S p a O y a – The luxury Day Spa

October 8th, 2016: SPA OYA and its facilities was jointly opened by Miss Srilanka 2011 Stephanie Siriwardhana , Miss Khadeeja Ahmed, Mr Dasantha Fonseka, Chairman Vision Care and VC capital.

A short and sweet ceremony included the special guests and the board directors arriving at the jetty while a flute and sitar artist was playing a beautiful Hindi tune.
This was followed by lighting of the oil lamp.
SPA OYA, a lakefront wellness spa located in Koggola will open on 8th October 2016. The Spa is an 8-minute boat ride from the South Lake Resort, through the picturesque Koggola Lake.

Immersed in the spectacular natural beauty of Sri Lanka, SPA OYA is dedicated to wellness. SPA OYA’s classical Sri Lankan design is carefully used to create an atmosphere of tranquility and inspire inner peace and harmony.
SPA OYA’s holistic approach to well-being includes early morning and late afternoon yoga retreat programs conducted by highly specialized yoga instructors. The Spa will offer special day packages and is open for guests from nearby villas. The Spa’s in-house therapists will help visitors find the most ideal and authentic spa treatment and offers a wide range of packages including specialized treatment options for adolescents as well as special family packages.

The SPA OYA has 3 outdoor bungalows and 2 indoor treatment rooms. The arrival pavilion offers manicure and pedicure services. The spa’s garden facilities, including the infinity swimming pool overlooking the lake, open air jacuzzi, steam room, flower bath areas, lovers’ sunbeds and the meditation platform, are complimentary with most packages, making the SPA OYA a unique spa experience.
Let us give you a day to remember, come and live an experience of a lifetime.
Questions :
If you have any further questions on our facilities or services, please contact us at:

Phone: 0720440455
Email: thoyyib7@gmail.com
Pics: pls download from this directory
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByUxHjybmi0WSGJIMDNUN29HMTQ

Gone with the Wind

Let’s face it. Colombo is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after cities in Asia and a modern metropolis that quite literally houses every whim and fancy of the modern generation. Every possible type of cuisine has found its way to the streets of the city, while fashion brands for anyone and everyone are competing for a place in our closets. Yet what does one do when you need a quick but different kind of getaway from it all?

Less than an hour’s drive from Colombo overlooking the tranquil waters of the Bolgoda Lake lies the answer. The Marina opened up earlier this year as an exclusively members-only water sports club but since then due to popular demand has opened doors to non-members via a day pass.

The day pass comes in a variety of packages which includes access to The Marina’s facilities, recreational activities, and a three-course meal. The club is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka and strikes a balance between the adrenaline junkies and those who want a more relaxed afternoon. The reason we specify on afternoon is that this is by far the best time to visit.

For those who enjoy the water and are looking for some adventure, The Marina offers a multitude of water sports and activities like boating, jet-skiing, fishing, parasailing, jet-ski rides, jet boat rides, tube rides and wakeboarding all of which last about 15 minutes each. The fun doesn’t end once the rides do as the facility also has a pristine swimming pool and cosy Jacuzzi for the entire family to relax and enjoy. Equipped with an underwater music system, the pool provides hours of enjoyment for everybody.

Any member of the family or group of friends that doesn’t particularly enjoy the water will also not feel left out at The Marina. Lake-front cabanas are ideal for reading or relaxing to the sound of your favourite tunes, or even just basking in the sun with that special someone. An air-conditioned reading room and TV lounge is also in-house for those who prefer to stay indoors.

One of the best-selling factors about this place is the food. Whether you choose to dine at the indoor dining area, the private dining room or by the pool, the food keeps in line with the great ambiance of the venue. The presentation of the dishes is what catches one’s eyes and for the most part your soul is satisfied even before the first bite touches your taste buds. Being a water-sports facility there is naturally tons of seafood and whether it is a simple snack or a complete meal, The Marina scores top points with their food.

The facility is however, not just a place for family fun and relaxation and can even be used for a corporate brainstorming session. The marina offers a conference room complete with multimedia and state-of-the-art AV system for business meetings with a twist.

Like we said earlier, late afternoons are the best times to head over to The Marina as all of the activities can be enjoyed with the view of the sun going down. Even if it might be just a few hours of fun and relaxation, this is a good way to rejuvenate over a weekend before heading back to the stress of the week ahead. What better way than with the wind in your hair and the sand at your feet…

 

Box Information
Address: Pangnananda 1st Lane, Panadura
Phone: 0777 668424
Website: www.themarina.lk

 

ANANTARA LAUNCHES SECOND LUXURY RESORT IN SRI LANKA

Colombo, 24 October 2016: Hemas Holdings in partnership with Minor Hotels is pleased to announce the launch of the second Anantara resort in Sri Lanka. Anantara Kalutara Resort, offering 141 guest rooms, suites and pool villas, is located on the Kalutara peninsula between the Indian Ocean and Kalu Ganga providing coastal, river and lagoon frontage.

