Sri Lanka's Luxury Boutique Resort

Located near Gale on Sri Lanka's southern coast,this iconic property with just 49 rooms is raising the benchmark for luxury accommodation in Sri Lanka.With unprecedented levels of service, extraordinary innovation, attention to detail and a unique blend of Old Ceylon with modern Also, The fortress offers on unrivaled resort experience and cultural journey.

Recreating history, The Fortress has been styled after Galle's powerful ancient Dutch Fort, blending the country's Dutch and Portuguese influences with Sri Lanka matifs and indigenous furnishings.This has been artfully fused with innovative architecture and state-of-the-art technology to stunning effect. These are the hallmarks of its management company Per Aquum Resorts, Spas and Residences.


Dining or imbibing at The Fortress is an adventure in itself: Wine, housed in a glass cave featuring 2,000 bottles of old nd new world wines, where even the cutlery and crockery are mode of glass, provides the perfect location to enjoy on incredible degustation dinner. Then there's Pepper, serving international cuisine and authentic Sri Lanka specialties. T is an authentic Sri Lankan tea room where guests discover Sri Lankan tea rituals; while the Sea Lounge serves funky tea-influenced cocktails surrounded by glistening lights and starry skies.


Inside The Fortress walls, beautifully landscaped gardens with hammocks and day beds, peaceful wter features and a free form pool that curves its way through the gardens will disperse the stresses of modern life.

The spa offers deep relaxation techniques with a range of indigenous Ayurvedic, homeopathic, international and tailored treatments. The spa will also feature 'Sublime' with a souna, steam and hydro-bath and yoga pavilion.

Visit for more information - www.thefortress.lk

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Bandaranayake International Airport - Sri Lanka

The Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, around 30 km north of Colombo, is Sri Lanka international airport. Transportation to and from the airport is available in the form of buses and taxis.



Arrival and Departure Terminals.

Entry to the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, is restricted to passengers and permit holders. Each passenger is entitled to three visitors. The same rule applies to those waiting to meet incoming passengers. There is also a vehicle parking fee of Rs.130 per vehicle. There are several shops in there transit and departure lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport which sell gems, ceramics, handicrafts, batiks, cut-flowers, books and picture postcards of Sri Lanka.

Facilities

Lounges: Sri Lanka “First Class and Peacock”, and Airport & Aviation Service “Lotus”. Left Luggage Facilities: Left luggage counter at the outer porch of the arrival terminal/ 24 hour service.

Restaurants

24 hour service restaurant

Banks

Branches of Bank of Ceylon, Hatton National Bank, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank, Seylan Bank, located in arrivals and departure lobbies. 24 hour service.

Mobile Phone Rental

A mobile phone (GSM) rental booth is located at the arrival terminal at the public concourse. You can easily rent out a post paid mobile connection for your use in Sri Lanka. Top up cards are readily available in major towns. Advanced mobile technology such as 3G and GPRS service is available in the country.

Post Office

Located at the arrival porch and transit lounge.

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"Uda Walawe National Park"

Uda Walawe lies South of the central hills of the island, and it surrounds the man made reservoir of Uda Walawe, which is part of the park. It is a mixture of abandoned teak plantation, scrub jungle & grassland. The dry season is best to watch the many herds of elephant that roam the park; which is usually between May & September.






Almost the entire park is covered with tall, reedy Pohon grass, which grows all year round, except during the months of June and October.

Uda Walawe is a superb place to watch elephants. An estimated 500 elephants in herds to up to 100 live here. One of the reasons is the elephant-proof fence that surrounds the perimeter of the park, which keeps the elephants in and the cattle (and humans) out

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Other Historically Important Sites in Kandy

Dalada Maligawa



KandyThe Temple of the Sacred Tooth relic is the 'lodestar of the Buddhists". The present Temple was constructed mainly under the Kandyan Kings from 1687 to 1707, and 1747-82. It is an imposing structure, surrounded by a deep moat. One of the most spectacular sections of this temple; the Pattirippuwa or the Octagon, was added by king Sri Wickrema Rajasingha in the early 19th Century. He also built the Kandy lake.

