Just when you think you know it all, something bounces up in your face and forces you to re-evaluate your perceptions and pre-conceived ideas.
I have just completed a one week work assignment in Sri Lanka and boy, were my perceptions put to the test. After years of hearing negative press on this impoverished little country reeling from the impacts of a bloody internal conflict, my thoughts were of this destination were of a downtrodden pressed and dejected place struggling to come to terms with a modern world.
How wrong were my ill-informed thoughts on this Island destination?
To my great surprise, I found a vibrant and positive culture that is based on a proud heritage and an earnest desire for the country to put the recent bloody past behind them and embrace a new future that will bring prosperity and security to all.
The Government appears to be committed to bring the country’s infrastructure well and truly into the 21st century through a determined programme that is embracing the skills and abilities of Sri Lankan Nationals who have previously been forced to gain their individual skills as expatriates as they were previously unable to pursue their careers locally, due to the internal conflict that inhibited their ability to do so.
These talented individuals are taking massive pay cuts to bring their skills home to share the vision of bringing a new era of hope and security to this beautiful Island.
Our first few days in Sri Lanka were spent in Colombo. This is a very busy city where the new is clashing with the old. There are masses of Tuk-tuks that will ferry you to see the sights, and oh what sights there are to see.
Colombo is located on the Western shores of the Island where you see the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean run endlessly onto white sandy beaches. There are the magnificent old Government buildings (still in use) that depict the early years of colonial rule, nestling beside tall and new high rise office blocks.
There is the Elephant Orphanage, the bustling markets, and the sights, sounds and smells that remind you of the country’s sub-continent heritage.
During our time in Colombo we stayed at the Galadari Hotel, one of the finest Hotels in the city. The Hotel has all the amenities, several great restaurants, several “pub” style bars, office facilities and a gymnasium for the health conscious.
The package that we secured was for “full fare” where we received 3 meals every day (the meals were excellent quality and guests can choose traditional fare or for the not so adventurous western meals were also provided). The costs for this excellent accommodation was $100 per night.
The second part of our stay saw us at the Club Palm Bay Resort located approximately an hours drive South of Colombo, right on the coast. The resort is a “little tired” however the enthusiasm and services that the staff provide are first class.
The resort caters for quite an array of interest, for example you can play a 6 holes of pitch and putt golf, you can go fishing, boating or simply rest around the pool, all at exceedingly low prices when compared to similar locations elsewhere.
Unfortunately, our trip was business based and we were not able to spend as much time as we would have likes to explore the Island.
The Island is abound with natural wonders with National Parks, waterfalls, spectacular coastline, with great surfing. Without doubt the greatest asset to this destination is the people. We found them to be openly friendly and gracious. They are exceedingly proud of their country, they all have a great desire to showcase the natural wonders that abound on this Island.
Traffic is a little hectic so I would recommend that you arrange for a car and a driver to get you around, and we found that the check-in process at the airport a little cumbersome, however if you put that aside I would recommend this as a destination that will surely delight.
I certainly intend to return to explore this “diamond in the rough” before it becomes a victim of full commercialisation.
Author: John Rummery
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