Business
Colombo Sheraton Hotel targets global business elites
By Ifham Nizam
The newly opened Sheraton Colombo Hotel caters mainly to business travelers across various global industries and markets, Sheraton Colombo General Manager Rahul Maini said. The hotel is part of Marriott International, reputed to be the world’s largest hotel chain.
Maini told The Island Financial Review that while Sri Lanka has seen a rise in tourism during the last 12 months, Colombo remains a major commercial hub in South Asia for corporate travel.
‘We have witnessed a strong uptick from this segment since opening doors. However, it has only been a few months since we launched and are observing a diverse mix of global guests. In the coming months, we shall be able to clearly identify visitors from corporate and leisure occupancy along with their geographic source markets, Maini noted.
Recently journalists who participated in a media walkthrough at the Sheraton Colombo had the opportunity to experience the hotel’s 320-rooms and other facilities located at Colombo 3.
The hotel which is complete with a Presidential Suite and other themed luxury suites along with a collection of four restaurant outlets, was originally scheduled to be launched in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis comprised an obstacle to such plans.
According to the General Manager, the architectural contract for Sheraton Colombo Hotel had been awarded to the leading global architectural design consultancy firm WS Atkins, which is also the designer and engineer for Burj Al Arab, the Address Downtown, Dubai Metro and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The interior design contract was awarded to Catallo Associates of Singapore.
Rahul Maini
Maini added: ‘Marriott International takes corporate social responsibility and sustainability seriously, as conveyed through our 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sheraton Colombo, as part of the Marriott family, aims to align with these goals.
‘Wherever we operate we aim to empower local communities through providing opportunities for education, employment and economic growth. Sustaining responsible operations is also a priority, with targets around ethical sourcing, waste reduction, and efficient use of natural resources, such as water and energy. As part of the Marriott family, Sheraton Colombo will follow suit by integrating these sustainability and social impact goals into our daily operations and business practices. Sheraton Colombo is dedicated to making positive community impact, driving social good, and minimizing environmental harm so that guests, employees and locals can feel good about choosing to stay with us.
‘Marriott’s commitment to heartfelt care, innovation and building a global community makes our hospitality truly unmatched. As part of this family, Sheraton Colombo inherits and lives up to these high standards.
‘Sheraton Colombo’s focus is on its prime, central location in Colombo’s business district, its contemporary design integrates local cultural elements. It has a variety of upscale dining options, amenities such as the Shine Spa and Sheraton Club lounge and event/meeting facilities. Importantly, our vision is to be a gathering place facilitating connections and community, striving to create a welcoming place for travellers seeking both productivity and belonging.’
Sampath Bank PLC has officially partnered with Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC, the legal entity behind PickMe, Sri Lanka’s leading technology platform facilitating mobility, delivery and experiences, to successfully integrate Visa’s CyberSource internet Payment Gateway. This milestone reinforces Sri Lanka’s ongoing transition toward a more secure and cashless digital economy by enabling fast, reliable, and secure card payments across PickMe rides and PickMe delivery services.
The integration marks a strategic collaboration between one of Sri Lanka’s top financial institutions and a pioneering tech platform, aiming to streamline mobile payments, enhance digital security, and deliver frictionless customer experiences. It also reflects Sampath Bank’s broader commitment to empowering local digital businesses through world-class financial technology.
“This integration reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital payment systems,” said Chirath Samarasekara, Head of Card Centre at Sampath Bank PLC. He further stated, “We’re proud to support PickMe through Visa’s CyberSource payment Gateway, making payments more secure and convenient for users, while helping our partners grow confidently.”
“At PickMe, we’re committed to driving Sri Lanka’s digital transformation by making everyday transactions faster, safer, and more accessible. This partnership with Sampath Bank and Visa’s CyberSource payment Gateway is a major step forward in delivering seamless payment experiences to our users. Together, we’re building a more connected, cashless, and inclusive digital economy,” says Jiffry Zulfer Hassen, CEO at PickMe.
Seaspan Corporation Pte. Ltd., the world’s largest independent charter owner and operator of containerships, and Ceyline Shipping Limited, Sri Lanka’s market leader in Seafarer Recruitment & Placement Services, are celebrating two decades of transformative partnership that has elevated Sri Lanka’s maritime industry on the global stage.
The partnership, established in 2005, has grown from its first deployment of Sri Lankan officers aboard the vessel Dubai Express on December 25, 2005, to become a powerful force in maritime talent development. Today, over 630 onboard Sri Lankan seafarers serve aboard Seaspan’s operating fleet of 241+ vessels, with a total local talent pool exceeding 1,100 professionals.
The collaboration has achieved remarkable milestones, including an industry-leading 95% retention rate and the successful management of 31 vessels fully manned by Sri Lankan ratings between 2023–2024, including seven advanced dual-fuel IGF vessels. The dedicated Seaspan Training Room in Sri Lanka, unique to this partnership, has become a regional center of excellence, providing world-class instruction not only for Sri Lankan crew but for foreign seafarers across Seaspan’s global operations.
Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporter to Europe also clinched three other national titles
Omega Line has secured an unprecedented quadruple victory at the Presidential Export Awards 2024/25, claiming the country’s highest export honour alongside three additional national titles in a landmark achievement for Sri Lanka’s apparel sector.
The Oniverse-owned manufacturer was named Best Exporter of the Year and won three further categories: Best Exporter in Product Diversification, Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain, and Best Exporter – Apparel (Large Category). The awards, presented by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board under presidential patronage, recognize the nation’s top- performing exporters.
“I believe deeply in human potential, and our success at Omega Line is a testament to that belief,” said Felix A. Fernando, CEO and Managing Director. “The driving force behind these achievements is our happy and content workforce. This recognition honours the dedication of over 7,500 employees across our facilities who have made Omega Line a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s export economy and validates our commitment to world-class manufacturing and our role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in global markets.”
Founded in 1999 as a single facility with 30 employees, Omega Line has grown into one of Sri Lanka’s largest apparel exporters to Europe, producing more than 100 million garments annually from its Sandalankawa and Vavuniya operations. Operating under the Oniverse umbrella (formerly Calzedonia), Omega Line and its associated entities, viz. Sirio, Alpha, Benji invested over USD 450 million in Sri Lanka, with annual export values reaching approximately USD 500 million and yearly shipments exceeding 200 million units.
The company’s Vavuniya facility represents the largest private sector investment in the Northern Province, employing 2,900 people and exemplifying Omega Line’s contribution to regional economic development. The award for Contributor from the Regions to the Export Supply Chain specifically recognizes this impact beyond the commercial capital.
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