The Gateway to
The Southern Riviera

Sri Lankan cuisine is a vibrant fusion of flavours, influenced by its rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions. Drawing inspiration from Indian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Malay influences, Sri Lankan food offers a unique culinary experience. At its heart is an array of fresh, locally sourced ingredients—from aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and curry leaves to tropical staples like coconut, rice, and an abundance of fresh seafood. Below are some iconic staples that represent the heart and soul of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Cape Weligama, the refreshed jewel of Sri Lanka’s south coast, is delighted to announce a series of exclusive culinary collaborations this season, celebrating the vibrant heritage and traditions of Sri Lankan cuisine. These highly anticipated events bring together celebrated chefs and culinary innovators from London—Mr. Lyon, Dominic Fernando, and Cynthia Shanmugalingam—each renowned for their distinctive contributions to Sri Lankan gastronomy and mixology.

Hi, everyone. Welcome to Luxury Voices, the podcast about the luxury world in Asia with a focus on the greater China market. I am Joanne Tang, your host, founder and CEO of Infinite Luxury Group. In this podcast, we converse about all layers and segments of luxury, from lifestyle to travel and hospitality trends. I’ll interview key players of the luxury industry from all corners of the globe and talk about their initiatives and experiences in conquering the Asian luxury consumer, discover how leading luxury executives handle this growing market, where luxury spending is the highest in the world and gain a wealth of knowledge to harness this ever promising a luxury market.
Joining us today is Malik J Fernando, director of MJF holdings, and Dilmah Tea, which was established by Merrill J Fernando. Dilmah Tea, named after his two sons, Dilhan and Malik, was the first producer-owned tea brand offering tea picked, perfected and packed at the origin. Malik is the Managing Director of Resplendent Ceylon, the first Sri Lankan luxury resort brand. Resplendent Ceylon is developing a collection of small, luxury resorts, offering travellers a remarkable circuit across Sri Lanka, with a range of authentic experiences, while distributing to local communities and environments through the MJF Foundation and Dilmah conservation. The iconic Ceylon Tea Trails in the tea carpeted central highlands, Cape Weligama, a clifftop beach resort and Wild Coast Tented Lodge, a safari lodge, are members of Relais & Chateaux. Three more resorts are currently under development. Today, I’m speaking with Malik about the destination, Sri Lanka, the challenges and opportunities for Resplendent Ceylon and what luxury means for the travellers’ post-COVID-19 and Malik himself. It is a great pleasure to have you here on Luxury Voices, Malik. How are you and how is the family?

While Southern Sri Lanka is known for its stunning coastline fringed with swaying coconut palms—along with adventure sports like surfing—there’s more to the South than its beaches. The region houses tea gardens (yes, you heard it right!), dense jungles with roaring cascades, paddy fields where peacocks roam, and slow-living villages with century-old cottage industries. Much of the island’s spices and herbs grow and flourish here, while generational artists work meticulously to keep their crafts alive. By the rugged shoreline, you’ll find fishermen on stilts, a decade-old practice, while the surrounding ocean is home to whales, dolphins and other marine life. So here are the 10 best travel experiences in and around Galle, Ahangama and Weligama beyond the South’s sunkissed shores.

At Ceylon Tea Trails, we’re filled with immense pride and excitement as we share some truly incredible news. We’ve officially been ranked as the No.1 resort in the prestigious Rest of Asia category by the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. After five years of consistent recognition, this year we’ve claimed the top spot, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you.

The Emerald Season in Sri Lanka, spanning from April to November, offers a unique blend of cultural festivities, wildlife spectacles and serene escapes. Lush greenery blankets the countryside, wildlife thrives, and cultural celebrations abound.

This May, embark on a journey of self-discovery, rejuvenation, and inner peace with Serena at Kayaam House, a retreat designed to help you reconnect with your authentic self. Across three days, participants will be guided through practices that inspire personal transformation, balance, and clarity.

Experience the magic of Christmas and the wonder of the New Year at Resplendent resorts.

Cape Weligama, the celebrated Relais & Châteaux property and part of Resplendent Ceylon, is delighted to announce a deep refresh in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

Nestled on the sun-kissed southern coast of Sri Lanka, Cape Weligama stands as the quintessential gateway to the island’s enchanting southern riviera. Flanked by the vibrant locales of Ahangama, Midigama, Weligama, and Galle, this picturesque haven offers a blend of serene luxury and adventurous spirit.