Minor Hotels has expanded its international CSR footprint by partnering with the Ayati Trust to support children with disabilities in Sri Lanka. The collaboration marks the formal introduction of the Dollars for Deeds program to the country, reinforcing the Group’s long-term commitment to impactful community initiatives. The agreement includes a Rs. 5 million donation and an MoU that strengthens ongoing cooperation between the two organizations.
Minor Hotels expands Dollars for Deeds program with Ayati Trust support
Minor Hotels officially launched its Dollars for Deeds program in Sri Lanka with a new partnership formed with the Ayati Trust, a national centre dedicated to supporting children with disabilities. The ceremony, held at NH Collection Colombo, brought together senior representatives from both organisations to mark a significant step in expanding the Group’s global social responsibility framework.
During the event, Minor Hotels presented a cheque for Rs. 5 million to the Ayati Trust before signing a Memorandum of Understanding, establishing a formal structure for joint initiatives. Minor International Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier said the collaboration reflects the Group’s belief that hospitality should extend beyond guest experiences to create a positive and lasting impact on communities. He noted that the vision of the Ayati Trust closely aligns with the values behind the Dollars for Deeds program, which focuses on long-term, meaningful social engagement.
Rajakarier emphasised that this partnership represents more than a single milestone, expressing confidence that it marks the beginning of a sustained journey to bring hope and opportunity to children and families across Sri Lanka. Adding to this, Minor Hotels Group Cluster General Manager for Anantara and Avani Kalutara Resort, Christoph Dueker, reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, social participation, and future employment for children with disabilities.
Dueker explained the structure of the Dollars for Deeds program, which encourages guests to voluntarily contribute one dollar per night of their stay, with the hotel matching the donation to amplify the collective impact. First introduced by Anantara in Thailand nearly a decade ago, the initiative has since evolved into an international CSR platform, supporting causes ranging from coral conservation in the Maldives to child welfare programmes in Hungary. Previous efforts in Sri Lanka have included contributions to the Turtle Hatchery in Tangalle and the Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala, positioning the new partnership with the Ayati Trust as a major step forward in local engagement.
Ayati Trust Deputy Chairman Abbas Esufally highlighted the organisation’s mission to ensure that children with disabilities are recognised, supported, and given access to essential services. He described the partnership as crucial for advancing inclusive healthcare, noting that the support from Minor Hotels will help expand the Centre’s reach and strengthen its commitment to empowering children and families.
Executive Director of the Ayati Trust and Hemas Outreach Foundation, Shiromi Masakorala, expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration, calling it a vital contribution to sustaining the Trust’s operations. She explained that the name “Ayati,” meaning “hope” in Sanskrit, reflects the long-term vision to help children with disabilities become fully integrated members of society. Since its creation in 2016 through a collaboration involving the University of Kelaniya, Hemas Holdings, MAS Holdings, the Roshan Wijerama Family Foundation, Rotary International, and other partners, the Trust has provided essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational services while working to reduce stigma and promote inclusion.
With over 14,000 registered children and daily admissions nearing 60, Masakorala noted that all services are offered free of charge, despite significant ongoing costs. She said the financial assistance from the Dollars for Deeds program and the Rs. 5 million donation would help sustain crucial operations, including therapy services, early intervention programs, prosthetics support, and family counselling. She emphasised that the Ayati Centre is a national asset and urged wider public and private sector collaboration to ensure long-term continuity.
The partnership between Minor Hotels and the Ayati Trust underscores the Group’s broader commitment to responsible development across all destinations where it operates. The initiative demonstrates how the hospitality sector can contribute meaningfully to community wellbeing, offering a model for sustained, impactful engagement that extends far beyond the hotel experience.