SEETHAWAKA MIRACLE
Miracle in the woods
In history, Avissawella area was known as Seethawaka Kingdom. This ancient Kingdom possesses a significant place in history as well as an important place in the archaeological map and natural wonders of Western Sri Lanka. Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Garden, one of the leading man made nature based wonders of the Colombo District, is the topmost attraction in Avissawella. Located in Illukowita, off Puwakpitiya-thummodara Road, bordering beautiful Indikada Mukalana Forest Reserve, the Botanical Garden was opened to the public in late October 2014 and is the most recently constructed Botanical Garden in the country. Since then the popularity of the Botanical Garden grew enormously, attracting large numbers of domestic and foreign travellers.
But our story is not about history but all about the latest tourism destination in the ancient Kingdom. The newest addition to the destination is ‘Seethawaka Miracle Nature Resort', which is designed to cater to all ‘needs and wants’ of the hundreds of travellers visiting the area.
Magnificently architectured in a midst of a 20acre land of rubber and tea plantation with a stream creating a couple of natural pools and a water fall, three years old ‘Seethawaka Miracle Nature Resort’ is the idiom of natural beauty, located in a tranquil atmosphere.
Apart from the two natural stream water swimming pools, the Resort offers a large swimming pool for all water based activities, overlooking ‘Wedi Kanda’ highest mountain point in the Colombo District. ‘This is the only Resort in the area close to the Botanical Garden with ample open area including a large cricket ground for sports activities, natural pools, air rifle range, archery, private corporate activity centres, large restaurant and accommodation space’ said Madushanka Bandara, the Resort Manager of ‘Seethawaka Miracle’.
‘It is just six kms away from Colombo-avissawella main road and guests can reach Resort just under 90 minutes from Colombo’ he added.
The Resort boasts of having seven luxury rooms including two chalet type double rooms, one standard and four family rooms in a luxury apartment building. All rooms have modern amenities including cable TV, free wi-fi, IDD and tea/ coffee making facilities and en-suite bathroom with modern amenities.
‘18 pax can comfortably stay at the resort rooms. As this is a nature based resort, most of our guests are nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts. To cater to this segment, currently a 35 metre swimming pool is under construction’ RM Bandara said. The Resort is one of the most soughtafter photography destinations in the Avissawella area.
This is an ideal destination to host your office party, office event, family holiday, education tour, photo shooting, filming and for sporting events.
‘We are quite popular as a ‘photo shoot location' for pre-shots events and romantic weddings shoots. Our main attraction is family Day Outings, Corporate Day outings and Private parties’ said Madushanka. Seethawaka Miracle offers special day outing packages for families, groups and corporate outings with pool facilities, water and outdoor sports facilities and the latest fish therapy. ‘The price for the Day Package is fixed as Rs 1950/- per person and apart from the above mentioned facilities it includes welcome drink, well spread lunch buffet and evening tea/coffee with Sri Lankan sweetmeats for a change’ RM Bandara said.
The Resort takes pride in the gourmet food, prepared by the hotel’s experienced Chefs Kumaranayake and Adhikari well loved by the guests, who visit us from Colombo and other parts of the country.
‘Actually food is one of our main driving forces. Many comment about our cuisine. From simple village meal to five star dining experiences are on the menu’ said Chef Kumaranayake. ‘If you are a lover of Western, Eastern or Chinese food, our kitchen caters for all your needs. Special BBQ nights can be arranged on request to make you feel free and comfortable. Because this is a family oriented hotel’ he added. ‘To make every moment of the guests stay more enjoyable and memorable, the hotel’s friendly and helpful staff are always ready to provide you with their kind hospitality’ he added. To an active visitor, ‘Seethawaka Miracle' is the ideal base to visit the many historical sites. Apart from Seethawaka Botanical Garden, the ruins of Seethawaka Kingdom, Berendi Kovil, Seethawaka Oya, Kumari Ella and Ella Pita Ella are some of the attractions at the close range just thirty to sixty minutes away from the Resort. The room rates for Resort ranges from Rs 15,000/- FBD to Rs 12,000/- (Deluxe FBD). The standard room rate is Rs. 9,500/- .
Ample open area includes a large cricket ground for sports activities, natural pools, air rifle range, archery, private corporate activity centres, large restaurant and accommodation space