• Serendib Leisure has solid base of hotels
• Palm Haven: a haven on the beach
• Talented Lucky young man
• Noel Ranasinghe wins award for unique creations
• Sanath's 'Daivaya'
• B.S.Perera's music to be preserved
• Rani Mukherjee - She is something special
• Curry Leaves changes its style
• Awards from down South

Serendib Leisure has solid base of hotels

"Serendib Touring Ltd.," a pioneer in the field of hotel management, will now be known as "Serendib Leisure Management Ltd."

The company was founded by Asker S. Moosajee in 1987. Under his leadership as Chairman and Managing Director, a solid base of hotels was built up. The hotels that come under the purview of Serendib Leisure Management are Hotel Serendib, Bentota, Club Hotel Dolphin, Waikkal, Hotel Sigiriya and Hotel Reefcomber, Hikkaduwa.

With Mr. Asker Moosajee retiring from executive office, Abbas N. Esufally was appointed Managing Director of the company from April 1999. The company is now repositioning itself for the new millennium and is taking positive steps to move forward, building on its 20 years of experience in the hotel trade. A new Vision and Mission has been formulated with a view to bring about a major transformation and re-structuring of the company.

To portray the new dynamic, progressive and innovative profile of the company, the name, entire corporate outlook, logo and branding will change.

To further strengthen this process, Srilal Miththapala was appointed Chief Executive officer on July 1, 1999.

Also all four hotels managed by the company will be repositioning, refurbishing and extending facilities to provide a wider range of services.

"With our name change, we have now moved to a broad base on leisure sector, other than the hotels. 'Theme Parks and up mark entertainment' shows too are on the cards. But as the first step we will be upgrading the remaining hotels, Miththapala said.

Quality will play a major role in "Serendib Leisure" which strives for professional excellence in all its activities. It will also focus on value addition to its services. As part of its new corporate image "Serendib Leisure" will actively pursue strategic alliance and associations in managing other leisure activities and services. One such pursuit is the company's taking over the marketing and sales of TASKS safari camp at Kuda Oya from August 15.

The main attraction of the "Serendib Leisure" is the Hotel Serendib, a popular destination for foreign as well as the locals for the last 25 years.

'Club Hotel Dolphin' in Waikkal, Hotel Reefcomber in Hikkaduwa and Hotel Sigiriya are the other hotels coming under Serendib Leisure.

Palm Haven: a haven on the beach

By Sanath Weerasuriya

'Palm Haven' is just a couple of kilometres away from the Marawila town, on the golden beach of Teppanwella, which is a fishing village with beautiful setting by the sea.

Palm Haven has fourteen air conditioned rooms with modern conveniences, a small swimming pool and a palm fringed garden.

The beach outside the resort is clean and unspoiled. 'Palm Haven' is a newest attraction on the Marawila beach, which is very popular among Dutch tourists.

'We get most of the Dutch groups as we closely work with Dutch tour operators,' said the manager of the 'Haven' Roger Gomes. 'Palm Haven' is also popular among locals. Company outings, get-to gethers, private parties are some of the events popular among families.

'We are just one hour drive from the airport and most of the tourgro-ups select our resort as the final stay over before the departure,' Roger added. What is special about the 'Palm Haven' is the food.

'We serve mostly Sri Lankan cuisine. Some of the local dishes, specially the sea food items are popular among both locals as well as tourists. Some nights we arrange bar-be-que on the beach and that goes down well with the visitors,' Roger said.

Marawila is a unique place, where the environment is concerned. The area is safe from both monsoons.

'Yes Mar-awila is just 'no dry and no wet' type weather. But the sea will be rough during the monsoons and the beach vanishes during this period,' Roger explained.

'Palm Haven' is centrally located and tourists can visit popular places like Munneswaram, Panduwasnuwara and Muth-urajawela. They are just one and half hour's drive from the resort.

Talented Lucky young man

A young singer turned compere and actor is on the move up in popularity among youth. He is Lakshman Fernando, a small time hotelier who took to singing as a hobby. Called Lucky by his friends and close associate has rendered songs in three languages, Sinhala, Tamil and Hindi.

Recently he recorded four songs at Shark Studio in Kandana where he introduced a new female singer Kanchana Mendis, who is also a mini screen actress. Lucky has also sung duets with Indrani Perera and Sita Nanayakkara for song cassette recordings. Lyrics for his Hindi songs are penned by Sunil Yogendra.

