Sigiriya Jungles celebrates 10 yrs

A decade of welcoming travellers to Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle was marked by Sigiriya Jungles Resort & Spa with a celebration that placed the wellbeing of its surrounding communities at its centre.

The resort recently commemorated its 10th anniversary with a community medical camp, held at the property, bringing a range of health screening and medical services to residents from nearby villages.

The camp offered BMI assessments, full blood tests, cholesterol screening, blood pressure checks, eye and dental examinations, medicines and health awareness sessions. The initiative focused on preventive healthcare, giving members of the surrounding communities an opportunity to access basic health checks and receive advice on maintaining healthier lifestyles.

The camp was followed by the resort’s anniversary celebrations that evening, attended by religious leaders, health officials and other dignitaries.

A decade of growth

Since opening in 2016, Sigiriya Jungles has welcomed more than 250,000 guests to its 60-room property, building its presence as a destination for travellers exploring Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.

Founder and Chairperson Devindre Senaratne said the anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the relationships built over the past decade, rather than focusing solely on the resort’s commercial achievements.

“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,” he said.

The anniversary medical camp was an extension of that community focus, with residents able to receive several screenings and consultations in one location.

Senaratne said the response to the initiative had been encouraging, with the participation demonstrating the value of bringing such services closer to communities.

“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 said.

The camp also gave the resort an opportunity to mark its anniversary through a practical community initiative rather than limiting the occasion to an internal celebration.

“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,” Senaratne said.

Connecting tourism with the community

Community engagement has been part of Sigiriya Jungles’ activities throughout its first decade.

The resort has supported projects including the construction of the Audangawa Village Temple, continued assistance to Moragaswewa Vidyalaya in Habarana and regular shramadana campaigns.

It has also worked with local suppliers and invested in skills development. More than 650 individuals have received training through the resort over the past decade, with many subsequently finding employment in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and overseas.

For a property operating within one of the country’s most important tourism regions, the resort has also sought to give visitors opportunities to experience the communities and traditions surrounding it.

Its Audangawa Village Tour and traditional Sri Lankan village cooking demonstrations at Archchi’s offer visitors an insight into local life and food culture, extending the tourism experience beyond the resort itself.

Senaratne said the people involved in these initiatives were an important part of the resort’s 10-year story.

“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,” he said.

The resort itself was purposefully designed to reflect its setting in the Cultural Triangle. Designed by architect Vinod Jayasinghe, a protégé of the late Geoffrey Bawa, the property features a bridge inspired by the historic Bogoda Bridge.

Its location provides access to UNESCO World Heritage attractions including Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, while its village-based experiences provide a closer connection to the communities surrounding the resort.

Over its 10 years, Sigiriya Jungles has also received a number of industry recognitions, including TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence and consecutive TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards from 2020 to 2026. It received the Booking.com Traveller Review Award 2026, as well as certifications relating to safe and secure hospitality operations and international food safety standards under ISO 22000.

However, the resort is now looking towards sustainability as an increasingly important part of its next chapter.

Looking to the next decade

General Manager Chaminda Samaranayake said the resort’s 10th anniversary was an opportunity to acknowledge everyone who had contributed to its development, from employees and guests to local communities and business partners.

“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 said.

The resort is currently progressing towards Travelife certification as part of its continued sustainability efforts.

Samaranayake said the anniversary camp was particularly fitting because it brought together the resort’s commitment to community engagement and wellbeing. “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,” he said.

As Sigiriya Jungles moves into its second decade, the anniversary has offered an opportunity to look back at its growth, the people it has trained and the relationships it has developed, while continuing to build its role within the wider community.

For Senaratne, the past ten years have ultimately been about more than the number of guests who have stayed at the resort. “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,” he said.