Monday, December 5, 2011

Play Golf in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has 4 beautiful Golf courses although it is not very popular sport. Two Golf clubs are located Colombo one Kandy and the fourth one in Nuwera Eliya and all these Golf clubs are built with 18 holes.
Playing Golf is the best way to spend the time leisurely. If you are not an Expert do not worry, the Golf Clubs serves for both learners and for Experts and also you can get the equipment from the Club house as well.
Royal Colombo Golf Club:


The Royal Colombo Golf Club is situated within Colombo with a  railway line runs through it. This was built by British during 1896 and the oldest from all. It as a Club house and the facilities such as Food, beverages, Rooms etc..
Address:
Royal Colombo Golf Club,
Model Farm Road,
Colombo 8,
Sri Lanka.
Tele: +94 1126 95431, 2691401, 2682917, 2674519
Waters Edge Golf Club:

Situated in Colombo the Waters Edge Golf Club is the newest member. This has become one of the popular Golf Club in Asia. It has many facilities such as Restaurant, dining room and many more.
Address:
Waters Edge Golf Club,
316, Ethul Kotte,
Battaramulla,
Colombo,
Sri Lanka



Nuwara Eliya Golf Club:
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is one of the most beautiful places to be. The view of the surrounding mountains and tea estates will give you the best Golf playing experience. The facilities include Accommodation and Restaurant
Address:
Nuwareliya Golf Club,
Nuwareliya,
Sri Lanka

The Victoriya Golf Club – Rajawella:
This beautiful 18 hole golf club is located at Rajawella close to Kandy and treated as one of the most beautiful golf course in Sri Lanka. The design itself makes it challenging to play. This 209 hectare golf course was designed in the year of 1999 with a breathtaking view of Victoria Tank.
Victoria International Golf club
Rajawella,
Kandy,
Sri Lanka.
View Larger Map

Information Credit: www.goldensrilanka.com

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Land reclamation for the new Colombo city on sea has commenced

The project to construct a modern planned City within Colombo by reclaiming the sea in front of the Colombo Galle Face green is now being implemented. Accordingly, the sea belt stretching from the new brakewater of the Colombo South Harbour to the Presidential Secretariat is being  reclaimed to be used for this purpose. The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrema said that no damage will be caused to the turf at the Galle Face Green by this project. 
The objective of the project is to turn Colombo city into a place with more facilities for the people and to construct the city according to a proper development plan. The new City would be fully equipped with many  recreational centers such as golf courses and  tracks for motor car racing.
Dr. Priyath B.Wickrema said that in accordance with the intention of the President to expand the Colombo City by having a modern City adjoining the Port, 500 acres of sea territory adjoining the new Colombo Port Project will be filled. He said that there will be three access roads to this Modern City and one access road will be connected with the marine drive. The second would be constructed opposite the Presidential Secretariat, and the Light House entrance of the Colombo port would be upgraded as the third access road.  The preliminary work on the planned city is to be completed in 3 years
A project of this nature has become necessary due problems being faced in the Colombo City including environment pollution, blocking of the drainage systems, road traffic congestion, floods etc. The feasibility study and environmental impact assessment are being completed.
He said that the SLPA would conduct the project with the technical assistance and consultancy services provided by the University of Moratuwa and Lanka Hydraulic Institute. A rail track is to be developed around the new city and would be the major mode of transport in the city. Park and Drive concept will be introduced in the city so that anyone entering the city will park their vehicles at specified parking locations and take a train ride to go around the city.
The new city will have high rise housing complexes, multiplex office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, tourist sites, recreation facilities, banks and other service centres etc. 
Filling of land for this project will be done by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority at an approximate cost of 250 Million U.S.Dollars.  When the filling and the landscaping work is over local and international tenders will be called for implementing construction of infrastructure and other facilities.
Building this New Colombo City on Sea will be carried out in coordination with the Urban Development Authority, Colombo Municipal Council, All Service Ministries, and the Archaelogical Department,.  The Urban Development Authority will prepare schematic diagrams for the new City after completion of the filling work.

Sri Lanka among 2012 best tourist destinations-National Geographic


National Geographic Traveler magazine has named Sri Lanka among top six destinations for world travelers in 2012, focusing on island’s hill country, heritage sites, and pristine beaches.

The magazine, in its Nov/Dec issue, describes that Sri Lanka’s hill country features stunning scenery, tea plantations, and ancient Buddhist temples, according to China’s Xinhua news agency, citing a statement by the External Affairs Ministry on Friday.

“This mountainous, mist-draped realm has long been popular with backpackers and other adventurers for its tea plantations and rain forest preserves, known as the Central Highlands, which recently were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list.”

