Welcome to Koggala Lake

Koggala Lake near Koggala in Sri Lanka is a freshwater lagoon which sits 9.8 feet (3 metres) above the sea level near the south coast of Sri Lanka.

Koggala itself is a small coastal town in Galle District in the Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Dotted with lots of mini islands, including Temple Island or Island Buddha Temple which has a Buddhist temple that is a magnet on poya (full moon) days. You can take a tour of the lake with our private dhoni and visit Cinnamon Island. Bordered by jungle and forest this is a landscape rich in wildlife.

LAND ON THE LAKE

A respected air-taxi service is operated by Cinnamon Air which offers daily scheduled flights to Koggala from Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo International Airport), and their white dual-engine DeHavilland Twin Otter lands right on the water. This air taxi treats passengers to a bird’s-eye view over Koggala and is an excellent gateway to Mirissa, Habaradu, Waweligama, Thalpe, Tangalle and Rekawa.

AN EXTRAORDINARY AIRPORT
Koggala Airport, the oldest in Sri Lanka, has its own interesting history stories to tell. Since the lake was used as a landing point for seaplanes when World War II was in its throes, a fixed water runway was built here and it became the largest flying-boat base in the eastern world. In June 1944, two Sunderlands (RAF flying boat patrol bombers) from Koggala were celebrated when they rescued wounded British Indian special forces from Burma. Next, Koggala played a part for the QEA/Imperial Airways route from London to Sydney. Because of the Japanese occupation of the Malay Peninsula they lost their crucial fuel stop-off point in Singapore and alternative route for Britain–Australia needed to be created at Koggala. A tarmac runway was developed for Air Ceylon after the war and this continued to be hub until 1978. As tranquil as Koggala is today, the current runway is still capable of servicing Sri Lanka Air Force planes.

 

BIRD Travel PR | Press Release 2015

Opening late 2015, Tri is a whorl of geometric ingenuity and awe-inspiring beauty – Sri Lanka’s first truly contemporary, sustainable luxury design hotel. Mirroring nature’s ubiquitous Golden Ratio, Tri spirals 10 unique suites around an island hill flanking Sri Lanka’s serene Lake Koggala. Living walls, green roofs, solar arrays, recycled wood and entirely local materials will unify accommodations and landscape. Sequential spaces emanate from a central water tower that captures spectacular 360-degree views. Creative experiences will stimulate body, mind and soul, proudly showcasing Sri Lanka’s finest ingredients, materials, services and facilities. Guided by nature, evolved by aesthete individuals and fortified by an all-encompassing sustainable philosophy, Tri will be a masterpiece of forward-thinking flair, where mathematical marries artistic and intelligence embraces emotion.

Tri: At a Glance

  • 10-suite sustainable luxury design hotel opening in the Summer of 2015
  • A hillside haven on Sri Lanka’s Lake Koggala 25-mins from Galle Fort
  • Evolved by photographer, entrepreneur and aesthete, Rob Drummond, and award-winning architect, Raefer Wallis of A00 Architects
  • Ingenious design inspired by the spirals of the ‘Fibonacci sequence’
  • Eight suites, three with private pools, nestled in the landscape and a further two elevated on the top deck of the central water tower
  • Spectacular 21m cantilevered pool with multiple decks and terraces
  • Combine peaceful lakeside living with day trips to the beach nearby
  • Treetop yoga shala; treatment rooms and steam cavern
  • Library, study and entertainment room
  • Dining room with private and communal seating
  • Dramatic 360-degree summit viewing deck
  • A contemporary, organic approach to Sri Lanka’s finest elements: food, materials, services, facilities and experiences
  • Cultural, active and intellectual immersions, from lake kayaking, beach trips and natural exercise stations to talks, temple visits and whale watching
  • Creative and cutting-edge; serene and energising; intellectually stimulating; ethically, culturally and authentically minded; stylish and responsible; fun!

Tri: The Experience

  • Arrive by boat across Sri Lanka’s largest lake.  Unwind as you ascend the spiral hillside setting with accommodation suites, sequential spaces and central water tower. Discover a living, energising design hotel, evolved by aesthete individuals and peppered with creative, contemporary experiences for body, mind and soul. Experience the transformation of time – the magic of the here and now – immersed in nature’s infinite perfection.”

Getting There:

  • Via Land: 1.5 hours from Colombo International Airport. 25 minutes from Galle
  • Via Air: sea-plane service lands directly on Lake Koggala
  • Via Lake: 10-minute boat transfer from the coastal highway

Tri: Sustainable living, ingeniously crafted

Opening 2015

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