An eco-friendly cabana type property, the Kandyan Forest Garden hotel is being built at Pilimatalawa. This self-funded project on a three acre land overlooking a stream and a bund is being built by former planter, Jagath Bandara Alahakone.

“Initially, I am building three eco-cottages and then will add two more next year for the second stage. A tree top residential hut too is to be built under the first stage. Each cottage could house four to five guests and would be equipped with a kitchen, fire place, dining area, toilet and a large verandah.”

He said that new cooling technology such as having water filled glass bottles for windows, special cooling cement mixed with clay and special roofing has being used. “Since this is an eco-friendly project we would be using solar power for the entire property.” Currently he is involved in the Spice export business and profits from this are being used for the hotel project.

As for the architecture his own ideas as well as from eco-friendly structures all over the world were taken in to consideration when molding the Kandyan Forest Garden hotel. He said one of the other aspects was his respect for nature as not even a small tree was felled for this build.

In a bid to have a self catering living Kandyan Forest Garden would also have a village kiosk and they would provide ‘meal packs’ for which a guest could take home and cook. “However this does not mean we would not provide meals as we would be having an on call butler service as well.” The marketing would be mainly from their web site, which would be up and running from next month and new marketing tools too would be used to popularize this hotel.

“We have already completed one unit and I hope the entire project will be ready by late this year. I am also going to apply for ISO certification under the Eco hotel category for this hotel, which I think would be a first for Sri Lanka.”

Being actively involved in scouting he has also made arrangements for a large camping site in his seven acre land which would be provided on request.

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=entertainment/eco-cottages-innovational-facet-being-built-pilimatalawa