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Thushni De Silva Thudugalage

@thushinatuk

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Taking in the sights and collecting stories as I go along 🇱🇰

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Moments from a few months of pure motion.

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The journey through CoCA – Symbiosis' Listening Room became more than a studio visit, it became an act of listening.

As part of the tour, artist Chinthaka Thenuwara led an intimate session in The Listening Room, a participatory archive of sound, memory, and material. Established in 2011, it was a pioneering experiment in Sri Lanka, transforming reclaimed and donated sound technologies into a living archive of memory, conversation, and collective listening.

Listening to Sinhala songs from the 1950s–1980s on lovingly restored vinyl records and cassette tapes, visitors shared stories, ideas, and reflections across cultures. Every sound system has been carefully restored by Chinthaka himself, giving forgotten technologies, and the voices they carry, a new life.

Travellers, artists, food, and conversation
came together to remind us that art is more than a commodity. It is a way of preserving memory, nurturing community, and keeping culture alive.

At CoCA – Symbiosis, we don't build audiences, we cultivate communities, where every conversation becomes part of the artwork.

#Listening room #traveling #artofliving #Sinhalamusic #visitsrilanka

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In the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka lies a 300 km long distance walking trail known as The Pekoe Trail @thepekoetrailofficial 🌱 The trail is a hiking experience built to fuse both the lush landscapes in the area and vibrant communities that live on the trail, providing an opportunity for travellers to learn about both the environment and the culture of local communities.🌳

The Female Guide Training Program funded by @steppes_travel and facilitated by the @womenintravelcollective, led by a group of experienced professionals, is a four-day training program that involves theoretical sessions, practical guiding on the trail, safety and Red Cross training, and a visit to a tea factory to learn about tea-making and local heritage, empowering 40 women from tea estate communities along the Pekoe Trail in Hatton, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy.🍃 By equipping participants with essential skills, knowledge, and confidence, the program prepares them to work as professional guides while fostering sustainable tourism and advancing women’s economic empowerment in these communities.💪🏾

The program also educates the trainees about responsible travel practices, minimising the impact on the environment, proper disposal of waste and respecting the flora and fauna along the trail, knowledge which they will later pass on to the hikers who trek on the trail. 🐾

The LEF is proud to support this initiative and the Women in Travel Collective (WITC), a supportive community dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector by sponsoring essential gear for the trainee guides, including shoes, backpacks, and raincoats, ensuring they can safely and confidently operate on the trail. 🥾

📷@womenintravelcollective

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Thema Talks: “Tourism in a Changing Climate: Shaping Climate-Resilient Tourism in Sri Lanka,” hosted in collaboration with gap HQ and Fountain - University Industry Techno Entrepreneurial Collaborations, concluded successfully on March 25th, 2026, at gap HQ.

The conversation explored tourism in a changing climate, touching on resilience, biodiversity, community value, changing traveller expectations, and the need for more thoughtful tourism in Sri Lanka.

Distinguished panel:
Prof. Sarath Kotagama, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Colombo
Sashika Kaluwahewa, Manager - Sustainability at Jetwing Hotels
Ashan Fernando, the Head of Business Development at andBeyond Travel
Thushni De Silva, Director at Magical Isle Holidays
Maxime Wickramasinghe, Director - Marketing & Business Development at Thema Collection

Moderated by:
Vasundara Kalansooriya, Business Advisor at Market Development Facility

Thema Talks by Thema Collection connects knowledge with practice, encouraging collaboration to address sustainability challenges and shape a more responsible future for tourism.

#thematalks #sustainabletourism #climateresilience #sriLankatourism #climateaction

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A look back at a few moments from our latest Thema Talks session, “Tourism in a Changing Climate: Shaping Climate-Resilient Tourism in Sri Lanka,” hosted in collaboration with gap HQ and FOUNTAIN, co-funded by the European Union.

The conversation explored tourism in a changing climate, touching on resilience, biodiversity, community value, changing traveller expectations, and the need for more thoughtful tourism in Sri Lanka.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online, and to our speakers for sharing such valuable insights.

Watch the full session on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u6KbbCTW6LQ

#thematalks #themacollection #climateresilience #sustainabletourism #regenerativetourism

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WHAT A TRIP ❤️ an extraordinary two weeks full of people, colour, community, bonds made, marriage sealed, creativity flourishing, heart rending stories shared…in amongst it all I witnessed kindness beyond my expectations. From all my team at @kalukandahouse 😍 and the village we nestle into including @silent_pup who fed me poke bowls and vodka tonics to fuel me when needed.

Congratulations to @priyanka.bose_ on her marriage to her love Rufus. We couldn’t have been more honoured to host you all, together with our event partners @galleevents @xplorers.lk who made it seamless and glorious. Our first wedding, you bought colour and zest to us.