The property was originally designed by the late Geoffrey Bawa and is surrounded by tropical gardens, coconut palms and the shoreline. All 127 guest rooms come with a wine humidor as standard with interconnecting, accessible and poolside guest rooms available. The 05 Suites are set apart by an elegant lounge with the One Bedroom Presidential Suite boasting a private plunge pool and sundeck. Suites and villa guests can listen to music on the Bose Bluetooth speaker, and special requests are taken care of by the Villa Host. The One and Two Bedroom Villas feature an enclosed garden terrace offering seclusion whilst swimming in the private pool, sunbathing on the deck and dining al fresco. For holidays with family and friends, some of the One Bedroom Garden Pool Villas feature interconnecting gardens.

The resort has a choice of three restaurants. Spice Traders invites travellers to choose between Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisines. All day dining restaurant Olu offers international classics and spicy Sri Lanka specialties, whilst refined Italian tastes can be found at Acquolina. Open at dusk, The Upper Deck is the perfect place to enjoy a sundowner and light bites, while Dining by Design offers a collection of connoisseur menus with a personal chef and butler, in intimate settings for tailored private dinners.

The resort’s Anantara Spa, which is one of the largest spa facilities in Sri Lanka, offers 10 treatment rooms with holistic Ayurvedic therapies, Asian and western spa treatments. The double-story space features a yoga and meditation pavilions and is surrounded by a lotus pond.

A range of leisure facilities is available for guests to enjoy, whether for romance or quality family time. The Watersports Centre offers a range of activities including jet skiing, water skiing and banana rides. Guests can work out in the gym whilst taking in the river view, or raise their game with a personal trainer. There are two swimming pools – the lagoon-side pool with its Jacuzzi jets and children’s section ideal for families and the ocean view pool offering a tranquil escape.

Family-friendly services begin on arrival with children receiving special treats. Adventurer Club engages youngsters in cultural activities, outdoor games and action-packed excursions. Relaxation is a pampering delight with special family spa experiences. Children can enjoy a range of fun treats, such as a chocolate oil massage and hair braiding. Teen girls can refresh their look with facials, manicures and pedicures, and teen boys are expertly groomed. Dedicated packages for ‘Mum & Me’ and ‘Dad & Me’ allow parents to share unique spa time with their children. Upon departure, a keepsake gift is given to the children.

The resort offers three meeting rooms and a 500-seat conference centre, slated to open in March 2017. A limousine service is available for trips between the resort and Kalutara South Station and Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport.

The brand’s first property on the island, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, has been setting the benchmark for luxury resorts in Sri Lanka in less than one year of operation and has just been named as one of the “50 Best Resorts in the World” by Conde Nast Traveler USA.

The brands first property in Sri Lanka – the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort has set the benchmark for luxury resorts in less than one year of operation with worldwide recognition for its unique coastal setting and impeccable service. The pinnacle achievement has been the recognition bestowed on the property by Conde Nast Traveler USA with Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort being names as one of the “50 Best Resorts in the World”. Anantara currently boasts 35 properties in 11 countries and the next month will see the brand debut in Oman with the opening of two luxury resorts.

 

Let The Music Play…

If there ever was a combination that is just perfect its good food and good music. Essentially this is what Sooriya Village is all about; a tribute to both.

As the now popular story goes it all started in 1968 when Gerald Wickremesooriya founded the Sooriya Record Label, considered to be the country’s most innovative and revolutionary record label at the time. His grandson Sanchita in an effort to take his grandfather’s vision of creating a space and platform for Sri Lankan music a step further founded Sooriya Village.

Essentially the converted “walauwa” type house is an arts village with its own restaurant, two fully equipped performance arts rehearsal suites, a practice space for visual arts performers and a state-of-the-art recording studio. Everything within the premises has a connection with the arts, starting from the psychedelic piano and the more-than-life-like devil dancers that welcome all guests. One can choose to dine indoors in a cosy dining area or sit outdoors along a corridor adorned with blown up prints of how the newspapers reported the birth of Sooriya in the 60s.

One of the quirkiest and cutest things is the colourful table mats and coasters which are made up of rolled up newspaper strips. That is until the waiters clad in khaki shorts and Sooriya t-shirts come over with the drinks menu printed out on replicas of vinyl records. The names of the drinks are another story in itself and the “Bibiti Bobiti Lime” comes highly recommended. We personally prefer the “Pink Lady” though which is a combination of just the right amount of rose syrup and barley.