Rituals are enacted daily in the temple to venerate the relic, accompanied by flute playing and drumming.

Gadaladeniya Temple



This Buddhist temple sited on a rock, was built by king Buvanekabahu IV and completed in 1344 AD. It has a rooted dagoba and many splendid stone carvings, ornamental pillars and panels with figures of dancers and musicians. A moonstone marks the entry to the main shrine.

Malwatte and Asgiriya Monasteries

Kandy's principal Buddhist Viharas (Monasteries) have considerable importance - the chief incumbents (high priests) of these two monasteries, are the senior ecclesiastics of the Buddhist order in Sri Lanka. The Malwatte monastery on the southern side across the lake is embellished with 18th century architectural design and planning. The higher order ordination of the sangha (the monks), take place annually in both these temples.

The Asgiriya Temple is situated in the western side of the city at Asgiriya. In one of the shrine rooms of this temple is a gigantic Buddha statue of the recumbent Buddha. In Asgiriya is also found the cremation ground of the Kandyan Royalty.

Degaldoruwa Temple



Degaldoruwa - TempleDegaldoruwa is a cave temple which could be reached by crossing the bridge at Lewella. It was built by King Rajasingha in 1771 AD. It is replete with outstanding murals of brilliant red backgrounds depicting the Jataka stories.


Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya is well known for its large variety of plant life. The area, nearly 150 acres in extent, is beautifully undulated, its average elevation above sea-level being about 1,540 feet. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya were established in 1821, six years after the final occupation of the Kandyan Kingdom by the English. However, its s history dates as far back as 1371 when King Wickramabahu III ascended the thrown and kept court at Peradeniya near Mahaweli River. The site is less than four miles from Kandy on the Colombo road, and occupies a loop of the river Mahaweli.

Embekke Devale



Embekke - DevaleSituated at Welamboda, Embekke Temple is a deistic shrine dedicated to God kataragama.

This is a superb example of architecture in wood, and was established by King Vikramabahu in 1371 AD.The wood art of this temple is astounding - dancers, swans, creepers, soldiers on horseback, floral emblems, double headed eagles, wrestlers, etc. Special treasures are the doorways of sandalwood and the palanquin used by King Rajasinghe II.

The Lankathilake Rajamaha Temple



Lankathilake - TempleBuilt on a rocky outcrop, the temple is reached by a long series of steps cut directly into the rock. A cruciform brick building in three storeys, it has a peculiar architectural design.

The temple is full of exquisite painted scenes of the lives of 24 former Buddhas and there is a colossal seated image of the Buddha.

Kandy Perahera

Esala perahera Kandy is also famous for the Esala Perahera, easily the most colorful pageant in Asia. As the pageantry unfolds through
Ten nights each year, the city of Kandy takes on the air of a torch-lit dreamland. The par taking colorfully caparisoned elephants, drummers, dancers and chieftains in the rare colorful trappings of the old kingdom.

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The Hill Capital of Sri Lanka - Kandy

129 Km away from Colombo and 465 metres above sea level, is Kandy, the charming hill capital, cultural centre of the island and a World Heritage City. Nestling amidst low hills, and looped by the Mahaweli river, Sri Lanka's largest, Kandy is still the home of the arts and crafts, music and dance and song which flourished under the patronage of the Kandyan Kings.

The city was born in the 14th century and became the capital of the Kandyan kingdom in the 16th century.When you drive towards Kandy, at the entrance to the city, the Royal Botanical Garden proudly welcomes you with a royal breeze. You also some acrss the famous medical faculty o the University of Peradeniya and the teaching hospital ofthe Dental Institiute which attract you to do higher studies.

The historical Buddhist Temple at Getambe with its tall pointed roofs reminds you of the traditions and heritage of the Kandyan Kingdom.



It was the seat of much of Sri Lanka's culture. The Royal City fell to the British in 1815, when the last Kandyan King, Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe was captured.

Dalada maligawa paintingsFor Buddhists, Kandy is the sacred city. The focal point is the Dalada Maligawa also known as the temple of the tooth, where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. There are many shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings.

