• Observations during a visit to Adhitya Ayurveda in Anuradhapura

On Harischandra Mawatha, just a short drive from the centre of Anuradhapura, Adhitya Ayurveda looks like many boutique properties at first glance. A cluster of low buildings shaded by trees, a swimming pool that glints in the heat, and rooms laid out to accommodate those looking for quiet. But this is not a resort in the usual sense. From the moment you check in, the focus turns from hospitality to diagnosis.

Every guest begins with a consultation. A doctor checks your pulse, listens to the issues you want to address, and prescribes a customised programme of treatments and meals. Over the next few days, schedules include everything from herbal steam baths and warm oil massages to pastes applied on aching joints. Food is planned to match each person’s condition, with herbs and vegetables sourced from the property’s own estate in Oyamaduwa. The cooking is strictly Ayurvedic, but not ascetic. Meals are surprisingly well-seasoned and satisfying.

“We see ourselves as different from a resort,” said Adhitya Ayurveda Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ranuka Karunarathne. “Our main objective is to cure, to relieve stress, and to have a spiritual bond with patients. Our aim is to cure them so they do not have to come back. They will tell someone else about the place and that is how we grow.”

Business structure

The family behind the centre has been practising traditional medicine for over five decades. “Dr. Gunawardhana started his practice more than 50 years ago. Around 2000-2010, he was treating many foreign patients who asked him to expand and create a dedicated place. We realised there was a need to take these practices beyond boundaries. After discussions in 2015 and 2016, we selected the location, designed the centre, and opened in December 2019,” Karunarathne explained.

Today, the property has 24 rooms, a mix of standard, deluxe, and premier, and a ward that can hold 30 more. “At any given time, we can accommodate about 80 patients,” he said. “Foreigners sometimes ask why there is a ward. We explain that this is a treatment centre first. Even the chef understands he is cooking for a patient, not a guest.”

Treatments and sourcing

The treatments use oils and preparations manufactured at their own government-registered Helayu Herbal Factory, located a short distance from the centre. The rest of the ingredients are sourced from suppliers across Sri Lanka, and most from the Oyamaduwa estate where medicinal herbs and vegetables are grown organically.

That estate also serves as a venue for occasional lunch excursions. Guests can walk around acres of cultivated land, tube wells, and an artificial pond before sitting down to a meal prepared from the same product.

A green-certified property

From its design, the centre has been built with an environmental focus. “One of our main aims was to take care of the patients and also take care of the environment,” said Karunarathne.

“We went to the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka and became a gold-rated green building. This means lower carbon emissions, reduced waste, water recycling, and using treated water for the gardens. Even our plastic waste is kept to a minimum. We have signed the UNESCO sustainable pledge because our patients value sustainability,” he explained.

The clientele

Adhitya’s guests are primarily from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Australia, and Canada, with a smaller number from India. “Central Europe is one of our main markets. We also see groups from Japan and a growing number of Australians. Some Indian families come to us because they want something different from Kerala,” Karunarathne said.

Foreign marketing is done directly, without relying solely on the Sri Lanka Tourism Board. “Every month, we invest in social media campaigns aimed at those markets. We optimise our website with search engine tools so people who are looking for wellness and health tourism find us. We also go to travel fairs and organise our own programmes overseas. In August, we have events in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. In September, we will hold programmes in Nagoya and Osaka. We also have an advertisement campaign starting on CNN from today,” he added.

A different approach to wellness

Unlike many retreats that focus on relaxation, Adhitya’s emphasis is on results. “There are a lot of wellness facilities in Sri Lanka, but very few places to directly care for conditions. Here, we focus on wellbeing and treatments,” Karunarathne said. “We guarantee results. If someone comes with arthritis or partial paralysis, we work with them. We have hundreds of testimonials.”

He says the key difference lies in personalised care. “Most places have one programme for everyone. Here, each guest’s pulse is read, the body is assessed, and the treatment plan is customised. Even meals are customised. In three days, you can begin to feel the difference.”

The medical team’s pulse diagnosis practice, a traditional skill Dr. Gunawardhana is known for, guides these individualised plans. “We don’t want to give the same treatment to two different people just because they booked the same package,” Karunarathne said. “This is why we recommend a minimum three-day stay.”

Research and development

A research laboratory on site works to study and enhance the efficacy of treatments. “Western medicine has years of research behind every pill. Ayurveda hasn’t had that level of research,” Karunarathne explained. “Here, we are conducting our own research on the medicines and treatments we use, testing them with our patients. This is the only Ayurvedic centre with a research facility like this.”

Expanding the model

Since opening, Adhitya has created a sister brand, Mangata, located in Galle, to meet a different need. “Many foreign guests like to be near the beach. Mangata focuses on wellness in a beach environment, while Anuradhapura focuses on serious treatment,” Karunarathne said. “The two hands complement each other.”

Future plans include expanding into the central hills. “In peak periods, we need 50 to 60 more rooms,” he said. “We also want to keep improving our staff skills, expand our capacity, and strengthen partnerships with global hotel groups. We already work with the Minor Hotel Group.”

Health tourism and the economy

Karunarathne sees a clear opportunity for health tourism to contribute to Sri Lanka’s economy. “Globally, this is a 20 trillion dollar industry,” he pointed out. “Countries like Thailand and Spain have millions of health tourists each year. In Sri Lanka, there is potential, but the strategies need to be aligned. We bring in high-spending visitors who contribute foreign exchange, and we also work with local suppliers and hire 80% of our 120 employees from the area.”

In addition to providing employment, Adhitya collaborates with technical colleges and hotel schools to train young people. “We also do community work in Anuradhapura, from supporting the teaching hospital to providing sports facilities for schools and raising health awareness among students,” he said.

The stay in perspective

For a guest, Adhitya is an unusual blend as it is a green-certified building that feels like a hotel, but operates more like a hospital. The days are structured around treatment and rest, with no distractions other than the pool, a library, and yoga sessions.

It may not appeal to everyone as some prefer a purely spa-style escape, but for those looking for a more clinical approach to Ayurveda, where the priority is results with a blend of luxury, it is a rare example of how a traditional practice can be scaled up without losing its purpose.