“Sri Lanka is a resplendent isle, and the natural charms of this pear- shaped island in the Indian Ocean that nearly kisses the southeast tip of India are indeed splendid,” the magazine said in a review of its in its best of the world 2012 trips.

Sri Lanka tourism has grown impressively, with a 52 percent increase in 2010 compared to 2009. Arrivals have topped an all-time high of 750,000 and the government has targeted 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

With those increases, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has outlined a plan to reach a 30,000 hotel-room capacity by 2015.

Recently, top hotel chains such as Starwood (Sheraton), Marriott, Shangri La and Taj have announced plans for new construction in Sri Lanka. A number of existing hotels are also undergoing renovation. The magazine said the island has recently emerged from a bloody civil war between majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils and peace prevails.

-- BERNAMA

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Interlocking Earth Compressed Bricks (IECB)


A truly unique and environmentally friendly form of building material - interlocking stabilized earth compressed bricks. They look stylish and impart an individualistic and earthly natural tone.

Its special design enables it to accommodate electrical and water supply systems to virtually anywhere in the building while complimenting the natural surrounding and environment.
Best of all, the cost of houses built with them are amazingly economical and affordable, giving you extremely high value and beauty for relatively very little money.
Since 1950 many laboratories became specialized and skilled in identifying various soils for buildings. Many more projects were born especially in Africa, South America, India and also South East Asia, Europe, United States of America and now in Sri Lanka.
Technology
By using, Interlocking Earth Compressed Bricks it is
  • Convenient to construct a house.
  • Sand and Cement usage is comparatively less
  • Labour usage is less
  • Time consumption for construction is less


Available brick types

Type
Dimension
Picture

Full
Length    =295 mm
Height    = 100 mm
Width     = 146 mm




Half
Length    = 147 mm
Height    = 100 mm
Width     = 146 mm




Lintel
Length    =295 mm
Height    = 100 mm
Width     = 146 mm



Three Quarter
Length   = 221 mm
Height   = 100 mm
Width    = 146 mm











































Does this brick long last ?

  • Higher compressive strength. (Minimum 3.0 N/mmwhich is more than the strength of burned bricks and cement blocks)


Compressive Strength Testing Machine 

Historical evidence
 The oldest one still standing, can be seen in Egypt, new Luxer, which was built about 1300 B.C

What effect does it gives

20% MORE COOLING EFFECT

  • The Interlocking Earth Compressed Brick design mainly uses environmentally sound materials and appropriate building technologies
  • Thermally radiant, hence inside of the building is cool.
  • Create comfortable lifestyle more in relation with nature

Does this brick take a long time to build

  • Consume lesser time frame to build up the building due to,Interlocking Earth Compressed Brick is bigger than the normal brick.Therefore it takes less time to construct a sqft.
                       IECB size-295x146x100mm             Burned Brick size-150x100x60 mm
  • Interlocking facility
  • Convenience in plumbing and electrical pipe laying.
  • Not necessary of plastering
  • Per day 300 bricks can be laid by one labour

 Why… Housing construction cost is less

Interlocking Earth Compressed Bricks for constructions Earth construction Systems-Appropriate building technologies proper management of construction.
  • Saving in sand and cement cost.
  • Saving of construction time.
  • Saving in labor cost.
  • Availability of different types of bricks (Lintel, half, Tree Quarter bricks…)
  • Not necessary to have plastering, because it gives attractive appearance.
  • Convenience in plumbing and electrical pipe laying.
  • Keeps the interior of a building cool.
  • Interlocking facility - The innovative Terra interlocking bricks do not need to be laid in bed of motar.
Does this brick easily dissolve
  • The soil mixture for an IECB is slightly moisture and poured into a steel press and then compressed either with manual or moisture press.
  • The input of soil stabilization allowed building walls, which have much better compressive strength and water resistance.
  • Cement is able to disperse itself to fill the pore spaces where it sets and hardens to form a continuous matrix, which surrounds the particles of soil, and bind them together.
  • And the manufactured brick cured for four weeks.
If bricks expose to the rain does it seepage

As normal burned brick & cement block brick; inter locking earth compressed bricks also get seepage when they expose to the rain.

