Business
Sri Lanka’s first carrier-neutral and high-density data center launches at Orion City IT Park
In a major step forward in Sri Lanka’s rapid transformation towards becoming a South Asian hub for IT and tech-enabled services, Digital Reality (Pvt) Ltd. launched the country’s first carrier-neutral, high-density data center built to TIA Tier-3 standards and a capacity over 200 racks at Orion City IT Park, Colombo 09 under the brand name OrionStellar.
The launch event featured Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Chairman, and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Director General, Oshada Senanayake as Chief Guest, in addition to attracting enthusiastic participation from numerous high-ranking representatives from Sri Lanka’s burgeoning IT, telco, and corporate sectors, as well as academia and key Government officials.
Addressing the gathering, Senanayake said: “Today’s launch of Sri Lanka’s first carrier-neutral data centre is part of an interesting paradigm shift that is already underway. So it is great to see entrepreneurs stepping into this vital space and taking up the challenge of establishing the vital infrastructure necessary for Sri Lanka to unleash its true potential. Particularly in the context of unprecedented volatility, technology has been a key enabler in Sri Lanka’s ambitious transformation towards a US$ 3 billion digital economy
“We have continuously and aggressively invested in the next generation of technologies, and today, many of the essential components – including 7 submarine cables that connect us to the rest of the world – are now in place for Sri Lanka to become one of the region’s most attractive destinations for data hosting. This in addition to digitizing Sri Lanka’s public and private sector. However, we cannot afford to be complacent. Other SAARC countries too are making bold advancements and we cannot afford to fall behind.
“We see immense growth potential for Sri Lanka through the embedding of artificial intelligence and machine learning into public and private sector operations. Together with the robust 5G capabilities that are being set in place today, we believe that Sri Lanka will be able to unleash hyper-growth. Today’s launch of a truly globally competitive data centre is a vitally important advancement in this direction,”
The newly launched high density data center is designed to offer world-class services to support the rapidly escalating demand for computing power in an increasingly digital Sri Lankan economy. It promises the highest energy efficiency and power density up to 15 kW per rack with a total power capacity of 1.5 MW.
“The launch of Sri Lanka’s first, and most power efficient high density data center and the impressive capabilities it offers represents a historic milestone in the development of the island’s IT infrastructure. It is also a momentous step in our mission to radically simplify digital infrastructure challenges for local and regional enterprises, and drastically improve the speed at which they conduct their business.” Digital Realty Chairman, Rajendra Theagarajah said.
“Sri Lanka enjoys several uniquely valuable natural and cultivated advantages which make it an ideal option for safely and reliably storing data at scale. Geographically, we are situated just offshore of one of the largest emerging IT economies and in close proximity to key markets in Asia,” Orion City Founder/Director and Digital Realty Managing Director, Jeevan Gnanam said.
“Our nation also possesses outstanding IT talent and adopts one of the most proactive stances in the region with IT and connected infrastructure. With our DC now online, we will be able to provide clients with best-in-class, globally competitive services to accelerate their digitalization journeys, rationalize core infrastructure costs, and establish stronger levels of security and redundancy, all while reducing energy costs and contributing towards a green and prosperous economy,” Gnanam added.
Built in compliance with the latest ISO 27001 standards and global data center standards (TIA-942 Rated 3), the new data center will deliver the highest levels of reliability, efficiency, and redundancy with 99.98% uptime. The center features power infrastructure with 2 (N+1) UPS systems with 30 minutes battery backup up time, and an N+1 generator system supported with 72-hour fuel bulk tanks ensuring reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
Notably, the facility was also designed with an unmatched focus on environmental sustainability enabled by an in-row cooling system with best-in-class efficiency ratings. As a result, OrionStellar guarantees the best power usage efficiency (PUE) with a design PUE of 1.4. This will translate to power savings up to 40% for clients migrating their IT loads to OrionStellar. The facility also features an unloading bay ready to receive customer inventory for hosting and a staging area to test equipment prior to entering the data hall.
OrionStellar is poised to offer an array of digital infrastructure solutions and value-added managed services to enterprises. It will support the rapidly escalating demand for computing power in an increasingly digital Sri Lankan economy and the region at large, with a special emphasis on providing highly cost-effective data offshoring services for regional enterprise powerhouses.
