Our communities are at the heart of everything we do. We strive to nurture their potential, provide opportunities, and address critical issues such as food security, human-elephant conflict, child malnutrition, and abuse. Our goal is to create a safer and better country for all our people.
" Our six pillars of community engagement are:
Education - We aim to improve access to education for those in need, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial skills.
Environment - We are committed to minimising the impact of our operations and promoting conservation and sustainability to enhance our environmental and natural capital.
Health - We work towards fostering healthy communities that contribute to the well-being and productivity of our country.
Livelihood - We support sustainable livelihoods through skills development, capacity building, and infrastructure enhancement, empowering communities to thrive.
Art & Culture - We seek to nurture artists' livelihoods and preserve our cultural heritage, safeguarding and promoting local arts and culture.
Disaster Relief - In times of adversity, we stand by our communities, enabling them to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. "
Sri Lanka is home to the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and a significant wild elephant population. However, deforestation, urbanisation, and agricultural expansion have led to increasing conflict between human settlements and natural elephant routes. Despite efforts by authorities, few conflict resolution methods have been effective.
In collaboration with the Centre for Conservation and Research (CCR) and TUI Foundation Germany, Cinnamon Nature Trails initiated the 'Live and Let Live' Project. This project focuses on fencing villages rather than elephants, aiming to protect wild elephants from human communities. As a pilot, solar-powered community fencing has been installed in a 5km radius in Bediwewa, protecting over 100 families.
The Community Home Gardening Initiative, in partnership with the John Keells Foundation.
Foundation addresses present and future food security concerns in Sri Lanka. With over 1,000 home gardens implemented, it has positively impacted more than 4,000 individuals across various communities.
Our initiative addresses immediate food challenges while promoting awareness of sustainable agricultural practices.
In collaboration with the John Keells Foundation (JKF), the programme provides knowledge and technical support for modern and sustainable farming practices. Twenty-six farmers from communities surrounding our resorts were selected, trained, and equipped with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Additionally, we have implemented a buy-back programme, strengthening our relationships with local suppliers.
We are committed to safeguarding our future generations. Through partnerships with the John Keells Foundation (JKF) and LEADS Sri Lanka, we conduct employee awareness sessions on identifying and responding to child abuse incidents.
The next phase of our three-year plan involves extending these awareness programmes to the community. In the past financial year, 218 employees participated in these sessions.
A sustainable supply chain is crucial for building a sustainable business. Our focus on uplifting local communities surrounding our hotels and resorts not only aligns with empowering communities, but also reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions.
We ensure our suppliers share our ethos through a rigorous and transparent selection process.
We are committed to local sourcing whenever possible. This not only directly benefits the community but also reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions, enhancing our unique guest experience. Presently, almost 77% of our suppliers are from nearby communities, with 80% being SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises).
Suppliers undergo a transparent tender process, considering documented social, environmental, and financial criteria. We prioritise suppliers from local communities, contributing to the economic upliftment of these areas. Continuous audits, visits, and impact assessments help us identify and address social and environmental risks in our supply chain. Additionally, we provide necessary training to uplift their practices, further reinforcing our commitment to our communities.
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