Thema Collection – Chandra and team win Green Building Platinum award

• Outstanding achievement by eco-friendly Wild Glamping Gal Oya

Wild Glamping Gal Oya was awarded the Platinum Award by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka at the ceremony held on 18 December in Kandy.

This prestigious award bestowed the highest eco-friendly rating on Wild Glamping Gal Oya in order to highlight its green concept and green building practices - putting it on par with some of the world’s most sought-after trendy hotels and resorts, known for exclusive service and offering impeccable quality. It is worth noting that Aliya Resorts won the same award (Gold) nine years ago, and this is Thema Collection’s second Green Building Award.

Wild Glamping Gal Oya was yet another luxury experience by Thema Collection and was introduced back in 2021 amidst the COVID Pandemic. The luxury tented chalets were declared open in December 2021 by the then Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and Maldives Eric Lavertu during a simple ceremony. 

The property boasts 10 spacious luxurious tents, a restaurant and an infinity pool surrounded by spectacular views and is situated in a 30-acre good practice agricultural farm in Gal Oya Valley at Rathugala.

The property was built with the intention of fostering sustainable tourism development, and as a result, it was immediately recognised for the award due to its numerous green and sustainable initiatives; including good practice organic agriculture with drip irrigation systems, the use of earth bricks, clay, iluk grass, cajan, and other materials sourced from the locality for the property’s construction, direct current generation through the use of individual solar panels for chalets and public areas, and  recycling of grey water generated from the property and reusing it for water closet flushing.

The eco-friendly Wild Glamping Gal Oya is nestled in a rural underprivileged area home to Sri Lanka’s indigenous “Vadda” community and the property has employed 95% of the required staff from these neighbouring communities in efforts to develop people and promote the Rathugala Aadivasi community culture.

Thema Collections 11th property in Sri Lanka is popular amongst the local and foreign community during this festive season due to new normal travel trends across the island making it easy to reach this destination in Gal Oya. 

Guests can look forward to various experiences such as an Inginiyagala boat safari/Jeep Safari, an insightful Vedda walk with the indigenous people around the property and its outskirts, a visit to the Rajagala archaeological site to witness historic artefacts and cultural practices, Kiri Ouruwa and a scenic climb on Monkey Mountain.

Founder and Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe said: “We are honoured and humbled to be awarded the Platinum Award by Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. When Gal Oya was established in 2021, we had a vision for not only the brand and offering but also one that truly made a worthwhile impact on Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry with the intention of reducing the carbon footprint through green practices. 

“This award is made possible by the company’s shared vision, from management to operations and across the Thema Collection family. We look forward to pushing the boundaries of what Sri Lanka’s sustainable hospitality industry has to offer its local and global clientele.”