We’re not just a travel brand; we’re a movement, a community, and a commitment to discovering the island conscientiously. Our journey began with a vision to make travel experiences enriching not only for travellers but also for the communities and ecosystems they touch.
Meet Shanitha Fernando, an accomplished entrepreneur and tourism industry expert with over 30 years of experience in leadership roles, tourism innovation, and business growth. As the Founder and CEO of Authenticities Pvt Ltd, Shanitha has transformed the concept of luxury travel in Sri Lanka, offering premium, culturally enriching travel experiences.
Renew by Authenticities is a collaborative vision between Shanitha and Dilshad, driven by their aspiration to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for mindful and conscious travel, emphasizing quality, sustainability, and outstanding service.
Bringing over three decades of experience to the table, Dilshad’s background in the tourism sector encompasses various domains, including Sales and Marketing, Operations, Branding, Health and Safety, Quality, and Customer Service. For Dilshad, Renew represents transformation. It is about selecting journeys that nurture the earth, empower its inhabitants, and foster a deeper connection with the destinations you explore. He believes that with each step we take, we contribute to a global initiative aimed at creating a more sustainable world.
“Imagine trekking through lush forests with a local guide who shares their ancestral knowledge or staying in accommodations that blend luxury with eco-sensitivity. Conscious travel, to me, is having the opportunity and thoughtfulness to explore the world with curiosity and compassion, embracing the adventure of giving back as much as you gain.”
Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Madara’s childhood was mostly spent amidst gardens that grew wild in the lovely suburbs of Colombo. Since the early days, she has always had an insatiable curiosity about the universe and a deep respect for the planet. Madara’s love for exploration nudged her into choosing a life path in travel that later transformed into designing educational travel as well as community-focused projects. Along the way, she encountered not just landscapes but the stories of people, guides, artisans, and conservationists whose lives revolved around preserving their heritage and ecosystems.
Realizing the power of tourism to uplift communities and protect fragile environments, Madara continues to find her passion rekindled by designing purpose-led travel programmes to Sri Lanka that are meaningful, ethical and transformative through Renew.
With a degree in Physics and over 12 years of experience in Sri Lanka’s industries, Binuwan blends environmental sustainability with expertise across hospitality, manufacturing, and sustainable tourism. Passionate about creating meaningful travel experiences, he partners with local teams to promote luxury aligned with environmental responsibility.
Binuwan’s journey includes implementing innovative solutions like GHG emission reductions, waste-to-energy systems, and rainwater harvesting. Drawing on experience from Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, he aims to revolutionize tourism by applying proven sustainability strategies. This transition reflects his belief that lessons from one industry can inspire transformative change in another, driving climate-conscious practices forward.
Nuwan, born and raised in the bustling commercial capital of Colombo, Sri Lanka, developed a deep fascination for wildlife, likely inherited from his parents, who were true lovers of adventure and nature. After entering the travel industry in 2013 and acquiring a camera for wildlife photography, he became a dedicated wildlife expert at Renew by Authenticities. Like the elusive Sri Lankan Leopard, he skillfully tracks wildlife with binoculars and his camera. Nuwan’s expertise includes designing wildlife tours and promoting sustainable tourism through training guides and suppliers. He is committed to enhancing wildlife experiences and conservation efforts at Renew by Authenticities.