First, who are we?
Sarisara Lanka, in a few lines.
Sarisara Lanka is a Sri Lankan-owned home for the people who make a trip to our island special: licensed guides, drivers, hotels, home stays, activity hosts — and Local Experts.
A Local Expert is someone our travellers learn from: a home cook, a farmer, a fisher, a craftsperson, a treehouse host. A licensed guide adds your experience to a trip, and the traveller books it on Sarisara.
Once they land, we want every traveller to feel like one of us. An afternoon in a real Sri Lankan home does that better than anything.
Why we built it
Because people in our villages told us the same story, again and again.
What Local Experts told us
“I cook for my family every day. I never thought a traveller would pay to learn it.”
Sarisara’s answer
Travellers come to Sri Lanka for exactly that. Sarisara helps you set a fair price and puts your kitchen into their trip.
What Local Experts told us
“I have no licence and no website, and I do not use computers much.”
Sarisara’s answer
You need no licence. Sarisara creates your account and builds your page with you, and hands it over when you are ready.
What Local Experts told us
“Who will trust me if I have no certificate?”
Sarisara’s answer
Your Grama Niladhari and someone who knows you vouch for you, and we call them both. That is your trust.
What Local Experts told us
“I worry about strangers coming to my home.”
Sarisara’s answer
Every traveller books through Sarisara, and the Sarisara team is one phone call away. Your phone number is never shown to anyone.
What Local Experts told us
“I cook for my family every day. I never thought a traveller would pay to learn it.”
Sarisara’s answer
Travellers come to Sri Lanka for exactly that. Sarisara helps you set a fair price and puts your kitchen into their trip.
So Sarisara walks the first steps with you.
We meet you, build your page with you, and bring travellers to your door. Sarisara pays you directly.
- No licence needed — two people vouch for you instead.
- You keep 85% of your price.
- We create your account and build your page with you.
- Your own Sarisara page, share link and QR code — free.
Our promise to Local Experts
Free to join. Free to list.
No sign-up fee, no monthly bill, and we set everything up with you. Sarisara keeps 15% of each booking; the other 85% is yours.
Rs 0
to join Sarisara. No sign-up fee.
Rs 0
for us to build your page with you.
Rs 0
a month. No membership, no monthly bill.
85%
of your price is yours, on every booking.
No licence? Our door is still open.
We welcome home cooks, farmers and garden hosts, craftspeople, fishers and treehouse hosts — people with no licence to show, because none exists for what they do. Instead, two people vouch for you: your Grama Niladhari (or a Justice of the Peace or Samurdhi Niladhari), and someone who knows you well.
Run a licensed activity, like rafting or a jeep safari? Your page is the activities page.
Have your two references ready before you call us. We call them both.
Would you like to become a ?
Who is a Sarisarian?
A Sarisarian is a Sri Lankan service provider who has joined the Sarisara family — and shares our island with the world.
You belong here. We proudly recognise you as a Sarisarian because you are one of us — one of Sri Lanka’s own people, the one our travellers learn from and remember. Every Sarisarian is checked by us personally, so a traveller who visits you knows they are welcome, and safe.
- Your own Sarisara page to share with travellers
- A team in Sri Lanka you can call or message
- Paid on the 25th of every month
How to become a Local Expert
You do not sign up alone. We walk every step with you.
Step 1
Talk to us
Message or call us on WhatsApp, or ask someone you trust to do it for you. Tell us what you would love to share.
Step 2
Tell us your two references
Your Grama Niladhari (or a Justice of the Peace or Samurdhi Niladhari), and someone who knows you well. Their names and phone numbers.
Step 3
We call them both
Someone from the Sarisara team speaks to each of them.
Step 4
We build your page with you
We create your account and your page together: your story, your photos, your price.
Step 5
Your account is handed to you
You choose your own password. Your account and your bank are in your own name. You are now a Sarisarian.
Step 6
Welcome your first travellers
Guides add your experience to their trips, and travellers book it on Sarisara.
What to keep in your hand
Everything we ask for. No licence — just you, two references and your bank.
About you
- National Identity CardA clear photo of the front and the back
- A photo of youTravellers like to see who will welcome them
- A few words about what you shareWe write your story with you
Your two references
- An official who knows youYour Grama Niladhari, a Justice of the Peace or a Samurdhi Niladhari — name, village or division, phone
- Someone who knows you wellName and phone — a different number from the first
- A tour guide who knows youOptionalIf one has met you
To get paid
- Your bank accountIn your own name
- Your address
Your experience
- Photos of your placeYour kitchen, garden, boat or workshop — we can take them with you
- The days you are freeWe put them on your calendar
Your Grama Niladhari is your licence.
Sarisara prints the Grama Niladhari letter for you, with your details already filled in and headings in Sinhala and Tamil. Take it to your Grama Niladhari for the stamp, and we do the rest.
A person checks every Local Expert
We call both your references before your page goes live. Two references with the same phone number are not accepted.
Your page is yours
We help you start. After that, everything is in your hands.
- Your own password, your own account. No one else logs in as you.
- Your own bank account, in your own name. Sarisara never holds it for you.
- A family member you trust may help you with it.
You might be wondering
Short, honest answers.
How much do I keep?
85% of your price. Example: 2 travellers at USD 40 each is USD 80. Sarisara keeps USD 12, and you receive USD 68, paid into your bank in rupees.
What if a home stay near me sends its guests to me?
A home stay can add your experience to its guests’ stay, if you agree. For bringing them, the home stay receives 5% of that booking from your share. On the same USD 80, you receive USD 64.
Do I need a licence?
No. Two people vouch for you instead, and we call them both.
I do not have an email address or a computer. Can I still join?
Yes. We create your account with you, and you can talk to us on WhatsApp.
Will travellers see my phone number?
No. Your phone number is never shown to travellers or anyone else.
Your home. Your story. Your travellers.
Message us on WhatsApp and we will take the first step with you.