Pomp, pageantry and a nip of gin revives the legendary Cannonball Run at Galle Face Hotel

Galle Face Hotel hosted the eagerly-awaited Cannonball Run on 18 March in high spirits with the Cannonball taking centre-stage at the high-profile event, which was attended by many of the glitterati and the literati of Colombo society, corporate world and diplomatic community. The Galle Face Hotel and the war time beverage Colombo Gin have strong synergies, both tracing their origins to the British colonial era. This event was characterised by pomp and pageantry which showcased a procession of runners, cannonball bearers and flag bearers.

The Cannonball Run is an annual event that celebrates friendly rivalry, this year between Germany and France. French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jean-Marin Schuh and German Ambassador Juergen Morhard were the two adversaries for the evening. The event ended with the German Ambassador being the winner of the 2016 Run and participants, relaxing with the ever famous War time beverage amidst warm camaraderie. 

The Cannonball Run is an annual tradition celebrated on the Galle Face Green, to commemorate the extraordinary incident of a cannonball misfired by a member of the British Artillery in 1845. The 30-pound cannon had misfired during a practice session around the southern ramparts of the Colombo Fort, crashing through the roof of Galle Face Hotel, leaving a heavy dent on the drawing room floor where it came to rest under a chair. The cannon ball is at present preserved in the museum located in the South Wing of the hotel. An annual run has been held since, which begins at the cannon on the Fort end of the Green and ends at the cannonball placed on a pedestal in the hotel. 

The runners are generally members of the diplomatic community, who, over the years have included the likes of the American Ambassador Robert O’ Blake and the British High Commissioner Peter Hayes (2008), Maldivian Ambassador Ali Hussein Didi and Russian Ambassador Vladimir P Mikhaylov (2010), French Ambassador Christine Robichon and Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Haraldstad (2011), Canadian High Commissioner Bruce Levy and British High Commissioner John Rankin (2012) to name a few. 

The Galle Face Hotel symbolises the grace of a time gone past and the Cannonball Run serves as a wonderful throwback event to celebrate the hotel’s rich history and heritage. 

About the Galle Face Hotel

South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. Celebrated within the hospitality world, it blends historical splendour with crafted modernity to form a new model for heritage properties. International guests are immersed in the Galle Face Hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, while Colombo society perceive the hotel as the most prestigious, desirable destination in the city for memorable dining and special events. Whether at the hotel for dinner or for a month-long stay, an experience of the Galle Face Hotel is one of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality.

Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia and was acclaimed as one of the best heritage Hotels in Sri Lanka in 2012. Further it is the first Hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp. 

About the Galle Face Hotel Group

The Galle Face Hotel Group manages the hotel and leisure interest of Galle Face Hotel, Kandy Hotels PLC & Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC.

Under this banner are 3 distinct portfolios of businesses.

The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection

Galle Face Hotel in Colombo and Hotel Suisse & Queens Hotel in Kandy.

Each hotel is a connected to Sri Lanka’s history, imbibed with the splendour of yesteryear while continuing to serve visitors, foreign and domestic is gracious surrounds.

The Resorts Collection

4 hotels routed in some of Sri Lanka’s most special areas offer a modern facility with outstanding vista & access to experience this great country.

The Lake Hotel Polonnaruwa, The Surf Hotel Bentota, The Safari Hotel Tissamaharama and The Lake House Polonnaruwa.

Each of these recently refurbished hotels offers traditional Sri Lankan hospitality to visitors. 

– Pix by Shehan Gunasekara

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