Being that the consultant behind the menu is the dynamic Kollu himself our expectations are quite high in terms of the food. Sooriya has an intercontinental menu but has also given each dish a Sri Lankan twist. Between the three of us we decide to try out two varieties of salad and one soup. The “Asian-style Poached Chicken Salad” is a hefty serving of rocket leaves, generous strips of poached chicken seasoned to perfection and lots of pink pomegranate and actual walnuts. By the time you are done with this one, you actually may not have room for mains. The other salad we picked was the “Oriental Shrimp Salad” which honestly wasn’t as great as the chicken. We were a little put off by the fact that the shrimp had been sliced in half and the salad bowl contained only about 4 halves. The “Oriental Prawn Soup” though is a sure winner. With a base of coconut cream the soup is thick and full of flavour and aroma.

When it comes to the mains we opted for three completely different dishes. The “Baked Crab” served with Green Salad and Garlic Bread was the first to arrive. The crab itself was well-cooked and creamy. It was also quite a large portion. We also tried the “Portuguese-style Seafood Rice” which is more like yellow rice cooked in a thick tomato sauce mixed with generous chunks of fish, cuttle-fish and whole prawn (Yay!). The best part about it though is the crunchy bacon topping, and we all know that you can’t go wrong with bacon. Which brings us to the third main we ordered – “Belly Pork in Hot Butter Sauce” served with steamed rice. The pork was perfectly done with the sauce not being too spicy and just right. The steamed rice was a bit dry but that didn’t stop us from ordering a second portion of the same.

You would think that after all that food, we wouldn’t find room for dessert but who wants to miss out on Chocolate Mousse Cake, Cinnamon Honey Crème Brulee and Passion Fruit Pavlova. For those who prefer something less sweet the crème brulee is ideal but the pavlova is a must-try with its perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The bottom-line is that even if you don’t have a single musical bone in your body, you still need to visit Sooriya just for the food.

If not you can also use it to record your next Grammy-winning track, practice with the band, hold auditions for a talent show, stage a play under a tree or even convert the garden to an outdoor wedding setting. The possibilities are endless and Sooriya is just so welcoming. Sanchi and his crew also have plans to extend accommodation facilities for aspiring artists from around the world and closer to home.

With tummies filled to the brim with good food and hardly a dent in the wallet, Sooriya Village is one of our go-to places for good food and a good time.

So here’s our rating…

Location          ****    (Parking is a bit of an issue, and the temple in front means the music can’t be too loud which kind of kills the whole concept of the place)
Ambiance        ***** (The décor and ambiance is so artsy. Lovely place to chill and hang out)
Service            ****    (A few of the staff members seem a bit lost but one uncle was just awesome! We love their shorts and t-shirts)
Food                ***** (Soul Food!)
Overall            **** 1/2

 

Ratings

*****              We Love It!
****                Got It Right!
***                  Getting There!
**                    Not So Great!
*                      Needs Serious Re-Thinking!

 

By #FoodiesSL

 

Contact Information

Address: 49, Skelton Road, Colombo 5.
Telephone: 0112 552666
Website: www.sooriyavillage.lk

 

‘VU’- Colombo’s first rooftop resto-bar opens at Best Western Elyon Hotel

With ‘VU’, Best Western Elyon brings Sri Lanka’s first resto-bar themed rooftop lounge to Colombo. Expertly mixed drinks, a delicious all new menu, great music and an elegant hideout in the city all come together to make VU the hottest new ticket in town, and it’s open throughout the week from 3pm to midnight.

Best Western Elyon Colombo is part of Best Western Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hospitality chains with over 4100 hotels in 100 countries. Located on Baseline Road in Kirulapone, Elyon is a stone’s throw from the city centre and just far enough from its madness to offer a place to unwind and relax. Its rooftop offers a spectacular view of the city; on one side the rapidly changing landscape and twinkling lights of Colombo and on the other, a quiet suburban neighbourhood.

Derived from déjà vu, VU resto-bar, aims to give its patrons that sense of comfortable familiarity. Inspired by the Japanese word ‘Ukiyo’ which means ‘floating world’ VU lets you disconnect from mundane life. Float above the chaos of the city as you sip your exotic drink indoors or out; catching the cool breeze as it drifts through the open design of this casual lounge.

At the bar, the drinks menu features a curated blend of classics including 16 varieties of arrack based cocktails, a select wine list, special blends, beer cocktails as well as grogs and punches. Some of the exciting beverage concoctions include a chilli cocktail, chocolate margarita, Jello drops, power juices and all natural non-alcoholic boosters.

Beside the beverages, a show kitchen will create dishes to order off the eclectic menu. The menu includes everything from starters, such as nachos and salads, to chicken yakitori, special burgers, fish kebabs and an extensive selection of meat dishes as well as arguably Colombo’s biggest spare ribs. Chase that up with a smoky sizzling brownie, mixed berry apple pie or even a Kahlua infused coffee pudding. Diners can play around with the menu selections to customize their orders. True to its resto-bar heritage; VU offers a pairing of each food item with a suggested wine or cocktail to complete the dining experience

For entertainment, VU offers one of the best playlists in town and live music four nights a week. Be it reggae on Sunday, soul on Friday or slow rock on Thursday, these performers – Thanuja, Adam and the Eves, and Keith Gibson will provide an excellent soundtrack to your conversation.

