Arana Eco Lodge

We have been very careful with designing and with initial stage of arranging lands for constructions. Staff have been regularly instructed and guided in protecting the environment. No living tree or animal was harmed during construction. Nevertheless should trees need to be removed due to safety concerns we will replace them accordingly.Construction has been done mainly using the removed railway sleepers and rest from the trees removed from government plantations ( to give the space to big trees to grow more effectively).

Natural water sources and land stability were not harmed or changed and we have used only natural safety methods to avoid soil erosion. We have taken steps to make our guests and our staff aware about maintaining the nature as it is without feeding animals or harming the plants or trees. Some of the conservation activities of the area have been implemented and financed by the management.

A Better Life For Everyone. A portion of our profits always allocated to support the community we live in.

1. Local capacity in construction staff

Instead of relying on construction companies for our building projects, we have made the conscious decision to engage with talented local carpenters in our communities.

2. Staff – Growing together

At our hotel, we prioritize the growth and well-being of our staff. Our management is deeply committed to ensuring our employees are motivated and equipped to provide exceptional service. We take pride in offering competitive salaries that surpass industry averages, and we empower our staff to keep their tips. Moreover, we provide comprehensive support to address personal and financial challenges, underscoring our dedication to our staff's security and professional growth. Our resident staff members are provided with comfortable accommodation facilities, and all staff members receive health insurance and generous leave packages to spend quality time with their families.



3. The neighboring community

While the village is primarily driven by the tourism business, there are also several low-income families struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, the poverty rate among the Tamil population residing in the communal houses of the tea estates is a pressing concern. However, we have already implemented a range of measures to improve their well-being in the following categories:

4. Employment opportunities

We have always prioritized hiring staff and contractors from the local community. In particular, we frequently hire Tamil individuals on a daily wage basis for gardening and cleaning work. Furthermore, we are dedicated to providing temporary positions in hospitality to talented and ambitious young Tamil individuals, affording them the opportunity for professional development. Upon completion of our training initiatives, we actively support them in securing permanent career prospects within other hospitality establishments. Additionally, the transportation services at our hotel are primarily provided by local residents, and our management endeavors to provide them with ongoing guidance and aid.

5. Better life through better education

We are dedicated to upholding every child's right to receive quality education. We donate educational materials like books, school bags, and shoes to support low-income families and provide support in improving school restroom facilities. Our organization conducts tri-annual donation campaigns, through which we have had the privilege of assisting numerous children by supplying musical instruments to enrich their vocational education. Furthermore, we have contributed to advancing education in rural areas by donating computer labs, thereby broadening school technology access. We also provide scholarships to 50 students monthly.

1. We are proud to announce that we have recruited local residents as our tour guides and tuk-tuk drivers to ensure that our guests benefit from their in-depth knowledge of the area and its attractions.
2. In addition to visiting well-known sites, we have taken steps to organize tours to lesser-known gems in the Ella area. By doing so, we aim to create more opportunities for local residents to increase their income.
3. At Arana, we have installed name boards and description boards about rare trees and plants to educate our guests about Ella and Sri Lanka.
4. We have prioritized Sri Lankan cuisine, and cooking classes are conducted mainly with this local focus.
5. Specially designed tours of our farming sites allow guests to experience authentic village life and learn about traditional farming through our agrotourism activities.
6. During our social activities, we have encouraged our guests to interact with us and local villagers. Our staff, workers, and guests are always eager to share their cross-cultural experiences as a community.