Business
‘Come and Live in Sri Lanka’ real estate project targeting senior citizens
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Rangiri Holdings, a collective of diverse firms, has invested over Rs. 300 million in the last several years to construct environmentally- friendly residences for senior citizens targeting expatriates, in Pitakotte, and a star-class hotel in Dambulla, chairman, Rangiri holdings Nihal Pathirage said.
Six units of luxury apartments have already been completed of the 12 apartments in Pitakotte at the Bird Park as they hope to offer these to retired Sri Lankan expatriates.
“My first aim is to entice them to spend their retirement in Sri Lanka, offering them the concept of ‘come back and live in Sri Lanka’. I also hope to woo senior citizens of other nationalities based overseas to come and spend their retirement in these apartments, Pathirage told The Island Financial Review.
Pathirage added: “These apartments would not be given on an outright basis on very long leases, thereby firstly simplifying the migration to Sri Lanka (on a long-term visa) and also reducing the cost for a senior citizen when having to purchase a brand-new apartment and also reducing extra paperwork.
“These apartments are built near the wetlands of Madiwela with aged care facilities, giving them very quiet surroundings close to nature and we provide all the facilities, including medical care, for them.
“We have a professional team who are qualified in aged care and they will be deployed in this project to look after the senior citizens.
“I am also now looking at creating more eco-friendly apartments targeting senior citizens, mainly in the North-East and am planning to obtain over 20 acres of land in three locations. In a bid to get community support for this, I will also create an agro and farmer out-grower system and look at introducing fruit and vegetable canning factories, thereby creating a new income opportunity for them.
“Our second mega project, Rangiri Aqua, is situated bordering Ibbankatuwa reservoir in Dambulla on 15 acres, offering camping facilities and star-class accommodation for 150 guests with 40 double rooms, 3 family rooms, restaurants and a rooftop lounge.
“My main focus at Rangiri Aqua is to woo corporates to use this hotel for their team- building and outbound programs as we have a professional ex-army team and all the other infrastructure needed for it.
“In a bid to provide English and vocational training to youth mainly in rural areas our latest venture and diversification was to launch the Rangiri Management Institute of Technology (RMIT Campus), Sri Lanka’s latest addition to the international higher education institution sector. I can assure you that thousands of students who graduate from RMIT Campus will be placed at premium positions in the industry or in academia in Sri Lanka and abroad.
“Having started Stretchtec (Pvt) Ltd, in a small way, providing garment accessories, we diversified into many sectors and created the main company, Rangiri Holdings.
“We have over 200 dedicated staff and the company survived with minimum effort during the C-19 and lock down periods due to our strong application of employee training systems. Our service levels were never compromised.
“In 2018 Rangiri Aqua Edutainment Academy won the training contract to train and motivate 32,000 Sri Lanka Transport Board cadres and their two-day sessions required providing custom-made T-shirts and Bottoms. To cater to this demand, I created Nishu apparel which today is one of the leading garment factories adhering to the ISO 9001:201 Quality Management System. We were pioneers in donating masks and personal protective equipment for CSR projects.”
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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