Fond memories of old rest houses

I write this brief note hoping for a response from some readers. This is about old rest houses of a bygone era when we had many such spread all over the country. They were veritably rest houses where one could rest his/her tired body and enjoy a meal of rice and curry cooked with loving care.

Most of them had signature dishes very well known among the travelers. Many of them did not have electricity and used kerosene lamps for lighting, What they lacked by way of amenities were amply compensated with service and care.

The writer was fortunate to have enjoyed the hospitality of a few like Habarana, Wellawaya, Weragantota in Mahiyangana and Sinnamuttuwaram in Akkaraipattu. The keeper was popularly addressed as ralahamy and was dressed in sarong and shirt, The ever obliging waiters wore white tunic coats with brass buttons.

The present day rest houses are more like hotels where one could order Chinese or any other dish of preference. They lack the homely old world charm and are mostly drinking dens in the evenings .The present generation of young people do not know what it was like 30-40 years ago. Modernization and development have taken a lot from us.

Maybe there are some people still around who could write about their fond memories of rest houses. One also cannot forget about the old circuit bungalows which were under government departments like irrigation and survey etc. They too had their uniqueness and also the estate bungalows managed by agency houses.

As an old timer I feel the pangs.

Gamini Peiris
Panadura