To avoid it,
  • Use colourless water repellant
  • Cement based soil paint
  • Silicon based paint where the bricks are severely exposed
  • Plastered walls
  • Apply weather shield paint       

What types of exterior finishes are possible
  • Preferred option-Exposed brick
  • Apply paint only  
  • Plastered walls and painted walls
  • Apply the filler and painted walls

Reliable supplier 

OS Bricks (pvt) Ltd.(Terra Bricks)

No:49 , Sri Jinarathana Road,
Colombo 02.
Fax:0114792128

Sales Manager
Duminda Wijesinghe
Mobile: 0714084572 / 0772293845
Email: duminda@orelpower.com
Reference Sites

A House @ Kandy

 A House @ Kandy

A House @ Kandy

 A House @ Rajagiriya

A House @ Rajagiriya (Blind Wall with Colorless Water proofing )

MAS INTIMATES,Thurulie @ Thulhiriya

MAS INTIMATES,Thurulie @ Thulhiriya

A House @ Meegoda

Orange Electric Factory @ Meegoda

A House @ Kaluthara

A House @ Kaluthara

Environment Authority Building @ Kotte

House @ Jubilikanuwa-Kotte

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Hot Water Springs,Mahapelessa,Sooriyaweva,Sri Lanka

Natural hot springs are located in three areas of Sri Lanka. First is the hot spring nestling in the eastern province at Kanniya - off the Trincomalee-Anuradhapura road , while the next is at Maha Oya (also in the eastern province) on the Badulla-Batticaloa road and finally the third one is in Mahapelessa, lying in the deep south of the Hambantota district. The world over such hot springs were named as healing mineral thermal waters.
The reason being that these thermal waters contain medicinal properties to cure ailments like skin eruptions and other rheumatic pains. Even our ancients, particularly the Buddhist monks living in ancient cave hermitages had made the best use of these healing hot springs for body and skin ailments.
Till the emergence of the Uda Walawe multi-purpose project in 1962/63, the Mahapelessa hot springs was unknown.Under the Uda Walawe project the whole of the Walawe basin got transformed into a vast developed area teeming with multitudes of farming communities filled with sprawling rice fields, a network of agro-based industries, and still another network of roads ramifying in connecting with the main trunk roads.
The other route was an adventurous one off its beaten track by crossing the Walawe ganga by boat through Liyanagastota irrigation anicut and landing at Begigamtota. From there the hike is 2-3 miles through the forest glades of groves of Jule trees (Woodapple).In these by-gone years over half a century ago, Mahapelessa hot springs was sunk in the labyrinth of the jungle tide. It was then accessible through the hard terrain of Ambalantota-Ridiyagama government farm, via the Madunagala Aranne (the ancient forest hermitage). From there one had to trudge by foot about three miles.
The famed literary scholar cum Assistant Government Agent - Leonard Woolf (1908-11) of Hambantota district, in his printed diaries had mentioned the arduous trek how he had hacked through the dense jungle to reach Mahapelessa hot springs after crossing the Walawe ganga by boat at Bogigmatota.
Embilipitiya is the metropolis of the Walawe project. It has now blossomed from a sleepy hamlet into a boom town linked by trunk roads to other cities like Galle, Matara-Ambalantata-Hambantota-Tissamaharama-Kataragama and even to Wellawaya.
Hence during its constructions spearheaded by the River Valleys Development Board, Sooriyaweva (about 10 miles from Embilipitiya) has become the hub of the left bank region of the Uda Walawe reservoir. To reach Mahapelessa, one access road is through Sooriyaweva.
From there lies the Viharahagala branch irrigation channel bund road - now converted into a fine carpet road - deviating from Padalangala (about 7 miles from Embilipitiya) that leads to Sooriyaweva and Mirijjavila (close to Hambantota), to fall into its main highway of Tissamaharama highway. From Embilipitiya to Sooriyaweva is 10 miles.
From this carpet road leading to Mirijjavila via Sooriyaweva, close to its 6th kilometre post (from Padalangala on the Nonagama highway), lies the access road to Mahapelessa hot springs running into about 6 kilometres on a gravelled roadway. From Mirijjavila to Mahapelessa on this carpet road is about 25 miles.
Dr. R. L. Brohier in his 'Seeing Ceylon' has spun a thrilling but fascinating tale that the elephants, when they were in dotage, went to breathe their last at this Mahapelessa hot springs!
Elephants even now roam around this Mahapelessa area of the human and farming settlements causing damage to crops, human habitations and even loss to human lives.
During the dry season, in the past, baby elephants were in the habit of falling into the hotwells, when they came for water by accident.
Hence to avert such fatal accidents, the Mahaweli Authority (Walawe special area) based at Embilipitiya (presently in overseeing this Walawe basin area) in the 1980s had got the periphery of the walls of the hot springs raised and two separate partitions were also made to cater to males and females. Thereafter, no such elephant tragedies had happened.
The first well contains the original hot springs where the water is fairly hot. A pipe had been constructed from the original well to feed second well where the water is lukewarm.
Hot Water
Villagers say that when rice was cooked from the hot water obtained from its original well, it waters act as a preservative against the cooked rice getting stale quickly.
