Sigiriya Jungles Marks 10 Years with a Free Medical Camp for Villagers Around the Cultural Triangle

Sigiriya Jungles Marks 10 Years with a Free Medical Camp for Villagers Around the Cultural Triangle

Image Source : www.lankatalks.com

A decade of hospitality at Sigiriya Jungles Resort & Spa has been commemorated through an initiative that placed community wellbeing at the centre of its anniversary programme, with a free medical camp providing residents from nearby villages with access to a range of preventive health services.

The initiative, reported by LankaTalks on 28 September 2026, reflected an approach to hospitality that extends beyond the boundaries of a commercial property, recognising that the long-term strength of a destination is closely connected to the wellbeing, skills and opportunities available to its surrounding communities.

Held at the resort, the medical camp enabled residents to access several basic health checks and consultations in one location. The services included BMI assessments, full blood tests, cholesterol screening, blood pressure checks, eye examinations, dental examinations, medicines and health awareness sessions.

Rather than focusing solely on immediate treatment, the programme emphasised preventive healthcare, giving community members an opportunity to identify possible health concerns, speak with medical professionals and receive advice about maintaining healthier lifestyles. Such initiatives can be particularly valuable in rural areas, where access to multiple forms of screening and professional guidance may otherwise require additional travel, time and expense.

The medical camp was followed by Sigiriya Jungles’ 10th-anniversary celebrations that evening, which were attended by religious leaders, health officials and other dignitaries.

AI-generated illustration based on the source article.

A decade measured through people and relationships

Sigiriya Jungles opened in 2016 and has since welcomed more than 250,000 guests to its 60-room property in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Although visitor numbers provide one measure of commercial growth, the resort’s anniversary reflections placed considerable emphasis on the relationships developed with local residents, suppliers, employees and community institutions.

Founder and Chairperson Devindre Senaratne said:

“Our greatest achievement is not measured by occupancy or awards, but by the happy guests and the relationships we have built over a decade. Seeing this positive impact is what really makes us happy.”

That perspective was also evident in the decision to mark the anniversary with a medical camp, rather than limiting the occasion to an internal or ceremonial celebration. By bringing health screenings and advice to villagers from surrounding communities, the resort created a practical opportunity for its anniversary to produce a direct social benefit.

Senaratne said:

“We were very happy with the response to the medical camp. Seeing people from the surrounding villages come in, take part in the screenings and speak with the medical professionals made the initiative particularly meaningful for us.”

He added:

“An anniversary is a time to celebrate, but it is also a time to remember the people who have been part of your journey. We wanted to give something back to the community that has supported us throughout these ten years.”

AI-generated illustration based on the source article; no authentic source photograph was available.

Training local people and creating employment pathways

The resort’s community contribution has extended beyond individual charitable activities, with skills development forming an important part of its engagement record. More than 650 individuals have received training through Sigiriya Jungles over the past decade, and many have subsequently found employment in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and overseas.

This training pathway is significant because hospitality businesses can serve as practical centres for professional development, particularly for people living near major cultural and heritage locations. Exposure to food preparation, guest services, housekeeping, administration and other operational areas can provide young people with skills that remain transferable across Sri Lanka and international employment markets.

The employment impact also illustrates how a hospitality property can contribute to the wider economic ecosystem rather than operating as an isolated enterprise. Local workers gain experience, suppliers receive business opportunities and community members can develop professional connections that may support future careers.

Senaratne said:

“Over the years, we have seen people from the local community join us, develop their skills and build careers in hospitality. We have also been able to work with local suppliers and support community projects. These relationships are something we value greatly.”

AI-generated illustration based on the source article.

Supporting village institutions and community projects

Sigiriya Jungles has supported several community initiatives during its first decade, including the construction of the Audangawa Village Temple and continued assistance to Moragaswewa Vidyalaya in Habarana. The resort has also participated in regular shramadana campaigns, through which community members and supporting organisations work together on practical improvement projects.

These activities form part of a broader understanding of corporate social responsibility, in which assistance is directed towards local institutions, education and shared public spaces. Such support can be especially meaningful in communities located near high-profile cultural sites, where local identity and heritage remain closely connected to the region’s social and economic life.

The resort’s Audangawa Village Tour and traditional Sri Lankan village cooking demonstrations at Archchi’s also provide visitors with an insight into local life and food culture. From a community perspective, these activities create a platform through which local knowledge, culinary traditions and everyday experiences can be valued, shared and sustained.

The approach is consistent with eLanka’s long-standing interest in positive stories about Sri Lankan people, institutions and community initiatives, including its coverage of Sri Lanka’s heritage and the enduring significance of locations such as Sigiriya.

Architecture shaped by place and heritage

The property was designed by architect Vinod Jayasinghe, a protégé of the late Geoffrey Bawa, whose work has had a profound influence on Sri Lankan architecture and the relationship between built environments and natural settings.

Sigiriya Jungles features a bridge inspired by the historic Bogoda Bridge, linking the property’s design with Sri Lanka’s architectural heritage while reinforcing its setting within the Cultural Triangle. The region is home to some of the country’s most important historical locations, including Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura.

The resort is also progressing towards Travelife certification as part of its continuing sustainability efforts. While certification remains a process rather than a completed outcome, the move indicates an intention to strengthen environmental and social standards in the years ahead.

AI-generated illustration based on the source article.

Looking towards the next decade

General Manager Chaminda Samaranayake acknowledged the contribution of the people and organisations that have helped shape the resort’s first decade.

 “We are deeply grateful to our guests, staff, local communities, religious leaders, suppliers and partners who have helped shape these ten years. The next chapter will be guided by the same values that brought us here.”

He described the medical camp as a particularly rewarding part of the anniversary programme:

“The medical camp was a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. It was wonderful to see the community making use of the services and to know that we could contribute in a practical way to their wellbeing.”

The combination of preventive healthcare, local training, employment creation, supplier relationships and support for community institutions presents a model in which hospitality is connected to the social fabric of its location. For a business operating near one of Sri Lanka’s most important heritage landscapes, this approach offers a constructive example of how commercial success can be accompanied by practical community responsibility.

As Sigiriya Jungles enters its second decade, Senaratne said the resort’s most valued achievements were found in the human connections established over time:

“When we look back at these ten years, we think about the people, the friendships and the opportunities created along the way. That is what makes the anniversary special for us, and we hope to continue building on that in the years ahead.”

The medical camp therefore served as more than an anniversary activity. It represented a continuing effort to acknowledge the communities that surround the resort, strengthen access to basic health awareness and demonstrate that the future of Sri Lankan hospitality can be shaped not only by facilities and visitor numbers, but also by service, opportunity and social consciousness.

Source: https://www.lankatalks.com/post/sigiriya-jungles-celebrates-10-yrs

This article was written based on the source https://www.lankatalks.com/post/sigiriya-jungles-celebrates-10-yrs, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.

eLanka Disclaimer

Content published on eLanka may be created by the eLanka team, submitted by contributors or third parties, reproduced or adapted from other sources with appropriate source acknowledgement, or provided as promotional/advertising material by our clients. While eLanka takes reasonable care in preparing and publishing content, we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Views expressed are those of the respective authors or contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of eLanka. Third-party contributors, content providers and advertisers are responsible for the accuracy of material they supply and for ensuring they hold the necessary rights and permissions for its publication. Advertising and promotional content should not be regarded as an endorsement by eLanka of any product, service or claim.