Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 May 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
15
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
We are building a regenerative agroforestry and hospitality startup near Sri Lanka’s international airport. At home with us are our companions Purupuru (our white cat), and Louis and Bruce (our Dobermans), Auty Malani, Charaka and Aruni (In the profile picture - not frequently in the property these days as she is pregnant )with other volunteers, family and friends who are very much part of the the experience.
We run a privately owned, ecoconscious Slow Life forest garden retreat based on traditional Kandyan forest garden principles. Our project blends sustainable land use with a growing, personalized airport escape experience designed mainly for couples and families seeking deep rest, reconnection, and meaningful time in nature.
We create space for people to slow down, reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Through forest garden experiences, slow living, and garden-to-table meals, guests experience a form of authentic, nature-based luxury rooted in Sri Lankan tradition.
This is a for-profit venture, and we believe sustainability and profitability must go together to create long-term impact. Our goal is to demonstrate that ecological gardening and hospitality can be both regenerative and economically viable.
The type of work we do with Workawayers evolves over time. Currently, we are especially interested in individuals with strong skills or interests in areas such as content creation, social media, storytelling, strategy, entrepreneurship, data analysis, hospitality, gardening, horticulture, art, photography, aesthetics, dog training, English teaching and hands-on creative or practical work. We also value people who are building something meaningful in their own lives or working toward a larger purpose.
Support is needed not only in the garden and chalets, but also in brand building, communication, guest experience design, marketing, and business development. We are not an NGO or charity. This is a structured business environment where we work toward clear outcomes while maintaining a peaceful, nature-connected lifestyle.
We maintain a strict no-plastic policy due to limited recycling facilities in the area. Workawayers are expected to avoid single-use plastics and respect the ecological integrity of the garden. Our philosophy is based on quality and differentiation. We focus on creating a clean, aesthetic, respectful, and healing environment for our guests. Workawayers who appreciate these values will benefit most from the experience.
Meals may include eggs, fish, or chicken. We are not a vegan property, but dietary preferences can be discussed in advance.
This is ideal for:
1) Naturalists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts
Those who enjoy observing and documenting birds, wildlife, and plant diversity. We are building a living record of the garden through simple logging, photography, and thoughtful observation to help maintain and improve its natural balance.
2) Content creators and influencers
Individuals who can authentically capture and share the essence of this place through photography, video, storytelling, or social media, aligned with a calm, nature-focused narrative.
3)People interested in guest experience and hospitality
Those who can notice details, suggest improvements, and help shape how guests feel, rest, and connect with the space.
4) Nature-aligned and hands-on contributors
People who enjoy gardening, simple DIY, and maintaining a clean, peaceful, and beautiful environment.
5)Thoughtful individuals who value contribution over comfort
Those who respect structure, bring positive energy, and want to be part of building something meaningful.
6) Healers
Those who want to improve our healing philopsophy, Improve the healing experience, mainly in terms of our Aesthetic Healing Agriculture.
7) People with Enterprenurial mindset
Those who are open to brainstorm together on business and commercial aspects and are ready to join in co-creation and shaping our start-up into the next phase.
If you are mainly looking for a relaxed stay with maximum comfort and flexibility, this may not be the right fit.
Our Approach to Travel & Exchange
We believe travel should uplift local communities and create real value. That’s why we encourage
1. Supporting local transport (like tuk-tuks or PickMe/Uber) during diffcult economic times
2. Eating local food and engaging with nearby communities
3. Being mindful of the impact we create as visitors
For us, Workaway is not just help. It’s shared learning, respect, and creating travel ecosystems that enable progress, thriving, and meaningful human connection.
