Jetwing Hotels is set to launch Jetwing Kaduruketha – the first luxury agro-tourism project in Sri Lanka- in December 2015. Located in Wellawaya, a prominent waystation both into the country and to the east coast, the resort features 25 dwellings overlooking paddy fields and mountains.
Breeze rustles through the rice paddies – acres and acres of farmers’ hard work that paint the town of Wellawaya in a thousand shades of green and gold. Fed by the waters of the Kirindi Oya, the harvest of the area is the main source of income for the families that tend the abundant fields. Wellawaya’s charm is in its simplicity and the authenticity of the experience it gives to a visitor. From the roadside shops that pour up a steaming cup of tea and serve a heaping plate of rice and curry to the smiles of the farmers even as they labor on their precious lands; the heart and soul of this town is wonderfully Sri Lankan.
An agricultural town in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Uva province, Wellawaya is both a step into traditional living as well as a gateway to some of the country’s most magical places. With its location at the foot of the Namunukula mountain range, Wellawaya is a central point for visits to the hill country, the beaches of the east coast and the wild plains of the Deep South. A drive to the misty mountains of Ella, through the sprawling tea estates of Haputale and Bandarawela, brings you to a haven for the adventure tourist. Its hikes and mountain trails wind through cloud forests and plains of unparalleled beauty. Eastward are the pristine beaches of Pottuvil, where the waters are blue against shores of white and life works in slow motion in the laidback surfing town of Arugam Bay. Head south and wildlife enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with the Yala, Kumana and Lunugamvehera parks that boast a proud display of the island’s flora and fauna.
Ever true to Jetwing’s commitment to sustainable tourism, Jetwing Kaduruketha takes its place in the family as the first major agro-tourism project in the country. Inspired by the design of a traditional farming village, the wide open spaces of the hotel open to views of the paddy fields heavy with their crop of the season along with the spectacular mountain range in the horizon. Designed by Sunela Jayawardena, the renowned environmental architect responsible for Jetwing Vil Uyana, the 25 dwellings at Jetwing Kaduruketha will be furnished with natural materials such as wood and bamboo, maximizing natural ventilation and cooling thus eliminating the need for environmentally damaging air-conditioning. In addition, over 50 acres of the property has been devoted to the cultivation and harvest of paddy by local farmers – providing the community with a stake in the agro-resort itself.
“The ancient kings and queens of Sri Lanka prized agriculture above all else, considering it the lifeblood of our land” said Hiran Cooray, Chairman of Jetwing. “At Jetwing Kaduruketha, we offer our visitors experiences truly like no other, with Wellawaya being the perfect base to venture on exciting adventures to undiscovered destinations such as Buduruwagela, camping in Poonagala, village walks, the Madunagala Hot Springs, along with Ella, Lipton Seat, the Yala National Park, etc. Jetwing Kaduruketha will launch in December 2015, and we look forward to the resort being truly one of a kind in South Asia”.
