Nilaveli Beach Hotel celebrated Its 50th Anniversary …. With Bernard – By Michael Roberts
Source : thuppahis
Bernard Van Cuylenburg, whose essay is entitled “50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS of the Nilaveli Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka”
Bernard VanCuylenburg arrived in Colombo on the 1st October and have been at the Nilaveli Beach Hotel, his former employer for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Hotel which took place from the 4th – 6th October.
This was the program played out over the weekend, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Nilaveli Beach Hotel.
As [frontispiece we have placed] the photographs of Travice and Bernard, taken when they arrived at Nilaveli Beach Hotel on the 3rd October for the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Hotel. The traditional Welcome was accorded to Travice as The Managing Director, and Bernard as the 1st Employee of the Hotel and as a Director. ….
From the 4th October It was a full house for three days.
SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER
10.00 am. onwards – Arrival of Invitees with a traditional Nilaveli Welcome.
11.30.am–3.00 pm. – Live music and island cocktails at the Beach Bar Restaurant.
“Bites” and lunch served as required,
7.30 pm–8.30 pm. – Live music and cocktails at the Beach Bar Restaurant.
8.30pm–10.30 pm. – Gala Anniversary Beach Barbeque Dinner at the Beach Front.
10.30 pm – – Spectacular Fireworks Display.
SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER
8.00 am – Holy Mass and Thanksgiving Service at The Beach Restaurant.
Prayers of the Faithful led by Mrs. Cristobel Ondaatjie.
Vote of Thanks by Bernard VanCuylenburg.
9.30 AM TO 11.30 AM-Breakfast at the Main Restaurant.
From Mid-day onwards Invitees left at leisure to go their separate ways.
NOTES
There are two old Anthonians employed at Nilaveli Beach Hotel …. J.R.Thambirajah, who is the Food and Beverages Manager and a Cook in the Kitchen called Senaka much junior to me in College and one was in the boarding with Shane and Kevin Balthazaar.
Present at the Anniversary celebrations was another old Anthonian who was with me in the Boarding from our days in the “Rainbow Cottage” although slightly senior to me. He is Mihindu Keerthiratna who was the Architect for the Nilaveli Beach Hotel, and later for the Tangerine Beach Hotel, and the 5 Star Royal Palms Hotel in Kalutara.
There is one ancient tale worth relating here. Whenever Mihundu Keerthiratna was seen on a Friday evening helping Mr.Brown with the Projector, we knew there was a film show to be screened in the College Hall. On one such evening we made our way to the Hall eagerly anticipating a good movie, which turned out to be a disaster! The Authorities in their wisdom had chosen a movie for us entertainment-starved Boarders which was akin to showing a red rag to a bull!! It was the movie ALICE IN WONDERLAND. From the moment the title was shown on the silver screen I knew it would not be long before hell broke loose! Sure enough within a few seconds there were catcalls, whistles, hooting etc…..etc….It got so bad that Reverend Father Bruno heavily armed with a dim torch, began parading the rows of seats attempting to catch the miscreants. After a short while he surrendered in defeat and gave up!
Shortly after that, the film was stopped and we were asked to get back to our dormitories which was a welcome relief ! It was one instance where “The Show must not go on !!”……..
Cheers! ……………….. Bernard VanCuylenburg
ADDDITIONAL FARE
Dear Bernard, You have failed to display the magnIficent setting of this Hotel north of Trincomalee and its stupendous beachfront. Luckily there are some blokes who can fill the breach …. https://thuppahis.com/2020/07/09/a-whiff-of-tourism-at-nilaveli-via-trinco-blue-at-cinnamon/
