10 Days Meditation and Yoga Retreat in Kalutara, Sri Lanka

Ishara is the founder and owner of Plantation Villa. She is a regular meditation practitioner whose practice has changed her life. She has practiced and studied Buddhism and meditation over the last eight years. With an inspiring life story, Ishara helps explore the world of meditation through an explanation of the mind, its nature and habits, to overcome obstacles and allow the inherent sense of fulfilment that we all have to shine forth.

Dr. Nishan Jayasundara is the in-house Cancer Specialist. He completed a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) at the University of Colombo and Institute of Indigenous Medicine and completed his internship at the National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital. He also obtained special training in Sri Lankan traditional medicine from one of the most renowned indigenous medicine gurus in the country. He represents Sri Lanka at international cancer research conferences such as the WIN (Worldwide Innovative Network in Developing Precision Cancer Medicine) Symposium and World Cancer Congress.

Bernardo has been teaching and studying yoga for over a decade. He has been in contact with different teachers and schools, from western and Indian traditional approaches. For the last years, his studies were more in line with the Krishnamacharya tradition, with a focus on the usage of yoga techniques as a therapy tool to restore the wellbeing of the human system. He is a certified Hatha yoga teacher, Vedic healing chants teacher from the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram - India, has studied yoga with the Mohan family from the Krishnamacharya tradition. He is also a certified Ayurveda therapist.

Dr. Erandi Gunathilaka is the Chief Ayurvedic Physician. She holds a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) at the University of Colombo, Institute of Indigenous Medicine and completed her internship at the National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital. Erandi specializes in General Practice, Gynecology, Sub-Fertility (both male and female) and Menopause. She is also qualified in Psychological Counselling focusing on Ayurvedic Diet & Nutrition, Fertility Concerns, Stress, and Anxiety. She also works closely with Dr. Nishan on his research work about treating cancer with Ayurveda.

Dr. Ruwanka graduated from University of Colombo, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, securing a first-class in Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery. Due to his outstanding academic performance, he was hired by the university to work as a demonstrator. During his late university years as a student, he developed an interest in a field where other Ayurveda practitioners rarely focus on - surgery! He specializes in treating anorectal diseases such as fistla-in-ano, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and also fluent in Leech Therapy to treat several conditions: varicose veins, glaucoma, etc.

Sarath Vaidya is an indigenous medical practitioner, representing the 21st generation of doctors in the lineage of KottayawaththaVeda tradition. The lineage has a rich history of Vaidyas who have served the kings in Sri Lanka. He studied indigenous medicine for 18 years under his uncle, Vaidya Acharya RanhamiRanbanda (1928-2015), one of the most renowned physicians and a guru that lived in Sri Lanka. Firmly rooted in traditional values and high moral conduct, his approach to treating patients, preparing medicine and using them in healing is comprising of ancient rituals (methodologies).

Dr. Chathurika Harischandra graduated as a Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery from the Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo. During her internship, she worked in two hospitals: the National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital in Colombo and the District Ayurveda Hospital in Beliatta, followed by her research module at Bandaranayaka Memorial Ayurveda Research Institute in Nawinna. Dr. Chathurika studied "Gedi-vana-pilika", one of the branches of Sri Lankan Indigenous Medicine that deals with the treatment of Ulcers and Tumors under the apprenticeship of Vaidyacharya Premasiri.