First in Sri Lanka, fifth in the world and fourth in Asia to be thus recognised for LEED honour for sustainable tourism

The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, occupying a 500-acre division of the Enselwatte Tea Estate, marking the South-Eastern perimeter of the Sinharaja Rainforest, has received LEED Platinum certification for Sustainable Tourism through Eco Management. Mario Seneviratne, LEED Consultant and Managing Director, Green Technologies, Dubai, has shared this information in a communiqué.

The lodge overlooking the country’s richest natural habitat, is the first project in Sri Lanka, fifth in the world and fourth in Asia to earn the recognition, the communiqué added. The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, is also the first major collaborated private sector initiative by the leisure corporates in the country, it further elaborated.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, reportedly provided advisory assistance and USAID supported the initiative.

Prema Cooray, Chairman of the Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, receiving the LEED Platinum Award for Ecotourism from Mario Seneviratne, LEED Fellow, Managing Director, Green Technologies, Dubai (Inset: The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka)

According to the communiqué, lauding the certification, the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, said: “I am pleased to send this message for the opening of The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, marking a significant advance in Ecotourism in the country.

“Located at the foothills bordering the Sinharaja rainforest, conceptualised and built to ensure the protection of nature and the environment, this could most correctly be described as an outstanding example of an ‘Ecolodge’, which takes Sri Lanka’s tourism to a new height of progress with the combination of ecotourism and sustainable development….

“It is noteworthy that observing of best practices in the field of ecotourism in the development of this important venture has won it the Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council under its scheme of LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). We can be truly proud of this honour, which I understand is the first time such a rating has been bestowed on a Sri Lankan hotel….

The President of Sri Lanka,
Mahinda Rajapaksa

“I wish The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, every success in this groundbreaking venture to promote high quality ecotourism in the country.”

Basil Rajapaksa, the Minister of Economic Development, in his message reportedly said: “The prestigious LEED Platinum Certification awarded to the Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, recognises Sri Lanka’s focus on sustainable tourism. The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to promoting diversity in the country’s tourism product and Ecotourism takes high priority and focus as a new area of global interest. The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka, is a combined creation of some [of] Sri Lanka’s leading conglomerates, who have transcended their core businesses to build a unique travel proposition that we as a Nation can benefit from….

“I believe that The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka is a perfect example of where the best practices of planning, construction and promotion have been fulfilled….

“I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a role in realising The Rainforest, Deniyaya, Sri Lanka dream.”