11th January 1998

Romance by the banks of Mahaweli

The rather dusty trail that leads to Mahaweli Reach Hotel gives no clues to the warm hospitality and the panoramic view that awaits the road weary traveller. The gushing Mahaweli river, velvety mountainscapes and tropical garden offer a breathtaking sight. The hotel sprawls across four acres by the side of the river and its somewhat colonial- style architecture lends the buildings grandeur while complementing the setting.

Mahaweli Reach started off very small, when an ex-planter named Panabokke, converted his house built in 1960 into a private guest house. It consisted, in the beginning of just four basic rooms on two acres of land. Now owned by his two sons, the small enterprise was turned into a place of beauty and elegance, with the addition of two more acres and 111 rooms. Today it's on par with five star resort hotels in the country.

Each of the 115 rooms have a private balcony. Capitalising on nature's bounty at their doorstep, every room is situated facing the river, or the beautifully landscaped garden or at least the free-form swimming pool, said to be the largest in Kandy.

The rooms are decorated, keeping in mind the comfort and tastes of customers,with thick carpets, large windows, equipped with TV and IDD telephone facilities. The magnificent presidential suite and the executive suite both boast of a breathtaking view of the river environs and the mountains beyond, which is very romantic. In the evenings, the balcony opens to a view of the sun setting on the mountain ranges covered in mist and the backdrop of golden sky.

The complimentary muted shades used in the rooms give a peaceful and soothing effect. Brass elephant ornaments and sketches depicting the ancient Tooth Relic adorning the walls serves to provide a somewhat traditionally Kandyan aura to the plush room..

The passageways which lead to the rooms are all glass panelled, so that visitors are afforded a view of the lush green garden, the river or the village below.

The impressive banquet hall with its mirrored walls gives the pink hued room an additional look of grandeur. It can accommodate around 300 guests. In the courtyard lies the free-form pool which spreads 40 meters lengthways incorporating trees into its uneven shape. Its unique formation was due to the reluctance of the Panabokke family to cutting down any trees, which originally stood on the land.

Walking into the main restaurant you can enjoy your meals at ease, overlooking the pool and garden. The restaurant comprises two levels which can accommodate 200 visitors, and serves a range of excellent cuisine. The Reach also has BBQ nights but only on special request.

In the way of entertainment and recreation there is calypso music, the father and son duo Damien and Nishantha, Grand Piano music to soothe your nerves, and for the more adventurous there's billiards, badminton, tennis , with the option of having floodlights when required and boating for an additional cost of Rs. 600. For those who enjoy the traditional Avurudu spread this is the place to be. Avurudu is celebrated in traditional fashion where the guests get a chance to take part in the games.

While the country is all geared up to celebrate our 50th year of Independence. Mahaweli Reach reaches a milestone as well, that's the celebration of their 25 years of service . To celebrate this event the hotel plans to give all their corporate clients the benefit of a credit card and plans to host a cocktail party in commemoration.

The rates are economical at - Rs. 3,700 nett full-board per day per standard room.

An after sex contraceptive

Ah, ah,ah…my god!

"Had an accident last night?, asks the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka. For those who have, the FPA has introduced a new emergency contraceptive pill which has to be taken within 72 hours of an unprotected sexual act. A special hotline has also been set up to provide information on this subject.

According to Dr. Sriani Basnayake, Medical Director of the FPA, the newly introduced Postinor 2 contains the same hormones used in some birth control pills, but emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are used differently. Postinor 2 is dispensed in packets of two tablets, each of which contains 0.75 milligrams of Levonorgestrel USP. One tablet has to be taken within 72 hours after an unprotected sexual act. The second tablet should be taken 12 hours after the first.

"Postinor 2 has a 98% chance of preventing a pregnancy if you have had sex without using a contraceptive or if you had a contraceptive accident such as a broken condom," Dr. Basnayake said. "However, it is only a preventive method and not an abortification," she stressed. "If pregnancy has already taken place, Postinor 2 has no effect at all."

Dr. Basnayake further explained that the drug Postinor 2 acts in different ways depending on which stage of the menstrual cycle it is used. If it is used very early after menses, the pill will prevent the ovary from releasing the egg. If it is taken later, it will prevent the sperm from meeting the egg and so prevent fertilization. Finally, if fertilization has taken place, it causes changes in the lining of the womb to prevent the fertilized egg getting embedded in the womb. This happens on the 4th or 5th day after fertilization. So if the egg has already got embedded and a pregnancy has started, the pill will not dislodge it.

"Many young girls seem to worry about a pregnancy only after missing a period," Dr. Basnayake said." Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg gets implanted in the womb. This does not happen in 72 hours and until such time, a pregnancy can be prevented. I would like to advise young people that as soon as an accident occurs, one should go to a clinic within 72 hours and ask for the emergency contraceptive pills."

At present, Postinor 2 is dispensed through the Family Planning clinics and some private doctors in different parts of the country, so that the counselling aspect of how to take it is handled by them. Dr. Basnayake says that when people get to know about it, it will eventually be dispensed at the pharmacies.

Since the hotline has been established, the FPA has had many interested callers. 'Many young people want to buy it and keep it for an emergency,' Dr. Basnayake said. "However, it must be borne in mind that ECPs are not a substitute for regular contraceptives. Frequent usage of ECPs reduces its efficacy. It is also important to note that if you have unprotected sex after using ECPs, they will not prevent a pregnancy."

Dr. Basnayake says that most women can take Postinor 2 safely, with minimal side effects. It sometimes causes temporary side effects such as nausea and vomiting. She advises that it be taken after meals to reduce nausea. If you vomit within two hours of taking a dose, another tablet should be taken immediately. If vomiting occurs after the initial dose, you still need to take the second dose twelve hours later. If vomiting occurs after two hours, one need not worry since the medication is already in your system.

After using Postinor 2, there will not be any immediate signs to show whether or not it has worked. The menstrual period should come more or less on time. Even in the event that it does not work Dr. Basnayake dispelled fears that using it would have any ill affects on the pregnancy or cause harm to the baby.

- H.F.

Continue to Plus page 5  *  Happy ending to 'Operation bear'   *  Grooming for freedom trot

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