Business

Aitken Spence Heritance Kandalama, Bawa’s vision for sustainable tourism

Published

3 years ago

2023/06/29

Heritance Kandalama is an eco-resort nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s central province owned and managed by the premier hospitality company Aitken Spence Hotels. The resort is a masterpiece of environmentally friendly architecture and has won numerous awards for its sustainable design. Designed by renowned Sri Lankan architect, Deshamanya Geoffrey Bawa, Kandalama is a testament to the concept of eco-friendly construction and the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Recently celebrated at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) Delhi, where it was a key feature of the ‘Geoffrey Bawa: It is essential to be there’ architectural and photographic installation.

The Heritance Kandalama is built into a rocky outcrop amid a lush green forest, overlooking the Kandalama Lake. The design is inspired by the ancient rock temples of Sri Lanka and incorporates natural materials such as timber, stone, and terracotta to create a harmonious blend of modern architecture and traditional design. The resort is self-sufficient in terms of water and energy, utilizing rainwater harvesting and solar panels to meet its needs. It also has a sewage treatment plant that recycles wastewater, ensuring that no harmful pollutants are released into the environment.

The hotel has been designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, with the use of earthy tones and natural materials. The guest room windows frame a stunning view of the lake and the surrounding forest and the Sigiriya Rock. The open-plan design of the rooms allows for natural ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning.

One of the most impressive features of the resort is its integration into the surrounding ecosystem. The hotel has planted over 3,000 trees on the site and continues to do so, it has created several wetlands and water bodies that provide habitats for numerous species of birds and other wildlife. The hotel also employs several local villagers who have been trained in sustainable farming practices, providing them with a livelihood while also promoting sustainable agriculture.

Preserving the environmentally friendly architecture of Heritance Kandalama is essential to its continued success. The hotel has implemented several measures to ensure that the buildings and infrastructure are maintained in an environmentally responsible manner. The use of eco-friendly cleaning products, recycling of waste, and careful management of water and energy resources are just a few of the initiatives that have been put in place to minimize the environmental impact of the resort.

Speaking about the property, Stasshani Jayawardena – Aitken Spence PLC Director, Head of Tourism and Leisure, and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Management, said, “Heritance Kandalama has become a beacon of hope for sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly architecture. We are very proud to play our role in ensuring Bawa’s vision for the hotel continues 29 years after it was built. We are so happy to be an example of how hospitality and sustainability can coexist, and how tourism can be a force for positive change in the world. As we continue to face the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, the lessons learned from Heritance Kandalama’s eco-friendly design and operations can serve as a model for future development.”

Heritance Kandalama is home to several cultural and historical sites. One of the most famous of these is Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 5th century AD. The fortress is located atop a massive rock formation and features a series of intricate frescoes and carvings that depict the history and culture of Sri Lanka.

Heritance Kandalama is an excellent destination for eco-tourism enthusiasts who want to experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka in an environmentally responsible way. For more information on Heritance Kandalama, log on to www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama

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ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

20 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.