Ulagalla Resorts luxury of comfort at remote village level

Ulagalla Walawwa Resort (Pvt) Ltd (Luxury Boutique Hotel) , part of Finco Group and a BOI approve project is utilizing an area of 58 acres, in Tirappane about 23 kilometres before reaching Anuradhapura to develop 25 luxurious villas (Chalets) spending around Rs 700 million.

The project is now ending completion and its soft opening is in May and the full opening would be in August this year

The developers are using the Walawwa in its original form, but with some modifications to suit the modern architectural trends. It is an ancestral abode since 200 years and was first used by the village chieftain – Nikawewa Family. Subsequently it was Panabokkes from Kandy . Such modifications such as they have converted the infamous torture chamber to punish the errand servants etc of the Walawwa now as the vine cellar of the Resort.

A group of journalists were taken to the Ulagalla Resort site and the officials of the company - Ranjan Dissabandara, General Manager; Ranjaka De Mel, General Manager, Marketing and Lalin De Mel, Resident Manager were there to provide relevant information

They indicated that their Company have been contemplating to make this Resort a total solution and have taken steps not to not to be disturbed the spirit and tranquility of the land they use or the vicinity.

Unlike other similar projects they have not used virgin land but a land that has been in use. Though elephants and other animals wandered at the backyard of the Walawwa it is a land that animal and people cohabited with two irrigation tanks (Wewas) and the jungle covering two sides. They have selected the areas to erect villas very carefully to avoid cutting down any trees but chosen land covered only with scrub jungle. Instead, in fact they have started growing 1,000 large trees within their land.

Most of the walls of these villas are fitted with planks that are built with a mixture of paddy straw. To retain the coolness of villas a special kind of imported straw are used on the roof.

Mr Dissabandara said that when the Resort commences operations – soft opening by May and full operation in August – they will employ 30% of the cadre required from the area. Inside their compound they are maintaining 20 acre flush paddy field, their total rice requirement and very much more.

Mr Ranjaka De Mel said that every three months they are training 10 youth from the area as naturalists and tour guides. They intend to absorb a part of them and the balance could obtain ready employment as they will be aptly trained.

Most importantly spending a massive Rs 120 million is constructing a solar panel to obtain 125 KVA electricity that would take care 50% of their energy requirements when the resort is in full operation. But when it is not in full capacity the excess electricity will be sold to the Electricity Board.

They are installing water purification plants and all waste water is recycled to be used for their massive plantations. Their plans are to grow all the needs of their vegetable and fruits and any shortfall they intend to buy from the area itself. They have already ear-marked some farmers to outsource their balance fruits and vegetable and these ear-marked farmers would also be provided with some inputs and training.

The entire waste matter of the Resort will be collected to make compost manure for their vegetable and fruit garden and the travelers occupying the villas could taste the fresh fruits and vegetable that is plucked just outside their shallots. The required cow dung for the compost would be purchased from the villagers.

Ulagalla Walawwa is in ideal remote and rural village atmosphere. Yet it is fitted with all the modern internationally accepted hotel facilities – you name it they have it. Horse riding, archery, canoeing are some of the recreational facilities and equipment. Two irrigation tanks that link the jungle are on the border of the Walawwa and careful guests could watch the wild animals slip out of the jungle to drink water from the tanks in the wee hours when the entire world is supposed to be fast asleep.

They have fixed the villa rate, half board at a moderate price of US $ 250 for the start to attract visitors.

The Ulagalla Resort concept is comparatively unique as it appears to be closest to the nature and in same comparative terms Ulagalla Resort would stand out as they have not compromised with the nature, though this is their first tourist resort venture

- Asian Tribune -