Colombo gears up for Night Races

By Cheranka Mendis

Colombo city hotels are racing ahead enjoying higher occupancy and more night events with the much anticipated Colombo Night Races scheduled to be held on 16 and 17 December.

Meeting the press yesterday, Colombo Tourist Hotel Association President M. Shanthikumar stated that the city will “vibrate with events and colour” with the impending event which will bring close to a 90% occupancy in the city hotels. Almost 500 hotels rooms have been pre booked for the two dates, he said.

Placed in an ideal location amidst four hotels, Galadari, Hilton Colombo, Taj Samudra and Continental, the races have added to the buzz of the festive season.

Ceylon Continental General Manager Kamal Munasinghe stated that the hotel has been able to increase the room rate during the period while enjoying 90% occupancy. Tickets for the event sold by the hotel is in demand with 300 already gone and only 100 seats remaining.

“There was a need for such events in Colombo and we have been waiting for it. This is a huge boost to the country and is an ideal event to attract racing fans from the likes of India and Maldives,” Munasinghe said.

Galadari General Manager Sampath Siriwardana also expressed his delight and excitement over the events, stating that the hotel will take maximum use of its location at which the starting and ending point happens right in front.

The hotel will be hosting a number of events in line with Colombo Night Races he said. Café 64 will host a party featuring Gypsies while the area close to the pool deck will host a disco party for 300 guests. “58 rooms have been booked for the races only by the racing fans. We expect the number to go up to a 100 by the day of trials and the race day proper,” Siriwardana said.

He added that the news is that the event will be an Asian event going forward which would attract more tourists to the country.

“We are very excited about the event. This will definitely put us on the map as a happening city. Since it has been an objective to promote cities and locations to people overseas, the Colombo Night Races will be an ideal starting point,” Taj Samudra General Manager Rohit Kosala said.

“Continuation of such events would mark Sri Lanka as a destination that is known for hosting happening events.” Hilton General Manager Rudolf Trostler added, “We are also very proud to be part of the event. The hotel will host varied events to go along with the races. We think this is a great opportunity for the future to become a destination for festivals and events.”