Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts launches rainforest restoration project

Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project signage unveiled 

Tree planting at Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project launch

Panel discussion (from left): Forest Department Sri Lanka Deputy Conservator of Forest Nishantha Edirisinghe, Ruk Rakaganno President Dushy Perera, John Keells Holdings Vice President and Nature Trails Head Chitral Jayatilake, John Keells Holdings Head of CSR Carmeline Jayasuriya, and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts COO and Deputy CEO Hishan Singhawansa

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts proudly launched its latest sustainability initiative this week, “Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project” in collaboration with Ruk Rakaganno (The Tree Society of Sri Lanka), Forest Department Sri Lanka and John Keells Foundation, to restore a degraded 50-acre plot over a period of three years after which nature will take over the regeneration process. 

Natural forest regrowth is increasingly being seen as a viable climate change solution globally and this project herald the dawn of a new era in enriching Sri Lanka’s biodiversity amid a sense of urgency. 

Ruk Rakaganno President Dushy Perera stated, “Popularly known as “Ruk Raks” (Tree Protectors) our ultimate goal of this collaboration is to restore 50 acres of degraded land in the wet zone of Sri Lanka situated in the buffer zone of the Sinharaja Rainforest. We are thankful to John Keells Foundation for funding this imminent initiative and partnering with us on this ground-breaking project”

The 50-acre site is situated in the Ratnapura District, at proximity of 3.5 kilometres from the biodiversity hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, one of the few virgin forests left in the country. Restoring and reforesting this 50-acre site will further enrich the ecological significance of the region which also consists of numerous waterfalls and places of cultural and religious significance. The “Cinnamon Rainforest Restoration Project” provides a timely role model for corporate institutions working with government organisations and NGOs to conserve biodiversity.

Commenting on the pioneering project Head of Nature Trails Chitral Jayatilake said, “One of the aims of the project is to engage guests at Cinnamon properties by welcoming them to be part of Cinnamon Nature Trails visit to the project site, where they can learn about the project to feel a sense of ownership. This path-breaking project foresees reclaiming forest land that will preserve the endemic flora and fauna in the area while also paving the way for more such reforestation projects across the land.”

The project also envisages encouraging employee volunteerism to clear invasive plants and prepare the ground soil to be ready for planting. Speaking on behalf of John Keells Foundation Head of CSR Carmeline Jayasuriya said, “We are delighted to be part of this collective mission of conserving critical ecosystems around Sinharaja Forest. Beyond our funding commitment, we plan to actively engage staff volunteers of John Keells Group as well as the community in clearing invasive plants, preparing the ground soil and planting trees which will add value to the project and also bring personal fulfilment in being part of a sustainable reforestation effort.”

As part of the project’s engagement plans, guests from Cinnamon properties will be escorted by a trained naturalist at the site who will show them around and explain the objectives of the project. Guests who wish to plant a tree will be able to do so at a pre-selected spot, bearing the cost of each plant as a donation towards the project, while also tagging the plant in a manner that links the planter to the tree to enable monitoring of the tree’s progress over the years.

Adding further Project Head and Team Biologist Vimukthi Weeratunga said, “Sri Lanka is already witnessing an influx of tourists with the easing of travel restrictions and international tourism slowly rising. We are excited to bring interested guests to witness the project first-hand. I am proud to lead a team of qualified, passionate biologists who are committed to the success of this project.”

The Cinnamon Rainforest project is an initiative implemented by Ruk Rakaganno (The Tree Society of Sri Lanka) in partnership with the Forest Department Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, in memory of the Ruk Rekaganno Former President late Kamani Meedeniya Vitarana. The project is sponsored by John Keells Foundation and aims to restore 50 acres of degraded land in the wet zone of Sri Lanka by March 2024, in order to create a sanctuary to safeguard and preserve the biodiversity for future generations.