About Us
Welcome to Kalametiya Eco Birdwatching & Lagoon Safari where nature thrives in silence
Our Story
Kalametiya Eco Birdwatching was born from a deep love for nature, silence, and conservation. What began as a simple idea sharing the untouched beauty of Kalametiya Lagoon has grown into a carefully guided eco experience where visitors observe wildlife respectfully, peacefully, and ethically.
We believe birdwatching should never disturb nature. That's why our safaris are paddle-powered, quiet, and led by local experts who know every corner of this wetland by heart.
Vision
To become Sri Lanka's most respected eco-birdwatching destination. A place where nature is always heard before it is seen.
Mission
To create peaceful, ethical wildlife experiences that connect people with nature. We guide with care, tread lightly, and leave the lagoon exactly as we found it.
Values
- Respect nature above all
- Silence over noise
- Education before entertainment
- Sustainability in every decision
- Community and conservation, hand in hand
From the Lagoon to the Sky
The story of this place is inseparable from the story of one man.
E.J.A.P. Buddhi Priyankara
Founder, and Chief Naturalist
(Kalametiya Eco Birdwatching & Lagoon Safari)
BUDDHI'S STORY
E.J.A.P. Buddhi Priyankara Jayasooriya
Founder, and Chief Naturalist of Kalametiya Eco Birdwatching & Lagoon Safari has loved birds since he was a child.
That love never faded. It evolved into something far more unusual.
Driven by a lifelong dream to fly, Buddhi became a paragliding pilot and an active member of the Ceylon Sports Flying Association (CSFA). He didn't just study birds from below. He went up and shared their sky.
When Buddhi watches a brahminy kite lock onto a thermal and rise in a lazy, effortless spiral, he understands it with his entire body. He feels the lift. He reads the wind. He knows the precise moment a bird commits to a dive because he has made that same commitment himself, suspended above the earth with nothing but air and instinct.
That is not something you learn from a field guide.
And the scientific community has taken note. Buddhi has directly supported research teams
from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, contributing his on-the-ground field expertise to a
peer-reviewed study titled :
"Spatial assemblage of shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes) in an altered wetland of the
southern coast of Sri Lanka."
Academic credibility at that level is rare in eco-tourism. At Kalametiya, it's the foundation
everything else is built on.
Our Journey
A calm, responsible path built year by year.
2012 — Early Inspiration
A deep passion for birds, lagoons, and nature exploration inspired the first ideas for eco-tourism experiences.
2013 — Local Exploration
Began discovering hidden birdwatching locations, mangroves, and peaceful lagoon routes around the southern coast.
2015 — Community Connections
Built relationships with local fishermen, guides, and nature enthusiasts to better understand the region and its culture.
2016 — Experience Development
Started shaping authentic eco-tour experiences designed around calm exploration and respect for nature.
2017 — Route Planning
Carefully tested lagoon journeys and viewing points to create safe and comfortable guest experiences.
2018 — Foundation
Tested calm lagoon routes and improved viewing etiquette for wildlife comfort and safety.
2020 — Sustainability Focus
Introduced low-impact guiding standards and visitor education practices for responsible travel.
2021 — Community Partnerships
Worked closely with local experts and communities to strengthen authenticity and hospitality.
2022 — The Idea Becomes a Brand
A passion project evolved into a clear eco-tourism identity focused on calm, ethical, and premium experiences.
2024 — Growth & Expansion
Expanded the team, improved equipment, and enhanced the quality of eco-tour experiences.
Today — Trusted Local Eco Brand
Recognized for authentic, responsible, and peaceful nature experiences guided by passionate local experts.
What Makes Us Special
Silent Paddle Tours
Move through the lagoon quietly without engines, allowing birds to behave naturally.
Rare Bird Sightings
Spot migratory and resident species rarely seen elsewhere in Sri Lanka.
Small Group Experience
Limited group sizes ensure calm observation and personal guidance.
Local Naturalist Guides
Guided by locals who understand bird behavior and wetland ecology.
Our Achievements
Built on silence, ethics, and deep local knowledge measured through real milestones, guest trust, and conservation-first guiding.
Guests Hosted
Years Experience
%
Satisfaction
%
Eco Friendly
⭐
Trust & Guest Satisfaction
Clear communication, safe experiences, and guided learning that makes people return.
- Friendly guidance
- Safety-first
- Memorable calm tours
🧭
Deep Local Knowledge
Micro-habitat awareness, seasonal movement patterns, and best-time planning for sightings.
- Resident vs migratory strategy
- Weather-aware routing
- Best-time suggestions
🤝
Community + Conservation
Supporting local eco-values through awareness, respect for habitats, and community involvement.