VU is the perfect meeting spot for those who don’t want to wander too far from the city and those who don’t want to get too close, especially on a busy weekday, says Roshan Adhihetty General Manager of Best Western Elyon Colombo. “We have created the perfect set up with soulful music, delectable food and an expansive menu of beverages to help our guests wind down after a busy day; just the perfect for the kind of ambience to watch the world around”

VU is open throughout the week from 3pm to midnight, on the rooftop of Best Western Elyon at 102A, Kirulapone Avenue, Baseline Road, Colombo 5.

The Dishes served at the VU Resto-Bar Launch.

To Start

  • Caesar Salad with Chicken / Tofu
  • Tuna Pasta Salad
  • Arabic Fattoush
  • Beef Salad
  • Griddled Vegetable Salad

To Warm Up

  • Garlic Bread /Cheese bread
  • Fish Fingers
  • Chicken Yakitori
  • Hot Buttered Calamari / Cauliflower
  • Big Western Club Sandwich
  • Cheese Toast
  • French Baguette Pizza – Margarita
  • Cajun Avocado melt
  • Jumbo Dogs
  • Kati Kebab
  • Asian Fish & Pineapple Kebab

To Hang On

  • Jumbo Prawns
  • BBQ Chicken
  • Chicken Bockwurst
  • Jumbo Rib Lovers
  • Big Steak Corden Bleu
  • Vegetable Ravioli

To Finish

  • Mixed Berry Apple Pie
  • VU Velvet
  • Smoky Sizzling Brownie

 

 

The Rifle Shooting Beauty Queen

In 1955 Maureen Hingert was crowned 1st Runner-Up at the Miss Universe Pageant. Sixty-one years later a vibrant 24-year old teacher created history by becoming the 1st Runner-Up at the recently concluded Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka 2016. Her name is Tracy Ann De Zilva.

Like every other little girl Tracy had a dream of being a princess and wearing a beautiful crown. “My sister and I would spend countless hours dressing up and doing our hair and make-up and pretending that we were princesses from distant lands”, reminisces Tracy of her childhood. A student of Stafford International School, Tracy was always incredibly friendly and loves meeting new people, especially children. Small wonder then that she would pursue her studies in pre-school and sub-primary education before taking up a post as a teacher at the British School.

Tracy’s first step in to the glamorous world of modeling was for a cover-shoot of a wedding magazine, after which Ramani Fernando encouraged her to take part in the national pageant for Miss Intercontinental 2016 which is organized the Rotary Club. Tracy was selected as our sunny island’s representative of beauty with a cause from among 15 participants. “My experience of taking part in the national pageant was unforgettable. The responsibility of taking Sri Lanka to a global platform was also great, made even greater by the fact that the pageant was being held in my home country. But there was so much support and encouragement from my family and friends, and I was determined to make everyone proud”, says Tracy.

During the national and international pageant Tracy was trained by the likes of Dinesh Chandrasena among a host of other fashion industry stalwarts which she says gave her an edge of global participants from 60 nations. “The international pageant was a completely different experience to the national pageant. We had to wake up very early in the morning and there was so much to prepare for. Each day was a new experience and new challenge, and the most important part was wearing my best smile at all times. It was also a lot of fun to meet girls with so many different stories from around the world. Although we spent only a few weeks together, we have made lifelong friendships which are of the fondest things about the whole experience”.

“If not for my amazing support system, I would never have gotten this far. My parents and boyfriend Jeehan were constantly running up and down transporting me and my outfits. Jeehan has been just amazing and so understanding and my friends have also been there to encourage and cheer me on. I’m also extremely thankful to everyone at British School for being so warm and encouraging before and after the pageant.”

Being one of the humblest souls one would come across Tracy still feel that “the moment” was like a dream come true. She says at first she couldn’t believe her ears and was in a state of shock until they walked up to her with the sash and crown. One of the best part post-pageant has been the warmth that Tracy has been embraced with from across Sri Lanka. “It is absolutely adorable how my 6-12 year old students who meet me anywhere come up to me and say they saw me on the news or on TV or on their parent’s phones.”

With the title comes many great responsibilities for Tracy. Not only is she now an ambassador for the country but is also required to give of her time and efforts to various charity programs. Balancing her career, education (she is currently following a degree in Business Management), love for rifle-shooting and being a role-model for young women and girls from around the globe, Tracy finds little time for herself. Yet she has an interesting set of future plans for herself which range from participating in one more international pageant, eventually taking over her family business and building a school for underprivileged children in a rural area in Sri Lanka.

One of Tracy’s most striking features is her smile that lights up her entire face and seems to come from deep within her heart. With it she indeed captured the hearts of fellow contestants who voted her Miss Personality at the national pageant. At the international pageant judges were blown away by her intelligence and simplicity, and now a nation looks up to her. Yet she remains rooted and true to herself. She laughs genuinely even at the smallest joke and her laughter resonates with a love for life.

