Sri Lanka's First Women-Run Resort Breaks Barriers In Hospitality

In Dambulla, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is seeing a quiet transformation. Amba Yaalu, the country’s first resort fully run by women, is setting a new example of leadership in hospitality. About 160 kilometres from Colombo, this one-of-a-kind resort is managed entirely by women, handling everything from cleaning and reception to cooking and security. Launched by Jeewanthi Adikari as a bold initiative to address gender imbalance in tourism, the resort employs 75 women and runs dedicated training programs to equip them with industry skills.

Sri Lanka's First All-Women Resort Breaks Barriers in Hospitality

Adikari never planned on a career in hospitality. Initially aiming to become an accountant, her path changed after a three-month training course that sparked a passion for the service industry. Today, with over 20 years of experience, the 42-year-old is taking an inspiring step toward gender equality in tourism.

The Amba Yaalu resort is home to 75 women who manage everything from guest services to housekeeping and even security. A seven-member team of former military women ensures the safety of guests, making it a fully female-led space in an industry still heavily dominated by men.

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Even though women make up 52% of Sri Lanka’s population, they hold only 10% of jobs in the hospitality sector. Amba Yaalu aims to change that by creating a safe and supportive environment for women to grow professionally. The resort also offers training programmes, giving women the skills they need to build a long-term career in tourism.

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The idea for Amba Yaalu came from hotelier Chandra Wickramasinghe, who was inspired by his own mother, a single parent who raised eight children. “I knew what these women could achieve. We put together a strong team, and it worked,” he said, highlighting the importance of female leadership.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has taken hits in recent years due to the 2019 Easter bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector’s contribution to the economy dropped from 5% in 2018 to just 2.3% in 2023, and female representation remains low.

Kaushalya Batagoda, the resort’s executive chef, said, “There are not many trained women in hospitality. But we see more young girls now coming forward to become chefs.” Adikari said, “This is purely about empowering women. We invite them to join, enhance their skills, and contribute to the industry.”