Jetwing Hotels honoured once again with Presidential Environment Award

Director Marketing and Development Hashan Cooray receiving the award from President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Manager Sustainability Sashika Kaluwahewa, Director Marketing and Development Hashan Cooray, and Head of Engineering Lahiru Munasinghe

Jetwing Kandy Gallery

The team at Jetwing Kandy Gallery with the award

Jetwing Kandy Gallery shines at the Presidential Environment Awards 2024, securing the sole Gold Award in the hospitality category. 

Organised annually by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) under the guidance of the Environment Ministry, these awards recognise outstanding environmental practices by organisations and individuals in the areas of green management approaches, sustainability reporting and disclosure mechanisms, pollution control, solid waste management, and carbon emissions management.

Jetwing Kandy Gallery, nestled in Haragama, a few minutes away from the bustling city of Kandy, offers panoramic views of the Mahaweli River and the riverine habitat beyond. The property pays homage to the peaceful coexistence of man and nature that long existed in the island’s historic capital, with a number of sustainability initiatives in place.

Jetwing Hotels operates under a unified sustainability framework, allowing each property to tailor its practices to best suit the six key areas outlined in the strategy: energy and carbon, water and waste, biodiversity, family, sourcing and production, and community and culture. This localised approach ensures environmental initiatives effectively address the specific needs of each location. 

At Jetwing Kandy Gallery, the solar photovoltaic system in place significantly contributes to the hotel’s energy needs, supplying over 40% of its daily electricity requirements. An onsite effluent treatment plant effectively treats 100% of the wastewater generated during hotel operations, and is then responsibly reused for irrigation purposes, minimising reliance on freshwater resources.

Jetwing Kandy Gallery leverages a comprehensive waste management system to ensure that all food waste is processed within an onsite biogas digester, producing biogas fuel used for cooking purposes; garden waste is composed and used as a soil enhancer for the hotel’s garden, and any plastic waste is responsibly recycled. Jetwing Kandy Gallery maintains an onsite organic garden, prioritising the cultivation of local herbs and vegetables, irrigated with treated water, with the produce being used to create delectable meals for guests. 

Through meticulous monitoring and evaluation of every operational activity, Jetwing Kandy Gallery fosters continuous improvement across all areas. This data-driven approach empowers the team to make informed and timely decisions, optimising performance and guest experiences.

While prioritising environmental stewardship, Jetwing Kandy Gallery also champions local community empowerment and engagement, with many associates at the property hailing from the surrounding communities, having participated in Jetwing’s award winning Jetwing Youth Development Program.

Jetwing Kandy Gallery stood out amongst a highly competitive field at this year’s ceremony.

Following a rigorous selection process, beginning with a desk evaluation of over 900 applications followed by onsite verification visits conducted by a distinguished panel of judges representing the CEA, academia, and Government institutions, the process ensured a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation. The hotel was the sole recipient of a Gold Award within the hospitality sector, joining 22 other Gold awardees across various industries. 

Jetwing Kandy Gallery adds its name to the prestigious list of Jetwing Hotels’ winners of the Presidential Environment Awards, joining Gold Awards for Jetwing Lagoon and Jetwing Lake, Silver Awards for Jetwing Vil Uyana, Jetwing Yala, Jetwing Lighthouse, and Jetwing Kaduruketha, and a Bronze Award for Jetwing Blue in previous years.

These awards serve as a testament to Jetwing Kandy Gallery’s steadfast dedication to sustainability and encourages the company to continue advancing their environmental conservation efforts in the years ahead.