Here’s just a little bit of the vibrant personality that is Tracy Ann Zilva…

Box Information

Full Name: Tracy Ann De Zilva

DOB: 5th December 1992

School: Stafford International School

Profession: Teacher at British School in Colombo

Family: Parents and Sister

Pets: Dog – Sparky

Hobbies: Solo Singing, Free-Style Dancing, Eating and Rifle Shooting

Song That Describes Tracy: “Cool Girl” by Tove Lo

Role Models: Her Parents

Life Quote: “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”

Favourites

  • Movie: The Great Gatsby
  • Food: Chinese
  • Person: Her Boyfriend Jeehan

5 Most Important People in Your Life
Mum
Dad
Sister
Boyfriend
Grandma

4 Favourite Places to Travel To
Paris
Greece
Bahamas
Venice

3 Fears
Snakes
Thanatophobia (Fear of Death)
Fear of Losing a Loved One

2 Things You Can’t Live Without
Family
My Phone

1 Regret in Life
If I could go back to change the answer to the final question asked at the pageant.

 

By Nishu Hassim
Photo Credits: Suren Nimalan
Location: Bread Talk, Park Street, Colombo 2.

Club Soirté: Beauty That’s Just A Click Away

By Michelle Alles

Keeping in mind the busy lifestyles of today, Teruni De Silva, the Managing Director of Soirté Links (Pvt) Ltd, brings you Club Soirté, an online platform for salon and spa appointment bookings. I’ve no doubt that all the busy folks out there looking for an enjoyable and convenient salon, spa, wellness center experience are going to love what Teruni has in store for you! Club Soirté is similar to a travel agency and notes your beauty requirements in order to match that specification through their state-of-the-art reservation engine. They have partnered with many reputed establishments and offer many valued added services as well. We visited Teruni to find out more…

Teruni, tell us more about yourself.

I studied at Ladies College and went on to do my Bachelor’s degree at American National College and majored in International Business and Management. After that, I travelled to Sydney to further my education with my Masters in Commerce. Marketing was always my passion and I wanted to take on something more challenging with my knowledge. While employed at Aviraté, I got the idea of being a service provider in the salon/spa industry because I knew that much more could be done with a streamlined approach. With so many salons, spas, wellness/medical aesthetic centres out there, all we needed was a medium of bringing them to the clients and making it a beneficial experience for everybody by gathering them all under one roof to bring a range for clients to choose from and giving the establishments a competitive chance and exposure that’s healthy.

What exactly is Club Soirté?

Club Soirté is basically an agency that brings the client to their preferred beauty experience. We’re an online reservation platform that’s a one stop beauty agency which allows a client to find the best stylists/therapists to meet their requirements. Furthermore, we also display the profiles of the stylist/therapist and the treatments they perform, giving one plenty of options to choose from. I want Club Soirté to be beauty that’s just a click away. Everyone is quite intrigued by my idea, as it’s a unique and novel concept that constantly meets the needs of the clients and salon/spa operators. There are two types of clients. The first is the type who knows what treatment they want, but are not aware of the places. The second kind of client knows where to go, the stylist’s and price range. We cater to both types. The website is very simple. As soon as you visit, you see the quick search bar and you can type in either stylist name, establishment name, budget, location, and the information is ready and filtered for you. We have covered everything in terms of client requirements and they can also search via treatment type. For example, if you type ‘waxing’, all the establishments that offer waxing will appear with all the necessary information, making it very easy to search, compare and contrast according to your requirements. There are many options and one is open to a lot more choices; unless you look at what’s on offer at other salons/spas, you wouldn’t know what they have or how good it’s going to be. On Club Soirté, you have all the selections and there are also client ratings and comments so that you can see who is really good according to the Club Soirté database. We also have our value added services such as ‘Hot Seats’ which are appointment deals on offer, and the partnership with our transport provider, Kangaroo Cabs, ensures our clients have a complete booking experience with Club Soirté acting in the capacity of a beauty agent.

How did you come up with the name?

Well, ‘Soir’ is derived from the French word ‘soirée’ meaning a gathering of people (as I partner all these establishments and bring them together) ‘Te’ is my nickname. So it’s a combination of the two.

What do you think makes a woman beautiful?

True beauty is really what’s on the inside; it has nothing to do with your exterior. If you have good intentions and a good heart, it reflects on the outside. Being beautiful externally however, could take some work!

Do you have any role models/influencers?

As a teenager growing up to be a young adult, I was very lucky to always be surrounded by relatives and friends who were very successful people. I can’t individually point them all out, but I have friends from various circles and I’m inspired by them all; they focus on their individuality and creativity and are successful entrepreneurs.

What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?

If you come up with something novel, people will not always take you seriously until you actually make a success of it. Keep going ahead and keep persevering. Be consistent and things will pick up.

