Tilko Jaffna City Hotel has invested over Rs. 100 million for refurbishment and would further invest another Rs. 200 million to add 10 more rooms, said Tilko Managing Director Thilak T. Thilagaraj.
Thilagaraj was based in London as a Real Estate Developer and when he visited Jaffna in 2004, he saw that the city needed quality accommodation and also jobs for youth. “To fulfill both these objectives and to do something back to my native place, I first invested on a 10 room hotel which was the largest and most luxurious property in the region.
The hotel had buffets, air condition and hot and cold water which were considered ‘super luxuries’ during the time.”
However, fulfilling this dream was a tall order since I was paying Rs. 2,500 per bag of cement, while the Southerner was purchasing it for Rs. 650. There were so many other obstacles, but we remained in Sri Lanka and expanded.”
He said that today, Tilko City Hotel which was opened in 2010, consists of 40 rooms with two Penthouses, swimming pool, large banquet hall and restaurant, large bar area, while all rooms are Air conditioned with hot and cold water, mini bar, safety lockers, tea, coffee making facilities and many more amenities. “We would also add a modern Gym and Ayurvedha Spa this year.”
In a bid to create novel ideas and bring in more corporate thinking, I have appointed Brinthan and Kapilthan Thilagaraj, as two Directors and have also designated Pradeep Kalum as the new General Manager and a rehabilitated ex LTTEer, M. Praba as Operations Manager.
Thilagaraj said that budget travelers tend to go to guest houses which were not of high quality and to offer this segment a more luxury and cleaner venue, they had decided to add 10 AC budget rooms in the hotel.
“We have already started this process in the hotel and these rooms would be ready by year end.”
He said they also won a tender to develop the Pannai beach, but due to red tape, the development has stopped.
“We were planning to create a mini theme park with water sports and dining areas which would give more entertainment facilities to Jaffna residents and visitors, but this project is now on hold.” Tilko also own and operate beach front property Charty Beach in Jaffna.
“We also have a land in Balangoda and hope to build a ten roomed luxury eco lodge there.”
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