Life style
Adding an ethereal dimension to Colombo’s dining
Sri Lanka’s first-ever revolving restaurant, ‘Blue Orbit,’ was unveiled recently on the 27th floor of the majestic Colombo Lotus Tower, South Asia’s tallest self-supported structure said a press release.
Two landmark launch events were held on the 09 and 10 December to mark this significant milestone in the culinary landscape of Colombo and the restaurant has now opened its doors to guests. The grand opening of Blue Orbit was a spectacular affair attended by many dignitaries including . Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of the Board of Investment and an array of leaders from the corporate sector, diplomats, tourism officials and travel industry representatives, and state officials release added.
This event was not just a celebration of a new dining venue but a testament to the innovative spirit of Citrus Leisure. The restaurant’s design, inspired by the orbiting paths of space objects and spacecraft, seamlessly integrates with a celestial theme, creating an ambiance that is both elegant and ethereal. The Blue Orbit restaurant navigates the circumference of the Lotus Tower, allowing diners spectacular views of Colombo’s cityscape and the sparkling seas beyond. The highlight of the launch were breathtaking fireworks displays on both nights, perfectly synchronized to be at eye level with the restaurant, adding a touch of magic to the already mesmerizing atmosphere. This spectacle was a fitting climax to what was truly a grand opening.
The attendees at the launch were treated to an exclusive preview of what Blue Orbit has to offer – a delectable culinary journey that explores a range of cuisine from around the world. The restaurant boasts lunch and dinner buffets that feature an impressive selection of seven different types of cuisines, including Western, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Arabic, and traditional Sri Lankan, delivering a palate-pleasing experience for every guest.
Adding to its allure, Blue Orbit features eight different action stations, each offering a unique culinary adventure. Among these is a specially designed kids’ corner so that even the youngest guests have an enjoyable and memorable dining experience. The restaurant is capable of catering to 225 guests at any given time and will operate from 11 am to 11 pm, with a lunch service from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm and two dinner sittings, the first from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and the second from 9pm to 11.30pm.
In addition to Blue Orbit, Citrus Leisure also unveiled ‘Cosmic,’ the tallest banquet venue in South Asia, majestically situated at 751 feet above the ground on the 26th floor of the Colombo Lotus Tower. With a seating capacity of 350 guests, Cosmic stands as an unparalleled venue for weddings and corporate events, offering specially curated menus and an unforgettable experience against the backdrop of Colombo’s stunning skyline.
Major General Prasad Samarasinghe (Retd), CEO of the Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company Pvt Ltd, stated, “A year ago, many viewed this project as a white elephant, but today, the Colombo Lotus Tower stands not only as a monumental attraction but also as a significant revenue generator. This collaboration with Citrus Leisure for Blue Orbit and Cosmic is more than just about elevated dining; it’s a fusion of tradition with innovation, mirroring the spirit of Sri Lanka’s progress and our commitment to showcasing our nation’s potential on a global stage. I invite guests to explore the new options at Lotus Tower; we have many such milestones planned ahead to maintain this momentum and excitement.”
Chandana Talwatte, CEO of Citrus Leisure PLC, remarked, “At Citrus Leisure, we are dedicated to crafting dining experiences that are not just meals, but cherished lifelong memories. It is our honour to add an exciting dimension to Colombo’s tourism appeal; we have no doubt that Blue Orbit in particular will become a feature on the Must-Do tourism experiences of Colombo. At Blue Orbit and Cosmic, we invite our guests to immerse themselves in culinary excellence, enjoy the unrivaled ambiance, and experience impeccable service. These venues offer more than just a meal; they provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views of Colombo and beyond, encapsulating the essence of our commitment to luxury and innovation.”
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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