COMMUNITY-LED PROJECTS IN SRI LANKA

One of the core interests of Tikalanka Tours is the support and development of community-based projects in Sri Lanka. Involving the local community in a responsible and sustainable travel policy is the only way of limiting the long-term environmental and social impact of tourism. Ensuring that local communities benefit from the money travellers bring into the country is a priority and Tikalanka Tours is developing close links with community-led projects on the island for this purpose.

Forgotten Village Sri Lanka
The Asian Tsunami highlighted the plight of coastal communities in Sri Lanka and our initial projects were targeted at Sri Lankan individuals and communities devastated by the tsunami (please ask us for details). However, many other communities away from the coast also lack essential materials and services and our objective is to offer long-term support to such Sri Lankan individuals and communities. By channelling all donations received by Forgotten Village Sri Lanka (a charitable organisation currently applying for charitable status with the Charity Commission) into community-based projects on the island, we hope to provide sustained assistance to these communities in their endeavour to improve their lives. Tikalanka Tours makes a contribution to Forgotten Village Sri Lanka for every holiday booked.

Village homestay
Through family contacts at our Kandy (Sri Lanka) office Tikalanka Tours is developing a village homestay project. This will give travellers an opportunity of seeing real Sri Lankan life, and finance community-led projects in the village. The project will involve travellers staying with local families in a country village where they will eat locally produced food and experience everyday life in a traditional Sri Lankan community. Guided by the villagers, tours of the ‘jungle’ and local sites of interest will complement the homestay. Tikalanka Tours will set up a fund for the village, financed directly from generated revenue, and help manage the community-led projects chosen and initiated by the villagers. Initial projects include an access improvement scheme for 10 families and an electricity supply for 16 families.