
CRAFTING MOMENTS IN EVERY POUR
Bars and Mixology at Veligandu
by K. U Manju Samantha Kumara, Bar Team Leader
I was born and raised in Kandy, Sri Lanka. A place where the air was cool and the hills cradled my childhood. My fascination with hospitality led me to Swiss Lanka Hotel School, where I earned my diploma in Food & Beverage with a focus on mixology. Eager to put my knowledge into practice, I began my hospitality career in 2007 at Kasamara Hotel in Kandy as a bar waiter. After a year and a half, I moved to Thilanka Hotel, still in Kandy, where I eventually earned my promotion to bartender. Those years were my foundation. “Every glass I carried and every cocktail I mixed taught me the rhythm of service,” I often recall.
Then came September 29, 2011. A date etched in my memory forever. That was the day I joined Veligandu Maldives as a Bar Waiter. I still remember the rush of excitement as I stepped onto the island for the first time, knowing I would be working under a French F&B Manager and alongside a legendary team. “It felt like stepping into a new chapter of life. Somewhere special, one full of promises and possibilities.” I still remember the day fondly. Over the years, I grew with the island. In August 2014, I became a bartender. In October 2019, I was promoted to Head Bartender, and on September 1, 2025, I proudly accepted my new role as Bar Team Leader.
But I wanted more, as many of usually do. I wanted to see the world beyond the hills of Kandy. In 2009, I answered the life-changing call of the Maldives, a dream for many in my profession. I started in a city hotel in Malé before joining Veligandu’s sister resort Vilamendhoo as a bar waiter later that year. Those first two years on the island were challenging but rewarding, teaching me resilience and the art of adapting to new cultures.
Fourteen years have passed since my first day at Veligandu Maldives, and more than twenty years since I began my career in hospitality. Yet this place has never felt like just a workplace. “Veligandu is home. It is family. And that is why I never thought of leaving. How can you leave your family, right?”


Thundi Bar: A unique all-in-one chillout haven
Today, I lead the team at Thundi Bar, the beating heart of Veligandu. Perched on the iconic Veligandu sandbank and spilling into the infinity pool, it offers uninterrupted 180-degree views of the ocean. Guests can watch the sun rise on the eastern side and sunset on the western side without leaving their seats.
“There are few places in the world where you can watch the sky change twice in a day while holding a cocktail in your hand,” I like to say.
The bar comes alive with evening entertainments from beach parties, live music, to traditional Maldivian Boduberu nights. The atmosphere shifts from tranquil afternoons to vibrant evenings, perfectly balancing relaxation and energy.
Cocktails that connect to moments
Every cocktail I create carries a piece of the Maldives in it. They are more than recipes. They are stories in liquid form. Our signature cocktail, the Welcome to Paradise” is our love letter to the Maldives and remains a guest’s favourite, as it truly tastes like the island in a glass. The “Kalhusai Passion Martini” bursts with passionfruit freshness, embodying the playful spirit of island life.
What I love most is pairing cocktails with moments. At sunset, I often recommend “Sapphire Blue Martini” or “Basil Verse”; Perfect companions for the golden hour. During Boduberu nights, festive drinks like “Coco Loco” or “Fling Kangaroo” capture the beats of the traditional drums. When the live band plays, I enjoy serving the “Fruity Captain”, a dark rum cocktail with blueberry, lime, and ginger ale that matches the smooth, soulful atmosphere. And when the DJ spins retro beats or hosts a white party, vibrant cocktails like the “Veli Cosmo” or “Flavoured Mojito” or “Kaipirinha” keep the energy high.
“A cocktail should always match the moment. That is when it becomes unforgettable,” I often remind my team.






My Personal Touch
For me, authenticity is everything. I love incorporating local Maldivian ingredients like coconut, passionfruit, and aromatic spices. They make every cocktail unique to this place. I like to think that guests do not just taste a drink, they taste the island itself.
For me, bartending has always been about connection. The greatest reward is seeing a guest’s face light up after that first sip.
“That smile, that sparkle in their eyes, reminds me why I stayed behind the bar all these years.”
It is never just about the drinks. It is about creating memories, something that will stay with them long after they have left Island. When a guest raises their glass at Thundi Bar, they are not just tasting a cocktail. They are tasting the island, the moment, and the memory. And that, more than anything, is why I love what I do.
So, if you ever visit Veligandu Maldives, come to Thundi Bar. Let me pour you a cocktail, tell you a story, and together, we will toast to sunsets, the sea, and the magic of this island.
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