Sinharaja rainforest hotel project to be expanded

Shirajiv Sirimane in Berlin

The Sinharaja rainforest hotel project in Deniyaya, the only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country, with diverse culture of exquisite flora, is to be expanded.

Prema Cooray, one of the brains behind the project said though they received the initial green light, the project failed to get off the ground for many years and President Mahinda Rajapaksa had to intervene to clear the red tape.

He said this is a unique project where all major stake holders in the industry have invested. These include, Aitken Spence, John Keells, Jetwing, Serendib and many other hotels in addition MAS holdings, Dilmah Tea and CIC too had supported the project.

He said that the total cost for the project was US S$ four million.

Opened a few months ago offering 16 comfortable chalets that are designed with recycled material and adorned with every amenity imaginable the lodge is to be also given to a private operator to manage. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is the current facilitator of the project.

An unparalleled level of sustainability has been reached by incorporating the best practices in the spheres of planning, construction and operations.

The Rainforest, Deniyaya also became the first Sri Lankan hotel to be awarded the LEEDS PLATINUM for Sustainable Tourism It is also the fifth hotel in the world and fourth in Asia to be crowned with this rare honour. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, provided advisory assistance and USAID supported the initiative.

He said the government has spent nearly Rs. 15 million to improve the access road to the lodge.

He said they are also looking at introducing a Canopy Walk for the first time which would also be a first for the region. 'We are awaiting Presidents blessings for this project,'' he said.

The Rainforest Ecolodge, Deniyaya has been designed to preserve and provide a sensational experience of the forest habitat in all its glory. The Rainforest Ecolodge thrives on a 60 acre division of the Enselwatte Tea Estate bordering the South-eastern side of the Sinharaja Rainforest, with forest reserve.