Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort Hospital (Barberyn Reef), situated along the Golden Mile in Beruwala and recognised as a pioneer of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka, has received a Silver Award at the Presidential Environmental Awards 2026, one of the country’s highest honours for environmental excellence.
Organised by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the awards ceremony took place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) on 19 October 2026 under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The accolade recognises Barberyn Reef’s longstanding dedication to environmental conservation, sustainable tourism and authentic Ayurvedic healthcare.
A Pioneer in Ayurveda Tourism
Established as a beachside hotel in 1968, Barberyn Reef transitioned into a dedicated Ayurveda health resort in 1984, becoming the world’s first Ayurveda resort. Today, it operates as a certified institution registered as an Ayurveda hospital under Sri Lanka’s Department of Ayurveda.
The resort offers doctor-supervised wellness programmes that combine healthy nutrition, yoga, balance and mindful living. Vegetarian meals are prepared primarily using locally sourced and organically cultivated ingredients, helping minimise food transportation distances and reduce the resort’s food-related carbon footprint.
Many visitors choose Barberyn Reef not simply to address health concerns, but also to enhance their quality of life, support healthy ageing and invest in long-term wellbeing and longevity.
The resort recommends stays of between one and four weeks, with guests remaining for an average of approximately 16 days. Many return year after year, contributing to consistent employment opportunities and fostering enduring relationships with local suppliers.
Putting the Circular Economy into Practice
A key factor behind the recognition is Barberyn Reef’s adoption of the 10R Circular Economy Framework, which promotes responsible resource use and waste reduction through ten interconnected principles:
Refuse • Reduce • Reuse • Repair • Refurbish • Remanufacture • Repurpose • Recycle • Recover • Rethink
The resort converts food waste into biogas, generating renewable energy used to prepare the herbal decoctions served to guests each day. The resulting bio-fertiliser is then combined with compost produced from garden waste, beach-cleaning activities and coconut husks, supporting a more sustainable approach to waste management and resource recovery.
Through its continued commitment to environmentally responsible operations, sustainable wellness practices and circular resource management, Barberyn Reef demonstrates how Ayurveda tourism can contribute to both personal wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
Australian High Commission Launches ‘ConnectED Thought Leadership Series’ in Sri Lanka
The Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka recently hosted the latest edition of its ConnectED Thought Leadership Series at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence in Colombo, bringing together senior representatives from Sri Lanka’s tourism, hospitality, travel, events, education and related industries to discuss the sector’s potential to drive the country’s next phase of economic growth.
Held under the theme “Beyond Arrivals: Can Tourism and Hospitality Power Sri Lanka’s Next Growth Phase,” the discussion explored how tourism and hospitality can contribute to broader economic development beyond conventional visitor arrival figures, with an emphasis on strengthening the industry’s long-term value and impact.
The distinguished panel featured Shiromal Cooray, Chairman and Managing Director of Jetwing Travels; Angeline Ondaatje, Chairperson of Tangerine Beach Hotels PLC, Royal Palms Beach Hotels PLC and Tangerine Tours; and Grant Dreher, Chief Executive Officer of William Angliss Institute Australia.
The discussion was moderated by Wayne Crosbie, Director of International and Business Development at William Angliss Institute Australia. The conversation examined the changing demands of the tourism and hospitality sectors and highlighted the importance of aligning education, skills development and workforce readiness with evolving industry requirements.
The event also provided a practical platform for students from the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM), who played an active role in delivering the cocktail reception for the distinguished gathering.
Students enrolled in CAHM’s Commercial Cookery and Patisserie programmes prepared a selection of specially created items for the occasion, demonstrating their culinary expertise, creativity and attention to presentation. Their involvement enabled them to apply classroom learning in a professional setting while contributing to a high-profile industry event.
Meanwhile, students from the Hospitality Management programme managed guest services throughout the reception. From welcoming and assisting attendees to delivering food and beverage service, they demonstrated professional communication, teamwork, guest engagement and hospitality etiquette.
Barberyn Reef Honoured with Silver Award at Presidential Environmental Awards 2026
