Galkadawala, is a Forest Retreat. It is not a hotel. Nor is it a fashionable "Eco Retreat" . It is essentially a Forest Lodge very close to nature. Nature gives us a "package deal". There are Elephants crossing the property at times and numerous birds, butterflies etc. But one has expect insects and creepy crowlies too. That does not mean that the place is not clean. We have large canopy mosquito net over the beds. En-suit bathrooms and a good WiFi. Only if this acceptable to you and you can live with it, should you visit Galkadawala. Food is prepared in our kitchen. We do not have a restaurant. We do not have a "menu" . Each meal is planned individually and "handpicked, according to what is available in the our vegetable plot, surrounding area and some essentials bought at the market. In Sri Lankan cuisine it is important that the curries, symbols, salads, "greens" are properly matched. It is not the number of items in the meal that matters. But the quality of the spices and ingredients used, the manner it is cooked and how well it blends. Meals are basic, home cooked and has variety. No meal is repeated to a guest. Remember this is our home and you are welcome to experience it !

Worked for about 30 years in the Corporate Sector. I left the rat race in search of peace and tranquilly.... in search of a way of giving back, as much as possible, to nature what I consume from it. Galkadawala was found in 2006.... a land destroyed by "slash and burn cultivation". Since then we guided the process of nourishing and transforming the land back to a vibrant ecological habitat. Creating a setting where Man and Nature live in harmony with each other; in which animals, birds, reptiles and insects also have their due place. Galkadawala, is constructed mainly by reusing “used building materials” like used timber, bricks, roofing tiles, discarded industrial trunking. Designed by architect Vijitha Basnayaka, it was his vision to restore a land destroyed by man into a tourist venture; against the norm of using picturesque high bio diversity venues for tourism. Consumption of power has been reduced considerably by sensitive use of natural light and ventilation for cooling. I reside at Galkadawala and enjoy hosting people who are with similar interests.

As there are Forest pathways and a network of lakes and irrigation canals surrounding the area it is ideal for trekking or bird watching. We can organize bicycles for you to explore the surroundings. Sigiriya rock fortress and Minneriya wildlife park is half an hour away. Dambulla and Kaudulla wildlife park is 40 minutes away. Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura is 1 hour away. We organize day tours to the above venues. Individual Yoga and Aryurweda treatment too can be organized.