Fantastic to see the @the.what.if.space hold their creative day retreat with us, I met so many beautiful souls adventuring with fun and curiosity into their inner worlds, wondering what shifts they could make.

Thankyou to @nimmu_kumari and @theirfuturetoday for being guest speakers at a special event honouring their work. I am so honoured to be Chair of Trustees for this NGO, I have so much love and affection and massive respect for the work you do 🙏🏽 Post talk support generously shared in a beautiful somatic session hosted by my dear friend Karen Lane @voicemindbodyuk in our studio space. Special mention to @rilayoga_ who have lovingly made the shala their home and created space in their busy schedule for us to host these events. I loved meeting more Rila YTT cohorts who stay with us and nearby. Gorgeous yoga classes at Rila with @nicolagr_ and @urvashi.sekaram ❤️ and more @jamusurflodge and @senses_srilanka

I have met guests staying from all corners of the world and then I met someone who had been to the land where Kalukanda House sits, some 40+ years ago. He shared stories of the previous owner - more on that soon - total mind blown. If I didnt think before that this path was fate, I do now.

Feeling full of gratitude for all the good people in the world ** who have brought a smile to my face these last 2 weeks. #kalukandahouse #lovesrilanka #conscioustravel #lifeofadesigner

** @womenintravelcollectiv @isla_lk @arundikaweerasekera @saranalanka @irsteljansen @thushinatuk @proj_roots @experiencetravelgroup

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Introducing Jessica Joseph & Dilanke Panagoda from the Women in Travel Collective Mentorship Program! ⁠✨
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Two incredible professionals working in Sri Lanka's travel and tourism sector who are actively working toward women’s empowerment, responsible travel, and building a more sustainable industry.

Jessica Joseph is the Head of Reservations and Sales at Secrets of Ceylon, a curated collection of independently owned boutique properties across Sri Lanka, offering authentic and immersive travel experiences. Based in Colombo, she plays an important role in coordinating with travel agents and DMC partners to deliver high-quality, tailored service. Jessica is known for her professionalism and commitment to showcasing the beauty and diversity of Sri Lanka.

Dilanke Panagoda is the Head of Product and Marketing at The Fabulous Getaway, where he leads responsible travel initiatives. He has created over 75 unique travel experiences across Sri Lanka with local communities. With a background in data analytics and product development, he brings innovation and strategy to the travel and tourism industry.

We are honoured to have them joining our program and we wish them all the best of luck on their mentorship journey 🙌✨⁠

Be part of the change!

#WomenInTravelCollective #Mentorship #WomenEmpowement #BePartOfTheChange

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What a wonderful start to our Mentorship Program! ✨

A big thank you to our incredible mentors for offering their time, experience, and support — and to our mentees for joining the program with such enthusiasm and openness to learn.

This gathering is the beginning of a year-long journey of empowerment. A space for learning, guidance, and mutual growth. We believe this experience will help our mentees gain clarity, build confidence, and grow both personally and professionally as they navigate their paths in the travel and tourism industry.

We are so excited to see how this journey will shape their futures and, in turn, inspire positive change across the industry in Sri Lanka.

Special thanks to @monsooncolombo for hosting us! 🙏🏽

Good luck to all and please stay tuned to follow their stories! 🍀😊

#WomenInTravelCollective #Mentorship # WomenEmpowerment # BePartOfTheChange

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Throwback to our very first Women in Travel Collective Mentee Circle gathering! It was a special moment for us all. ✨ A circle of passionate, inspiring women came together from across our travel and tourism industry sharing knowledge, experiences, and support one another on their professional journeys.

Thanks to @womenintravel_cic (UK) who sponsored 6 women from our community, we’re able to offer this mentorship program to our women here in Sri Lanka, providing them with mentorship, empowerment, and a space to grow together.

This is just the beginning! Tag someone who inspires you in your career and let’s continue creating opportunities where women in travel can thrive, lead, and support one another! 💪🏽

Be part of the change!

Special thanks to @teardrop_hotels and @monsooncolombo for hosting us.

#WomenInTravelCollective#MentorshipIn Travel#WomenEmpowerment

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No better way to start 2025! ✨ Are you passionate about women’s empowerment and the travel industry? We’re looking for a creative, driven individual to join our team! 😄

Do you have: ✔️ Strong communication skills ✔️ Creativity and love social media ✔️ Experience with content creation tools like Canva or Adobe Spark ✔️ Knowledge of website management (WordPress is a plus) ✔️ Ability to work independently and meet deadlines?

If you’re ready to be part of something impactful, we want to hear from you!

Please contact us for more information and send your CV and letter of motivation to:
womenintravelcollective@gmail.com

Be part of the change!

#WomenInTravelCollective #WomenEmpowerment #JobOpening #JoinOurTeam #TravelIndustry

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