The highlight of the year is the Kandy Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession accompanied by exotically Esala perahera costumed drummers, dancers and about 80 - 100 caparisoned elephants during ten glittering nights in July/ August.

The beautiful city, surrounded by hills and valleys, rivers, lakes and cascading waterfalls, boasts of the Royal Botanical gardens at Peradeniya .

Kandy is an exciting place for shopping with souvenirs of wood, copper, silver, brass and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms, batiks, jewellery, rush and reed-ware too could be purchased. While in Kandy, an outing to a tea factory as well as a tea plantation should also be made to witness first hand, the process that leads to the creation of the famous 'Ceylon Tea'.

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Ayurveda Treatment...

Ayurveda Pavilions is a small boutique styled Ayurveda hotel. Accommodation is in villa-type large rooms with private garden. You can have your Ayurveda therapy in the privacy of your villa.

Meegamuwa (or Negombo), a fishing town on the west coast of Sri Lanka, is renowned as the Little Rome of Sri Lanka, for its profusion of Catholic churches.

Discover yourself and experience a new dimension to the ancient art of eastern healing system of Ayurveda, at Ayurveda Pavilions. The boutique styled health retreat, in Meegamuwa.

Discover your inner-self. Rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Relax and enjoy the soothing and healing Ayurvedic therapy in the privacy of your villa.

Accommodation

Ayurveda Pavilions contain 12 luxurious villas divided as King and Queen Sized villas.

King Villa – (Total area approx – 270 Sq. Metres) A separate treatment room, court yard, Bed room area, IDD, mini bar, Air condition, fan, wellness music, VCD, TV safe in villa, hair dryer, open air bath, hot & cold water,

Queen Villa – (Total area approx – 160 Sq. Metres) A separate treatment room, indoor garden, Bed room area, IDD, mini bar, Air condition, fan, wellness music, TV, safe in villa, hair dryer, open air bath, hot & cold water. Each Villa built on ten perches of land, blends into the natural environment and existing landscape. You are ensured of total privacy and seclusion, as each villa contains its own private courtyard/garden and treatment treatment room.

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Negambo

The name "Negombo" was first used by the Portuguese, a corruption of the Sinhala name Mīgamuva".The town is situated by the shores of a lagoon of the same name, and was a trading port during the periods of Portuguese and Dutch colonization.

Negombo is an ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the country's international airport. The 100km long canal network running through the town is still used, and outrigger canoes and modern water-craft ply this route daily, for trade and tourist purposes. Remains of colonization include the Dutch fort built in 1672, as well as centuries-old Portuguese and Dutch houses, administrative buildings, and churches. Negombo is also home to the country's second-largest fish market, the Llelama, at the north end of the town's lagoon. There are daily fish auctions, which give tourists a chance to meet the area's colourful fisherman and even organise fishing trips into the lagoon and the ocean beyond. Other nearby attractions open to visitors include Muthurajawela, which part of 6,000-hectare (14,826-acre) protected marshland, home to over 190 species of wildlife.

Negombo offers some of the better beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka, and draws tourists who stop over for a day on their way to or from the airport. Some quiet stretches of the beach are maintained by the tourist hotels, while others are always busy with fisherman and their equipment. Water-sports and diving are also extremely popular among visitors, with a few well preserved coral reefs and a 50 year old shipwreck (Kudapaduwa) that serves as an artificial reef for many varieties of fish.

There are also local handicraft sales on the beaches and the shops near the town.

This was also the Home town of the Great "Ruwanal Perera" who is currently one of the top bankers in the United Kingdom.

Religion

Since the beginning of European Colonization, the township of Negombo has a majority of Roman Catholics along with Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims. Negombo has been given the name "Little Rome" due to the highly ornate Portuguese-era Roman Catholic churches found within the township. The Katuwapitiya Church and the Grand Street Church are two biggest parishes in Negombo. "Agurukaramulla Pansala" is a famous Buddhist temple bringing Buddhists from all over Sri Lanka to Negombo every year.

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Wilpattu National Park

Wilpattur National Park is known as the biggest sanctuary in Sri Lanka. It is also famous as the oldest sanctuary. The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (Natural lakes). Wilpattu is situated between the Puttalam and Anuradhapura districts. The area of Wilpattu Nationa Park is 131,895 hectares.