Lucky is really a lucky young man because he has the ability to pronounce Tamil and Hindi words correctly. Giving credit to late singer Milton Mal-lawarachchi Lucky said " the first singer to sing a film song in Hindi was Milton. 'Cyril Mallie' was the film and the song was written by Ravilal Wimaladharma.' he said.

"Bo Maluwe' is one of his popular songs on a Buddhist theme.

Although he is not a Buddhist he loves the song like thousands of listeners. Another popular love song rendered by Lucky is 'Neela Neth Rath Dethole' .

"Melodies for my songs have been composed by Lal Tenabadu, Ranjith Dias, Marimba, Nite Dreams and Chandralal Fonseka with Hemasiri Halpita, Ananda Pathmasiri, P.V.Ranjith Fon-seka, Prematileka Wasala, Bandu S Kannangara, Sujeewa M Herath, Oscar Nonis, Roshan Priyantha, Saman Pushpakumara, Dharmaratna Perera, and Nihal Rasantha.

He is hoping to sing for 'Sakura' musical group in the future.

Lucky is thankful to all who gave him a helping hand and encouraged him in his work.

Noel Ranasinghe wins award for unique creations

Noel Bryan Ranasinghe was honoured with the prestigious Clarence Wijewardene Memorial Foundation (CWMF) 'Award' for his unique creations, innovations and contributions to music in Sri Lanka through 41 years.

Noel's selection, was welcomed by everybody as he was responsible for change in the music scene which previously was dominated by Hindi, Tamil, Western music with his own styles.

He introduced originals, the sarong, coloured shirts, garlands, straw and cloth hats and bare foot performances.

A grand prix finalist of the world song festival - responsible for the ''First'' in world music history with his live inflight performances on board a Tri Star - and many other achievements, Noel bagged the C.W.M.F. Award, which was presented to him by Sheila wife of the late Clarence Wijewardena recently at the Public Library auditorium.

It was a great moment for Noel who quipped -'' Its nice to be appreciated by a foundation who valued my services, rather than being ignored by the state.'' Amongst the many guests at the award presentation, were Mr. Tissa Abeysekera, chairman of the Film Corporation, Professor Sunil Ariyaratne, Professor Carlo Fonseka,Visharada Sanath Nandasiri, Mr. Ananda Ganegoda, Mr. Sarath Kotelawela, Mr. Stanley Peiris, Nanda Malani, and others.

Mr. Shelton Weeraratne opened the proceedings paying tribute to Clarance and criticised the manner in which eminent personalities are so badly ignored. Mr. Tissa Abeysekera also paid glowing tributes to Clarence, Neville, Noel, B.S. Perera and others. He praised the styles of the harmony groups who used the box guitars which he said was badly missed by many as they are now a forgotten lot. Annesley Malawana too spoke about Clarence and thanked Noel Ranasinghe for giving them an important break to record their songs on the Philips label. He said if not for Noel's sacrifice - "Mango Nande" would never have been heard, it was this song which brought them stardom - and accounted for their success. Vishadara Sanath Nandasiri gave the audience an eudcational speech about the ''works'' of Clarence.The ceremony was also entertaining with the performence of Annesley, Indrani, Gratien, Priyantha, backed by Jayantha Gamage. Noel and his ''La-Ceylonians'.' They also paid tribute to Clarence for singing his song.

Sanath's 'Daivaya'

The teleserial story written by film actor-producer Sanath Guna-tilleke about a low ranking Police officer in the lower ranks posing off as a senior officer and his involvement with several women forms the plot. It's named 'Daivaya' (Destiny).

"It's theme is about the heroism of a young woman who fights a lone battle against this officer and his henchmen to save many other young womem from being trapped in the net of this officer. Sanath also plays a role in the teleserial.

He has already handed over the story to Sudath Rohana who is presently writing the script spread over 20 episodes. "Casting the cast is yet not finalised. The problem is the selection of a new female to play the lead role.

After the news of this project appeared in 'TV Times' several young women have applied to play this role. However no selection has been yet made." he said.

A leading model is been considered to play this role which is full of action and drama. As everyone is keen to introduce a new face to play this role a make-up test is to be held shortly for the selection.

Sanath's debut film was ' Situ Kumariyo ' which was produced by Chaminda Perera who will produce this teledrama also.

'Daivaya will be directed by Sudath Rohana. The technical unit has not yet been finalised.

Sunil Shantha - The melody maker

By D.B. Kappagoda

Musicians of the calibre of Ananda Samarakoon and Suriya Shankar Molligoda were responsible for creating a new trend in Sinhala music. Before them, singers like H.W. Rupasinghe, Alan Ratnayake, M.K. Vincent, Lakshmi Bhai, Eddie Silva, Rukmani Devi followed a style similar to Indian songs popular in Bombay and Madras.

