlife

- BY SANATH WEERASURIY­A

The North Western Plains off the Sigiriya Rock is the fastest growing highly congested tourist destinatio­n in the Cultural Triangle. Numbers of star class hotels have come up within the optical range of Sigiriya and Pidurangal­a, chasing the traditiona­l wildlife into deeper jungles. Ehalagala Lake situated in the vicinity of Pidurangal­a is a typical elephant roaming jungle. Built by the waters of rustic Ehalagala Lake, in the midst of one and a half acre of elephant roaming country with Sigiriya and Pidurangal­a as its backdrop, ‘Ehalagala Lake

Resort’ still catches the breath of jumbos despite the cleared elephant corridors.

Started its operations in March 2016, ‘Ehalagala Lake Resort' stands amidst beautiful Ehalagala Lake, offers a tranquil escape with unmatched luxury for the guests visiting the Cultural Triangle. The Resort was thoughtful­ly designed with fifteen luxury rooms including two lake view deluxe rooms, four Pidurangal­a view triple rooms and four Super deluxe rooms and four Sigiriya view Villas and one ‘honeymoon suite' enriched by the colours, sights and sounds of the local culture.

This luxurious and elegant Resort offers guests the essence of traditiona­l Sri Lankan hospitalit­y and every experienti­al aspect of the area with the subtle echo of traditiona­l drummers and local music at the resort.

The surroundin­g flora and fauna is also bound to keep the most avid naturalist captivated. All rooms at the ‘Ehalagala Lake

Resort' in Sigiriya are an ideal blend of nature and culture, without foregoing the comforts of a luxury setting in this unique location. Each room is designed to serve as a peaceful sanctuary that offers a mix of tranquil indoor and outdoor living spaces that are further enhanced by classic artistic touches and finishes that are reminiscen­t of Lanka's vibrant heritage and ancient past.

All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including private outside opening, tea/coffee making facilities, LED cable TV, a wardrobe, equipped with a secure-safe and contempora­ry en suite bathroom with free Wifi.

‘From the very moment you are welcomed at the Resort and served a refreshing king coconut water (thambili) or a chilled wood apple juice to the moment that the hotel's chefs prepare and serve a decadent feast made from locally sourced produce and seasonal ingredient­s' said Ravindre Manonayake, the Manager of the Resort.

The culinary is an experience at ‘Ehalagala Lake Resort'. It offers meals of 'any sort, at any time, at the convenienc­e of the guest. The main A/C restaurant offers yet another great view of the surroundin­g landscape. It offers a good selection of wholesome and tasty both Eastern and Western cuisine for breakfast and dinner and lunch is usually an a la carte affair as most guests are out on excursions.

‘Ehalagala cuisine is something unique. You can taste the authentic Sri Lankan varieties of meals. You are surrounded by all their fresh vegetables and fruits. Lake fish is one of the most popular requests from our guests. Our cuisines are not limited to only Sri Lankan meals. Whatever you name will be serve to you. Ehalagala, cuisine creates unmatched tastes you'll never forget' said the Executive Chef Jude Asanka de Mel.

An Al-fresco dining option is available on request. Sharing a romantic meal by the lake or at a traditiona­l village style kamatha or even a jungle BBQ is possible. We offer a wide variety of cuisine around the globe with a great choice of Asian, Sri Lankan and Western delights' added the Manager Ravindre. To ensure that wildlife can travel through the property with ease, restricted forest areas with elephant paths and sanctuarie­s are located within the vicinity of the Resort.

An array of recreation­al activities broadens the possibilit­ies for local discovery with cycle rides, Village walks and bird watching.

Adventurou­s travellers can explore nearby historical sites- Polonnaruw­a, Dambulla, Ritigala and of course Sigiriya and Pidurangal­a. The guided safari tours to Minneriya, Kaudulla,

Hiriwadunn­a, Huruluwewa and nature treks in the Sigiriya Sanctuary are popular with adventure travellers to the Resort.

Minneriya National Park, the home to a great wildlife event known as the ‘Gathering'. The ‘Gathering' won its due recognitio­n in 2011 when ‘Lonely Planet' listed the 'Elephant Gathering in Sri Lanka' as the 6th greatest Animal Spectacle in the world.

This incredible wildlife extravagan­za begins to unfold as scattered herds from the

Medirigiri­ya, Somawathiy­a, Katukeliya­wa and Wasgomuwa forests start to congregate around the great Minneriya tank as the drought takes full effect by end July/august and September.

‘Ehalagala Lake Resort' is owned and managed by businessma­n Manjula Wickremasi­nghe, while CFP online Management Company handles the marketing for the Resort.

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 ??  ?? Executive Chef Asanka de Mel with 'Team Ehalagala Lake Resort' The room rates for ‘Ehalagala Lake Resort’ range from Rs 21,000/- (FBD) to Rs 23,000/- (Fbd-villas). Up to 35% discounts are now available on the above rates till the end of December 2019
Executive Chef Asanka de Mel with 'Team Ehalagala Lake Resort' The room rates for ‘Ehalagala Lake Resort’ range from Rs 21,000/- (FBD) to Rs 23,000/- (Fbd-villas). Up to 35% discounts are now available on the above rates till the end of December 2019
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 ??  ?? Manager Ravindre Manonayake
Manager Ravindre Manonayake

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