Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa celebrates two years

• Awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013

Maalu Maalu Resorts and Spa, the very first resort hotel to be opened in the war-torn Eastern Province, marks its second anniversary with a series of successful endeavours.

The resort, which was spearheaded by hotelier and Chairman, Chandra Wickramasinghe, has given back not just to its guests, but to the whole Eastern community as well. It was the first property to be opened by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse under the Negenahira Nawodaya program.

The employees, who had no experience in the field of hospitality, were trained by Wickramasinghe and his team on how to keep their guests happy and satisfied throughout their stay at the resort. These steps have led to guests being enthralled by their stay due to the hospitality at the resort which has led to Maalu Maalu winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the second consecutive year. TripAdvisor is widely known for its reviews from people who love to travel and experience places around the world. Apart from this, the resort was voted as one of the Top 100 Hotels in the world by the UK based Sunday Times Traveller in its first year in operation.

The resort also hosted the first ever international wedding on the east coast for a Russian couple after nearly 30 years, paving the way for more guests to go experience Sri Lanka’s traditional and cultural wedding ceremonies.

With the opening of the resort, as part of their strategy for community development, Maalu Maalu together with Reconstruire et Vivre funded the construction of a computer and language training centre for the betterment of the youth in the area and creating a path for their future in education and employment. The hotel also contributes a sum from each room occupied towards the maintenance and development of the centre.

Earlier this year, the resort and Reconstruire et Viver branched out by launching the English language learning empowerment program aiming to improve knowledge of English among school-going children and youth in the region. Currently, nearly 120 students have registered for the program and classes, conducted free of charge at the Reconstruire et Vivre Computer and Language Learning Centre, that have already commenced.

Over the last year, the resort in collaboration with Reconstruire et Vivre and the Social Tourism Network of the Levallois Municipality, took up the initiative to construct a house for a war widow from Pethalai, who was displaced during the 30 year war.

The foundation stone was laid on 6 June 2012 and with the assistance of 13 French students, they began construction. A second batch of 20 arrived in Sri Lanka later on and handed over the keys to the widow upon completion of the house and it was gifted to the widow by Maalu Maalu Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe on 11 August 2012.

On 5 August, another group of French students rebuilt the house of Sathya Kumaran Nawamalar and further assisted monetarily with the opening of a fixed deposit account for her children Sathyakumaran Gajenthan and Sathyakumaran Gajelaksa, funded by French benefactors, at the Sanasa Development Bank, Valaichchenai.

While completing its second year in operation, Resort Manager Sujeeva Basnayake and the entire Maalu Maalu team strives to perfect the services offered to its customers. Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa treats its guests to an authentic Sri Lankan experience. Adhering to all green building guidelines, it is one of the finest properties on the island, offering a warm and inviting ambiance combined with luxuries for the discerning traveller.