NKAR intends to sustainably cater towards its stakeholders through its CSR strategy. As a result, the CSR purpose of the brand intends to actively support the sustainability of the environment through realistic measures while developing and actively supporting oversighted communities of Sri Lanka to an extent they could develop livelihoods of their own. The CSR purpose of NKAR is long term and intends to develop lasting relationships with its communities as well as with the environment the brand actively engages with.
There are two main recipients of NKAR’s CSR strategy – the environment (ecosystem) and community. While some initiatives directly cater towards the wellbeing of the ecosystem, others cater to communities which are often oversighted by a regular CSR initiative, yet strategically important towards the steady growth of the industry.
Charity Challenge by Team NKAR – A Cycling Parade with Purpose
On the final Sunday of June (29th), Colombo witnessed an inspiring and energetic morning as over 60 cyclists from Team NKAR took to the streets for a 20 km cycling parade. Dressed in NKAR T-shirts, the participants cycled through key parts of the city covering main attractions, proudly representing Sri Lanka’s leading cycling tour DMC. This meaningful initiative also saw participation from a few tourism industry peers and an international supporter who joined to champion the cause.
What was it about?
The “Charity Challenge by Team NKAR” was organized by NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt) Ltd., as a signature event to mark the company’s 45th anniversary. The concept was initiated by the company’s Chairman & Managing Director, Mr. Nilmin Nanayakkara, and brought to life by the passionate NKAR team.
While the event celebrated a key company milestone, it was also designed to achieve multiple sustainable and social objectives:
Objectives of the Charity Challenge:
The 20 km trail was split into two segments, with a refreshment break at the halfway point. Rather than partnering with a mainstream brand, NKAR chose to support small local vendors, further highlighting their commitment to empowering communities and promoting authentic local experiences, just as they do on their tours.
Through this event, NKAR successfully raised funds for four wheelchairs with the contributions from NKAR Staff . The company then doubled the contribution and donated a total of eight wheelchairs to those in need.
With over 120 participants in total, the event was a remarkable success. Addressing the closing ceremony, both Chairman – Managing Director Mr. Nilmin Nanayakkara and Head of Marketing, Mr. Brian Wimalasinghe, reiterated NKAR’s position as an industry trendsetter, one that doesn’t follow trends, but creates them. They also extended their heartfelt gratitude to every individual who supported and participated in making the event impactful.
More to come:
As part of NKAR’s 45th anniversary celebrations, this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more exciting initiatives that blend purpose, passion, and innovation.
NKAR SUPPORTED ONLY THIS YEAR NKAR’S SUPPORT FOR SRI LANKA’S FIRST HIND LEG PROSTHETIC ELEPHANT
In 2012, a baby elephant calf (less than a year old) was discovered in the Ampara Jungles. Wildlife officials found him in a desperate condition, exhausted and on the brink of death ar his foot was tightly wrapped with a hunter’s snare. He was immediately rescued and transported to the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home (ETH) for treatment. After a many months of ineffective treatment, skilled veterinarian Dr. Vijitha Perera determined that the only way this little elephant could survive was to amputate his foot and fit with a prostheses limb.
The name “Namal” was derived from the fact that this little elephant was found in the Ampara jungles of “Namal Uyana. He has turned out to be very playful and curious elephant quickly became a favorite among visitors. Namal is known for his joyful nature and his love for being around people.
When Namal turned four years of age, the design of prosthetic leg he had been using could no longer support the increasing weight of his growing body weight. The prosthesis was no longer adequate, and his spine began to curve and weaken due to the strain from his limp while walking.
Research began to search for experts globally who were capable of designing a durable prosthesis to meet the needs of the world’s largest land animal After intense search, Exceed, a team based in Cambodia that had previously worked with an elephant facing a similar challenges was contacted to obtain guidance, while working through their local office in Colombo ( Sri Lanka) With the support of key professionals, including an Australian-trained prosthetist, a new prosthetic leg design was developed.
