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.

 From the Lagoon to the Sky

The story of this place is inseparable from the story of one man.

BUDDHI'S STORY

E.J.A.P. Buddhi Priyankara

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 :

Academic credibility at that level is rare in eco-tourism. At Kalametiya, it's the foundation
everything else is built on.

What Makes Us Special

Our Achievements

Built on silence, ethics, and deep local knowledge measured through real milestones, guest trust, and conservation-first guiding.

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.

VISION 2027 𓅰 𓅬 𓅭 𓅮 𓅯

The

Future

We

Are

Building

A comprehensive sustainable conservation project is currently in development designed to actively protect the sanctuary's ecosystems, grow responsible eco-tourism, and build public understanding of why coastal wetlands and mangroves are irreplaceable.

Starting in 2027, Kalametiya Eco Birdwatching & Lagoon Safari will launch an annual birdwatching seminar bringing together local community members, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife professionalsfocused on the importance of the mangrove ecosystem and the wildlife that depends on it.

This sanctuary has been protected since 1938. This team is determined to keep it that way.