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HomeSurrounded by a dense forest in Dambulla, Jetwing Lake has been built to coexist with nature. As per the standards of our hospitality across Sri Lanka, our harmonious relationship with nature extends to a number of sustainable initiatives that not only promote responsible tourism, but also set a global example to our family of guests who choose to stay with us. As a result, Jetwing Lake remains committed to preserving our thriving environment, and the community that has nurtured it for centuries.
Jetwing Hotels has been a pioneer of sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, guided for over five decades by the philosophy of our founder, the late Herbert Cooray. With the importance of sustainability being brought to the fore in recent times, the need for conscious decisions to be made for the future of the planet and its people is greater than ever. We believe that making changes today, however small, can lead to a better future.
By sharing our journey of sustainability, what we have learnt, and what we hope to achieve, we aim to inspire change and create a butterfly effect.
Jetwing Lake houses a biomass boiler which produces 2000 kilograms of steam per hour, sustainably driving the operation of a 300 TR Vapour Absorption Chiller, which facilitates air conditioning across the premises. The chiller consumes less than one tenth the electricity of a conventional chiller.
Steam generated from the biomass boiler is also used in the laundry, and for hot water generation during the cool nights of Dambulla.
Solar energy plays an essential role in our daily operations at Jetwing Lake. A 300-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system supplies more than 40% of our daily electricity requirement through 125-kilowatt roof-fixed panels and 175-kilowatt ground-fixed panels. A point to note is that the ground mount panels are a specific genre of solar panels called bi-facial panels – which generate electricity even from the back of the panel, increasing overall yield by 15%. This was the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.
Hot water generated purely via renewable methods is also provided to every room through a centralised system. Water is heated using 90 flat-plate collector type solar panels during sunlit hours and through the biomass boiler during the nights.
All cooking in the Associates’ Cafeteria is fueled entirely by sustainable means with the inclusion of cinnamon wood-fired biomass stoves, and stoves fueled by biogas generated from our onsite biogas digester.
With a dedicated effluent treatment plant, Jetwing Lake treats 100% of the wastewater generated across our premises. The plant includes separate process flows for black and grey water, utilising biological treatment methods and gravity filtration; along with a separate process flow for laundry water with coagulation and oxidization, where it is reused as primary wash water.
With a dedicated effluent treatment plant, Jetwing Lake treats 100% of the wastewater generated across our premises. The plant includes separate process flows for black and grey water, utilising biological treatment methods and gravity filtration; along with a separate process flow for laundry water with coagulation and oxidization, where it is reused as primary wash water.
In addition, Jetwing Lake also features an on-site biogas digester, which can accommodate up to 500 kilograms of daily organic waste. The digester is a hybrid version of Indian and Chinese digester designs available in South Asia and improves on initial plants found across our family by featuring further modifications to speed up the process – enabling complete digestion within two weeks. The digester, which includes a heating jacket with a dedicated solar array, not only produces a methane-rich gas which is used in staff kitchen stoves to prepare meals, but also a sludge which is used as a soil enhancer in our gardens.
Finally, a modified windrow composter is also used to treat all garden sweepings and clippings found across the grounds of Jetwing Lake. In a period of 6 weeks, the compost is collected and used in the organic gardens, while leachate is collected via gravity-aided groves, and is added to the biogas plant as a process enhancer.
Jetwing Lake offers a serene escape amidst the historic landscapes of Dambulla, Sri Lanka. As guests step into the reception, they are greeted by the majestic sculpture of King Walagamba, a symbol of the region's rich heritage.
The ceiling at Jetwing Lake features art inspired by the woodwork and art at the Embekka Dewalaya; proudly showcasing the skill and craftmanship of local artisans.
Our associates routinely engage in clean-up programmes at the Dambulla rock complex and other public areas in the village; with the collected waste undergoing efficient sorting and treatment processes. By maintaining a pristine environment and promoting sustainable waste management, our team helps preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of the area.
Youth from nearby communities are recruited through the Jetwing Youth Development Programme (JYDP), which offers free training in tourism, hospitality, language, and interpersonal skills. This equips them for careers within the industry. After the training, participants receive on-the-job training and are then given the opportunity to join our family, though there is no obligation to do so.
Our communities are an integral part of our hospitality. At Jetwing Lake we work closely with religious leaders and community leaders in the area to support and empower/uplift the communities. These initiatives include need-based support such as the maintenance of the village temple and engagement with local schools in the surrounding regions to host a number of educational lectures and workshops.
Through our gender-sensitive recruitment project, 'Second Careers,' we empower economically marginalized mid-age local women by integrating their household management skills into a professional setting. The Second Careers programme harnesses their existing expertise in areas like kitchen and housekeeping operations, providing structured onboarding and capacity-building opportunities.
As an equal opportunity employer, we ensure all associates have equal growth opportunities with promotions based solely on merit. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace.
Employee health and safety is of the utmost importance to us. We routinely inspect our spaces, maintain essential safety equipment, and provide thorough training so that all associates are well-prepared in case of an emergency.
Minimising both plastic waste and the carbon footprint from transportation, Jetwing Lake features an onsite semi-automated water bottling plant, housed in a repurposed container. The glass water bottles produced are used throughout our hotel and caters Jetwing Vil Uyana’s and Jetwing Kandy Gallery’s requirements as well.
Jetwing Lake features an on-site farm that sprawls over 1.5 acres, and grows a selection of regional fruits and vegetables that are used in our kitchens, and later plated up as exquisite dishes for your indulgence. Only compost from our hotel’s composting unit, and slurry from the biogas digester is added as a fertiliser to this organic farm. Furthermore, the farm is also irrigated from a treated water line.
In addition, Jetwing Lake has also recognised the sustainable advantages of bees, not only as a provider of honey, but also as a pollinator and prey species that benefit our agriculture and the surrounding environment. Our property hosts several bee colonies which feature a 4-month period to harvest natural honey for use in our kitchens.
At Jetwing Hotels, we take pride in celebrating our local cuisine. We were the first family of hotels in Sri Lanka to exclusively use local fruits, vegetables, and seafood in our culinary offerings. By focusing on local sourcing, we've built strong partnerships throughout our supply chain, with a quater of our suppliers located within the same district.