In one of the regions of Sri Lanka more famous for its ancient kingdoms and dramatic rock fortresses, a different kind of transformation has been quietly taking place. Jetwing Vil Uyana, a luxury reserve located near Sigiriya, has received a PATA Gold Award 2026 for transforming former degraded agricultural land into a thriving wetland ecosystem.
The property won the award in the category of Ecosystem and Wildlife Conservation Initiative and is the only Sri Lankan hospitality brand to win a PATA Gold Award this year. The honor is also Jetwing Vil Uyana’s third PATA Gold Award, a testament to the resort’s long-term commitment to responsible tourism.
The 28-acre reserve, located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, was launched in 2006 with a bold vision: to demonstrate that meaningful environmental restoration and luxury hospitality could go hand-in-hand. The formerly degraded landscape has since been transformed into a network of wetlands, lakes and waterways supporting an ever-expanding range of flora and fauna.
The results go beyond the superficial. Two independent biodiversity studies conducted two decades apart offer measurable proof of the change. Researchers from the University of Colombo repeated a baseline assessment conducted in 2005 in 2025, noting substantial gains in species diversity across plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
The reserve is also a prime destination for spotting Sri Lanka’s threatened gray slender loris. An information center has been set up to educate people about the species and the need to protect its habitat on three acres designated as a loris conservation site.
Hashan Cooray, Director of Marketing and Development for Jetwing Hotels, feels the recognition speaks to the value of looking at the long game.
“Sustainability at Jetwing Hotels is not only about the initiatives we implement today but also the positive impact they create over time,” Cooray said. “The biodiversity gains recorded over the last two decades demonstrate what can be achieved through sustained commitment, innovation, and responsible tourism,” he added.
The resort’s environmental role isn’t limited to wildlife. Its interlocking lakes and waterways capture rainwater, recharge groundwater, and support surrounding agricultural communities. The system is inspired by Sri Lanka’s ancient cascade irrigation networks, combining contemporary hospitality with traditional water management and climate resilience.
The PATA Gold Awards, founded in 1984, recognize excellence across all sectors of the travel industry, including sustainability, conservation, climate action, community tourism, technology, and inclusion. “The winners this year have shown how innovative ideas can create lasting positive impacts across tourism,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.
This award is yet another chapter in a sustainability story that spans decades for Jetwing. Founded in 1984, the family-owned Sri Lankan hospitality group now boasts over 35 properties on the island. The company’s portfolio spans from luxury reserves to premium, select, and essential hotels, with commitment to the environment and community engagement remaining central to its approach.
But at Jetwing Vil Uyana, the most persuasive luxury may be the landscape itself: a restored ecosystem that shows how a hotel can become not only a place to stay but also part of the natural world around it.
