Introduction
Different Discovery Tours is a Sri Lankan Team specializing in designing and offering individualised itineraries both to sites of world renown as well to locations within the island, which may be less well known, but which are nevertheless of great interest. In no small part, the attraction may also be precisely because they are often not on the usual “tourist” itineraries. Intrinsic interest may lie in:
• their archeological and historical uniqueness,
• their religious significance,
• the splendour of their scenery,
• their ecological importance,
• or, quite simply, may be down to the fact that they are unusual and exquisite locations in which to “chill out”, relax, and restore the batteries.
Our Team
The Different Discovery Team comprises a small group of innovative travel and hotel personnel with experience both within the country as well as overseas. Team members pride themselves on their competence as “tourist orientated professionals”. Of equal importance, however, is a strong sense of responsibility for conservation and for the cultural integrity of their island and its communities. Team members all speak English competently as a second language, travel regularly, and are thereby able to keep abreast of changing demands within the tailor-made tours sector. As all Different Discovery team members have a personal interest in many of the activities on offer, clients can expect a service which is well informed and highly personal.
Team Leader: Dinesh Sampath
Dinesh has been conducting personal tours throughout the island for more than ten years. He is thoroughly familiar with the geography of Sri Lanka, its sites of unique interest as well as its finest locations for relaxation and holidaying.
Tour Executive: Uditha Liyanage
Uditha is a graduate of the University of Sabaragamuwa, and has a BSc in Tourism Management. He focuses on special interest, wild life and adventure tours.
Tour Executive: Maduka Pamuditha
Maduka is a graduate in Social Sciences with a special interest in cultural and conservation tourism.
Instructor: Rasith Gunaratna
Rasith graduated in Marketing Management, and is particularly interested in camping and in special site tours.
Tour Designer: Inoka Dmayanthi
Inoka completed her degree in Organic Architecture while functioning as an itinerary designer at Green Paradise Tours. She has specialist expertise in eco-tourism and traditional “rustic tour” planning.
Research Executive: Ann Shamen
Ann graduated in Tourism Management in 1999, and worked as a holiday planner while engaging also with our conservation & research.
Acknowledgement
Finally, although not active members of Different Discovery, the team has been fortunate in having had the benefit of encouragement, guidance and material assistance from two UK citizens, Mr. Rupert and Mrs. Elizabeth Wyndham. Mr. Wyndham, now aged 61, is a graduate of the University of Oxford (Oriental Studies) and, before his retirement, held senior management, as well as directorial, posts within major British companies. The Team has benefited from their experience as dedicated travellers to countries across the world, including America, Latin America, Africa, SE Asia, The Far East, Australia, Polynesia and, of course, Europe.