Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka " Once discovered, you must explore..."

The very first publication of BT Options, Explore Sri Lanka that began in 1987, celebrates 30 years of offering readers articles on travel destinations, off-the-beaten-track, retreats and getaways, serendipitous discoveries, cultural events, personalities and lifestyle, accompanied by captivating photography. The magazine caters to a broad readership including resident expatriates, local residents

and Sri Lankan missions overseas.Distributed through a large subscriber base, the magazine is available at the Bandaranaike International Airport, hotels and resorts island-wide, onboard the national airline and lifestyle stores
exploresrilanka.lk

Explore Sri Lanka December 2025This edition features articles on: The Style Icon of Contemporary Sri Lanka - Udayshanth ...
02/12/2025

Explore Sri Lanka December 2025

This edition features articles on: The Style Icon of Contemporary Sri Lanka - Udayshanth Fernando; Reveal The Collection Invites you for soulful stays in Mirissa; Exploring Handunugoda: The Tea Estate that Doubles as a Museum; Where Me-Time Begins Inside the World of Société House, and many more articles.

Cover: Celebrating Sri Lankan contemporary design through the lens of style icon Shanth Fernando.

Photo: Rohan Herath.

Visit: https://exploresrilanka.lk/

The Style Icon of Contemporary Sri LankaUdayshanth Fernando stands as a Sri Lankan paragon of creativity. Thirty-eight y...
02/12/2025

The Style Icon of Contemporary Sri Lanka

Udayshanth Fernando stands as a Sri Lankan paragon of creativity. Thirty-eight years ago, he founded Paradise Road, redefining and setting a new standard in interior design – one that many have sought to emulate, yet only this lifestyle connoisseur truly masters, with his innate ability to create pieces and spaces of timeless taste.

On a beautiful day in Paris, while travelling through its charming streets on a business trip, Udayshanth Fernando found himself captivated by the city’s elegance – the rhythm of its boulevards, the grandeur of its landmarks, and the poetry in its everyday life. The artist within him absorbed every sight and sound, quietly seeking inspiration to fuel his creative spirit. Then, as fate would have it, he passed a street sign that read “Rue de Paradis”, instinctively translating it to “Paradise Road”. He paused and thought, “Now that would be a perfect name for a shop in Sri Lanka.”

There he was, gazing out each day for six long months before his first customer finally walked through the door. In 1987, Udayshanth Fernando opened the very first Paradise Road store on Flower Road. At that time, his vision—focused on simplicity, clean lines, and a monochrome palette accented by the occasional burst of color—was strikingly unfamiliar to many. Yet, it was precisely this refined minimalism that soon captivated hearts and redefined taste. Now, decades later, he reflects on his remarkable journey, his business philosophy, his distinctive design approach, and the story behind the enduring success of Paradise Road.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/the-style-icon-of-contemporary-sri-lanka/

Reveal The Collection Invites you for soulful stays in MirissaMirissa stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most striking coastal...
02/12/2025

Reveal The Collection Invites you for soulful stays in Mirissa

Mirissa stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most striking coastal destinations — a vibrant stretch of southern shoreline known for its sweeping beaches, clear turquoise waters, and an atmosphere that balances energy with natural beauty.

Reveal The Collection, a luxury boutique offering, presents a curated selection of four beachfront villas that redefine coastal luxury together. These include Lantern Boutique Villa, The Beach House, and the two Ubuntu Beach Villas, all positioned along Mirissa’s most scenic shoreline. Across 28 well-appointed rooms and suites, the Collection seamlessly blends contemporary design with thoughtful comfort, creating elegant, modern spaces that perfectly align with the rhythm of the Indian Ocean.

Each villa brings a distinct expression of coastal living. Lantern offers six contemporary ocean-facing rooms with open, light-filled interiors. Guests can also enjoy 71 Lantern Bistro & Bar, where fresh seafood sourced from the local market and regional ingredients are elevated into dishes that reflect bold flavors and culinary heritage.

The Beach House features stylish suites tucked behind lush tropical greenery, striking a balance between privacy and stunning ocean views.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/reveal-the-collection-invites-you-for-soulful-stays-in-mirissa/

Exploring Handunugoda: The Tea Estate that Doubles as a MuseumA notice at the Handunugoda tea factory proudly declares: ...
02/12/2025

Exploring Handunugoda: The Tea Estate that Doubles as a Museum

A notice at the Handunugoda tea factory proudly declares: Handunugoda Tea Factory operates machines that are over 145 years old. It’s a working, living museum.

True to its word, this tea estate nestled in the southern district of Galle stands as a living tribute to Ceylon Tea – representing not just an industry with a rich history and craftsmanship, but also a celebration of heritage lovingly preserved.

At the heart of this story is Herman Gunaratne – a doyen of Sri Lanka’s post-independence tea journey – who owns and manages the Handunugoda Tea Estate, under whose stewardship the estate has evolved into a destination that brings the romance of tea to life. From the hum of century-old machinery to the aroma of freshly brewed blends, visitors are treated to an immersive tea experience that includes a museum and curated tastings, an education in flavor and history. Here, every sip tells a story of soil, skill, and legacy steeped in time.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/exploring-handunugoda-the-tea-estate-that-doubles-as-a-museum/

Where Me-Time Begins Inside the World of Société HouseBringing calm into beauty is both an art and an intention, and at ...
02/12/2025

Where Me-Time Begins Inside the World of Société House

Bringing calm into beauty is both an art and an intention, and at Société House in Colombo 5, this feeling greets you the moment you arrive. The journey that led to this serene boutique nail and beauty studio began with Marianne Page, whose life has always been intertwined with creativity and care.