The next challenge was securing funding for the newly designed prosthesis. After reaching out to numerous corporate sponsors, Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC graciously agreed to take on the sponsorship as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
At the time, only two elephants in the world had prosthetics for their front legs – one in Cambodia and another in Thailand. Namal became the first known elephant to receive a prosthetic As a hind leg, a significant milestone in elephant care.
Thanks to the new prosthetic, Namal was able to walk more easily, regaining some mobility and enjoying the freedom of the Elephant Transit Home’s boundaries. However, prosthetic legs need to be replaced periodically, either annually or bi-annually, as Namal continues to grow. Ongoing sponsorships are vital to ensure he receives the support he needs throughout his life.
This year( 2025), NKar Travels and Tours Pvt Limited stepped forward as the sponsor to help cover the cost of the new prosthetic. On February 16th, the Exceed team, along with representatives from AMW and NKar, visited the Elephant Transit Home to take measurements for the new prosthesis. During this visit, Mr. Nanayakara, Chairman/Managing Director of NKar Travels, handed over the sponsorship payment to the Exceed team. Namal happy walking with his new prosthetic.
Namal’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and international collaboration, and we are grateful for the continued support that makes it possible for him to live a fuller Below image is the old foot – footage wearing the new foot can be used. Would include the measurements been taken
NKAR’S HEARTWARMING ADOPTION: FOSTERING OF A ORPHANED BABY ELEPHANT
In a heartwarming gesture as part of its sustainability initiatives, NKAR has stepped forward to adopt a baby elephant abandoned by her herd in the jungle. With Sri Lanka home to over 7000 elephants, the issue of human-elephant conflict looms large, especially in wildlife national park areas. To address this, the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawa was established in 1995. This sanctuary provides shelter and care for injured elephants as well as abandoned or lost baby elephants, nurturing them until they are ready for release with careful monitoring.
Presently, ETH is a haven for more than 60 Baby elephants under its care. NKAR’s decision to foster one of these elephants not only embodies their commitment to sustainability but also highlights the touching bond between humans and these majestic creatures. Full Story – https://nkar.lk/nurturing-love-nkar-adopts-motherless-baby-elephant
LITTLE ADIRA’S BIG PROGRESS AFTER 9 MONTHS
We visited the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe to see how well our little Adira is getting on.
It was said that Adira is now well settled, happy and wanders about all day with the herd, specially tagging along with her “surrogate mother”. It also revealed that she has become a bit of a bully pushing younger newcomers to the herd aiming for a lion’s share of the milk.
We bless her to continue to grow well and also to settle down without being a bully, which is quite normal at this age.
In March 2025, we would step into the 2nd year of fostering Adira.
NKAR BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN
NKAR is dedicated to making a positive impact on society. This year, our focus was on saving lives through blood donation. Recognizing the vital role of the National Blood Bank in maintaining adequate blood supplies for patients in need, we organized our Annual Blood Donation Campaign.
Our goal was to inspire both our team members and the broader community to participate in this life-saving initiative. We provided support to first-time donors, helping them overcome any apprehensions and ensuring a comfortable donation experience.
At NKAR, we believe in empowering individuals to overcome challenges and engage in meaningful acts of kindness. Whether it’s through travel, adventure, or community service, we’re committed to making a difference in various aspects of life.
‘ORANGE PLANTATION PROJECT’ AS A SOLUTION FOR HUMAN ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The human-elephant conflict has emerged as a significant issue in Sri Lanka, stemming from various causes. As a company, we hold nature in high regard and prioritize its well-being.
Wasgamuwa National Park stands as one of Sri Lanka’s protected areas, known for its large herds of elephants. Along the southern border of Wasgamuwa National Park lie numerous small villages, approximately 30 in total, which face this ongoing conflict. Over time, various approaches have been attempted to mitigate the human-elephant conflict, ranging from modern solutions such as electric fencing to traditional and innovative methods.