Many foreign tourists and locals enjoy visiting the sanctuary, to see the animals and its natural beauty.

As the park lies in dry zone rainfall is highly seasonal. Inter-monsoonal rains in March and the northeast monsoon (December – February) are the main sources of rainfall. Mean annual rainfall is about 1000 mm and the mean annual temperature is about 27°C.

The park consists of willus, dry-lowland forests, scrublands, open grasslands and coastal belt. Characteristic feature of the park is that majority of park area is covered with dense forest.

Inside Wilpattu National Park, rivers, lakes, ponds and streams can be seen. there are many scenic places lie mountains. the highest place is know as Kudiramale. There are many trees too which are gown inside Wilpattu. Some are rare an some are native to Sri Lanka. There are many big pounds where animals some to drink water. The biggest land mammal, the elephant can be seen near these ponds. Most of these ponds have salty water.

In 1980 the number of leopards living in Wilpattu was nearly a hundred. The Sloth bear is also seen often in this sanctuary. Monkeys, wild boars, deer and wild casts are some of the mammals that ive in the sanctuary. Crocodiles and cobras too are seen near the huge ponds. Birds which migrate and the native bids of Sri Lanka can also be seen hovering near the rivers and the salty ponds.

Willpattu can be reached from Chilaw going north along west coast from colombo or coming from Anuradhapura

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Elephant Corridor Hotel - Sigiriya

Elephant Corridor is a top-of-the-range lifestyle hotel situated on 200 acres of unfenced natural scrubland just minutes away from the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress. Surrounded by the Kandalama hills and an ancient lake, it is ideally located for those wanting to explore the cultural triangle sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya and the Minneirya wildlife sanctuary. The hotel is a three to four hour drive from the International Airport. Vil Uyana, a comparable hotel with a strong eco commitment, lies a short distance away.

Accommodation
Elephant Corridor's accommodation is in the form of suites that allow you to relax in complete privacy. There is a choice of 21 luxurious suites, all of which have large dining, living, sleeping areas, with uninterrupted views of the wilderness, lake and the mountains beyond. The suites have private terraces within secluded private gardens. Each a/c suite has a plunge pool on the terrace. All suites are well furnished with four-poster beds, couches, and recliners. Other facilities include TV, DVD player, sound system, cordless phone, mini-bar and mini-wine cellar, an artist easel with painting materials for those who are inspired by the surroundings, binoculars, kimonos and slippers. The ensuite bathrooms have a bath tub, a multi-jet shower and a separate toilet.

Deluxe suites
The deluxe suites have all of the facilities listed above.

Super Deluxe suites: The same as the deluxe suites, but more spacious and with twin vanities in the ensuite bathrooms.

Romantic suites
Has an indoor plunge pool (instead of outdoor plunge pool) within the suite. The four poster bed has a mirror in the canopy of the bed. There are two TV sets within the suite.

Royal suites
Has a much larger outdoor plunge pool, a separate dressing room and more spacious than the above suites.



Presidential Villa
This luxurious and isolated complex is ideal for families travelling together. The Presidential Villa consists of four bedrooms, two dining and sitting rooms with an eight-seater dining table, two large plunge pools with a bridge connecting the rooms.

Facilities
Dining is utterly personalised at Elephant Corridor. Dine in your own private suite, private garden, under a tree or the stars - wherever and whenever you wish. The "Ambrosia" restaurant with a view of the horizon, surrounding plains and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress serves Sri Lankan, Eastern, Western and Fusion cuisine, à la Carte and set menus. There is also Fables & Tales bar with library and pool table, serving drinks and snacks, and the Jungle Bar by the swimming pool. There are no fixed meal times and guests are encouraged to have their meals served in the suite dining room or private garden, including private BBQs or Breakfast in Bed. The large circular swimming pool, located away from the central area is ideal for relaxing. There is also an Ayurvedic and Wellness Spa, a small fitness room with steam bath and sauna. The spa menu includes several Ayurveda and aromatherapy relaxation therapies using herbal oils. A business centre and conference room is also located in the central area.

