Pasikudah now a beach tourism haven

Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa, the first boutique hotel in the east coast, is set to be opened in Pasikudah next month, making it the first ever hotel to be in operation in the area.

The boutique hotel initiated under the post war ‘Nagenahira Navodaya’ campaign is in its final stages of completion and the ceremonial opening is scheduled for 20 May 2011.

Maalu Maalu Resorts & Spa, located in Pasikudah Resort, which is being built currently, will have 40 chalets overlooking the ocean in the east coast.

These elegant chalets have been designed in traditional Sri Lankan style, blending in with the environment in the most natural and picturesque way.

Inspired by Sri Lankan authentic traditions and eco-friendly architecture, Maalu Maalu reinterprets the ethnic style of a Sri Lankan fishing village – Wadiya.

Maalu Maalu Resorts & Spa is proud to be the first eco and family friendly boutique resort exclusively designed according to the green building guidelines on energy and environment.

Maalu Maalu will have two restaurants to wine and dine: Karadiya – an open-air restaurant/coffee shop with a view of the ocean and Dheewarayo – Habala restaurant and Ruwala pool bar resembling traditional Sri Lankan fishing boats.

Recreation options include traditional Ayurveda therapy, snorkelling, diving, wind-surfing, deep-sea fishing and other water sports. Guests will also be able to enjoy canoeing trips to the lagoons and mangroves for bird watching or a spectacular view of Pasikudah Bay from the infinity pool.

In addition, Maalu Maalu also has a state-of-the-art conference room to provide an ideal venue for small or medium conferences and functions.

The Government has plans to build approximately 1,000 hotel rooms in the east to cater to the increasing demand of tourists visiting the area. A 13-hotel project is already in the pipeline, which will immediately establish Pasikudah as a top tourist beach destination.

Chairman of Connaissance de Ceylan Chandra Wickramasinghe said: “We are happy to contribute towards the Government’s ‘Nagenahira Navodaya’ initiative, which is aimed at bridging the gap between the east of Sri Lanka and the rest of the island. Maalu Maalu strategically fits into the Government’s ongoing development plan of the east.”

“The Government is fully committed to rebuilding the east following the end of three decades of conflict and we believe that Maalu Maalu will be able to assist in positioning the area as a prime global tourist destination,” he added.

Guests to the hotel could also discover the culture of the Eastern Province by visiting Kalkudah village or traditional Hindu temples and village markets. They could also go on half-day tours to discover the ancient Polonnaruwa civilisation.

The Connaissance Group, which owns Maalu Maalu, was determined to use resources from the area when building the boutique hotel. In fact, the contractors were hired from the area in order to use the skills of the residents. In addition, this project will provide employment opportunities directly and indirectly.

Marketing Manager Sanjaya Bandara said: “Already more than 150 people have been involved in the project and the hotel will be able to provide jobs to the youth in the area within the permanent cadre.”

In addition, Directors of Connaissance will be operating an NGO reconstruire et vivre to provide educational and English language skills and will also open a computer centre in Kalkudah.

As a committed socially responsible company, Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa will also contribute US$ 1 from the occupied per day cost to develop, educate and cultivate skills among the youth in the area.