Life style

A 30-year odyssey of a Buddhist monk to protect a national heritage

Published

4 years ago

2022/03/20

by Saman Indrajith

Ven Vanawasi Rahula Thera is not a person who needs an introduction as his legendary role in founding the National Ironwood Forest (Jathika Namal Uyana) at Galkiriyagama in Dambulla and protecting it for the past three decades is well known. But for him Namal Uyana would have been bulldozed and the trees would have been cut down as the country had witnessed a widespread deforestation with blessings of those in power in those 30 years.

March 28 of this year marks the 31st anniversary of the Namal Uyana. In 1991, Ven Rahula made his ashram at this site in the dense forest which has historic, archaeological, geographic as well as religious value. The site is considered very rich in biodiversity. Today, the Namal Uyana is considered the largest ironwood forest in the country and the home to the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia.

To coincide with the anniversary Ven Rahula Thero took the lead to form JNUIEO (Jathika Namal Uyana International Ecological Organisation) to ensure the sustainability of the campaign he started three decades back. “It is not sure that those in power understand the value of this site except in rupees and cents. People of this generation will stand by me to prevent any harm to it. The site is now internationally recognized and forming an international organisation will ensure its protection and benefits for the future generations,” Ven Rahula Thero said in an interview with the Sunday Island.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: A period of 30 years is almost a generation. You have been protecting this site for that long. How would you describe that past?

: This site was not populated when I arrived here. I think it was I who first brought it to the notice of the public after the times of ancient kings. According to the legend, King Devanampiyatissa had plans to set up a religious park somewhere near Dambulla. It is said that the work had commenced but owing to some unexpected reasons the King’s plans did not succeed and he was compelled to move the proposed site for that park to his capital city in Anuradhapura.

He established that religious park and named it as Mahamevuna Uyana. What happened to the abandoned site in Dambulla for the next few centuries was a mystery. Later during the times of King Dappula IV, the abandoned garden was found and it was declared as a human sanctuary and a monastery was said to have been set up. An inscription by the King Dappula IV declaring the religious site as a human sanctuary can still be seen at Adiyagala at the entrance to Namal Uyana.

When I arrived here it was dense forest. I was determined that this site should be protected for the posterity and built a hut on a Mora tree and started living there on March 28, 1991. There had been many threats to the environment and especially the pink quartz site. I fought against those threats and with the help of the media and people so that we could protect this site. Today school children, local and foreign tourists arrive here because it is now known as the largest ironwood forest in the country and the home to the largest Rose Quartz Mountain Range in South Asia.

The site covers around 2,000 acres. Surrounding areas have benefited with infrastructure development because the Namal Uyana has become a tourist attraction. I think I have done my duty as a Bhikkhu as well as a citizen. I did not build sky-scraping stupas or Buddha statues but protected and preserved a forest that can help all beings to breathe the oxygen they need. In addition, the park is rich in biodiversity. Although there is no complete documentation on the fauna and flora species found in this forest, it is believed that there are over 102 plant species out of which 85 per cent are of medicinal value. In addition there are over 18 species of birds and a large number of animals except the leopard and the bear. Many reptile, insect, butterfly and fish species are also found here. The Mesua nagssarium (Batu Na) is endemic to Sri Lanka. The ironwood tree was declared the national tree by former President Ranasinghe Premadasa on July 26, 1996.

Q: What is the need and objectives of the forming of an international organization?

I have been protecting this park now for three decades. Later I handed this over to the Central Cultural Fund. By doing so I thought of reliving myself of all ties to it to further my religious aspirations. Yet, it seems that my task is not completed because I have doubts whether the future generation would be able to benefit from this park as many of those in power see only the monetary value of natural resources.

This park with the pink quartz mountain is said to be over 550 million years old. According to archaeologists the site had been in existence even during the proto-historic period of this country. One of the objectives is to allow any student whether Sri Lankan or foreign to come here and study its natural and other resources. This park is open to anyone irrespective of religion, colour, politics and race. It may serve the need of an educational centre while its protection is ensured. Currently, the site has become a centre promoting environmental and nature tourism and education. This status should continue with further facilities. The new organization will allow not only Sri Lankans but also foreigners to take part in preserving this heritage for posterity.

Q: Could you please explain the structural and organizational nature of JNUIEO?

JNUIEO is registered body managed by a board of directors. Apart from that board we intend to open the membership to 100,000 Lankans countrywide in three categories – honorary, lifetime and working. We hope to appoint organizers in foreign countries as well as in Sri Lanka at electorate and district levels. This would be a secular organization since we are against religious extremism. It would remain non-political because we do not support any political party. There are many other organizations in the country to achieve such objectives.

I do not think ensuring of environmental and natural resource protection could be done by an organization that supports a political agenda. We are not against the development like some other green organizations but emphasize the need to strike a balance between the environment protection and development. This has been made an international body because the handful of environmental protection bodies in the country have no proper management skills. We may be able to bring in international persons with such skills and knowledge to ensure the protection of Namal Uyana.

