Nestled in the heart of Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Heritage Wilderness Area in Sri Lanka, lies Sinharaja Rest, a modest family-run guesthouse that has been welcoming visitors for over 30 years.

The story of Sinharaja Rest begins with its visionary founder, Palitha Rathnayaka, a native of Deniyaya, a small village on the fringe of the forest reserve. His passion for Sinharaja was evident from a young age, and he dreamed of one day sharing its unique beauty and biodiversity with the world.

He opened Sinharaja Rest, a simple guesthouse with a handful of rooms, offering visitors a comfortable and affordable base from which to explore the forest. Despite the fact that Sinharaja was still largely undiscovered by tourists at the time, his unwavering dedication and enthusiasm never wavered.

Over the years, Sinharaja Rest has expanded to include an eco-lodge equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, nestled amidst the lush greenery of the forest reserve. However, his commitment to sustainable tourism and his passion for conservation remain at the heart of Sinharaja Rest.

Sinharaja Rest is more than just a guesthouse; it is a testament to Palitha Rathnayaka's lifelong passion for Sinharaja Forest Reserve and his commitment to its conservation. Sinharaja Rest is a place where visitors can experience the unique beauty and biodiversity of Sinharaja, while also learning about the forest's importance and the challenges it faces.

At present, Sinharaja Rest is under the stewardship of Palitha Rathnayaka's nephews, Achintha Ratnayake and Nelum Senanayake. In keeping with Palitha Ratnayake's legacy, both Achintha (fondly known as Achi) and Nelum play pivotal roles in delivering exceptional service to travelers. Achintha assumes the role of Experiential Manager and serves as the Head of Naturalist, while Nelum holds the position of Operations Manager. Together with their dedicated team, they consistently provide top-quality services to all their guests.