Feature
Taprobane – An emerald set in pink coral on a sea of Turquoise
Of the sizable stream of European adventurers, artists, and romantics who have sought out their personal edens in the tropics, one of the first was Count de Mauny-Talvande. A gentlemen of leisure, furniture maker and a descendent of one of Napoleon's Gene
rals. His first trip to Ceylon, as it was then called, was in 1912 with the tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton. This visit was his first experience of the tropics and clearly made a deep impression. He returned after the First World War on a mission to find “the one spot which, by its sublime beauty, would fulfil my dreams and hold me there for life.”
It was ten years before he found his paradise: a tiny islet on the south coast of Ceylon. Set in a huge bay, this rocky outcrop covered with lush foliage rises from the water just beyond a broad sandy beach. For the Count it epitomized every child’s fantasy of a South Seas tropical island. On seeing this vision, the intrepid count waded across (even at high tide the water rises only to the chest) and, in his words, “sat for a long while on a boulder overlooking the sea wishing that this island lost in the Indian Ocean were mine; picturing and planning what I should do with it. I felt my heart beating with the overwhelming desire to find in it peace, the nearest thing to happiness. Yes, it must be the home which I had dreamt of so many years past.”
Property of the Month
A truly rare opportunity in Kamburugamuwa
As the gates swing open onto this 220 perches of stunning property, you cannot help but immediately recognise its potential as the ideal holiday dwelling for you and your family. Driving up to the stately house along its long wide gravelled driveway, adorned by gardens and vegetable plots on either side, you will be struck by the amount of love and care that has gone into the maintenance of the gardens as is evident by its landscaping.
As you approach this beautifully designed, two storey house, the only sound you hear is the numerous bird calls and the sound of the waves on the beach as the house is set well away from the noise and bustle of the main road.
This Month Top Story
The commencement of the construction of Sri Lanka's second international airport in Mattala, Hambantota, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the 27th of November marks a new chapter in the country's aviation history. Along with the proposed Hambantota Port, the new airport is one of the biggest development projects undertaken by any 
post-independence Government. The project will also generate employment on a massive scale, both during the construction phase and after becoming fully operational. It will also spur more investors to venture to the South, safe in the knowledge that air and sea transport facilities are close at hand.
A second international airport was a long felt need and various Governments had plans to build one. But they did not materialise as the leaders lacked the will to undertake such a huge project. On the other hand, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was determined to go ahead with the multi-million dollar project, even as the Government battled terrorism on one front. In fact, when the project was initially mooted soon after the President assumed office, there was no guarantee that the war would end by May this year.
NEWS
Agro-Tourism village soon
Plans are afoot to set up the first BiodiversityAgro-Tourism village covering an area of over 444 acres spanning four divisional secretariats of Homagama, Padukka, Hanwella and Seethawaka in the Colombo district.
Complete overhaul for southern railway
The Government has decided to completely upgrade the Southern railway line from Matara to Colombo Fort in three stages. The Transport Ministry will commence upgrading the Southern railway track from Matara to Galle under the first stage, from next January.
Over 450,000 tourist arrivals targeted by end 2009
The country’s tourist industry is poised to become a vibrant industry with the next winter season prospects looking bright. It is anticipated that the number of tourist arrivals would exceed 450,000 by the end of the year, Tourist Hotels Association Sri Lanka, President, Srilal Miththapala told Daily News Business.
Sri Lanka invests $ 2 b on infrastructure
Sri Lanka is investing heavily to develop its infrastructure. An investment of US$ 2 billion to upgrade roads, rail tracks, airports and power will be the main driver of GDP into the next decade said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama.
Access road to Sripada to be renovated
Agro-Tourism village soon
Aitken Spence Hotels go for 500-room property in Nilaweli
Bulgarian President sees bright investment prospects
Complete overhaul for southern railway
Eco tourism the fastest growing segment
EU gives Rs 4.6 b for Southern Coastal Road rehabilitation
Hambantota port will ease congestion
Holiday Inn re-branded as Ramada Hotel Colombo
Keells to invest $100 million in Sri Lanka
Massive development drive under way
Move to improve operations – SLPA reopens Northern entrance of Colombo Port
Northern railway line reconstruction expedited
Oluvil Port construction in full steam
Over 450,000 tourist arrivals targeted by end 2009
Post-conflict economic prospects in Sri Lanka – Country poised for positive outlook in development
Second Airport construction begins
Showcasing Sri Lanka's eco-tourism
Sri Lanka invests $ 2 b on infrastructure
Sri Lanka south-east road link rebuilt with foreign aid
Sri Lanka to host beach festival in Negombo
Sri Lanka tourist arrivals up 7.0-pct in Oct
Sri Lanka, one of the best emerging economies in Asia
SriLankan flies to more destinations
Sripada season begins December 1
Trains to Omanthai soon
Quote of the month
Caressed by warm waters, 770 miles of golden sand ring the island. Within those sands is green, lush-green, fertile land sculpture towards the centre, onto souring mountains. An emerald, fringed by filigreed gold and set in aquamarine – truly a jeweled pendant.
Leonard Woolf