Q: Do you think that the government would help you in this endeavor?

Well…I have experiences of working with all Presidents since 1991 and other public officials. I could say that I have received lot of assistance rather than hindrances. Since I am non-partisan I had no problem of approaching or working with any of those heads of state and government so far. They have helped me time to time and sometimes have provided resource persons too.

Q: Any special message to our readers?

I must thank Upali Newspapers Ltd and other media organizations for standing by me during the past whenever I campaigned to protect Namal Uyana. I hope that they would continue their services to protect this site in future. I invite anyone with an interest to preserve this national heritage to join hands with us.

All News Advertisement

Life style

Salman Faiz leads with vision and legacy

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

At the helm - blending heritage with vision

Salman Faiz has turned his family legacy into a modern sensory empire. Educated in London, he returned to Sri Lanka with a global perspective and a refined vision, transforming the family legacy into a modern sensory powerhouse blending flavours,colours and fragrances to craft immersive sensory experiences from elegant fine fragrances to natural essential oils and offering brand offerings in Sri Lanka. Growing up in a world perfumed with possibility, Aromatic Laboratories (Pvt) Limited founded by his father he has immersed himself from an early age in the delicate alchemy of fragrances, flavours and essential oils.

Salman Faiz did not step into Aromatic Laboratories Pvt Limited, he stepped into a world already alive with fragrance, precision and quiet ambition. Long before he became the Chairman of this large enterprise, founded by his father M. A. Faiz and uncle M.R. Mansoor his inheritance was being shaped in laboratories perfumed with possibility and in conversations that stretched from Colombo to outside the shores of Sri Lanka, where his father forged early international ties, with the world of fine fragrance.

Growing up amidst raw materials sourced from the world’s most respected fragrance houses, Salman Faiz absorbed the discipline of formulation and the poetry of aroma almost by instinct. When Salman stepped into the role of Chairman, he expanded the company’s scope from a trusted supplier into a fully integrated sensory solution provider. The scope of operations included manufacturing of flavours, fragrances, food colours and ingredients, essential oils and bespoke formulations including cosmetic ingredients. They are also leading supplier of premium fragrances for the cosmetic,personal care and wellness sectors Soon the business boomed, and the company strengthened its international sourcing, introduced contemporary product lines and extended its footprint beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.

Where raw materials transform into refined fragrance

Salman Faiz -carrying forward a legacy

Today, Aromatic Laboratories stands as a rare example of a second generation. Sri Lankan enterprise that has retained its soul while embracing scale and sophistication. Under Salman Faiz’s leadership, the company continues to honour his father’s founding philosophy that every scent and flavour carries a memory, or story,and a human touch. He imbibed his father’s policy that success was measured not by profit alone but the care taken in creation, the relationships matured with suppliers and the trust earned by clients.

“We are one of the leading companies manufacturing fragrances, dealing with imports,exports in Sri Lanka. We customise fragrances to suit specific applications. We also source our raw materials from leading French company Roberte’t in Grasse

Following his father, for Salman even in moments of challenge, he insisted on grace over haste, quality over conveniences and long term vision over immediate reward under Salman Faiz’s stewardship the business has evolved from a trusted family enterprise into a modern sensory powerhouse.

Now the company exports globally to France, Germany, the UK, the UAE, the Maldives and collaborates with several international perfumes and introduces contemporary products that reflect both sophistication and tradition.

We are one of the leading companies. We are one of the leading companies manufacturing fine and industrial fragrance in Sri Lanka. We customise fragrances to suit specific applications said Faiz

‘We also source our raw materials from renowned companies, in Germany, France, Dubai,Germany and many others.Our connection with Robertet, a leading French parfume House in Grasse, France runs deep, my father has been working closely with the iconic French company for years, laying the foundation for the partnership, We continue even today says Faiz”

Today this business stands as a rare example of second generation Sri Lankan entrepreneurship that retains its souls while embracing scale and modernity. Every aroma, every colour and every flavour is imbued with the care, discipline, and vision passed down from father to son – a living legacy perfected under Salmon Faiz’s guidance.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

Home coming with a vision

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

Uruwela Estate team

Harini and Chanaka cultivating change

When Harini and Chanaka Mallikarachchi returned to Sri Lanka after more than ten years in the United States, it wasn’t nostalgia alone that they brought home . It was purpose.Beneath the polished resumes and strong computer science backgrounds lay something far more personal- longing to reconnect with the land, and to give back to the country that shaped their memories. From that quiet but powerful decision was born Agri Vision not just an agricultural venture but a community driven movement grounded in sustainability ,empowerment and heritage. They transform agriculture through a software product developed by Avya Technologies (Pvt Limited) Combining global expertise with a deep love for their homeland, they created a pioneering platform that empowers local farmers and introduce innovative, sustainable solutions to the country’s agri sector.

