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Power cuts in Kandy? Here are four cafes to your rescue 

19 Jun 2022

  By Shakira Shareef   Living in a country with constant power cuts is a nightmare, but not everyone can afford to sit through the darkness. Some of us have to work to put food on our tables, and others have to focus on academics to meet their life goals.  Life goals in Sri Lanka? It sounds a bit unsettling, when people are in the depths of despair. In times like these, nothing helps us as much as our own people, with cafes, restaurants, and other businesses extending their space to help students and workers.   Working from home is not everyone’s cup of coffee/tea, so that’s another reason why people look for such spaces. My friend and I looked up cafes to get our work done during power cuts, and although we weren’t too hopeful about finding cafes with generators or no power cuts in Kandy, we did find the following cafes.    Vegan Tranquil Rose   This is one of my favourite spots to work. The place is amazing and so is the service of its staff. As I kept returning over several days, I grew comfortable working there. I felt like I was getting more work done there than at home, given the distractions (this is coming from someone who has worked from home all her life, but things are hard now).  The staff made sure that the fan and the lights were switched on. I’m a ‘waterholic,’ so I kept asking for water several times, and the staff didn’t once pull a face. That said, you’ll have a comfortable work setting and good food.  They don’t charge for the electricity or the workspace, but don’t take their kindness for granted; instead, buy something for letting you work in that space. They don’t have WiFi, so you will have to take yours.  However, if you want to double-check before going to the cafe, you can DM the cafe’s Instagram page or call to inquire about power supply.   Address: 11/1/1, DS Senanayake Veediya, Kandy  Contact: 070 375 7746 Opening hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (open every day but hours might differ on Poya days)  Instagram: @tranquilrose_vegan   Cafe Secret Alley   If you get bored working at Vegan Tranquil Rose, you can walk to Cafe Secret Alley in two minutes to enjoy a different work setting. You might love the serenity in this place because, just like its name implies, the place is tucked away, which means more peace and privacy.  I haven’t tried working here but I have been there to spend quality time with friends, and I give it a 10/10. This place has an amazing range of food and excellent customer service. I contacted the cafe to make sure that it lets customers engage in work and study, and received a positive response.  But it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so call or DM the establishment to ask whether you can come over to use the space.    Address: 1/1/1, 10, E.L. Senanayake Veediya, Kandy  Contact: 077 303 2933 Opening hours: 8 a.m.-5.30 p.m. (closed on Mondays, and hours might differ on Poya days)  Instagram: @cafesecretalley   Cafe The Vibe   Another cool spot with amazing food where you can work when you have no electricity at home. The best thing about this cafe is its location. It’s easy to find, and you can enjoy the vibe it gives, just as the name suggests.  I haven’t worked there yet, but I have tasted and liked the food. Eating good food and getting your work done is a win-win situation. I contacted the cafe to check whether it would allow us to use the space for work, and the answer was yes. While there, don’t forget to click pictures with the angel wings artwork. Even if you go there for work, let’s spice up life a bit.    Address: 258/4/1, DS Senanayake Veediya, Kandy  Contact: 077 042 5291 Opening hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (open every day but hours might differ on Poya days)  Instagram: @cafethevibe   The Garage Cafe   If you’re a vehicle enthusiast or enjoy recycled decorations, you will love this place. The interior and seating space are set up with tires and barrels, and it’s a terrific value addition.  Although I haven’t visited this cafe in person, reviews suggest it has good food and amazing staff. I managed to get in touch with the cafe to inquire whether I can work when there’s no power, and thankfully, the cafe has managed to set up a generator to make things easy for workers and students.    Address: 96 Peradeniya Road, Kandy  Contact: : 0773681688  Opening hours: 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. (open every day but hours might differ on Poya days)  Instagram: @thegaragecafe_   Although I’ve double-checked the information given here, it would be wiser to call these places and inquire about seating spaces and other vital details before going to these cafes to work. Sometimes you might go during peak hours, or they might have no room to accommodate you, so make sure to check before you go.    PHOTOS © SHAKIRA SHAREEF, CEYLON PAGES  


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