The Army-owned, Wadduwa Holiday Resort, the popular venue for Army associated social gatherings and military weddings, became further equipped with additional wings on Saturday (16), elevating it to the status of a fully-fledged coastal hotel.

The new three-storied building at Wadduwa, erected by 4th Engineer Service Regiment officers and soldiers at a cost of about Rs 120 million, houses twenty  new air-conditioned luxury rooms, two rooms specially designed for disable War Heroes, a spacious dining restaurant for eighty guests with bar facilities, newly designed reception counter plus many other facilities and features.

Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Army, as the Chief Guest for the ceremonial house-warming declared opened the new wing after unveiling a special plaque and lighting the traditional oil lamp at the invitation of Brigadier Kumudu Perera, Director, Directorate of Army Welfare.

Following the inaugural house warming, amidst auspicious milk pot boiling tradition, a symbolic transaction with a hotel customer, took place, marking the formal commencement of operations in the new hotel wing. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya committed the transaction on behalf of the hotel management and handed over the keys of a room symbolically to the customer.   

The construction project of this new building, started a year ago was made a success due to untiring efforts of former and present directors of the Army Welfare Directorate on the instructions of the Commander of the Army. The expansion of this hotel complex is expected to provide more opportunities of rest and recreation for both Army and civil personnel. 

The Wadduwa Holiday Resort, established in 1990 has had only fifteen rooms and service remained restricted due to dearth of rooms. With the addition of these new twenty rooms to its main building Saturday (16), its services could be further expanded, accommodating guests in 35 rooms. This hotel has been serving both Army and civil personnel in connection with their social gatherings, weddings, family get-togethers, parties, etc for the last twenty years.

Saturday’s opening was attended by Principal Staff Officers, Directors and Senior Officers in the Army.