Oh! Colombo

With every decade comes change, most for the good and then some for the bad. I am now dwelling in the past when I refer to the absolutely charming Resthouses we used to have many decades ago. Practically every town had one and these were places where many folks would go to spend holidays in and visit the areas around the locality. This form of Resthouse is not in existence any more.  There still are Resthouses in towns now but these are upgraded and certainly not for the better in my book of thoughts.

The former Resthouse was certainly not very fabulous from an architectural point of view, I am sure, but it used to have a lot of charm. The Managers who ran them were usually characters. There used to be a long verandah where people sat enjoying the local brew and beers and diving into bites.  The bites being a specialty, depending on where the Resthouse was located.   One was sure of a hearty Sri Lankan breakfast.  For lunch, a wonderful rice a curry with the freshest of vegetables curried and varieties of sea food, if it were a Resthouse by the seafront or other delicacies from the area. In the nights one was assured again of a good comfort meal of Sri Lankan fare or what they used to refer as “isshara kama,” all served to the table by a friendly waiter who not only looked after you well but filled you with all the information one needed to know.

Times have changed and some of the Resthouses have been renovated in quite an unpleasant manner; the interiors and extensions done to some of these structures are horrifying, to say the least. The standard of food has gone tumbling down and, worst of all, the meals served in buffet style.  Gone are the old world charm and personal service. The food, which was always a joy to eat, has gone so commercial and the use of monosodium glutamate, which is now heavily advertised as a flavour enhancer of curries and other foods, seems to be a requirement. The whole idea  spending time in a Resthouse has lost  its appeal and one now only stops if hungry or wishes to use the rest rooms.

On my way to Kalpitiya a week back when passing Chilaw I remembered the Resthouse there that I had visited about 35 years ago and decided to take a chance and stop for a spot of lunch. To my absolute delight it was almost the same with a small extension of sorts. At the entrance I was greeted with great warmth by a waiter in that very familiar uniform of a tunic and sarong. As I entered the dining area I noticed the old familiar sight of people enjoying a beer with what seemed like some mouthwatering fried cuttlefish and Hendellas.

Taken to the table I was informed of what they were serving for lunch on the menu and, with an additional special, I placed the order for three of us. The lunch, which was rice and curry, came steaming hot to the table, with all the correct accompaniments and was delicious.  It was an absolute joy and I will always time my visits to Kalpitiya to enjoy the delicious lunch served by the Chilaw Resthouse. I do admit that the building needs some repair, but wish it is done in keeping with the old charm and the cooking remains as it were, assuring one of a good meal. I am sure there maybe a few more gems such as the Chilaw Resthouse, which are unspoilt and not tampered with yet to be rediscovered.

I agree that progress is a necessity but I believe it has to be done to enhance and complement the charm that existed rather than bashing a place up and adorning it with garish flooring, banisters and uncomfortable furniture.