From the Textile Industry to the Beach – A Journey of Purpose

Recently, I had the opportunity to share my story with 2 groups of students— at the Academy of Design and at Rizing how I transitioned from working in Sri Lanka’s largest textile company to co-founding Kitesurfing Lanka Kitesurfing Lanka. It wasn’t just about changing careers; it was about aligning my work with purpose, community, and the environment. In the presentation, I spoke about building something grassroots-driven, where sustainability, inclusivity, and creativity are at the core. Kitesurfing Lanka was never meant to be just a resort—it’s a living ecosystem of ideas, people, and positive impact. I encouraged the students to think beyond traditional paths. Whether it’s launching a business, diving into the arts, or tackling climate change, we all have the ability to shape our journeys meaningfully. Kalpitiya may be known for wind and waves, but beneath it all, it’s a place where stories are being written—stories of transformation, resilience, and regeneration. That’s what keeps us going.

The future is Wing?

Its been ages since I posted on my blog - the oldest reference of Kitesurfing in Sri Lanka is this blog. But now I am a wingfoiler - I just got bored of Kitesurfing ha having down mega downwinder, found new spots and riding big waves all over Sri Lanka. Wing is so pure, relaxed and chilled. I sometimes explain it as doing the Waltz on Water, unison with the wing and elements and not fighting its like kiting (referring to the constant edging of the board). Anyway, you will see more on this blog and do swing by the most epic kite and wing camp in Sri Lanka at Kitesufing Lanka.

www.kitesurfinglanka.com

Kalpitiya Song (A first)

 Dedicated to the kitesurfers who have visited Kalpitiya and especially Kitesurfing Lanka. 

Kalpitiya Song by Kitesurfing Lanka from Kitesurfing Lanka on Vimeo.

Effects of Covid on watersport centres around the world

From blog

I met Dilsiri, one of the two owners of Kitesurfing Lanka, back in 2012 before they opened their resort. It was one of the first ones in Kalpitiya and since then, I could feel Dilsiri’s illusion and motivation, not just for the sport, but to accommodate people and show them his beautiful country of Sri Lanka.

In the last years, I have been often back, for work in kite factories and for our camps and I could see how his business was flourishing each year more. Creating a small oasis for backpackers and solo travellers. Really impressive and a great job!


KSL had a double hit with the April Bombings in 2019. When COVID hit Sri Lanka, KSL had to take immediate cost-cutting actions and embrace for a difficult summer season. While they retained all staff, all of them took a pay cut in order to stretch the reserves they had for the unforeseeable future. Presently KSL is stable however their newer sister kite camp on the Adams Bridge Mannar, Vayu is having a more difficult time.

Founded year: 2012

Nr. of Employees: 50

Affected by COVID-19: All 50


KSL stopped all activities but committed to take cate of the employees and their families through the COVID-19 pandemic. Not an easy task with this amount of staff.

They halted all constructions and tried to reduce all costs. Also, KSL started a fundraising action which should support the employees and their families.

Today, they actually already reached their aim, which is fantastic! It also says a lot about the kitesurfing community!

To help KSL, find here the fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kitesurfing-lanka-fundraiser


They hope that tourism will be recovered by May 2021… and we can only hope that it happens even before that!

Let’s move to Germany now. Some of you might think that Germany does not has really a sea or place to kitesurfing, but actually do! There are even several islands with great conditions.

Trying to trace the movement from Padduka and to Battaramulla

Thanks Palitha Welikala for these images.

The ancestral home after renovation .

Original drawing of the ancestral home at Talangama, Built in 1928 by DLW
Extract from the burial register. St Matthew`s church cemetery

Tomb stone of Beatrice Welikala eldest daughter of DLW , died at the age of 10.
Tomb stone of Wife of DLW. Pls note the name Colombatantrige. (common grave)

Beyond COVID and The Great Realization

When Leo and myself started KSL, we did a 1 page Word document that highlighted values we would like to inculcate through our business. One of the key aspects was COMMUNITY. As ordinary individuals we had no big savings or financial backing. We did have people who believed in us. Friends and families who through our association believed in helping us achieve our \crazy' dream of a creating a kitesurfing community in Sri Lanka. 

.

I remember our long term kitesurfing friends offering us a loan to start our business, I remember the middle income Sri Lankan gentlemen who on experiencing what we have started offered part of his life savings,, I remember our families giving their savings. Trust in 2 individuals with the belief that we could do something extraordinary. 

.

We fast forward to the present. Many people who experienced KSL are amazed at the hospitality and kindness of our team. Some even ask me why. All I say is I am very grateful. There were people who supported us in a time of need and in their name we carry this legacy of hospitality and kindness. Our lives are too short to amass wealth and status - rather lets lift each other up and give self worth to all. 

.

Covid has made us all question many things - about ourselves, our lives, our world. A personal struggle for me was questioning whether I had failed as a businessman. We survived the troubles last year and we simple didn't have the reserves to survive another. Had I mad a bad decision somehow? It was then, with our team we reached out to our community for help by means of a fundraiser. The response blew us away. We were amazed at how many people contributed, shared and spread the post around. People contacted me personally, some did not have money but they assured me with their thoughts and prayers which were strenght in itself. Around two and half weeks later we exceeded the campaign goal.

.