After living for many years building lives and careers in theUnited States, Harini and Chanaka felt a powerful pull back to their roots. With impressive careers in the computer and IT sector, gaining global experience and expertise yet, despite their success abroad, their hearts remained tied to Sri Lanka – connection that inspired their return where they now channel their technological know-how to advance local agriculture.

For Harini and Chanaka, the visionaries behind Agri Vision are redefining sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka. With a passion for innovation and community impact, they have built Agri Vision into a hub for advanced agri solutions, blending global expertise with local insight.

In Sri Lanka’s evolving agricultural landscape, where sustainability and authenticity are no longer optional but essential. Harini and Chanaka are shaping a vision that is both rooted and forward looking. In the heart of Lanka’s countryside, Uruwela estate Harini and Chanaka alongside the ever inspiring sister Malathi, the trio drives Agri Vision an initiative that fuses cutting edge technology with age old agricultural wisdom. At the core of their agri philosophy lies two carefully nurtured brands artisan tea and pure cinnamon, each reflecting a commitment to quality, heritage and people.

Armed with global exposure and professional backgrounds in the technology sector,they chose to channel thier experiences into agriculture, believing that true progress begins at home.

: Avya Technologies (Pvt) ltd software company that developed Agri Vision

: Chanaka,Harini and Shakya Mallikarachchi and Malathi Malathi dias (middle)

But the story of Agri Vision is as much about relationships as it is about technology. Harini with her sharp analytical mind, ensures the operations runs seamlessly Chanaka, the strategist looks outward, connecting Agri Vision to globally best practices and Malathi is their wind behind the wings, ensures every project maintains a personal community focussed ethos. They cultivate hope, opportunity and a blueprint for a future where agriculture serves both the land and the people who depend on it .

For the trio, agriculture is not merely about cultivation, it is about connection. It is about understanding the rhythm of the land, respecting generations of farming knowledge, and that growth is shared by the communities that sustain it. This belief forms the backbone of Agro’s vision, one that places communities not only on the periphery, but at the very heart of every endeavour.

Artisan tea is a celebration of craft and origin sourced from selected growing regions and produced with meticulous attention to detail, the tea embodier purity, traceability and refinement, each leaf is carefully handled to preserve character and flavour, reflecting Sri Lanka’s enduring legacy as a world class tea origin while appealing to a new generation of conscious consumers complementing this is pure Cinnamon, a tribute to authentic Ceylon, Cinnamon. In a market saturated with substitutes, Agri vision’s commitment to genuine sourcing and ethical processing stands firm.

By working closely with cinnamon growers and adhering to traditional harvesting methods, the brands safeguards both quality and cultural heritage.

What truly distinguishes Harini and Chanake’s Agri Vision is their community approach. By building long term partnerships with smallholders. Farmers, the company ensures fair practises, skill development and sustainable livelihoods, These relationships foster trust and resilience, creating an ecosystem where farmers are valued stakeholders in the journey, not just suppliers.

Agri vision integrates sustainable practices and global quality standards without compromising authenticity. This harmony allows Artisan Tea and Pure Cinnamon to resonate beyond borders, carrying with them stories of land, people and purpose.

As the brands continue to grow Harini and Chanaka remain anchored in their founding belief that success of agriculture is by the strength of the communities nurtured along the way. In every leaf of tea and every quill of cinnamon lies a simple yet powerful vision – Agriculture with communities at heart.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

Marriot new GM Suranga

Published

5 hours ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

Suranga new G. M. at Mariott

Courtyard by Marriott Colombo has welcomed Suranga Peelikumbura as its new General Manager, ushering in a chapter defined by vision, warmth, and global sophistication.

Suranga’s story is one of both breadth and depth. Over two decades, he has carried the Marriott spirit across continents, from the shimmering luxury of The Ritz-Carlton in Doha to the refined hospitality of Ireland, and most recently to the helm of Resplendent Ceylon as Vice President of Operations. His journey reflects not only international mastery but also a devotion to Sri Lanka’s own hospitality narrative.

What distinguishes Suranga is not simply his credentials but the philosophy that guides him. “Relationships come first, whether with our associates, guests, partners, or vendors. Business may follow, but it is the strength of these connections that defines us.” It is this belief, rooted in both global perspective and local heart, that now shapes his leadership at Courtyard Colombo.

At a recent gathering of corporate leaders, travel partners, and media friends, Suranga paid tribute to outgoing General Manager Elton Hurtis, hon oring his vision and the opportunities he created for associates to flourish across the Marriott world. With deep respect for that legacy, Suranga now steps forward to elevate guest experiences, strengthen community ties, and continue the tradition of excellence that defines Courtyard Colombo.

From his beginnings at The Lanka Oberoi and Cinnamon Grand Colombo to his leadership roles at Weligama Bay Marriott and Resplendent Ceylon, Suranga’s career is a testament to both resilience and refinement. His return to Marriott is not merely a professional milestone, it is a homecoming.