Seylan Cards, the essential card for heartfelt essentials, renewed its collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and its nature-based tourism arm, Cinnamon Nature Trails, as the exclusive banking partner for the second consecutive year with \u2018The Gathering of Giants\u2019, an event that celebrated the world\u2019s largest congregation of Asian elephants.<\/p>\n
This wildlife phenomenon is unique to Sri Lanka, occurring every year between June and October, when elephant herds gather in large numbers along the shores of the tank at Minneriya National Park. Through its partnership, Seylan Bank enables a one-of-a-kind experience for its loyal customers, going beyond merely counting the number of elephants during a safari. Offering an exclusive experience for Seylan Cardholders, the partnership for \u2018The Gathering of Giants\u2019 featured a two-night, three-day package at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana. The offer also included two guided safaris by Cinnamon Nature Trails to witness the elephants in their natural habitat, along with a gala dinner and complimentary access to multiple presentations, workshops, and discussions aimed at educating and sharing knowledge.
\nThe event, which took place from 25th to 27th July 2025, was an admirable example of purpose in action, bridging the gap between intention and impact. Moreover, it was the powerful result of curated storytelling, immersive experiences, and ongoing educational outreach aimed at fostering a culture of sustainable and responsible tourism.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the collaboration, Asiri Abhayaratne, Assistant General Manager \u2013 Marketing & Sales, Seylan Bank PLC, said, \u201cThis partnership represents an endeavour to create unique experiences for our customers. Combining the world-class hospitality of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts with the efforts of dedicated naturalists and field experts at Cinnamon Nature Trails, the experience offered a truly transformative journey. \u2018The Gathering of Giants\u2019 was unlike any other event because it actively engaged audiences and encouraged meaningful conservation and education efforts while providing a truly life-affirming spectacle. As an enabler of meaningful progress, we\u2019re delighted partnering the second iteration of this event. We hope the experience of being part of this initiative inspires our customers with a deeper appreciation of what Sri Lanka has to offer, and hopefully, a stronger commitment to conservation.\u201d
\nBuilding on last year\u2019s series of insightful presentations, this year\u2019s line-up of behind-the-scenes encounters and enriched educational content was expanded to include Noah Falklind and Hannah Gormley\u2019s Living with Leopards. The wildlife film-making duo\u2019s presentation at Habarana, offered rare insights from the field, and exclusive footage that provided a conversation-sparking exploration of the secret lives of these elusive predators.<\/p>\n
Two distinguished speakers whose expertise further enriched the programme\u2019s educational focus. Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando, Sri Lanka\u2019s leading elephant expert and Chair of the Centre for Conservation and Research, broadened the programme\u2019s scope with his talk, Elephants & Conservation, a discussion that explored the complex relationship between elephants and humans, offering strategies on how both species can coexist in harmony. Renowned ornithologist Professor Sampath Seneviratne of the University of Colombo followed with an examination of Sri Lanka\u2019s unique ecological positioning as a global corridor for birdlife in a conversation titled Avian Migration to Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n
Chitral Jayatilake, Vice President, Cinnamon Nature Trails, also added, \u201cAt Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, we believe in the power of storytelling through experience. Our renewed partnership with Seylan Bank brings this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon to life. \u2018The Gathering of Giants\u2019 is a powerful platform to educate, engage, and inspire. Through this partnership, we offer a front-row seat to one of nature\u2019s grandest spectacles and a chance to foster a deeper understanding of our surroundings, an integral part of our mission at Cinnamon Nature Trails\u201d.
\nSeylan Credit and Debit Cardholders enjoyed an exclusive 10% discount, along with the added benefit of a 0% interest, 12-month Easy Payment Plan (EPP), which allowed them to spread the cost over a year with no additional charges, and helping the Bank with a Heart to fulfil its purpose as an enabler of transformative experiences for its cardholders<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Seylan Cards, the essential card for heartfelt essentials, renewed its collaboration with Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and its nature-based tourism arm, Cinnamon Nature Trails, as the exclusive banking partner for the second consecutive year with \u2018The Gathering of Giants\u2019, an event that celebrated the world\u2019s largest congregation of Asian elephants. This wildlife phenomenon is unique […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n