Among these innovative methods, we have come across the Orange Plantation Project, which aims to address the human-elephant conflict in the aforementioned area of Wasgamuwa. This project, initiated by NGOs, caught our attention, prompting us to conduct a thorough study. Subsequently, we have incorporated this activity into our tour programs, allowing our clients the opportunity to contribute by purchasing orange plants and planting them in dedicated areas identified as elephant corridors leading to the villages.
Celebrating a Life of Compassion: Mr. Nilmin Nanayakkara’s 65th Birthday
The 12th of November 2023 marked a special milestone the 65th birthday of our beloved Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Nilmin Nanayakkara.
Reflecting back to his birthday celebration the previous year, organized with great affection by our team, Mr. Nanayakkara graciously expressed his appreciation. Yet, he shared a heartfelt message that deeply resonated with all who heard it. He said,
“I truly appreciate what you’ve all done for me today. But children, it would mean even more to me if this money was used to set free an animal destined for slaughter. Even freeing a single hen in a cage would bring me immense joy.”
Those who know him well recognized the sincerity and compassion in his words.
As his 65th birthday approached this year, the team once again gathered to plan something meaningful. It didn’t take long just a few minutes into the discussion, our Group Accountant, Roshen Steelman, suggested the idea of freeing a cow lined up for slaughter. The idea instantly resonated, and everyone eagerly united behind the initiative.
A lifelong vegetarian, Mr. Nanayakkara has always championed the value of all living beings. He lives by the belief that: “Every life deserves to live, every life deserves freedom.”
With admiration and gratitude, we wish him a very Happy Birthday and continued good health and happiness.
SAVE THE SRI LANKAN SMILE” – NKAR TOURISM RECOVERY CAMPAIGN
In response to a critical need for revitalization in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR spearheaded the “Save the Sri Lankan Smile” campaign an essential catalyst for recovery
Built on a unified industry platform, the initiative brought together all tourism stakeholders hotels, tour operators, transport providers, and more under a shared mission: rapidly restore visitors’ confidence and rebuild the sector .
As a long-standing DMC, NKAR took the lead in designing and launching this white‑label, six‑month campaign, providing tailored content each week so every participant could adopt and share it under their own branding. By fueling a collective promotional effort complete with Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and a dedicated website the campaign aims to reconnect with Sri Lankans abroad and encourage international travelers to “support our island of hospitality”
NKAR’s initiative provided the much-needed boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry uniting stakeholders in a cohesive, urgent push to bring back the smiles, rebuild livelihoods, and put our country back on the map.
For more Information – https://savethesrilankansmile.com
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT BY ELIMINATING PLASTIC BOTTLES
NKAR has started a clever, eco-friendly program on its tour buses. Each bus now has a 19 L recyclable PET water bottle and a hand pump, so guests can refill their own reusable bottles. Tour leaders and foreign operators discourage bringing 500 ml or 1 L disposable bottles.
As a result:
• Plastic waste on NKAR tours is almost zero
• It helps the environment by cutting single-use plastic
• It raises awareness among staff and travelers
• It saves money for the company by reducing bottle purchases
This small change supports all three pillars of the Triple Bottom Line- environmental care, social awareness, and economic health.
FULLY PAID COLOMBO CITY TOUR FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN
NKAR has an initiative to support children from touristic areas (often from rural or estate sectors) by providing them an opportunity to visit Colombo – a city many haven’t visited before. This also includes a visit to the beach which is another ‘first’ to many rural/estate children) whose parents are mostly the suppliers of NKAR. The objective of this initiative is to offer a unique and memorable opportunity to children of our suppliers to visit the commercial capital of Sri Lanka in an ‘All Paid’ getaway! The initiative is concluded by adding value to the educational journey of these children as NKAR gifts a Sinhala-English dictionary to each child wrapped in NKAR branding so that brand name goes a long way together with Can we add this at the bottom – Post‑COVID recovery and a booming tourism sector have provided the perfect moment for NKAR to give this initiative a permanent place in our community outreach. We’re thrilled to turn it into an annual program that continues to empower children from underprivileged areas bringing them to Colombo, showing them the beach, and gifting learning tools each year.
