Here’s a few words from our Founder and Director, Charith Fernando on why he decided to
open Ayuwaters Retreat and Villa Velmarie.
For me, Ayurveda has never been just a treatment, it has always been a way of life. Some of my
earliest childhood memories are of visiting an Ayurveda doctor with my parents. But unlike
what many may picture today, it wasn’t a clinical space, nor did it feel like going to a hospital.
I remember stepping into the doctor’s home. It was warm, welcoming and filled with the gentle
scents of herbs, oils and freshly brewed teas. There were no intimidating machines, no sterile
environment. The doctor was friendly, attentive and deeply connected to every patient. As a
child, I had no fear of these treatments. The environment itself felt healing and I now believe
that this sense of comfort and trust was already half the cure.
The treatments were entirely natural. Blends of roots, leaves, oils and spices. It wasn’t just
about treating symptoms, it was about caring for the whole person; body, mind and soul.
As I grew older, my appreciation for Ayurveda only deepened. I came to understand its timeless
philosophy: prevention over cure, balance over intervention and nature over chemicals. And
yet, I also noticed something troubling, both in Sri Lanka and around the world, this ancient
wisdom was often being overshadowed by modern quick fixes. People increasingly seek fast
results, pills to mask discomfort rather than long-term healing and sustainable well being.
This reality pushed me even harder to champion Ayurveda’s true essence. I believe it is not
enough to simply offer Ayurveda treatments. As a director of an Ayurveda retreat, I believe that
our focus should also be on building awareness especially among an audience who can truly
value its longterm benefits. Too many people still see Ayurveda as something to try “after other
things have failed,” when in fact it should be part of an ongoing approach to health.
In Sri Lanka, although Ayurveda is rooted in our heritage, the wellness tourism sector is still
growing. While over 2 million tourists visit our island each year and one of the fastest growing
industries, only a fraction actively seek authentic Ayurvedic retreats. Globally, wellness tourism
is one of the fastest growing segments of travel but the potential for Ayurveda remains vastly
untapped. This tells me that there is an urgent need to reposition Ayurveda, not as an
“alternative,” but as a premium, trusted wellness experience for modern lifestyles.
This was the core inspiration behind me opening Ayuwaters Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat and Villa
Velmarie instead of a hospital or hotel. I wanted to recreate the same atmosphere I had
experienced as a child, an environment of trust, comfort and connection with nature. In a villa
setting, everyone feels cared for not as patients or guests at a hotel but as individuals on a
journey toward wellness.
The villa atmosphere plays a vital role in this experience. Here, guests enjoy superior comfort,
privacy and personal attention, qualities that many high end travelers actively seek. Our
returning guests professionals, entrepreneurs, wellness travelers tell us that their stays here
have become part of their personal wellness calendar. For them, it is not just a one time retreat,
but a regular opportunity to pause, reset and rejuvenate.
Beyond treatment, the villa also allows us to foster preventive care. We often welcome guests
who arrive stressed, disconnected or fatigued. Through personalised programs, calming
surroundings and mindful practices they leave with renewed energy, clarity and a deeper
understanding of how Ayurveda can support them long after they return home.
In this space, nature itself becomes part of the healing process. Our villas offer peaceful
waterfront views, open gardens and a soothing atmosphere, a stark contrast to the noise and
stress of modern life. Here, the mind calms, the body restores and the soul reconnects.
For me, this is the true purpose of opening Ayuwaters Retreat and Villa Velmarie. To offer not
just treatments but an experience one rooted in trust, nature and personal care. It is about
helping people rediscover what genuine well being feels like. And as awareness grows, I remain
committed to ensuring that Ayurveda is embraced not just for what it can cure, but for the
lasting vitality it can create.
Charith Fernando
Director, Ayuwaters Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat and Villa Velmarie
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