Business
Sapphire Residences on course to complete and launch
The USD 500 million + ITC development, comprising the Sapphire Residences and super luxury hotel ITC Ratnadipa, occupies pride of place at the centre of Colombo’s most prestigious ocean front location. Overlooking the Galle Face and the Indian Ocean on one side and the Beira Lake on the other, this landmark is already redefining the city’s skyline. This development by WelcomHotels Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of leading Indian conglomerate ITC Ltd has successfully navigated significant external challenges and headwinds over the past few years and is now on course towards completion in 2023.
With its distinctive architecture and the eye-catching engineering marvel, the AHASA Sky Bridge, a one-of-a-kind structure in South Asia, installed approximately 100 meters in the air to connect the two towers, this development is poised to become a globally recognized landmark for the city, if not the entire country.
Sapphire Residences is all set to raise the bar of luxury living with interiors exquisitely curated in four distinctive styles by YOO Inspired by Starck. Aptly named ‘Sky Mansions’, at over double the size of other luxury apartments in Colombo, these expansive lateral homes average around 5,500 sq. ft., providing ample space for a whole family – including staff – to enjoy spacious and unhindered comfort. In addition, there are four penthouses, each covering over 9,300 sq. ft. each and two palatial Master Penthouses spanning a remarkable 19,000 sq. ft each across a single floor.
Every Sky Mansion incorporates a state-of-the-art home automation solution that includes hands-free voice control and mobile devices, empowering residents with complete control of their environment and the ability to avail services on demand from the adjacent Luxury hotel ITC Ratnadipa as well. Complementing the luxury lifestyle, the over 40,000 sq. ft. of premium amenities including the exclusive private Residents’ Club, swimming pools, private cinema, outdoor amphitheatre, full-service spa (with steam, sauna and treatment rooms), gymnasium and fitness centre, yoga room, indoor squash court and multi-purpose sports court etc., These have been carefully designed to appeal to an elite group of like-minded individuals who appreciate the finest things in life.
The development has been designed around the unwavering principle of ‘Responsible Luxury’ which allows discerning patrons to experience luxury with sustainability. Sapphire Residences has already achieved the globally respected LEED BD+C pre- certification at the highest Platinum level (Core and Shell Development), ensuring the lowest environmental impact of any building of this scale.
Above all, Sapphire Residences will be defined by its residents. This extraordinary complex, which comprises only 132 Sky Mansions and Penthouses, is expected to be home to a select number of individuals who have ascended the pinnacles of success and personal achievement and will appreciate stylish, carefree living in the most luxurious and secure homes in what is perhaps the best possible location in Colombo.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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