Dr. Mike’s Ranch promotes ‘agri-tourism’ in Sri Lanka
An agricultural farm started two years ago at Palagama, a small village in Polgasovita, by a Sri Lankan doctor domiciled in the United States is not just for growing green leaves (keera) any more.
Front entrance to the Ranch.
Today this 15 acre ‘keera koratuva (green leaves plot)’ popularly known as ‘Dr. Mike’s Ranch’ has been transformed to an ambitious venture promoting “agri-tourism (farm tourism)” to provide opportunities for tourists to reside and sometimes participate in the working activities of the ranch experiencing the beauty and soothing effect of a green environment.
Rural farms are becoming attractive tourist destinations because many tourists aspire to escape the busy city life and get accustomed with natural and cultural heritage and enjoy a richer and authentic leisure experience.
Modern-day tourists want to learn the lifestyle of villagers and meet people engaged in a rural/agricultural lifestyle.
Dr. Maithree Weerasinghe owning seven medical centres in Los Angeles has launched this venture in his native village Palagama with the aim of uplifting the living standard of villagers going beyond the traditional route of planting crops and raising livestock.
Beautiful sight.
He built Dona Luvisa’s Cottage at the ranch in memory of his grandmother offering visitors the opportunity to experience the fusion of an American ranch with a traditional Sri Lankan village in a tropical environment with a flowing river, boat rides, horseback riding, ancient bridge and unique architecture displaying marvelous granite walls and clay bricks.
This cottage further captures the spirit of the old village Palagama which is one of the very few villages that has not been subjected to the vast social, technological and environmental changes in close proximity to Colombo.
In an interview with the Business Times, Dr. Weerasinghe said that Dona Luvisa was married to Hendric Alwis Nanayakkara Weerasinghe who was the highest ranking government officer in Palagama at the time. She was also an amazing lady famous among the villagers for her generosity and kind heartedness, constantly giving to those who were less fortunate, he added.
He noted that farm tourism in America is a recent phenomenon when compared to farm-stay programmes and working farms that have existed for decades in Europe. He noted that his intention is to promote this concept in Sri Lanka to attract Sri Lankan youth to agriculture in a big way as Sri Lanka is an agricultural country with ancient heritage and it was known as the granary of the East.
Horse riding
He revealed that around 30 rural youth, most of them from Palagama, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa areas, are cultivating quality green leaves such as Mukunuwenna, Kankun, Thampala and Sarana applying mainly organic fertiliser for the local and export market especially to the Middle East.
He noted that he launched ‘Mike’s Ranch’ in Palagama following his success in operating seven medical centres with around 150 staff including doctors under the name Dr. Mike’s clinics.
He asserted that after over three decades of service in the US, he is now in a position to serve his home village which requires basic needs to improve the living standard of villagers. Agriculture industrialists are passionate about what they do, he added.
A career in agriculture is more than just a job; it’s a way of life that agriculturalists love, Dr. Weerasinghe said. His passion stems from a deep pride in the work and the common purpose that all those in agriculture share: to provide his native village with quality food. Those who are involved in agriculture typically feel a deeper connection to the industry, as it impacts the food chain, which in turn impacts everyone, he added.
The fusion of tourism and agriculture will benefit both sectors as it will boost the country’s economy by improving the income and potential economic viability of small farms and rural communities, he said, adding that farm tourism is already a thriving industry in many parts of the world with each country having their unique features.
He said that two American experts recently visited Sri Lanka on his invitation and provided training for the staff at ‘Mike’s Ranch’ on preparation of healthy and hygienic food for visitors as well as the maintenance of the cottage with an American flavour without harming the Sri Lankan traditions. This was a novel experience for youth working at the cottage, he added.
The local experience in rural areas that the tourists will enjoy encompasses taking site visits, tasting local cuisines, taking part in traditions, he said adding, this farm tourism venture will complement the present investments flow to have more hotel rooms in the country to meet the increasing demand for accommodation at various tourist destinations in the island.
His intention is to offer clean, comfortable and affordable accommodation while ensuring a memorable experience to the guests who would become promoters of this programme in their own countries, he emphasized.
Dr. Weerasinghe received his preliminary education at Buwanekaba Maha Vidyalaya and Horana Sripali Vidyalaya and secondary education at Thurstan College in Colombo. He received his MBBS degree from the Colombo Medical College in the late 1970s.