Business
Creating innovative spaces and world class construction projects
The Access Group consists of some of the country’s pioneering and innovative companies that have contributed to Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape.
Access Projects is among them – they commenced their own unique journey into creating iconic buildings with their flagship Access Towers 25 years ago. At the time, it was a unique building with its own footprint.
Heading the Access Projects is Managing Director Dilshan Ferdinando who has been associated with creating architecturally exceptional innovative spaces that have gone on to be some of the finest buildings in Sri Lanka.
The company made their mark in the field of construction in the leisure industry – from the interior fit out of the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, to the lobby refurbishment and improvements of Chaya Blue in Trincomalee and Chaya Tranz in Hikkaduwa.
Another unique project was The Water’s Edge Golf Club, Club House and the banquet hall, undertaken personally by Dilshan himself to transform a marshy land into Colombo’s second Golf Course. This was a sustainable venture that was spread over 160 acres with an engineered set of water ways, lakes and canals. It involved removing perimeter urban waste and dredging 50 acres and using that material to create the golf playing fields. It still stands today with every tree retained and functional as a banquet facility.
” This was at the time when the war had ended and the hospitality industry was taking off. ” recalls Dilshan, ” We went on to do several banquet halls for city hotels as well as the renovations of the villas of Club Dolphin at Waikkal, yet another iconic hotel.”
The interiors of Waters Edge Golf & Country Club including the banquet hall was designed and built by Access Projects initially.
Yet another unique venture undertaken by Access Projects was the construction of Cape Weligama, a 50 key ultra-luxury resort for The Dilmah Group. “The project involved creating one of a kind, iconic villas with 13 swimming pools – the moon shaped pool was the largest infinity pool in Sri Lanka at the time, in 2014. The projects sought to use timber and locally sourced material for sustainability. It came with specific attention to detail, creating spaces that were all its own,” he adds.
When the iconic Galle Face Hotel sought restoration and renovation to meet the design elements of the Fifties, they chose Access Projects to handle the construction. Dilshan recalls carrying out extensive research with old photographs, paying attention to details and highlights that brought out the old world look and feel. A new ballroom was added to blend in with the existing architectural design of the old one, while all systems were renovated and updated.
Access Projects has also undertaken several iconic projects such as the Anantara Resort, a 250 key luxury hotel for the Hemas Group along with staff quarters and the banquet hall.
Access Projects was tasked with the construction of a modern 18 storeyed building for the Academy of Design – it came with specific design requirements – ‘ we made sure every one of those requirements were met – within budget and the time frame given.” he says.
Accredited with ISO 9001 – 2008 and ISO 14001 – 2004, and accredited to CIDA (Construction Industry Development Authority), Access Projects specializes in midscale specialist construction projects that call for attention to detail and meeting exacting architect and customer needs.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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