What are your future plans for Club Soirté?

Club Soirté is new, novel and is slowly but surely becoming part of our client’s lives. As a fourth category to the site, I plan to include freelancers as well and make it a more mainstream site. I also feel that the market will perform better because of healthy competition as there is motivation to be more attractive. This concept will not only enhance the establishment but will also promote the individuality of the stylist.

 

 

 

Why Ravi Fernando Wants You To Go Green…

The long drive to Ravi Fernando’s home, which was cocooned in the suburbs of Colombo, was an entertaining one. Complete with numerous turns, sporadic bursts of traffic, dead ends, gravel traps, and confused murmurs emanating from the Uber driver, Google Maps itself seemed to lose interest as to where exactly I was.

But the challenging journey in rush-hour traffic served to be an excellent analogy of Ravi’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of academia and the zenith of corporate success. The trip to the top was not a typical clichéd walk in the park. It was certainly potholed with challenges and inconveniences.

As I settled in comfortably into a chair, I took in the verdant surroundings, the cerulean sky, the crystal clear waters of the swimming pool, and the architectural marvel that was Ravi’s home, and wondered if it prepared me for the monologue to come.

It didn’t.

Sadly, the pages of this magazine won’t be enough to divulge the accomplishments of this man. Instead I hope to expand and drive home an important message that resides in Ravi’s consciousness, and hope to extend that burden to you, the reader.

In an earlier paragraph, I mentioned the word — monologue. This is because once Ravi gets started, he won’t stop; it’s this quintessential persistence that has helped him garner a list of eye-watering accomplishments, which includes: a Doctorate in Business Administration from the European Business School in Switzerland, A Master of Studies in Sustainable Leadership in 2014 & a Post Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business in 2008/9 from Cambridge University; a MBA from the University of Colombo; and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK).

But I digress. Ravi’s accomplishments were never in question. As he sat brooding darkly for a minute, which looked somewhat ominous, like the black BMW in his garage, I wondered what he really was defined by. The short answer is Corporate action for climate change & Strategic Corporate Sustainability.

To put it simply — dark times are ahead. While the average individual has surely heard of global warming, deforestation, and the ozone layer dissipating, it has never been a real concern since these issues never have been the main focal point in mass media, and we are too busy with life in general.

But this is serious stuff; as per a Washington Post article from last year — “Twenty-one of the world’s 37 largest aquifers — in locations from India and China to the United States and France — have passed their sustainability tipping points, meaning more water was removed than replaced during the decade-long study period…”

What this means is that we are running out of water at an alarming rate. As fantastical and alarmist as this sounds, the fact of the matter is that the lives of the next few generations are at stake by 2025 unless we take steps to reverse the harm we are doing to planet Earth.

While the glut of world leaders have been dozing off when it comes to the issues of climate change, it is China that has taken itself to task by closing down 1,000 coal power plants, launching ‘no roof left behind’ a program to put solar power on every roof and the Green wall program to reforest China. There is a shift happening albeit quite slowly, and it is a change that needs to happen with a sense of alacrity.

Ravi noted that Sri Lanka needs to change its mindset to ensure that the current and orthodox type of businesses can flourish while paying precedence to sustainability. This is a task he unequivocally leaves in the hands of the millennial generation. After all, it is their future we are talking about here; their future and the future of the planet.

This is where Ravi’s philosophical expertise comes into play; the present millennial generation, which places more importance on all things green, can and should spearhead a movement that treasures the protection of the environment. While the capitalist structure throughout the last few decades championed the cause of profit at any cost, we are coerced into crafting sustainable businesses that are eco-friendly thanks to the sins of the past.

Ravi who at present is (the Operations Director of the Malaysia Blue Ocean Strategy Institute and is also) an Executive in Residence of the INSEAD Business School (Social Innovation Centre) in France is part of the environmental cognoscenti that is adroit and persuasive in changing the current mindset of global business leaders in its flagship AMP, International Directors programs in France, Singapore, Vietnam and China to embrace a sustainable future.

It is with the environment in mind that he had penned a virtuous and indeed pragmatic book aptly titled — Strategic Corporate Sustainability. It highlights 7 non-negotiable imperatives to ensure a sustainable business. The book per se offers his wealth of experience in the Blue Ocean Strategy concept; it also offers insight to readers on how business leaders and senior professionals can identify opportunities, and create new market spaces with the Blue Ocean Strategy formula while paying heed to the environment and sustainability.

It undoubtedly is an excellent book armed with practical examples and axioms that surely is a must-read for the business leaders and entrepreneurs of today. It was certainly an honor when he gifted a copy to me. But what was probably more endearing and heartfelt was his sincere appeal that was written in a strong and cursive hand —

To dear Rohitha,

Champion the cause of sustainable-minded leaders!

