By Cheranka Mendis The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is offering 2717.243 acres of land and 415.7 acres of water body in six selected areas for eco-friendly beach, wildlife and waterfront developments. Located in Kalpitiya, Kuchc-haveli, Bentota, Pasikudah, Dedduwa and Yala, all land offered will be given on a long-term 99-year lease upon payment ...

By Cheranka Mendis Given the anticipated growth in tourism, the country is likely to see an 85% average occupancy rate and 35% revenue growth in Colombo city hotels in 2012. Colombo City Hotels Chairman M. Shanthikumar yesterday told the Daily FT that the occupancy level so far has recorded

More expansion planned to ride the post-war rebound in tourism and entertainmentBy Cheranka Mendis  Hilton Colombo Residence has embarked on a major renovation plan for the hotel to reap post war benefits starting with the expansion and refurbishment of its Union Ballroom. Completed in seven months at a cost of US$ 3 million, the Union ...

By Cheranka Mendis With a membership of 107 top entrepreneurs of the country – among which close to 200 leading organisations is managed providing employment close to 250,000 people – the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) is a unique and highly valuable organisation to the country. Taking the mantle of the Chamber from K.H. ...

By Cheranka Mendis Tucked away on the southern coastal belt, Avani Bentota Resort and Spa is the perfect epicentre for rest and relaxation. From the moment you walk in, a sense of peace settles in, heightened by the bright white walls, the simple sketches that hang almost rhythmically from the walls and the calming blues ...

The Daily FT spoke to the Immediate Past President of Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Chairman and Managing Director of Conniassance de Ceylan Ltd., on the state of post-war Sri Lanka tourism industry, the progress and key challenges as well as future prospects

Private equity and investment banking boutique, Mercantile Merchant Bank Ltd., (MMBL) and family-owned leisure giant Jetwing Group are together taking the road less travelled to create new opportunities in the former war torn North by commissioning the biggest ever private sector investment in the region. The two firms, via an equally-owned joint venture will be ...

Effects first major move to become a self-made entrepreneur; his new venture N Capital acquires 70% stake Aspires to make iconic 35-room resort luxurious with Rs. 500 m investment to add 50 more rooms under a new wing and plush refurbishment Says deep south will be centre of economic, tourism and recreation boom with air ...

Last year when I got the opportunity of attending the summer programme at Harvard, one of the sessions that really got my attention was a session titled ‘Corporate Athleticism’. Coming back to Sri Lanka I was eager to bring to life this new theory called ‘Corporate Athleticism,’ which in actual fact was practiced by many ...

The right to privacy is our right to keep a domain around us, which includes all those things that are part of us, such as our body, home, thoughts, feelings, secrets and identity. The right to privacy gives us the ability to choose which parts in this domain can be accessed by others, and to ...

Following is a response from Hotel Developers (Lanka) Limited to the article titled ‘Cornel Perera rebuts Basil’ published in the Daily FT of 24 November 2011 We give below a fair summary of the background of establishment of Hilton Hotel Colombo given by the well-respected Attorney

After seven successive and successful forums, the Accounting Forum 2011, organised by the Accountancy Students’ Association University of Kelaniya (ASAK), is to be held for the eighth consecutive time on 8 December at Ceylon Intercontinental Hotel Colombo from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Accounting Forum 2011 is an annual event organised at a grand level, ...

By Cassandra Mascarenhas Exploring opportunities for trade, technology transfer and alliances with local companies, a delegation of business leaders from Northern Ireland was present in Sri Lanka earlier this week to meet with prospective partners to initiate further business relationships. Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI), an initiative of UK regional business development agency, with the ...

Offering epic safari adventures, Chaaya Wild transcends expectations and enthrals nature enthusiastsBy Marianne David If there’s one message that Yala reinforces, it’s the fact Sri Lanka is so abundantly blessed – a miracle in many ways. Despite its rising position as a hotspot for leopards being temporarily halted in its tracks during the latter stages ...

This is the seventh article in the Daily FT’s fortnightly series titled ‘Business of Sports,’ focusing on the back office of the various sports administered and played in this country. Readers are invited to share their views and express their opinion via email to editor@ft.lk

I still remember the thoughts that crossed my mind on the day that Harvard University announced the top 50 candidates for the 2011 Global Leaders in Development forum. The excitement was high, but then again the commitment to me personally in Sri Lanka made it a catch 22 decision. The decision was tougher, given that ...

By Cheranka Mendis Classic Travel (Pvt) Limited early this week partnered with the holiday division of Thai Airways International, Royal Orchid Holidays who promises to ‘provide unmatched experiences to the Sri Lankan holiday maker.’ The agreement appoints Classic Travel as an agent for Royal Orchid Holidays. Chief Executive Officer Classic Travel Suresh Mendis speaking to ...