For Priyanjith Weerasooria, CEO of Uga Hotels, the journey into hospitality was far from conventional. Born into a family of builders and textile manufacturers, his background was rooted in construction. However, in the early 2000s, during a period of economic downturn, his family sought new opportunities to repurpose their skills.
“In 2008, we had extra capacity as builders and developers, and we decided to embark on a project in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle,” he recalls. The initial plan was simple—construct a property and either lease or sell it. But fate had other ideas.
With the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009, the country saw a revival in tourism. Priyanjith and his family decided to try their hand at hotel management, marking the start of their accidental foray into the industry. “Two years later, we had two more properties on the East Coast, an area previously ravaged by war. We became one of the first hospitality brands to establish luxury properties in that region,” he explains.
Fast forward to today, and Uga Hotels has expanded to seven boutique properties, each deeply rooted in Sri Lanka’s culture, community, and commitment to sustainability.
A fresh take on luxury: redefining Sri Lankan hospitality
Unlike the traditional large-scale resorts Sri Lanka was known for pre-war—often catering to mass-market tourism—Uga Hotels adopted a different approach. “We always wanted to focus on the niche luxury segment,” Priyanjith says. “Instead of quantity, we prioritised quality.”
Uga Hotels became synonymous with immersive luxury, offering guests experiences beyond just high-end accommodation. The company’s ethos revolves around “authentic Sri Lankan hospitality.”
“Sri Lankans are naturally warm and welcoming. Even in the humblest of homes, you’ll be offered a cup of tea and made to feel like family. We wanted to bring that same warmth to our properties,” he explains.
By integrating Sri Lankan heritage into its culinary offerings, service standards, and design elements, Uga has successfully carved out a distinctive identity.
Sustainability and social impact: more than a buzzword
While sustainability has become a marketing catchphrase in global hospitality, for Uga Hotels, it is a fundamental pillar. From the outset, the brand embedded environmental and social responsibility into its operations.
“We didn’t start talking about sustainability just because it became trendy. Our very first property, Ulagalla, was built to LEED Gold certification standards back in 2008,” Priyanjith notes.
Uga Hotels’ sustainability initiatives revolve around three key pillars—women, water, and wildlife.
Women: The company actively supports female employment, particularly in areas affected by the war. “In the North and East, we noticed many war widows and single mothers in need of livelihoods. We prioritised hiring them and supporting women-led businesses for our supply chain,” he says. Today, Uga Hotels employs female villa managers and general managers and partners with female artisans for in-room amenities and guest gifts.
Wildlife: Many of Uga’s properties are set in nature-rich environments, often home to elephants and leopards. “Human-elephant conflict is a major issue in Sri Lanka, with farmers encroaching on elephant habitats. We’ve collaborated with experts to fund elephant fencing and educate communities on coexistence,” he explains.
Water: One of Sri Lanka’s lesser-known crises is water contamination, particularly in rural areas due to over-fertilisation. “It’s a personal passion project of mine. We’ve built eight water purification plants so far, providing clean drinking water to villages. We plan to build four more each year,” he says.
By embedding these initiatives into daily operations, Uga Hotels ensures that luxury travel contributes positively to both people and the planet.
Scaling up while staying boutique
With seven properties under the Uga umbrella, maintaining the brand’s boutique ethos while expanding has been a balancing act.
“We don’t want to become a cookie-cutter hotel chain. Each property is designed to have its own identity, experience, and character,” Priyanjith explains.
To manage growth while preserving the essence of a boutique experience, Uga Hotels has segmented its portfolio. Properties with fewer than 20 rooms focus on ultra-luxury, while those with up to 50 rooms cater to a slightly broader audience—but never at the expense of personalised service.
“We won’t go beyond 50 to 60 keys per property,” he affirms. “Once you get into 100+ room hotels, you lose the ability to offer truly bespoke hospitality.”
Evolving with global travel trends
Luxury travel is constantly evolving, and Uga Hotels is keenly attuned to shifting guest expectations.
“Sustainability has become a non-negotiable. Travellers want authentic, regenerative experiences rather than just indulgence,” Priyanjith notes.
The brand is placing greater emphasis on immersive travel, from offering guests the chance to hand-roll their own tea at Uga Halwala to engaging with local communities in meaningful ways. “Families, in particular, are looking for transformative experiences for their children. We encourage interactions with local kids—be it a casual game of cricket or a school visit—to foster cross-cultural exchanges,” he adds.
Sri Lanka’s connectivity is also improving, making once-remote locations more accessible. “The road network has significantly improved, and seaplanes provide quicker transfers. We see more guests doing multi-property stays, covering cultural sites, wildlife parks, and beach resorts in one trip,” he says.
Sri Lanka’s resilience and the future of Uga Hotels
Despite Sri Lanka’s economic challenges, tourism remains a pillar of its recovery. “We’ve had to be incredibly agile,” Priyanjith admits. “Unlike in more stable economies, long-term planning isn’t always possible here. We focus on flexible, short-term strategies that allow us to pivot as needed.”
Sri Lanka currently welcomes around 2.6 million tourists annually, but there’s vast potential for growth. Air connectivity remains a challenge, and Uga Hotels is actively engaged in discussions with the government and airlines to push for better flight access.
Looking ahead, Uga Hotels is eyeing regional expansion beyond Sri Lanka’s borders. “We’re considering Southern India as a potential next step. There’s a lot of cultural and historical synergy between our regions,” he hints.
However, at the heart of Uga’s mission remains its unwavering commitment to showcasing Sri Lanka’s beauty to the world.
“When our guests leave, we don’t want them to just remember Uga Hotels—we want them to remember Sri Lanka. If they go home and tell five friends how incredible this country is, we’ve done our job,” Priyanjith concludes.