Leonard Woolf had recorded the chemical properties of the hot water springs of Mahapelessa. Its diary entry of 1.8.1910, says thus: "...I sent water from the spring to the Government Analyst. His report is thus: "Total solids 534 parts per 10,000; chlorine: 248.0 -do-; lime: 95.0 -do-; Nitrates: Nil. Sulphates: present (small). The water contains high properties of lime (including magnesium), but otherwise does not appear remarkable."
In the vicinity of the Mahapelessa hot springs, there are two ancient rock cave hermitages coming down from time immemorial. These are namely, Madunagala and Karambagala Arannes. In ancient times Arahants (highest sages), had lived in those rock cave shelters tucked away in these two ancient monasteries - Madunagala and Karambagala.
Such Arahants and Buddhist recluse monks had exclusively made the best use of these thermal healing waters to cure varied ailments arising out of rheumatic pains and other skin eruptions. Those Arahants and Buddhist hermit monks there had regular hot water baths at Mahapelessa hot springs. Even visitors from home and abroad have their hot water baths. With the new road linking Mahapelessa along the carpet road of Padalangala-Sooriya Weva-Mirijjavila there have been an influx of tourists both local and foreign.
In foreign countries like Russia and Siberia where such thermal sprigs are located, senatorial, spa wells have been constructed. Even at such sanatoria, bath indoor and outdoor treatment are afforded to such patients seeking thermal treatment.
It is gratifying to note that from recent times, the Southern Provincial Council in collaboration with the Hambantota Pradeshiya Saba have risen to the occasion in getting such a complex established where presently construction works are going headway.
Its entire complex as envisaged in their plans would consist of a Spa, a sanatorium, bath tubs, concrete seats (to be constructed around the periphery of the Hotsprings), provide both indoor and outdoor patients suffering from such disorders like rheumatism, skin diseases and the like. Local medicinal plants and herbs would be used in the preparation of the prescribed medicines.
Both the University authorities of Peradeniya and Moratuwa had done extensive research studies into the analytical compounds of the Mahapelessa hot springs in 1998.
The Peradeniya University team was led by Professor S.P. Dissanayaka, while that of the Moratuwa University by Professor Dayantha Wijesekera. Such research activities were co-ordinated by the academic staff drawn from the Edinborough University, as well.
According to this research paper by these teams, it has been disclosed that for one minute duration, 10 litres of geo-thermal energy could be produced. In these revelations, mention has also being made that 11 such hot springs have been identified which are located in this very thermal underground geo-belt, covering the other two well known two hotsprings at Kanniya (in Tricomalee), and at Maha Oya off the Batticaloa - Badulla road.
Some time back, it was reported that the Army stationed in Trincomalee had stumbled upon still another hotspring in the outskirts of Truncomalee.
The gravelled access road leading to the Mahapelessa hotsprings off the main road of Padlanddla Sooriya Weva-Mirijavila during the rainy season gets flooded leaving pot holes.
Hence this access gravelled road has to be metalled. Construction of suitable culverts, particulary close to the entrance to the hotsprings too have to be done, as the small causeway constructed across the flowing stream is subjected to flooding during the rainy season.
With the forthcoming tourist complex looming over the hot springs of Mahapelessa, the villagers around its vicinity are having brisk sales of their hard earned chena produce and other cereal products.
Among them are green peas, cow-pea, Indian corn (Badainguru), ground nuts (rata kaju), kurakkan (in packets), Next come local fruits like mangoes, papaw, water solon, local vegetables, drumsticks (murunga),
The children display an array of ornamental grass pieces festooned with tiny flowers to be adorned in city houses in the drawing rooms. Dried beli flowers picketed are also available for sale. Instant herbal drinks made out of these beli mal (flowers) are also ready at hand.
These vendors drawn from women, damsels and even children have said that they are economically benefitted by their sales to the tourists.
The elders on the other hand voiced that tourism promotion work was good for the betterment of earning some extra income. But they cautioned that the authorities concerned should be vigilant over the potential evils of corruption that may creep in surreptiously.
They contended that immoral activities like child prostitution may raise its ugly head, when foreign tourists move about around this place, as have already perpetrated into other tourist resorts like Hikkaduwa, Negombo and Chilaw.
Both the incumbents of the Madunagala Aranne and Karabagala Aranne expressed their reservations about the new tourist boom contended that is going to overtake at Mahapelessa hot springs, as the youths are still unspoilt in their morals.
Hence they opined that both the Palath Saba and Pradeshiya Saba of the Hambantota district take stringent measures to stem such nefarious activities taking place, in collaboration with the Sooriya Weva Police which is located about three miles away.



 Information credit:Gamini G. Punchihewa,Daily News, 31 July 2004