“The Gathering of Giants” returns for 2025 at Cinnamon Habarana
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, in collaboration with Cinnamon Nature Trails and in valued partnership with Seylan Bank, is honoured to announce the return of The Gathering of Giants—a pioneer conservation initiative set to take place from 25 to 27 July 2025 at Cinnamon Habarana Complex.
Rooted in a deep respect for Sri Lanka’s natural heritage, this initiative reflects Cinnamon’s enduring commitment to safeguarding ecosystems, empowering communities, and inspiring responsible travel. The official announcement of the 2025 edition was made today at the Atrium, Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
Now in its third year, this landmark event brings together conservationists, travellers, nature enthusiasts, and storytellers to celebrate the breathtaking annual migration of hundreds of wild elephants to Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks—home to Asia’s largest gathering of wild elephants and recognised as the 6th greatest wildlife spectacle globally by Lonely Planet.
“Bringing The Gathering of Giants to life for the third consecutive year reaffirms our deep and enduring commitment to safeguarding the country’s unique wildlife and habitats,” said Hishan Singhawansa, Chief Executive Officer Designate, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts “This event goes beyond observation—it’s about creating awareness, nurturing responsible tourism, and uniting communities and experts to drive a lasting impact. It’s one of over 35 ongoing community empowerment and conservation initiatives that shape who we are and what we stand for.”
This immersive three-day experience blends expert-led wildlife talks, hands-on workshops, and guided ethical excursions into Sri Lanka’s iconic wilderness. While the elephants remain the heart of the event, this year’s edition also embraces the broader diversity of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, featuring dedicated workshops on leopards and migratory birds alongside our core mission of creating awareness and conserving the largest Asian elephant gathering—Asia’s premier wildlife spectacle.
Commenting on the partnership with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts for The Gathering of Giants 2025, Asiri Abhayaratne, Assistant General Manager – Marketing & Sales at Seylan Bank, stated, “Our ongoing partnership with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and Cinnamon Nature Trails is rooted in a shared purpose—to champion Sri Lanka’s natural heritage through immersive, conservation-focused experiences. The success of the 2025 Gathering of Giants highlights the power of this collaboration, offering our cardholders privileged access to one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles – The great elephant gathering of Asia. We are proud to build on this momentum with new initiatives and curated journeys in the months ahead with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and Cinnamon Nature Trails.”
Taking place in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, the Cinnamon Habarana Complex—comprising Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon, offers guests front-row access to nature’s theatre, all supported by Cinnamon’s signature brand of conservation-conscious hospitality.
This year’s programme will be elevated by a powerful speaker lineup, carefully curated to ignite curiosity and spark conversation:
● Noah Falklind, award-winning BBC wildlife cameraman, will present Living with Leopards, a gripping exploration into the lives of Sri Lanka’s most elusive predators, supported by exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and rare insights from the field.
● Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, Sri Lanka’s leading elephant expert and Chair of the Centre for Conservation and Research, brings over two decades of field experience to his talk, Elephants & Coexistence, which unpacks the complex relationship between humans and elephants, and the strategies for sharing space.
● Professor Sampath Seneviratne, renowned ornithologist from the University of Colombo, will lead The Avian Migration to Sri Lanka, a session delving into the mysterious journeys of migratory birds and the ecological importance of the island as a global avian corridor.
“The Cinnamon Habarana Complex—comprising Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon, is more than a location; it’s a gateway to one of Sri Lanka’s richest ecological landscapes,” said Johan Aschan, Area Vice President – Sri Lanka Resorts, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.
“With The Gathering of Giants, we’re not just creating access to
a spectacular wildlife phenomenon—we’re shaping ethical, educational, and deeply moving encounters that foster a lasting connection between people and nature.”
This year’s event continues its partnership with Seylan Bank, offering Seylan credit and debit cardholders an exclusive 10% discount using the promo code SEYEG25. The collaboration is part of a shared mission to make meaningful, conservation-focused travel more accessible to regional travellers.
With limited space and growing interest, early reservations are encouraged to ensure a place at this unforgettable conservation event that blends nature, education, and purpose in perfect harmony.
Event Dates: 25–27 July 2025