Get to know our Sri Lanka guides

Travelling with your own personal guide – a driver, a storyteller and a travel planner rolled into one – is the magic ingredient for a taste of the real Sri Lanka.

We spoke with three of our top chauffeur guides to find out why exploring Sri Lanka with a private driver is the best way to tackle the teardrop isle. Here’s what they had to say about life on the road and what makes guiding here such a rewarding role.

Why travel on an independent chauffeur guide and driver itinerary?

Our private car-and-driver experience lets you see Sri Lanka your way. Your guide will pick you up each morning, follow your chosen route and offer insights only a local would know. With the flexibility to change the day’s plans at any time, you’ll never miss an opportunity to explore deeper or linger longer in the places that capture your heart.

Meet our guides

Our team of licensed tour guides and chauffeurs are skilled, enthusiastic and ready to show Sri Lanka in all its colours. We sat down with four of them – Palitha, Sarath, Wijesinghe and Thilak – to get their take on what it means to share the country they know and love.

Palitha Kuruppu: Bringing nature to life

For Palitha, guiding is a way to bring others into the natural world he’s been captivated by since childhood. “I grew up loving wildlife, always wanting to be outside, and guiding means I get to do just that — out on the road, not behind a desk,” he remarks.

Palitha is happiest when introducing travellers to Sri Lanka’s wild side, and his favourite spot is Habarana, where wildlife-rich parks and many UNESCO-listed treasures are all close at hand. And he’s in his element when he can lead guests to an off-the-map temple or a cascading waterfall they might not have known about.

For him, no two days are the same, which makes guiding such a thrill. "I tune into each guest’s interests. Some are passionate about eco-tourism and conservation, some are all about scenic hikes, while others are just here to eat their way through Sri Lanka! I adapt each day to give them exactly what they came for and often more than they expected.”

Sarath Olupaliyawa: Master of the details

Sarath recalls the path to becoming a guide. “It’s a lot of work and exams. Guests come looking for all kinds of experiences – history, food, a little romance for milestone celebrations – you need to be ready for anything.” His depth of knowledge means he’s able to answer just about any question, from the story behind a temple to the most scenic sunset spots and the best places for rice and curry with prawns, his favourite.

Sarath is especially fond of Kandy, the cultural heart of Sri Lanka. For him, introducing guests to the Temple of the Tooth is always a source of pride. “It’s not just a landmark. As a local, it’s something I’m honoured to show off – it’s part of who we are.”

Though he’s mindful of his travellers’ wish list, Sarath also keeps an eye on the practical details. “I want my guests to see the best of Sri Lanka without a single wasted moment,” he assures. Sarath knows that thoughtful planning can make all the difference, making on-the-go suggestions to help them experience the highlights without a hitch.

Ajith Wijesinghe: Guided by connection

For Ajith, guiding is about the people as much as the places. “I constantly cross paths with so many different people – market vendors, temple drummers, batik artists, spice farmers – and of course, the guests themselves, each with stories I can learn from,” he shares.

His favourite place? Sigiriya rock fortress, where he leads travellers up the ancient steps to breathtaking views. "Their faces when they reach the top – you can tell it’s a view they’ll remember,” he says. And sometimes, he’s the one surprised; once, they came across a leopard resting just off a main path, unusually close to where people and vehicles pass through.

From taking guests to iconic sites to handling unexpected requests, Ajith has a knack for making it all happen – like the time a guest wanted to try white-water rafting at Kitulgala mid-tour. “It was totally unexpected, but that’s the fun of it,” he laughs. “Of course, I set it up – and even joined in myself!”

Thilak Kodithuwakku: Sharing Sri Lanka’s traditions and spirituality

Thilak’s interest in guiding began after hearing a close friend’s tales from the job, which sparked his own curiosity to experience it firsthand. What he finds most fulfilling is seeing his guests’ amazement as they discover Sri Lanka’s layers. “There’s real satisfaction in watching guests connect with Sri Lanka,” he says.

For Thilak, Kandy holds a special significance, but if he could take guests to a lesser-known spot, it would be a quiet, village-based Buddhist temple. “There’s something powerful about the evening ceremonies,” he explains, “the way each act flows with heartfelt devotion.” These intimate encounters are what he most enjoys sharing. He also likes introducing travellers to Sri Lanka’s astrological traditions, which never fail to intrigue his guests. And when it’s time to eat, his pick is yellow coconut curry – a dish he finds guests fall for every time.

This feature was created on 1st November 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. Feature by Heather Flanagan.