Ravi

In Pursuit Of Perfection

By Michelle Alles

Ramani Ponnambalam is a unique lady and has proved this fact many times over by rising to the apex of her business career. She has served on the Board of McLarens Holdings Ltd and GAC Shipping Ltd. She is currently a Director of McBolon Polymer (Pvt) Ltd, Pidilite Lanka (Private) Limited and the Managing Director of Mcbertan (Pvt) Ltd. She is actively involved in Product Development, and Finance Planning.

She was appointed to the Board of Directors and also Audit Committees of Kingsbury PLC and Amaya Leisure PLC (Hayleys Group) and currently serves as a Director of Alliance Finance Co. PLC. She and her husband, Bri Ponnambalam are avid fans of Classic cars and she is also the President of the Classic Car Club of Ceylon and the only lady in Sri Lanka to achieve this rare honour. A former student of Bishops College, she holds a Diploma in Directorship – Singapore Management University. This eminently successful career-woman still makes the time to reach out to the less fortunate. Esteem Magazine stopped by to chat with this intriguing and illustrious personage.

 Tell us more about yourself and your career.  

At school, I was the Senior College Prefect, House Captain, the English Literary Society President and the Table Tennis Captain. After leaving school, I wanted to do journalism and wrote for the Daily Observer, as it was called at the time. I was also the winner of the Kanthi Wijemanne Memorial Prize for English Writing Skills. However, this didn’t last very long as I got involved in pursuing various business with my husband, and my writing career took a backseat. Since then, I’ve been actively involved at the executive level of my present company and it is tri-party partnership between my husband, and myself, along with McLarens Holdings and Alliance Finance Co. PLC. We started this manufacturing company 20 years ago. Macbertan is the Manufacturer of McFoil Roof Insulation, McFoam Packaging Material, PBL / ABL Tubes and Air Bubble packaging Sheets. Macbertan has an island wide dealer network of around 5,600 dealers to distribute our products. The factory is in Ja-ela and we have around 300 employees. We have grown into other Manufacturing Operations as well which are mainly into building products.

Macbertan is also the local partner of a Jt Venture with Pidilite Singapore & Pidilite Dubai for Manufacturing of “Fevicol” adhesives in Sri Lanka.

We have a loyal team and are very keen on quality as well as service. Macbertan was the first Plastic processing Company in Sri Lanka to be certified by Sri Lanka Standards Institution for EMS 14001: 2004 (Environment) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Safety) and is also certified for ISO 9001:2008 quality Standards. We have also won many corporate awards, such as the Overall Best Performing Company – McLarens Group 2015/2016, Ceylon National Chamber of Industry (CNCI) Achiever Award – National Gold Award 2015, Sri Lanka Chamber of Small & Medium Industries (SLCSMI) – Industrial Excellence Award 2014 – Platinum Award, CIOB Green Mark Gold Certificate – 2015 and the National Business Excellence Merit Award 2015. We also have been very strong on environment protection and are very much into CSR activities. The areas I’m in are quite diversified; other than this, I also serve as a Non-Executive Director & Audit Committee Member for Kingsbury PLC and Amaya Leisure PLC (Hayleys Group), a Board Member of the Women’s Chamber of Industry & Commerce and very committed to seeing today’s women assuming positions of leadership in the business world, a Non-Executive Director – Alliance Finance Co. PLC and Director at Pidilite Lanka (Pvt) Limited, a BOI approved Manufacturing Company. I’m also committed to Church activities and was Founder Committee Member and continue to serve in the Committees of two Homes for Disadvantaged Children based in Wattala.

Talk about your passion for cars

I became the President of the Classic Car Club of Ceylon this year and I am honoured by this office. My husband and I are passionate collectors and restorers of heritage cars, and we organise many events for the Club. This is the 25th year of the club and I’ve served on the committee since its inception. I recently travelled to Paris to participate in the 50th General Assembly of the Governing Body of Classic Cars in France known as FIVA.

During this visit I was happy to also attend the first Ever Vintage & Classic Car display at UNESCO Grounds in PARIS which was in honour of the FIVA 50th year Celebrations

As far as I am aware there is only one other lady President among the world wide Member Clubs of FIVA and in this male-dominated assembly, I’m privileged to be there.

When you were 20, where did you see yourself in a decade?

I thought I was going to be a journalist or an author, but life had different plans for me! I still love reading good books and my sports…I try to keep fit as much as I can by walking and playing badminton.  It’s not always easy to balance my busy schedule with outdoor activities, but I am very focused on keeping myself healthy.

You’ve been in top-level management for many years. How do you stay motivated?

I pursue perfection; I set goals for myself and work towards achieving them. The need to have anything at a very high level is what motivates me. The importance of teamwork has been stressed over the years countless times and I’m thankful for my loyal and excellent team.

What are the non-negotiable parts of your organizational culture?

I would never compromise on quality to try to reduce prices to compete with other market participants.

 After many years as a business leader, what choices will you be making for your own future in the next decade?