The new wave of musicians were trained in Shantiniketan and had the influence of North Indian Raghadari music. This trained voices rendered the Indian tunes to the scintilating melodies that became popular among the Sinhala listeners.

Sunil Shantha at birth had been named and Don Joseph John. He hailed from Dehiyagatha in Ja-Ela and left for India in June 1939 to study music at Shantiniketan and Bhatkande Universities. He returned to Sri Lanka five years later after qualifying as a Sangeeth Visharad.

His first recorded song at the Radio Ceylon was Sumano, Sumano. It was a copy of a song in the Hindi film Kismet. He then sang O Bondure which was a Bengali song.

Sunil was in search of Sinhala rhythm - a new identity deviating from Hindustani form of music. It was an attempt to evolve a Sri Lanka music identity.

Soon he found Radio Ceylon as the venue to popularise Sinhala music, with his Handapane, Olu Pipeela, Mal Pibideegana Enne, Bovitya Dan Palukan Vare.

There was harmony in the music and singing. His songs appealed to the Sinhala audience because of the meaningful rendering of the words and the style of singing.

The listeners were able to capture the lovely surroundings of the countryside and their childhood imaginations. This was not the classical style but simple words that evoked happy memories of their past.The influence of Rabindranath Tagore and his seat of learning Shanthiniketan enabled most of our artistes to derive inspiration. The exposure to the North Indian classical music helped them. Sunil Shantha began to experiment with Sinhala poetry to write his lyrics that appealed to the minds of the people.

Sunil Shantha's lyrics opened new vistas to young singers who followed him. His voice was trained to render the maningful compositions of Munidasa Cumaratunga, Raphael Tennekoon, Arisen Ahubudu.

The most noteworthy feature in his songs is the use of simple words written to bring out the poetic element when they are sung in harmony with the music. He was conversant in the use of Indian musical instruments like sitar, tabla, dilruba, sarod to highten the tempo of the songs. The melodies flowed making the listeners listen with rapt attention.

B.S.Perera's music to be preserved

An organisation to carry out music compositions of one of our pioneer Sinhala film music directors has been formed recently.

The music director is B.S.Perera and the purpose is to preserve his music compositions for the next millennium. The organisation formed by prominent men in the music, dance and film fields is known as ' The B.S.Perera Foundation', according to B.S.P.F sources

B.S. Perera was the first music composer and director since 1938 for the then His Master's Voice (HMV) discs label.He has directed music for several yesteryear Sinhala films which were popular among listeners.

His mother Mrs Grace Perera holds a record of being the first Sinhala woman to sing for a disc far back as 1908. His father B. George Perera, a cousin of Anagarika Dharmapala, was a promoter of dramas produced by John de Silva.

B.S.Perera was born in 1914 and was successful in all examinations conducted by the Royal School of Music London. At the age of 24 he directed music for HMV discs. He passed away at the age of 46. Music director Rohana Weerasinghe has been assigned to accentuate his melodies for 'Sounds of Music'.

The B.S.Perera Foundation was formed on the initiative taken by Karu Heenatigala.

The B.S.Perera' Foundation is planning to organise a musical show at the BMICH on December 30.

Rani Mukherjee - She is something special

By Ismail Khan

Sure she is flattered by the attention given to her. But also a little wary. After all fame and fortune have to be handled with care. They are volatile.

According to news seeping through Bollywood grapevine Rani Mukherjee has been pencilled in for 20 top line projects with practically every hero in the celluloid world of India.

In addition she has obtained leading advertisement campaigns to endorse products ranging from Lux soap to Pepsi drinks, Bata shoes and Dabur hair oil.

According to film-maker Ketan Desai she was his first choice for Yehi Hai Jalwa opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. But then he states further that he has come to know that she has her diary full till 2001. So that's kaput for me. I just can't fall back on her any more.

The star in question Rani Mukherjee has returned to Mumbai after a fortnight where in Hyderabad she was shooting for Pyar Deewana Hota Hai and Chalo Ishq Ladayen with Govinda.

When questioned she blurts back like a machine-gun. "It's not true that I am doing 22 films or more. I am on just 10 or less. So okay I have been shooting two shifts a day even in Hyderabad but that's because I like working that way. Two of my films with Chi Chi - Hadh Kardi Apne and Pyar Deevana Hota Hai - have been completed in just six months. I have also completed my work in Sohail Khan's Hello Brother which will be released soon. If Indra Kumar, Subhash Ghai or Adetya Chopra wish to sign me on I have dates in my diary from September 99 onwards. So whats all this stuff about me been over committed?".