What You Can Expect From Us
1. A peaceful, safe, and unique forest garden environment
2. Guidance, knowledge sharing, and space to learn and explore
3. A respectful and friendly atmosphere where you feel part of something real
What We Expect From You
1. A genuine willingness to contribute and learn
2. Responsibility, honesty, and positive energy
3. Respect for nature, people, and shared spaces
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As part of our philosophy, we usually do not host full-time backpackers moving continuously from place to place. We are more interested in connecting with grounded, purposeful people who are contributing meaningfully to the world in their own way, and who genuinely value cultural exchange, learning, and shared growth.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
Interests
Culture
Farming
Self development
Pets
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Animals
Beach
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Cycling
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Staying with us will be a great opportunity to explore the semi-rural life and culture of Sri Lanka. Our workawayers will witness and participate in the traditional village life, which includes farming and gardening. Cultural and religious events also regularly take place, including performances of traditional Sri Lankan music and dance. We are located 30 minutes away from the historical landmarks of an ancient Sri Lankan kingdom, where it is easy to see the remains of Sri Lanka's cultural and historical evolution.
Help
We welcome workawayers with positive energy who are interested in agroforestry, gardening, and entrepreneurship. You can support us with a mix of practical and creative tasks, including maintaining garden beds, watering, weeding, harvesting (such as pepper picking), grooming vanilla vines, hedge trimming, and general housekeeping.
For those interested in entrepreneurship, there are opportunities to contribute to business development, strategy, branding, digital platforms, content creation, and data analysis. You will be part of shaping a unique “healing as a service” concept built around a living forest garden, with potential for global reach.
As we evolve into a garden-based healing retreat, volunteers can also assist with herb preparation, guest experience, and day-to-day retreat activities.
We also value skills in enhancing garden aesthetics, woodworking, painting, dog training, music, yoga, filmmaking, storytelling, songwriting, or teaching English to our staff. Any unique skills that align with our vision are always welcome.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
At this place, we provide our workawayers with a clean, safe, and comfortable room for accommodation. Our workawayers will have a very calm and peaceful space for rest, and also delicious home-cooked meals prepared with love, using herbs, greens, and fruits harvested from the garden. Depending on the preferences of the workawayers, they will get a unique chance to experience an outdoor shower hidden among trees and shrubs. It will be more like a homestay close to nature, giving our workawayers a different kind of experience, deeply connected to this land.
What else ...
During leisure time, there are many attractive places to explore and hang around in our area. The ancient ruins of the Kingdom of Dambadeniya rock located in a top of mountain and adjoining temple preserving centuries old wall art. And, for beach lovers, Negombo is 50 min away if anyone wish to sit in a pub while tasting a cocktail and listen live instrumental music and songs by the beachside or have a delicious seafood or westernized dinner. In this area public transport is easily accessible, busses are frequently running during the period start from 4.00 am and to 9.00 pm of the day. Uber and Pick me is not very common where the garden is located, but it is also available to find within few kilometers away. If expected to travel quickly can call for a local tuk tuk driver as well.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
Enough parking space
Can possibly accept pets
Yes. If you are expecting to visit with your pets, we will welcome you without any doubt, but you need higher supervision over them, have the whole responsibility of the safety of your pet including food and water. Further we kindly expect that your pets should not be disturbance for other animals dwell in the surrounding.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Puru Puru (2 years)
Louis & Bruce (5 years)
2 doberman dogs
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
Charaka is an exceptional host — warm, open, and remarkably generous with his knowledge. Over the course of the week he shared his deep expertise on… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Charaka is an exceptional host — warm, open, and remarkably generous with his knowledge. Over the course of the week he shared his deep expertise on… read more
If you interested in startups and… read more
The workload is up to you, he'll just explain to you what work needs to be done it's up to you how many days or hours you wanna do of it.… read more
He helped us improve many areas around the garden as well as the household. His companionship was wonderful, and we especially enjoyed the experience-sharing moments , hearing about his previous work, travels, and professional knowledge was truly… read more
The people here are so nice and kind and you will have a nice experience in living and eating with local people. You will learn to know Sri Lankan Culture and as it’s a Place with a lot of Nature… read more
