Business
Hunas Holdings announces landmark partnership with Adrian Zecha
In an exciting and highly positive development for Sri Lanka’s rebounding tourism industry, Hunas Holdings PLC – the company that owns the legendary, multigenerational favourite, the Hunas Falls Hotel – has announced a landmark partnership with Azotels – a company owned and managed by the ‘Hotelier of the Century’, Adrian Zecha. The partnership will see Azotels developing the present Hunas Falls Hotel into a high-end luxury hotel with villas, whilst also undertaking the management of the establishment, which is guaranteed to bring it in line with the best hotels in the world.
Hunas Holdings PLC, formerly known as Hunas Falls Hotels PLC, is a diversified conglomerate operating across five industries with a presence in hospitality and tourism, real estate, renewable energy, and tea plantations, factories and tea brokering. The Hunas Group continues to strive forward with a keen eye on sustainability, fully aware that progress and preservation goes hand in hand and that it is a testament to the unwavering vision and tireless efforts of the Hunas Holdings PLC.
Discussing the significance and value of the partnership, Dhanuka Samarasinghe, Chairman at Hunas Holdings PLC said, “This partnership is an incredible milestone for Hunas Falls Hotel as we celebrate 50 years of memories. We truly believe that Hunas Falls hotel is a beautiful asset of Sri Lanka. It will be an honour to work together with Zecha, a distinguished outlier in the hospitality industry, with over 50 years of experience, and only an ever-increasing passion for the industry. At Hunas Holdings, we share a mutual vision with Zecha, in terms of working together with local communities to preserve the natural environment, culture, architecture and diversity, whilst bringing it all together in an exquisite and unforgettable experience for guests. This core ethos of harmony extends beyond our hospitality interests and is something we strive to achieve in all aspects of our business. Therefore, we couldn’t be happier to announce this partnership, and we look forward to transforming the Hunas Falls experience, guided by Zecha’s visionary insights.”
Adrian Zecha is a true veteran, visionary and pioneer in the hospitality industry, with over 5 decades of experience under his belt, carrying the prestigious title of ‘Hotelier of the Century’ from Forbes Magazine, along with a string of other prestigious accolades and unique lifetime accomplishments. He is the pioneer of the luxury boutique villa concept and effortlessly intertwines natural beauty, architectural heritage, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability, seamlessly in his own unique style, through his various hotels across the world. Zecha’s portfolio of hotels, which included his uniquely popular and signature brand, Aman Resorts, are notably recognized for its award-winning designs, extraordinary levels of space & lifestyle elements & above all, for the continued seamless personal service offered to his guests.
The partnership between Hunas Holdings and Azotels underscores the exceptional value that Sri Lanka represents to the global tourism industry, and will create an ideal platform upon which the industry can build and pivot towards attracting the high-value luxury tourism segment, and repositioning Sri Lanka as a true luxury travel destination.
Board of Directors of Hunas Holding from Left to right: Toshiaki Tanaka – Director, Dhanuka Samarasinghe – Chairman, Atheeq Ansar – Managing Director, Misako Tanaka – Director
Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.
His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.
The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.
Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.
Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.
Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.
In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.
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