Continuing in her vicious mood she blasts: "Look I have no detractions. Don't ever crucify me because I slog 14 hours a day. I have gone through a lean patch. I have seen the dark side of stardom too. Today every film I am doing has come to me without any plotting or planning. If I am doing a dozen films, it's because I want to. None has put a gun to my head yet".

She's now attempting to knock off the extra kilos she has put on lately. An hour at the gym is a must for her. She seems to have the killer instinct right now as she replaces top heroines in plan projects - Tabu is cast off Bichhoo opposite Bobby Deol and Rani is in. Also she has been finalised for Deepak Shivadasan's Ajay Devgan project instead of Aishwarya Rai.

But she maintains: "I am not even aware of all this. I am not out to give other heroines a run for their money. I am no superwoman nor Modesty Blaise I would rather believe that I am in a project for two reasons - because the director thinks I suit the role and because the producer thinks that I am worth the cash he pays me".

In a lighter vein she chuckles: "I do not know whether I am the national favourite. But I know my mother and my childhood chum Priyanka Sonie think I am the best actress on the scene in Bollywood now. And that is Rani Mukherjee for you - coming out of nowhere in recent times to grab the Bollywood plums and put other talented actresses on the sideline. Maybe she has got that something SPECIAL.

Curry Leaves changes its style

By Sanath Weerasuriya

'Curry Leaves', the popular Indian restaurant, owned by cricketer Aravinda de Silva, has now introduced buffet style cuisine for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday.

'Curry Leaves', till recently, was serving a-la-carte menu and the management had noticed it did not go down well with the busy executives during the lunch time.

"Because at lunch people do drop in for a quick meal and they do not have time for normal menu servings. We thought of introducing buffet, so then anyone can serve themselves a quick meal," said Manager Ranbir Singh.

Lunch buffet is priced at Rs. 295 /= nett and dinner at Rs. 385/= nett.

'The 50% discount will be on for children under 12 years and the normal take-away service from the a-la-carte is still available," he said.

The buffet consists of five non-vegetable dishes such as mutton, chicken, fish, with four vegetable dishes etc. on dinner time and four non-vegetable dishes with four vegetable dishes on lunch time.

'Curry Leaves' at Wellawatte, the posh Indian Restaurant is managed and run by a team of Indians led by Syed Basher, a popular figure in the catering business in India. He is from a family in the catering and restaurant business since 1910.

'Curry Leaves' has 130 cover capacity, with 77 at ground level and 53 at upper floor.

The manager, Ranbir Singh is also an experienced hotelier who runs this place with his eight Indian chefs.

Curry Leaves has four different types of sections.

Indian Express, set menu and a-la-carte and buffet are the four types of services available at this restaurant.

'Indian Express' has ready to eat food as you enter the restaurant. 'This is typical Indian fast food mainly served at lunch time.

Set menu food is also quicker and you can have your meal as you order. A-la-carte food will be served in only 20 minutes'.

'Curry Leaves' serves dishes from all parts of India beginning from Punjab to Tamil Nadu State.

Tandoor, South Indian Chettinad and authentic Panjabi and Kashmir dishes, Pathani and Rajasthan are some of the popular foods available at this restaurant.

The investment on this restaurant is shared by Aravinda de Silva and Dil Wijemanna, a planter who is also a newcomer to the restaurant business.

'Curry Leaves' holds its first Food Festival from September 25.

Gujarati Food festival offers authentic Gujaraji cuisine.

'The culinary expertise will be flown in from Gujarat state specially for this festival,' said Singh.

Awards from down South

Eight Musicians from 'Down South' will be honoured by the newly inaugurated 'Galle Musicians Association' on September 19 at Sacred Heart Convent, Galle Centenary Hall.

These eight musicians have in no small measure contributed to the development of music since the early sixties.

A grand musical variety show with six groups from Galle and other popular artistes will perform at this grand award night.

The eight musicians will receive their awards from the Chief Guest, Governor of Southern Province, Neville Kanakaratne.

The award winners are Dunstan Wickremaratne, Neville Wickremaratne, Nandasiri Ramanayake, Sirisena Master, Roy Ranasinghe, Patrick Gernando, late Sunil Handapandoga to be received by his wife Nirmalee and late Senake de Silva to be received by his wife Sriyani.

The office bearers of the Galle Musicians Association are Christo Gunaratne (President), Kalpa Sanjaya (Vice-President), Rushmo Ferdinands (Secretary) and Mark Rohan (Treasurer).

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