As our industry rebounds, NKAR wants to reinvest in the communities behind it.
THANAMALVILA SCHOOL CSR INITIATIVE 2018
NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt.) Ltd handed over Playground equipment, books, paint, printers and cupboards to a rural school in Thanamalvila as a CSR initiative.
SPONSORING FOR THE AIESEC ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE 2018
(SUPPORTING YOUTH TOURISM INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP)
WORLD TOURISM DAY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
NKAR launched an Awareness Campaign marking the World Tourism Day 2017 and the brand involved Trishaw Drivers who were directly in touch with many tourists visiting Sri Lanka. The awareness campaign featured instructions on ‘Why A Tourist Should be Protected’ while an instruction manual was distributed among addressed participants with a confirmation sticker placed on the back of each vehicle as an assurance to a traveling tourist
Newspaper Articles – http://dailynews.lk/2017/10/12/business/131038/nkar-travels-and-tours-organizes-tourism-promotion-campaign-three-wheel?page=3
RURAL SCHOOL MAKEOVER CSR INITIATIVES
CSR project was launched by NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt.) Ltd at Pallansena Primary School, Kochchikade (Negombo) where the school walls were color-washed by our enthusiastic team. Moreover, the swings and seesaws in the school play area were given a new look as a part of this project.
DONATIONS TO FLOOD VICTIMS – 2017
NKAR as a part of its responsibility towards a fair society – donated sleeping mats, medicine, candles and drinking water which were essentials to individuals affected by flood conditions in Eheliyagoda (Sabaragamuwa Province
DONATIONS TO FLOOD VICTIMS – 2017
There are thousands of families In Sri Lanka who have to deal with the effects of floods every year. We take responsibility in distributing dry rations and other essentials to support our people during these difficult times and NKAR is been doing this on every year.
TSUNAMI HOUSING PROJECT (BACK TO LIFE PROJECT)
On 26 December 2004, Sri Lanka became a victim of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. It caused widespread destruction around the coastal belts of countries close to Indonesia, where the earthquake which triggered the tidal wave took place. In Sri Lanka, more than 35,000 people lost their lives and thousands were left homeless. NKAR took the responsibility to rebuilt the lives of the people by Helping the community by having to build 25 houses for homeless with the help of foreign tour operators to get the victims back to life, as such the project was name back to life.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EXPERIENCES IN HASALAKA
Situated near the captivating Knuckles Mountain range and in close proximity to Mahiyanganaya Town, Hasalaka is a stunning region that we carefully curate for our tour programs. Here, we handpick a range of experiences and sustainable tourism practices to enhance our guests’ journey.
VILLAGE POTTERY MAKING EXPERIENCE
In our quest to support local communities, we have chosen a remarkable family whose livelihood revolves around the art of pottery. What makes this particular selection even more special is that the talented potter has a hearing disability, exemplifying our belief that some of the most creative individuals are differently abled.
Witnessing the potter’s ingenuity firsthand, our clients will have the unique opportunity to engage in the pottery-making process themselves. By participating, they can appreciate the patience, serenity, and skill required to create a beautiful pot. Additionally, through our involvement, we aim to improve the quality of life for this deserving family.
VILLAGE LUNCH IN RATHNA ELLA
Rathna Ella, the tallest waterfall in the Kandy district, is situated in the remote village of Hasalaka within the Mahiyanganaya area. We have chosen this village as a site for implementing several sustainable tourism practices. Within this area, there are two waterfalls from which the waterfall walk originates, starting in Hasalaka village. The longest trail to Rathna Ella spans 7 kilometers round trip.
