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Environment
Pollution and water conservation:
We believe in living in harmony and preserving the environment around us and we encourage this practice in our resort. As far as it is practically possible we use re-cycled material. We encourage our guests to use bed linen for more than one day without laundering, but of course entirely at their discretion. All water consumed in the hotel is treated and re-used for irrigation. We conform to national environmental regulations.
A chemical-free water treatment system was installed in the Grand Deluxe Suite Swimming Pool, in October 2007. This unit ionizes the water eliminating chlorine and keeping it free from bacteria. For added safety, ionized water is UV treated. Chlorine free water prevents skin and eye irritation, stickiness, unpleasant chlorine odour and above all you feel refreshed after a swim. A comprehensive study was carried out to ascertain the effectiveness of the system in maintaining stringent bacteriological standards that are maintained at the hotel. It was observed that to make the system 100% foolproof a certain amount of Chlorine has to be added and as such the system did not come up to the claims of the manufacturer, i.e. a totally chemical-free treatment system.
Energy Saving:
Saman Villas had two air conditioning systems in operation, one air-cooled split type and the other water-cooled split type. The main deficiencies were the high sound level in guest rooms and poor energy efficiency. In July 2008 inverter type air-cooled air conditioners were installed in all guest rooms and in all other areas the water-cooled system was replaced with regular air-cooled air conditioners.
The main benefits were a substantial reduction in energy consumption and a reduction of sound level in guest rooms from 56dB to 26dB. The annual saving was estimated at 76,641 kWh at an year round occupancy of 40%. The saving on maximum demand was estimated at 14.8 kVA; both are conservative estimates.
The new system was fully operational during the month of August and a saving of 11,500 kWh valued at Rs. 123,190/- was achieved, excluding the saving on kVA. The kWh saving on the total electricity bill amounts to 20.6% of which about 15% is due to air conditioning. The balance is due to a variety of other energy saving measures undertaken by management and staff at all levels in response to the appeal by the Ceylon Electricity Board.
Heating:
At Saman Villas electrical energy is used for heating of water in guest rooms and service departments. Online heating of water using gas is known to be more efficient than electricity. A gas heater was installed in November 2007 and intensive studies were carried out to assess the efficiency of gas for water heating. Results were positive, but due to local pricing policy it is not economical to change over to gas.
Head Office:
For the period January to August 2008 26% saving of electricity has been achieved as compared to 2007. In the case of gasoline, the saving from April to August 2008 amounts to 22%.
Home Gardening:
About ten calories of fossil fuel is required to produce one calorie of food we eat. Fertilizer, pesticides, farm implements, food storage, food distribution and plastic packaging are all fossil fuel dependant. In comparison home gardening using compost is zero dependant on fossil fuel.
The hotel in collaboration with the Bentota Pradeshiya Sabha has launched a pilot project to convert waste into compost and use same for vegetable cultivation. Already 19 compost bins have been distributed in the village of Aturuwella, where the hotel is located. A total of 80 bins will be distributed and the entire project will be funded by Saman Villas.
Community
Education:
In May 2004 the hotel donated a Computer Training Centre and Lecture Room to conduct computer training and English courses, complete with furniture and fittings for the benefit of the local community. The hotel is currently supporting the 2008 computer training programme by maintaining all hardware and sponsoring the year end prize distribution and award of certificates. Two programmes are being conducted, one for children and the other for government officials.
On a request made by Saman Villas the Governor, Southern Province has initiated action to open an Internet Café and Communication Centre under the Governments Nenasala programme in the computer room. It will be operational before the end of the year. The hotel offers 18 scholarships annually to students in grades 6 – 11 in the Aturuwella village school.
On 21st January, 2007 an English Training Programme for the children of the villages of Karagastenna, Ihala Gonagama, Liyangaswagura, Buluwemuduna and Kandekumbura commenced at the Liyangaswagura village temple. Two 90 minute classes are conducted on every Sunday afternoon by a highly qualified and experienced teacher. Fifty five students attend the programme and classes are held throughout the year, except April. A prize distribution and concert will be held annually, commencing November 2008.
Community service:
Aturuwella village children are invited annually, in two batches, to a special children’s Christmas Party and Sri Lankan New Year Party. The hotel also assists very poor villages that are further away in the interior. An irrigation scheme was renovated and upgraded by a group of five volunteers including two Directors of the Company, funded entirely by the hotel, in a remote village on the Habarana-Trincomalee road, 260 km from the hotel. The main source of income in the village is cultivation of paddy which is highly dependent on water.
We expect a 50% increase in the annual paddy crop after the upgrading. The villagers in these remote areas also supplement their meagre income by cutting the jungle for timber and firewood. Our ultimate objective in funding this project is to raise the villagers’ income levels and thereby prevent the destruction of the jungle, in support of the National Forest Conservation Policy.
The hotel also financed 35% of the total cost of a fully equipped building for a Pre-School and Day Care Centre in a village in the south, 95 km away from the hotel.
Culture:
Gokkala, which is the young coconut leaf used in decorations, is slowly becoming a dying art. With hopes of reviving it and encouraging those that practice it, we have employed a crafts-woman from the village to create ornaments which are used as decorations in the hotel. We also give our special guests tokens made from the Ola leaf.
Saman Villas has invested 40% of the cost towards the restoration of a 67-year-old mural, painted by the renowned artist, George Keyt. The mural which can be seen at the 106- year-old Gothami Vihara in Colombo 08 (opposite our Head Office) is a unique presentation of temple art and the only one of its style available in Sri Lanka. This intricate restoration was carried out by Sri Lanka’s premier restoration artist, Mr. Ananda Colombage over an eight-month period, commencing in January 2007. The ceremonial opening with the participation of the Tourism Ministry was held in July 2008.
Local Community:
Local food and flowers are purchased for use in the hotel and spa. We encourage our guests to visit nearby places of interests. Our home gardening project and offer to purchase village vegetables is discussed under “Environment”.
We also encourage our guests to travel with the local 3 three- wheeler (tuk-tuk) drivers around the vicinity of the hotel. Use of village cars and minivans are encouraged by recommending vehicles owned by 3 villagers. Hiring car drivers who accompany guests are encouraged to stay in small guest houses in the village.
A scholarship scheme for outstanding children of employees (non-executive grades) has just been announced and will come into effect from January 2009. There will be 3 awards for Grade 10, 2 awards for GCE Advance Level and 2 awards for students selected to a University. In addition there will be awards for children who excel in extra curricular activities and have creative abilities, to develop their skills further.
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