Having worked in the beauty industry and later running a café in Melbourne, Australia, she carried with her a simple dream—to create a space where people could slow down, unwind, and enjoy a moment of peace. In March 2025, that dream took shape in the most meaningful place of all.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/where-me-time-begins-inside-the-world-of-societe-house/

Reflection on the past yearThe year is nearly coming to an end. Another year is dawning. What should we reflect on regar...
02/12/2025

Reflection on the past year

The year is nearly coming to an end. Another year is dawning. What should we reflect on regarding life in the last year? Is reflecting a sign of a good attitude or a bad attitude? If we reflect on the past unnecessarily, it can be detrimental, but it is important for certain perspectives. For instance, if you consistently label an event as a disaster, you may develop a mental health issue such as trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a student, you have many things to keep in mind and need to remind yourself constantly otherwise, they will be forgotten.

As a business person, teacher, or preacher, you must maintain various records to effectively fulfill your role and remind yourself to update them regularly. It means that every individual has different things to keep in mind and reminders to maintain their lives. As a result, we are all constantly thinking about something, reminding ourselves, or sometimes ruminating on something positively or negatively.

Accordingly, negative thinking can lead to mental issues and decline, while positive thinking fosters mental balance and personal growth. But reality is, overthinking even positive thoughts can lead to mental disorders, while negative thinking is often detrimental to development.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/reflection-on-the-past-year/

Tired of Being Tired?With 53 percent of Gen Zers citing anxiety and difficulty sleeping, Vilnius, the European Sleep Cap...
02/12/2025

Tired of Being Tired?

With 53 percent of Gen Zers citing anxiety and difficulty sleeping, Vilnius, the European Sleep Capital offers relief through citywide rituals: five-senses treatments, hot-cold thermal circuits, and master-led saunas.

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has been named the top European city for sleep tourism, backed by a study of 300 cities, measuring air quality, light pollution, green space, nightlife, rainfall, and nighttime temperatures. In the city, 61 percent of the urban area is green, trees cover 48 percent of the city, and 95 percent of locals live within 300 meters of greenery.

While 34 percent of adults worldwide struggle with falling asleep, and over half of Gen Zers list anxiety as a factor affecting their sleep, Vilnius is distinguished as one of Europe’s most relaxing capitals. Its serene environment and everyday wellness rituals are what’s needed to support better rest.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/tired-of-being-tired/

Beauty in the stillnessAt dawn, when the air was still crisp and the moon shone down, we drove to Sigiriya at 5:15am to ...
02/12/2025

Beauty in the stillness

At dawn, when the air was still crisp and the moon shone down, we drove to Sigiriya at 5:15am to climb the magnificent rock fortress after over a decade.

My parents and I were staying in Habarana, and our travel time was approximately 20 to 25 minutes on a long, winding road, with shops and houses on the wayside that shone with the moonlight.

Once my father and I arrived and had two tickets in hand, along with our camera gear and backpacks, we spotted numerous guides wearing light blue t-shirts. One guide stopped by, thinking we were tourists as we had cameras, which was amusing.

It felt like we were the only locals to walk in on that day, as tourists were pouring in from all directions in vans, buses, and on tours from different countries.

My father and I finally walked through the secured gates and saw the rock in the distance through the glimpses of light peeking through the sky. Built in the fifth century BC by King Kashyapa, it is said that he seized the kingdom from his father, building it on a rock for protection, establishing a new capital, and fearing his brothers’ return to reclaim the kingdom. Sigiriya is also known for its advanced urban planning, hydraulic, and architectural innovations.

Read more: https://exploresrilanka.lk/beauty-in-the-stillness/

Explore Sri Lanka November 2025This edition features articles on: The Miracle Dome, Beauty in Change: The Artistic Dialo...
06/11/2025

Explore Sri Lanka November 2025

This edition features articles on: The Miracle Dome, Beauty in Change: The Artistic Dialog of Hapuwatte and Harasgama; The Global Spread of Buddhism; Twelve Years in Waiting: The Delicate Dance of the Nelu Flower; Mirissa Hills: Where Cinnamon
Tells its Story; Jehan Aloysius presents ‘A Christmas Carol: The Musical’ and Revel in the Romance of Southern Sri Lanka
with a Kalutara Wedding.

Visit: https://exploresrilanka.lk/

Cover: ‘The Poetry of Cinnamon’ at the Cinnamon Museum, Mirissa Hills.

Photo: Sujith Heenatigala.

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The very first publication of BT Options, Explore Sri Lanka that began in 1987, celebrates 32 years of offering readers articles on travel destinations, off-the-beaten-track, retreats and getaways, serendipitous discoveries, cultural events, personalities and lifestyle, accompanied by captivating photography. The magazine caters to a broad readership including resident expatriates, local residents and Sri Lankan missions overseas.Distributed through a large subscriber base, the magazine is available at the Bandaranaike International Airport, hotels and resorts island-wide, onboard the national airline and lifestyle stores exploresrilanka.lk