To enhance the visitor experience, we have identified a quaint dwelling in close proximity to Rathna Ella. This small house, constructed with mud walls and surrounded by picturesque paddy fields, serves as the venue for preparing a traditional village lunch for our clients. The locals at this place diligently follow our instructions to create an authentic village meal. In addition to generating income for the community, we are also providing support for the development of a designated area where a group of 12 to 15 people can comfortably gather and enjoy their lunch.
FARMER’S BREAKFAST IN MAPAKADA
We have chosen a location in Mapakada village where we can offer a village-style breakfast experience in a farm hut. To reach this secluded farm hut, a 750-meter walk through the jungle is required. From there, our clients can enjoy the scenic view of the farm overlooking the Mapakada lake while the farmer prepares breakfast. Clients also have the unique opportunity to participate in the traditional village-style breakfast preparation process. This initiative has positively impacted the farmer’s livelihood. Prior to implementing this project, we made several enhancements to the farm hut and walking path to elevate the overall standards. As part of our commitment to both the farmer and our clients’ well-being, we sponsored these improvements.
NELUMWEWA GINI DAMANA VILLAGE EXPERIENCE
We have curated a series of experiences in a remote village near Polonnaruwa that foster sustainable tourism and provide benefits to the local community. The program unfolds as follows:
In the morning, clients will have the opportunity to visit a village fair where they can engage in bargaining and purchase items for the upcoming lunch preparation. They will then actively participate in the cooking process, taking place in an authentic village house. Once the meal is ready, the clients will proceed to the temple to engage in the traditional act of alms giving, presenting the food they have prepared. The chief monk of the temple will graciously bestow blessings upon them, after which the clients can return to the location where they cooked the food and delight in their lunch. This immersive experience not only provides a unique glimpse into village life but also contributes to the well-being of the local community, creating a mutually beneficial experience for both the villagers and the clients.
AHANGAMA VILLAGE TUK TUK TOUR
In Ahangama, we have introduced a unique tuk-tuk village tour that allows clients to explore the enchanting low-grown tea plantations and cinnamon farms in the southern region. Traveling by tuk-tuk, we offer an immersive experience where clients can witness the beauty of these plantations and learn about the production processes.
As part of the tour, we also visit a local village house where clients can enjoy a cup of tea accompanied by delightful local sweets. This program not only provides an authentic cultural experience but also extends benefits to various stakeholders involved. The tuk-tuk drivers, workers in the tea and cinnamon plantations, and the local villagers all reap the advantages of this initiative, contributing to their livelihoods and the overall well-being of the community.
DEVELOPING THE LIVELIHOOD OF OVERSIGHTED VILLAGERS
NKAR was looking for a village lunch supplier 15 years ago and instead of finding an existing supplier, we decided to improvise in creating a new supplier from the grass root level. That’s how NKAR found ‘Kalu’ – a simple farmer residing in a rural village off Giritale. Hesitant at first due to our requirement of catering to ‘white people’ Kalu took up a journey and has become one of the most sought out lunch suppliers in the cultural triangle. His once thatched house now stands as a complete house built with bricks and roofing sheets with the generous support of NKAR’s visiting clients, local tour leaders and NKAR’s management. The objective of this initiative was to develop the livelihood of a poor farmer, offer our clients an experiential traditional lunch
SUPPORTING LOCAL INDUSTRIES OF DUNAGAHA
NKAR has selected a remote village in the Negombo District – Dunagaha – which is rural, but renowned for woven items. We take our German groups to this village after their arrival in Sri Lanka in order to offer them an experience around the village and its signature industry. This is coupled with traditional sweetmeats and a cup of Pure Ceylon Tea after which each client is gifted with a traditionally woven shawl – pre purchased in bulks from the same village by NKAR – as a valuable souvenir. The objective of this initiative is to support social wellbeing of villagers, develop the economic sustainability of the industry and village while offering a completely different experience to NKAR’s clients before they start their round tour in Sri Lanka
