Seylan Cards collaborates with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts to host ‘The Gathering of Giants’ for 2nd consecutive year

Seylan Cards, the essential card for heartfelt essentials, renewed its collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and its nature-based tourism arm, Cinnamon Nature Trails, as the exclusive banking partner for the second consecutive year with ‘The Gathering of Giants’, an event celebrating the world’s largest congregation of Asian elephants.

This wildlife phenomenon is unique to Sri Lanka, occurring every year between June and October, when elephant herds gather in large numbers along the shores of the tank at Minneriya National Park. Through its partnership, Seylan Bank enables a one-of-a-kind experience for its loyal customers, going beyond merely counting the number of elephants during a safari. Offering an exclusive experience for Seylan Cardholders, the partnership for ‘The Gathering of Giants’ featured a two-night, three-day package at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. The offer also included two guided safaris by Cinnamon Nature Trails to witness the elephants in their natural habitat, along with a gala dinner and complimentary access to multiple presentations, workshops, and discussions aimed at educating and sharing knowledge.

The event, which took place from 25^th to 27^th July 2025, was an admirable example of purpose in action, bridging the gap between intention and impact. Moreover, it was the powerful result of curated storytelling, immersive experiences, and ongoing educational outreach aimed at fostering a culture of sustainable and responsible tourism. 

Commenting on the collaboration, Asiri Abhayaratne, Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Sales, Seylan Bank PLC, said, “This partnership represents an endeavour to create unique experiences for our customers. Combining the world-class hospitality of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts with the efforts of dedicated naturalists and field experts at Cinnamon Nature Trails, the experience offered a truly transformative journey. ‘The Gathering of Giants’ was unlike any other event because it actively engaged audiences and encouraged meaningful conservation and education efforts while providing a truly life-affirming spectacle. As an enabler of meaningful progress, we’re delighted partnering the second iteration of this event. We hope the experience of being part of this initiative inspires our customers with a deeper appreciation of what Sri Lanka has to offer, and hopefully, a stronger commitment to conservation.”

Building on last year’s series of insightful presentations, this year’s line-up of behind-the-scenes encounters and enriched educational content was expanded to include Noah Falklind and Hannah Gormley’s Living with Leopards. The wildlife film-making duo’s presentation at Habarana, offered rare insights from the field, and exclusive footage that provided a conversation-sparking exploration of the secret lives of these elusive predators.

Two distinguished speakers whose expertise further enriched the programme’s educational focus. Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, Sri Lanka’s leading elephant expert and Chair of the Centre for Conservation and Research, broadened the programme’s scope with his talk, Elephants & Conservation, a discussion that explored the complex relationship between elephants and humans, offering strategies on how both species can coexist in harmony. Renowned ornithologist Professor Sampath Seneviratne of the University of Colombo followed with an examination of Sri Lanka’s unique ecological positioning as a global corridor for birdlife in a conversation titled Avian Migration to Sri Lanka. 

Chitral Jayatilake, Vice President, Cinnamon Nature Trails, also added, “At Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, we believe in the power of storytelling through experience. Our renewed partnership with Seylan Bank brings this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon to life. ‘The Gathering of Giants’ is a powerful platform to educate, engage, and inspire. Through this partnership, we offer a front-row seat to one of nature’s grandest spectacles and a chance to foster a deeper understanding of our surroundings, an integral part of our mission at Cinnamon Nature Trails”.  

Seylan Credit and Debit Cardholders enjoyed an exclusive 10% discount, along with the added benefit of a 0% interest, 12-month Easy Payment Plan (EPP), which allowed them to spread the cost over a year with no additional charges, and helping the Bank with a Heart to fulfil its purpose as an enabler of transformative experiences for its cardholders