The world of ecotourism has lost a great leader with the passing of Chandra de Silva, founder of the Ranweli Holiday Village, Sri Lanka, and a fellow director of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES).
Chandra was also a great friend.
The Ranweli Resort was a pioneering ecotourism venture, and it led the way to integrating environmental, cultural and social values. Chandra promoted the concept and spearheaded its implementation, in the face of much skepticism – and achieved great results.
Chandra was a guest speaker at several Ecotourism Australia conferences.
At board meetings he provided wise counsel, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his accountancy background and Ranweli experience. He was a very learned and inspirational person, and he was also an excellent host. I have fond memories of my visit to Sri Lanka in 2004, as part of the TIES board. I will always remember the hospitality he showed me.
When the tsunami struck in 2005, Chandra's immediate response was to rush to the assistance of his village neighbours and help them rebuild their houses and schools, although his own property was seriously damaged in the tsunami. That was so typical of Chandra’s character. He had a great sense of community. He was also very active in the Child Protection Society of Ceylon, having served the society for 42 years.
The ecotourism industry has lost an inspirational pioneer.
Tony Charters,
TOURFORCE Magazine
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