The preparation of mouth-watering beverages at the unveiling of Sherwood by The Barn

Sherwood by The Barn Proprietor Kushantha Hewapathirana

• Nature meets luxury at SL’s first sustainable and climate-friendly event venue

Located 30 km from Colombo, in Kiriberiya, Panadura, is the recently-opened Sherwood by The Barn, built adjacent to The Barnhouse Studio and owned by the same visionary individual, Kushantha Hewapathirana. Despite sharing the same owner, the properties are separate and have different themes, with Sherwood by The Barn immediately transporting one to a world of folklore.

A visit to Sherwood by The Barn on its grand opening gave The Daily Morning Brunch an idea of what the space has to offer. Promoted as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable and climate-friendly event venue, Sherwood by The Barn is truly where nature meets luxury. The space was unveiled on 2 June, with invitees treated to a night of merriment.

Rubber trees stand tall throughout the property, giving one a feeling of being lost in nature despite being just a few kilometres away from a bustling town and the busy Galle Road. The space is quiet, and the cabanas set up on one end of the property are ideal for more intimate gatherings. There is ample seating for socialising and dining throughout the property, catering to diverse needs.

At the unveiling of the space, special invitees were treated to an array of food like hoppers (including a rather unique bacon hopper), kebabs, rice, and desserts. The drinks were the hit, however, with those behind the bar putting together delightfully delicious and colourful cocktails. Spirits remained high as folk music played throughout the night and dancers were quick on their feet, welcoming guests with song and dance.

If the opening night was a preview of what the space has to offer, there is no doubt that Sherwood by The Barn will soon be a top choice for events.

Sustainability in practice

It is of course one thing to slap on a label like sustainability and a whole other matter to practice it. Speaking to The Daily Morning Brunch at the opening of the event venue, Hewapathirana shared that 60% of the material used in constructing the space was upcycled. “We use an atomisation system to keep the area chilled, through which we reduce our air conditioning cost and energy consumption,” he said, adding that they also ensure food waste is minimised.

The space also blends with nature, and Hewapathirana said the property has 1,000 trees and over 20 species. “This is a prototype and it can be used anywhere in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Later in the night, while giving those in attendance a better idea of what Sherwood by The Barn has to offer, Hewapathirana spoke more about their commitment to sustainability. He explained that environmentally-friendly concepts and philosophies have been implemented through the construction of the space and its operations. In addition to the atomisation system, natural lighting and ventilation also help reduce their energy requirements, and the design minimises disturbances to the local ecosystem.

Ingredients for food preparation are also locally sourced, thus making an impact on the community they operate from.

Hewapathirana went on to say that Sherwood by The Barn was more than just a dream. “It is a sanctuary where nature intertwines with luxury, creating a mesmerising haven for unforgettable events. Inspired by the captivating legends of English folklore, we have crafted a space that brings together the charm of the old world and the elegance of modern luxury.”

He added that they’ve designed every aspect of the space to ensure seamless comfort, beauty, and sustainability and that Sherwood by The Barn, which follows The Barnhouse and The Junkyard by The Barn, Thalawathugoda, would be ideal for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings.

Photos Saman Abesiriwardana