I’m currently seeing a new manufacturing operation off the ground next year. I’m very satisfied with what I’ve achieved so far and would like to look at training the next generation of leaders.

The Rap Of Victory

By Michelle Alles

While most eight year old girls were playing with Barbie dolls and dressing up, Melissa Stephen was memorizing her first rap CD. A wholesome and refreshing mix of girly and tomboy, Melissa hung out with me for a glimpse into her mind about growing up and living in three countries, why she chose to become a rap artist, her favourite ‘boys’, Major and Mango, and her other career as a dog psychologist.

Melissa, how did you get your start in music?

My dad, Tony Stephen was a musician as well and I used to perform at the hotel he worked at in The Maldives. I guess singing to large crowds at an early age gave me the foundation to be a confident and engaging entertainer.  I recall attempting to write songs even at an early age, but can’t for the life of me remember what I wrote! We moved to Singapore during the war because my dad wanted us to have a safe environment to finish our studies, so my song writing kinda took a backseat, but at 14 I started writing my own lyrics again. Being much older, I had more stuff to tell! I was also listening to more rap artists like Jay Z and could relate to the message in their music. I’d perform at most of the family occasions and school events just for the pure pleasure of rapping all the time. My friends would bug me so much saying that I can’t rap because I’m not African-American and I’m a girl, but I kept doing my thing and writing lyrics, even during classes at school when I probably should have been studying! When I entered Deakin University to do my Bachelor in Creative Arts, I’d always try to incorporate my love of rap into whatever I did. I came across this competition online and sent my demo to Grammy award winning producer Scott Matthews; I got selected and that’s how my first single ‘Believe’ came about.  That was the start of my professional career as a rap artist.

Why did you choose rap and what inspires your sound?

I’m fascinated by a music genre where you can work to a rhythm that’s almost poetic. It’s kinda like singing and poetry smacked together, with really awesome beats that you can move and dance to.

Even if rap is in a different language, I’m will still be moved by it in some sort of way, because music is universal at the end of the day. Rap resonates with me the best because I’m not a great singer and I don’t really play any instruments except for a bit of drums, but when I hear a really good beat, I get inspired by it. As for what inspires my sound, I’d say it has a mixture to do with the three countries I’ve lived and grown up in. My main inspiration would be Lupe Fiasco and Jay Z. I’m also my own critic, which helps me evolve and improve.

How did the ‘Victory’ as the Equal Ground anthem come about?

I worked with Pasan Liyanage on the track. I got to know that I was going to perform at Artwalk, however I didn’t know yet as to which segment. When I met Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and played the song for her, she loved it and said they wanted it as the anthem for Equal Ground. That was the best news ever as I really wanted my music to be attached to a cause. The LGBT community was a great choice because I fully support the cause as most of my friends are from that community as well. I’d say this basically chose me instead of the other way around, but that’s great because it worked out perfectly. These barriers are on their way to being broken and that is absolutely fantastic.

What do you do when you’re not making music?

I am a dog behaviourist; you could say I have a gift with dogs. I run a company called ‘Dog Time’ which is a canine friend training service where I help people better their relationships with their pets. Major, my Staffordshire bull terrier is one of the friendliest dogs on the planet and now I have another which walked into my life, his name is Mango and he’s one of the most adorable dachshunds you’ll ever meet.

How do you feel you differ from other artists?

Everyone has their own story and I think that to a certain extent, mine is unique. First of all, I’m a Sri Lankan girl who spent most of her childhood in The Maldives and has lived in Singapore and Australia and hasn’t really been to the US, but is a female rap artist! So I have this whole cocktail of experiences to incorporate into my music and offer to the world.

What are your musical goals?

To get far enough where I can travel the world and make money and inspire people with my music, which would be the most amazing thing. I love to perform and I love being on stage, so if I can do that for the rest of my life, I’m good. I’m currently in the studio working on new music and planning an album; I can’t really say too much about it, but there’s definitely new stuff out for my fans next year!

What’s the best piece of advice someone ever gave you?

Make the music that you want to make and it doesn’t matter how other people feel about it. In the end, if you’re true to yourself and you’re making the music you want to make, there are people who are going to appreciate you for being you. Art is always controversial so with there’ll be people who love you and hate you and that’s okay because you need the haters as much as you need your fans!

Any Final Shout-Outs?

My family for their encouragement; they have been super-supportive. It’s not every parent who encourages their 8 year old daughter to rap!  They never forced me to be more girly; they just let me be myself. I also have this awesome group of friends who support me I love them to the moon and back; I’m not going to mention names, they know who they are!

To know more on Melissa, check out her pages and buy her music on:

  • Buy – iTunes, Amazon
  • Stream – Spotify, 8tracks, Tidal Discovery, Soundcloud.

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/Melcstephen

Facebook.com/melissastephenofficial

Instagram.com/melissastephenofficial