Business
Southbeach Weligama – a celebration of modern beachfront living
106 apartments on Weligama beach from $129,000 equivalent of 26 million rupees
An investment of USD 16 Mn which is LKR 3.2 Bn with 40% foreign and 60% local buy
Unique design features combining internationally acclaimed architecture design combined with Sri Lankan artisanal craft
Balmond Studio’s signature design in Colombo is Cinnamon Life
The beautiful Weligama coast will soon play host to Sri Lanka’s most exciting new freehold address – SouthBeach Weligama. These 106 apartments offer exceptional value designed by the internationally renowned Balmond Studio, designers of Cinnamon Life, Colombo. With an investment of USD 16 Mn (LKR 3.2 Bn), the property currently has 40% foreign and 60% local buying where the initial booking deposit is 5% and signing of the Sale & Purchase Agreement is 20%.
Balmond Studio combines over 50 years’ experience in architecture and design having worked on the Gherkin in London, Bird’s Nest in Beijing and Australia’s Sydney Opera House among others with Cinnamon Life being its visionary ideal for Colombo’s transforming skyline. It’s London and Colombo design studios renowned for innovation, creativity and passion for modern design is led by Sri Lankan born Cecil Balmond OBE, the world’s leading thinker on form and structure. His son John Balmond who leads the Southbeach Weligama project explains the unique proposition Balmond Studios adds to the Sri Lankan property development landscape.
“Southbeach Weligama offers an affordable alternative to a 5-star hotel infusing a complete, distinctive and ethical lifestyle, promising year-round yield, setting a new trend for coastal living,” he says. “In 2017, the Oxford Business Group predicted that beachfront properties in Sri Lanka will increase in value by 50% and in fact, Weligama land values have increased 84% since 2016 as per a report by Jones Lang Lasalle. With these statistics depicting the high value Southbeach Weligama narrates, our one and two bedroom apartments at 727 square feet and 1,137 square feet respectively are predicted to bring in a gross rental yield of 6.5%.”
Balmond Studios has partnered with global commercial property and investment management company Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. which has offices in 80 countries, to position a high level team at Southbeach Weligama to ensure investments are secure and in safe hands.
Besides a 75 meter beachfront and 35 meter swimming pool, John says, “Our entire look is a celebration of modern Sri Lankan talent, from showcasing local artists in the art gallery to having all the furniture handmade in Sri Lanka. The feel is about elegant sophisticated beachfront living embracing international lifestyle vignettes with our renowned F&B partner from London operating the restaurant and poolside bar, while our design intertwines the surrounding Sri Lankan landscape in all its multiple hues.”
The eight storey Southbeach Weligama’s oxidized copper façade and blue/green glass balconies reflect the colour palette of the Indian Ocean and surrounding coconut palms. The spacious interiors with its high ceilings, large rooms and balconies are complimented by artisan furniture and lifestyle vignettes handmade by Sri Lankan carpenters and masons.
“We believe strongly in 360 degree sustainability principles being integral in everything we do,” says John of Southbeach Weligama aiming to meet the Platinum standards of the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. “We infuse the synergies of renewable energy and design into our project, with turbines and solar panels powering the lobby and restaurant areas and rainwater harvesting conserving water. We are building strong relationships with our local communities to not just ensure sourcing local produce but also that every piece of furniture within the property is artistically crafted by Sri Lankan artisans. And for every apartment sold, we will donate USD 1,000 to Lanka Environment Fund towards their conservation projects. It is up to us, to protect today in order to create tomorrow.”
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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