SRI LANKA ECOTOURISM FOUNDATION

WELCOME TO SRI LANKA ECOTOURISM FOUNDATION

STARS+ Erasmus Programme of European Union (EU) supports Madurawala Ecotourism Project

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF), the pioneer National Ecotourism Society of Sri Lanka (www.ecotouismsrilanka.net) is Coordinating the ERASMUS + STARS Programme in Sri Lanka in association with the Fundación General de la Universidad de La Laguna located in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain and supported by the Education,

Madurawala Community Based Ecotourism Project has been launched in July, 2017

Madurawala and Anguruwatota are located in the Western Province, Kalutara District. From Kalutara to madurawala is just 30 KMS. Madurawala is accessible from Neboda-Horana Road or Horana-Kalutara Road. The Madurawala Village is located around 52 KMS from Colombo. Madurawala is located in close proximity to Anguruwatota Ancient Village which is part of the ancient Kingdom of Sitawaka and Raigam Kindom.

Sri Lanka Tourism represents at World Tourism Conference – 2016, Penang, Malaysia.

Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) and General Secretary, Asia-Pacific Regional Ecotourism Council (APREC)

The 4th World Tourism Conference 2016 was held in the historic city of George Town, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Penang, Malaysia from 17th to 19th of October, 2016.

PRESS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE AND ECOTOURISM; Sustainable Tourism Agents in Rural Societies (STARS)

The International Conference on Sustainable Tourism Agents in Rural Societies (STARS) which was held in Kandy and Horton Plains, Sri Lanka, from 19th to 25th February, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

Launch and the Inaugural Workshop of National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC) Programme

The Workshop on first ever National Sustainable Tourism Certification (NSTC) Programme for Small and Medium Enterprises Tourism and Community Based Tourism

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT (IYST), 2017

‘to give a “voice to the Ecotourism fraternity of the Asia-Pacific region” that can be heard in the wider global forum of discussions…’ The APREC is trying to develop a programme/project under the branding of ‘feel the community proud through tourism business’ by promoting and strengthening of Community Based Ecotourism Enterprises (CBE) to increase the

Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN)

Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN) and the Training Programme on ‘Standards and Certification’ conducted by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (UNWTO-GSTC) was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 4th to 6th June, 2016 at the Auditorium of Thai Public Office of Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism....

Panama CBT-Press

A Network of Community Based Tourism Projects was ceremonially launched at Panama in the East Coast, Sri Lanka, on the 30th June, 2016 (Thursday) These Projects are being supported by ILO and Australian Aid. Under these projects a Central Tourism Office of Panama Community Based Tourism Association (CBTA)...

Small and Medium Enterprises Network of Tourism Sri Lanka

'…..promoting sustainable tourism through SMEs and CBTs…'

"We are giving a voice to small and medium tourism entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka that can be heard in the wider global forum of discussions and feel the SME tourism fraternity proud through tourism businesses", added SLEF press statement.

ASIAN ECOTOURISM NETWORK (AEN) ESTABLISHED

A long-felt need for the Ecotourism Fraternity in Asia

A group of Asian ecotourism leaders gathered to kick off the Asian Ecotourism Network (Ecotourism Asia-AEN) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on the 16th of October, 2014, in conjunction with the 8th Asia Pacific Ecotourism Conference.

Agrotourism training programmes For Women

A Project by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) to support rural women through Training on Agro Tourism, Community Tourism , Management of Farm and Ecolodges

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) conducts a training programme on Ecotourism in Turkey

Palitha Gurusinghe, President of Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation has been invited by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, Turkey, to conduct a Training Programme on Ecotourism for the officials of the Wildlife Sector and National Parks in Turkey.

SLEF Training -Turkey Media Cover - Sunday Times

SLEF initiates online/distance learning courses on SUSTAINABILITY & ECOTOURISM

Presidential Awards for Travel and Tourism Sri Lanka-2010

Palitha Gurusinghe, President, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation is receiving Presidential Tourism Awards-For Sri Lanka Tourism 2010 'Outstanding Contribution for Tourism Sri Lanka'

Community Tourism Fund (CTF), 2013

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) has initiated a Community Supporting Programme to help the communities living around tourism generating areas of Sri Lanka.

Small and Medium Enterprises of Tourism in Sri Lanka (SME); a new Initiative by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF)

To position Sri Lanka as a Sustainable Ecotourism destination, the country needs the services of Small and Medium Scale Ecotourism Network, (SMEN) consisting of tour operators, hotel and lodge owners and Community Based Ecotourism Enterprises (CBEs)

Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) represented Sri Lanka at the Ecotourism Workshop in Thimpu, Bhutan.

The workshop was organized by South Asia Women's Network (SAWN) and Tourism Council of Bhutan, Thimphu, with the support of ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal, through their EU-funded Himalica Programme)

SLEF Office and Home Stay opened

On March, 2014, Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation moved to a new office complex with more facilities. It has been ceremonially opened by Mr. and Mrs. Goji and Masako Atsumi from Japan.

5th Annual Sri Lanka Tourism Awards -2011

Sri Lanka Tourism Awards - 2011 was held on 30th August 2012, at the Waters Edge – Battramulla, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) was awarded as the 'Best Initiative for Ecotourism Research,

Ecotourism Business Development (EBD) Participants enjoyed the study Tour/Field Trip

The participants who followed the EBD programme, conducted by the Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation (SLEF) went on a field trip and overnight camping during the week end.

CERTIFICATE COURSE IN ECOTOURISM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (EBD) Conducted by Sri Lanka Ecotourism Foundation in association with The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and Asia-Pacific Regional Ecotourism Council (APREC)

Next Programme commences on; 23rd June, 2012 Venue: Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (Hotel School) Colombo, 03

Certificate Course in Ecotourism Business Development (EBD)

Names of the Participants who completed the Programme from June to August, 2012

Rohan Abeywickrama, Chairman, Hawk Travels Ltd
Shane Gunawijaya, Chairman, Thargala Ecolodge, Kalametiya, Tangalle
S.Indika Wijesinghe, Manager, Jewelex Agro Pvt Ltd, Sigiriya
Indika De Costa, Company Director, Chairman
Sanjeewa Bandara Ekanayake, Manager, Kosan Crisplant
Ruwan S Jayasundara, Attorney-at-Law, Chairman, Yesmin Travels Ltd
Anuradha Ekanayake, Manager, Paradise Travel and Tours (UK), Sri Lanka Office
Jagath Abeyweera, Bank Manager, IT Division, Hatton National Bank Ltd
Amila Isuruduwa, Final Year Student, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya
Vipuladheera Jayasinghe, Chairman, Alkin Holiday Resort, Kandalama
M.S. Dilroshan Fernando, Tour Executive, Heritage Expeditions Ltd
Arosha Jayasundara, Chairman, Cinnamon Village, Horana
M.G. Manoj Prasanna, Programme Officer, Biodiversity Division, Ministry of Environment
Ashvinee Samudrika Pathirana, Under Graduate
C.Dumindahewa, Chairman, Travel Agent, Managing Director, Yala Holidays Limited
Indika Weerasinghe, Marketing Consultant, Sylvan Tours Ltd

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), has offered 50% discount on the 'One Year Professional Membership' for the EBD Participants whose names indicated above. It will be a great opportunity for them to join the oldest and largest ecotourism organization in the world and involved in the activities performed by TIES in the Ecotourism Fields