As in the start of KSL, this time we had more help come in the form of a interest free loan by guests to help us cover our bank loans! Another example of persons putting their savings to help a total outsider. I was so grateful to the God above. 

.

Through all this the biggest lesson I have learnt that it is not just Leo or myself that 'own' KSL. We are simply the 'trustees' of an amazing community of people. KSL is ours. Ours meaning YOU who have supported us by sharing in our experience; be it by supporting us financially, staying here with us as a guest, creating a mural/ painting, planting a mangrove or tree, serving in the team or as a guest musician, by prayer support or giving us a suggestion. I am more motivated to continue to be a blessing to others - people and community - in the name of you who supported and kept KSL afloat during the hardest of years of our existence. 

.

As I write this, I work on a proposal to grow more mangroves and create an educational center, regrow more trees on our beach property, talk about potential waste management apps and solutions and say yes to talk to Management Trainees in the Corporate Sector via Zoom. My life would never be the same. I am encouraged by the goodness in people and now on a mission, more than ever before to use the tool of Kitesurfing Lanka to make a positive change in our community, country and world. 

Help - Sustain Kitesurfing Lanka Staff

Dear friends,

Its a tough tough time for all of us. We really need your help to generate funds to sustain our staff. Most of you know how KSL has transformed many lives for the better.

Do help us sustain our staff and continue the legacy of Kalpitiya.

Dil

Sharing the stoke many years on.....Vella 2019

The joys of Kitesurfing still havent subsided. We still love kiting, sharing our kites and even taken shots of people kiting! Kiting is a community sport for sure and our community at Kitesurfing Lanka just keeps growing :)

The history and ethos of KSL – a letter from Dilsiri

Posted on June 17, 2019 Zi Milak

MY VERY FIRST STEPS KITESURFING

I started Kitesurfing just by chance when my friend Previne invited me to join a ‘kitesurfing camp’. It was the 1stin Kalpitiya. I saved money, attended the camp. I couldn’t quite afford lessons, so once I came back to Colombo I managed to get some money, buy a kite and be taught the sport by Mischi Walter.

The sport took over my life, I gave up playing competitive sports – Rugby, Hockey was out, Kitesurfing was in! Every weekend I took a bus – 8 hours to Kalpitiya amidst bomb scares and checkpoints. This was in 2008 and the civil war was still on.

I remember being arrested for kitesurfing in restricted areas, I remember being chased by a Navy Gun Boat for having strayed onto the high-security zones in Colombo. I remember how crazy we were wanting to be the first to kitesurf in all of Sri Lanka in all the different locations. We felt like explorers, adventurers.

At work, Monday to Friday, I dreamt of kiting. My bosses were quite cool giving me a chance to kite during ‘office hours’ on the condition I get the work done later on. The stars seem to align to support my passion. I started blogging, got into magazines, TV, billboards.

THE BEGINNING OF KSL

Leo and I met randomly through my blog Kitesurfing Sri Lanka. We did some trips, we became friends. Around 3 years later, we randomly chatted on google and decided let’s take the plunge and start a business. I got a break from my corporate life, and with the savings we rented a hotel. Year 1 started with 15 persons in rented premises. We have our Series 1 Land Rover as the support vehicle – I remember we snapped the chassis carrying too much weight on it!

We cleaned, cooked and did all. Fast forward Leo and I have Kitesurfing Lanka in Kalpitiya and Vayu Mannar – which incidentally was the very place I kited for the first time in 2009. We directly employ around 60 persons and impact 2 communities. Today the World Number 3 Paula Novotna is staying in our camp, along with Red Bull King of the Air Champ Aurélien Pétreau and the 8 time World Snow Kite Champ Guillaume Chastagnol!

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

Just yesterday, I read a post from the President of the Local Fishing Community, Sugath; he thanked us for the support – we made a conscious decision from year 1 to outsource services to the village – so they can earn a living through support services to our business. To this day, KSL does not own a truck, van or boat – all these are provided by the village.

I wonder how we did it, no money, help just from family and friends and we created something huge. I am truly grateful to serve and make a difference through this sport and business. I hope you will be part of our story.

Sincerely,

Dil

Tweet

Pin

Share32

32SHARESSri Lanka Epic Kiting Company!

Sri Lanka's Second Kitesurfing Frontier

Mannar Island. Sri Lanka's first sea port, the place of the Rama's Bridge also known as Adams Bridge, a Mecca for Bird Life and now Sri Lankas next big Kitesurfing Destination.
.
If you browse through the posts on this blog you will see me actually kiting her for the first time - literally first time ever on the Adams Bridge, thanks to the help of Commander Priyantha. Fast forward also 8 years, we have a unique rustic kite camp on the doorstep to the Adams' Bridge. .
Vayu Kite School & Resort: Mannar Island, Sri Lanka from Kitesurfing Lanka on Vimeo.

Its quite cool being here as one of the first tourism setups. This area was never developed due to the civil war. The community continues to be of poor fishing communities. HOWEVER, kitesurfing will be an avenue out of the poverty. We already have Roy, Mannar's first local kiter! Soon we will get others on the board from the village.
.
Marine pollution that comes from India has really damaged the environment here, however we take it upon ourselves to make a change through inspiration from the precious plastics movement. More information on this out soon.
.