Historic Mount Lavinia Hotel dressed up for SL Design Fest 2011

A leader in Sri Lanka’s hospitality trade, the Mount Lavinia Hotel (MLH) is known throughout the world for its scenic beauty and first-rate services. Although a historic hotel aged beyond two centuries, MLH moves parallel to the 21st century hospitality trade practices and innovations, and its values are very much in par with ethical practices and sustainability.

MLH GM with Homeware product artisans from Northern SL

For the third year, the hotel will be hosting the annual Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF) with the Academy of Design (AOD).

MLH’s commitment to sustainability and ecologically friendly practices in hospitality trade are brought in to highlight at the festival.

The hotel has brought forward groundbreaking initiatives including ‘Farm to Table’ concept where rural farmers’ efforts are brought in to the tables of high-end hospitality in the form of gourmet cuisine.

These initiatives by MLH will be a special highlight at the SL design festival where sustainability and ecological consciousness are integrated in to all possible aspects.

MLH General Manager Anura Dewapura commented on the hotel’s long-standing partnership with SLDF: “We have supported SLDF from its inception three years ago. We find it to be a unique event that benefits Sri Lanka at several layers, and strongly inclined towards sustainability which is an integral part of our own practices.”

MLH is also an active patron of the ongoing craft revival and artisan livelihood restoration projects driven by the AOD. These projects that work with rural artisans and train them to produce high-end home-ware and textile products target the hospitality industry and associated retail boutique markets.

MLH was among the first buyers of these designer products by rural artisans, thereby providing them with stable and increased incomes. These projects will also be showcased at SLDF design fest at its major craft exhibition. Dewapura mentioned that the hotel is a strong supporter of the initiative and hopes to continue its support: “MLH has always been about presenting the best of Sri Lanka to the world and these projects and the resulting products coincide with that mission by bring together Sri Lanka’s efforts to make its craft heritage in to an international industry.”

SLDF Founder Linda Speldewinde extended her thanks to the hotel for its support and keen participation in the festival’s sustainable agenda through the years: “Mount Lavinia has been one of our most important partners from the very beginning. With its history, beauty and close proximity to Colombo, MLH is the perfect location to host an international festival that represents Sri Lanka.”

Sri Lanka Design Festival is a national event that brings many major industries together within a creative and sustainable context. It’s a special showcase for the potential held by the creative sectors of all these industries to support Sri Lanka’s economic development. The festival highlights these aspects through many international forums, fashion shows and exhibitions, and will take place at the beautiful Mount Lavinia Hotel from 16 to 20  November.

A Festival Programme is available at www.srilankadesignfestival.com or the festival secretariat +94 11 5737303 at Academy of Design (AOD), 29, Lauries Road, Colombo 4 between 8.30 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Saturday, for more information.

SLDF is conceptualised and organised by AOD (www.aod.lk); Sri Lanka’s pioneering design campus that offers international creative and design education while serving as a dynamic catalyst of the local creative industries. SLDF is endorsed by its key stakeholders, Ministry of Economic Development, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau – Endorsement Partner and Sri Lanka Apparel.

SLDF is also partnered by Mount Lavinia Hotel – Festival Host, SriLankan Airlines – Official Airline, Textured Jersey – Fabric Partner, Coats – Thread Partner, TradeCard – Software Partner, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics – Freight and logistics partner, Norwegian Embassy – Cultural Partner, British Council – Knowledge Partner. Other associates include Sparklink Travels, Bates Strategic Alliance PR, Social M!dea, ADDIKT Design Movement, Images Group, CG Hairdressing, MTV/MBC and Fashion TV.