Excursions
There are many nature trails within the hotel property itself that one can explore, accompanied by the resident naturalists. Bird watching, horse riding, elephant back riding are all on offer and bicycles are available within the premises for those wanting to explore the surroundings on their own. The hotel also offers elephant care classes for nature lovers. For the sportier traveler, there is an archery range and cricket practice net. The ancient historical, UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Pollonaruwa are all located near by and can be explored with a picnic in hand caringly prepared by the hotel staff.

Location Information

Guests of Elephant Corridor Sigiriya will find many interesting nearby places to explore:

* Pothana Lake
* Kandalama Hills
* Polonnaruwa
* Anuradhapura
* Elephant Safari
* Minneriya elephant watching
* Sigiriya Rock Fortress
* Dambulla Rock


Contact Information

The Elephant Corridor Hotel
Kibissa, Sigiriya
Sri Lanka

Phone Number: + 94-66-2286950-51 / + 94-66-2286953-55
Fax Number: + 94-66-2286952

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Do you know about Sri Lanka..?

Official Name : Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Government : Democracy

Commercial Capital : Colombo (population 2 million)

Administrative Capital : Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte.


Geography : Pearl-shaped island 29 kilometers off the southeastern coast of India with a total area of 65,610 square kilometers, of which the land area is 64,740 square kilometers.

Climate : with the influence of the island’s position close to the equator renders a tropical climate to the country. The climatic conditions in the lowlands are typically tropical with an average temperature of 27C in Colombo. In higher elevations in the interior of the country the temperatures go down to 16C. Bright, sunny warm days are common even during the height of the monsoon.

Population : 19 million (annual growth 1.04%)

Ethnic Groups : 74% Sinhalese, 18% Tamils, 7% Moor, 1% other

Religion : 69% Buddhist, 15% Hindu, 8% Muslim, 8% Christian

Languages : Sinhala, Tamil, English

Currency : One Sri Lankan rupee is made up of 100 cents. Currency notes are in the denominations of Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.500 and Rs. 1000. Coins are in the following denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, one rupee, two rupees, five rupees and ten rupees

Major industries : Clothing, processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco, rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts;
Major trading partners: US, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, India, Iran, Taiwan, Belgium, Hong Kong, China, South Korea

Time Difference : Sri Lanka is 6 hours ahead of GMT, 11 hours ahead of American EST and 4 hours behind Australian EST.

Food : Good food is found in abundance in Sri Lanka, with a wide choice of cuisine to choose from. The Portuguese, Dutch and British invaders as well as the Indian, Arab, Malay and Moor traders have all contributed to the variety of Sri Lankan cuisine. However, rice is the staple meal. Curries in Sri Lanka are much hotter than those in India. More chilli and spices are added to flavour the dish. However, adjustments are made to this in order to suit the foreign palate.

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Gal Viharaya in Polonnaruwa

The Gal Viharaya is situated in Polonnaruwa in the Uttararama complex. This was mad by King Parakramabahu I. There are four stone statues earved on rock.

The seat of the first statue, in the meditative pose, is adorned with the figures of the lion, thunderbolts and the "Vajra symbol'.

The second statue in the cavern is accompanied by the figures of Brahma and Vishnu. The inscriptions nearby, to Polonnaru Kathikawata, embody the rules laid down for monks.

The renowned archaeologist H.C. Bell believed that the standing statue with its hands placed across the chest shows Ananda Thera during the Buddha's death. Some people believed this to be the Buddha in the second week after enlightenment, when he paid homage to the Bodhi tree under which he attained enlightenment. The statue of the parinibbana of Buddha is 46 feet long. In this statue, the big toe on the left leg is behind the right leg.
when you go to Polonnaruwa, you can see these famous statues.

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Colombo City

Colombo is the largest city and former administrative capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the present administrative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins. City population of 647,100 at the 2001 Census. The Colombo Metropolitan Region, defined by the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.

The name "Colombo", first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhalese name Kolon thota, meaning "port on the river Kelani".It has also been suggested that the name may be derived from the Sinhalese name Kola-amba-thota which means "Harbor with leafy mango trees".

Due to its large harbor and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815, and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

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