Fairley Wijesinghe.

A few years ago a group of past employees of Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental residing in sunny Melbourne referred to as a great bunch of blokes by president Ralston Brohier organised what was then called the Ex Intercon Gala Dinner Dance. This been the 3rd successive year the focus was to bring all past hoteliers to the fold thus the Hoteliers Gala was held on October the 13th 07 at the Springvale Town Hall with profits raised through a raffle draw and photo shoot on the night to be donated to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital.

The night indeed was an affair of style and flair to detail for a very minimum price of $40.00 a head- a giveaway in these days!

On arrival you were greeted with bubbly and then ushered to have your photo taken as a couple, single or as a group by the man himself SNNI official photographer Johann Jayasinha and his son Jonathan (a very able assistant) which was then attached to a card as a memento of the night proudly printed by Paramount Print Pack in Sri Lanka along with the novel idea for a souvenir a phone and address book.

The ambience of the room was cosy yet spectacular with the immaculate placing’s of napkins, cutlery and oh yes real wine glasses to compliment the fine drop of red along with the bottle of Chivas Regal and Lankan nibbles which was on the house.

Creative and innovative table décor and balloon trees were definitely thumbs up!

Music for the night was provided by Midnight Mist and DJ Unique and had the stars dancing from start to finish with steps and rhythm never in question.

Jolly J’s a pioneer in Sri Lankan catering provided dinner and the waiting staff should be commended especially the young man pouring the coffee at the buffet, what an infectious smile and pleasant personality at that late hour of the evening.

Raffles were long drawn however it was for a good cause and the prizes of some value.

Although the red carpet was missing and the dress code not adhered to by some it was an evening with that hint of glamour and elegance that can be credited to the committee- “You can take the man out of the hotel but not the hotel out of the man” or is it the other way around? We look forward to this annual event and yes boys (and girls?) please charge accordingly.