- Plastic-minimization
- Visitor eco-briefing
- Habitat respect messaging
ACADEMIC CREDIBILITY
Research That Stands Up to Peer Review
The scientific community has taken note of Buddhi's field expertise.
He has directly supported research teams from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, contributing on-the-ground knowledge to a peer-reviewed study titled:
"Spatial assemblage of shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes) in an altered wetland of the southern coast of Sri Lanka."
Academic credibility at that level is rare in eco-tourism. At Kalametiya, it is the foundation everything else is built on.
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Spatial assemblage of shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes) in an altered wetland of the southern coast of Sri Lanka
The People Who Make It Special
Meet the passionate individuals who bring Kalametiya to life. Each member of our team contributes unique expertise, local insight, and a genuine love for nature ensuring your journey is not just a tour, but a meaningful experience.
Buddhi Priyankara
Lead Naturalist Guide
Precision bird ID, calm eco-guiding, and rich wetland insights.
Buddhika Madushani
Guest Experience Manager
Excellent spotting support with careful habitat respect.
Lahiru Sandaruwan
Guest Experience Guide
Quiet paddle safaris with respectful wildlife interpretation.
Lasantha Sanjeewa
Field Operations Manager
Safety-first operations with smooth, reliable tour delivery.
Ashan Edirisoorya
Senior Birdwatching Guidet
Precision bird ID, calm eco-guiding, and rich wetland insights.
Chinthaka P. Kumara
Eco Lagoon Navigator
Excellent spotting support with careful habitat respect.
Hashan Sanjaya
Eco Lagoon Navigator
Handles bookings and schedules to ensure a seamless guest experience from inquiry to arrival.
Ravindu Dilshan
Birdwatching Guide
Eco-practices, education, and responsible tour standards.
Buddhi Priyankara
Lead Naturalist Guide
Buddhi is a senior naturalist with deep wetland knowledge and exceptional bird identification skills, delivering calm, ethical, guest-focused guiding with minimal disturbance.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Buddhika Madushani
Guest Experience Manager
Buddhika is leads the guest experience strategy with a strong focus on hospitality excellence and service consistency. She ensures that every visitor receives a seamless and memorable journey from booking to departure. Tharushi is known for her attention to detail, calm problem-solving approach, and commitment to delivering premium eco-tour experiences.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Lahiru Sandaruwan
Guest Experience Guide
Lahiru is a friendly and knowledgeable Guest Experience Guide who brings nature stories to life during every tour. He engages visitors with clear explanations, local insights, and warm hospitality while ensuring safety and comfort throughout the journey. Sahan is passionate about creating meaningful connections between guests and nature.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Lasantha Sanjeewa
Field Operations Manager
Lasantha is a highly organized and field-driven operations leader responsible for overseeing all on-ground eco-tour activities. With strong expertise in logistics, safety coordination, and team supervision, he ensures every excursion runs smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with conservation standards. Nuwan plays a key role in maintaining operational excellence across all field activities.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Ashan Edirisoorya
Senior Birdwatching Guide
Ashan is an experienced Senior Birdwatching Guide with deep expertise in identifying and interpreting Sri Lanka’s bird species. He leads specialized birdwatching tours with scientific accuracy and engaging storytelling, while also mentoring junior guides. Ruwan is respected for his sharp field observation skills and extensive ecological knowledge.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Chinthaka P. Kumara
Eco Lagoon Navigator
Chinthaka is a skilled Eco Lagoon Navigator who expertly guides boats through lagoon ecosystems while ensuring guest safety and environmental respect. He provides real-time interpretation of wildlife and mangrove habitats, offering guests an immersive and educational eco-lagoon experience.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Ruwan Madushan
Reservation Coordinator
Ruwan is responsible for handling all guest reservations with precision and efficiency. He manages booking systems, confirms schedules, and coordinates with field teams to ensure smooth guest flow. Kasun is known for his accuracy, responsiveness, and strong communication with both guests and staff.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
Dilini Rajapaksha
People & Culture Executive
Dilini manages people operations with a strong focus on employee engagement, recruitment, and organizational culture development. She ensures a positive workplace environment, supports staff growth, and leads training initiatives that strengthen team performance and wellbeing.
Expertise
Bird Identification
Wetland Ecology
Ethical Viewing
Guest Engagement
Languages
English
- 96%
96%
Sinhala
- 100%
100%
Tamil
- 50%
50%
Experience
Field Guiding
- 96%
96%
Guest Handling
- 94%
94%
Species Knowledge
- 98%
98%
Safety
- 92%
92%
Connect
