Beyond its beaches and beautiful stays, Sun Siyam Pasikudah is building a more purposeful connection with Sri Lanka, from supporting the rehabilitation of an orphaned elephant to empowering local communities and preserving the character of the island’s East Coast.
On the grounds of the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, in the dry heat of southern Sri Lanka, a young elephant calf named Kalo is slowly learning to trust again.
Found alone and separated from her herd at an age when she should still have been protected by her mother, Kalo is now being cared for with support from Sun Siyam Pasikudah through the KALO Project, funded by the Sun Siyam Cares Fund.
The contribution supports the day-to-day costs of raising an orphaned calf, including milk formula, veterinary care and daily upkeep, until Kalo is strong enough to return to the wild. Her rehabilitation is expected to take several years.
As Sri Lanka marks World Elephant Day on 12 August, Kalo’s story offers a glimpse into a broader philosophy taking shape at Sun Siyam Pasikudah: that luxury hospitality can be deeply connected to the wellbeing of the destination itself.
Luxury With a Sense of Place
Part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Pasikudah sits on Sri Lanka’s east coast, along a quieter and less-developed stretch of coastline.
The setting is defined by long stretches of sand and a calm, reef-sheltered lagoon, with marine life ranging from reef fish to occasional turtles. During the season, guests can also head further offshore for whale and dolphin watching.
But the resort’s connection to its surroundings goes beyond its location. Its architecture, cuisine and cultural programming draw from the traditions of Sri Lanka’s East Coast, while guest experiences are designed to encourage a closer relationship with the communities and environment around the resort.
For guests, that can mean seafood sourced from local boats, spa treatments using locally grown ingredients and excursions that take them through fishing villages rather than simply around them.
The idea is simple: responsible tourism should not feel like an additional feature of a holiday. It should be part of the experience itself.
A Commitment That Goes Beyond Conservation
That philosophy is reinforced by Sun Siyam Pasikudah’s recently renewed Travelife Gold Certification.
Travelife is an international sustainability certification programme for hotels, with Gold status requiring independent assessment across areas including environmental management, social practices, employee welfare and community support. The certification provides an external benchmark for the work already taking place at the resort.
The commitment is also visible in the resort’s approach to employment and sourcing.
Every member of the Sun Siyam Pasikudah team is Sri Lankan, helping channel employment and income directly into communities along the East Coast. The resort also prioritises local suppliers wherever possible, including fishermen who supply its kitchens and craftspeople involved in its architecture and cultural programming.
In this sense, sustainability is not confined to environmental initiatives. It becomes part of the way the resort operates and interacts with the destination.
Why Kalo’s Story Matters
For Arshed Refai, General Manager of Sun Siyam Pasikudah, Kalo’s rehabilitation represents the larger responsibility the resort feels towards the country it calls home.
“Kalo’s story reminds us why this work matters. Sri Lanka’s wildlife, culture, and communities are what make this island extraordinary, and we feel a responsibility to protect all of it, not just for our guests, but for the country itself.”
He adds that while the Travelife Gold Certification provides an important standard to work towards, it is the everyday impact of initiatives such as Kalo’s rehabilitation that gives that commitment meaning. Kalo still has a long road ahead.
According to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home, her recovery is expected to continue for another two to three years before she can potentially be reintroduced to a wild herd. Sun Siyam Pasikudah says its support will continue throughout that journey.
For a resort on the other side of the island, it may seem like a small contribution. But perhaps that is precisely the point.
The future of responsible luxury is unlikely to be defined by grand statements alone. It will be shaped by the smaller, sustained choices that hotels make, the communities they employ, the suppliers they support, the environments they protect and the stories they choose to become part of.
At Sun Siyam Pasikudah, one of those stories belongs to a young elephant named Kalo.
And her slow journey back to the wild is a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful luxury is leaving a destination better cared for than you found it.