The long-term business purpose is to “simplify enterprise digital infrastructure challenges to accelerate digitalization and growth” according to COO of OrionStellar, Nalaka W. Bandara, a specialist in enterprise communication solutions and data center businesses with over 20 years of collective experience.
OrionStellar colocation solutions have been designed to meet the needs of different business segments with varying requirements. The facility has already designated white labeled space for telcos and larger MNCs, featuring dedicated cages with biometric access control for large enterprises. Individual racks with biometric or lockable doors and U level hosting for SME and startup hosting needs are among the product options complemented with “Remote Pair of Hands” service as a value addition.
Notably, each co-location space or rack will be individually monitored, even to U level, for power delivery and consumption to ensure that clients only pay for what they use, enabling cost visibility and control in their digital infrastructure investments.
Further, the OrionStellar data center offers an array of value-added services including storage as a service, back up as a service to secure mission critical enterprise data, disaster recovery solutions during unexpected downtime and cost-effective data center migration services with minimal disruption to core business functions.
Orion Towers at Orion City is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a full spectrum of services, offering prime workspace solutions ranging from custom-built, office spaces, dedicated seating space, shared seating and BCP Seating. OrionStellar client companies can conveniently co-locate their IT Network Operations Centers (NOCs) closest to the data center with convenient access to banks, shopping centers, recreational facilities, food-courts, and fine-dining restaurants.
“The OrionStellar data center is guaranteed to unleash a new wave of tech-enabled opportunities across the entire spectrum of local enterprises – from SMEs and tech-startups to large corporates and regional MNCs,” Jeevan Gnanam asserted. He further explained that “with the launch of this high-density data center, we aim to establish the most secure and scalable infrastructure to position Sri Lanka as a hub in this digital economy.”
Allocates 4% of global sales for their socio-economic empowerment
Sri Lankan tea exporter Russell’s Tea (Pvt) Ltd achieved a historic milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allocate 4% of its international sales revenue from ‘Russell’s Ceylon Ancestral Herbal Infusions’ toward the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s indigenous community.
The company simultaneously launched five premium tea ranges—Ceylon Health and Wellness Teas, Ceylon Ancestral Herbal Infusions, Ceylon Fine Teas, Ceylon Organic Specialty Teas, and Ceylon Artisan Teas—to the global market, beginning with the UAE.
The MOU, formalizing the 4% revenue pledge, was signed by Russell’s Tea Director Jehan Perera and Vedda leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo during a ceremony at Colombo’s Amari Hotel on Saturday. This agreement marks the first time the indigenous community will receive dollar-denominated compensation for sharing their ancestral knowledge of herbal remedies, which contributed to the development of Russell’s Ceylon Ancestral Herbal Infusions.
“Our R&D team drew significant inspiration from the Vedda community’s traditional wisdom on natural health benefits,” said Jehan Perera. “We believe it is our responsibility to reciprocate by supporting their socio-economic growth through this initiative.”
He added that the company plans to export the Community’s goods like wild honey in the future, further integrating the community into global markets.
Russell’s Tea has already secured partnerships with major UAE retailers, including the Lulu supermarket chain, with plans to expand across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Europe. All products, targeting luxury and tourism sectors, will be available in leading supermarkets by late June.
Celebrating its 38th anniversary, Russell’s Tea founder Russell Perera reflected on the company’s evolution: “From pioneering Sri Lanka’s corporate outdoor catering service to becoming a forex-earning exporter, this global launch symbolizes our commitment to innovation and national progress,” he said.
By Hiran Senewiratne
Business
Shyam takes helm at Sunshine Holdings as nephew succeeds uncle Vish in leadership transition
Under a Colombo sunset at the Taj Samudra, laughter, applause, and celebratory toasts recently marked the farewell of Vish Govindasamy, who stepped down from his executive role at Sunshine Holdings PLC after 28 years of transformative leadership.
The event, attended by business leaders, Sunshine’s senior team, and industry stakeholders, honoured his legacy as he transitioned to the Non-Executive Deputy Chairman role, while his nephew, Shyam Sathasivam, assumed the Group CEO position—a testament to the family bond steering this corporate evolution.
Sunshine Holdings announced that Govindasamy would continue in advisory capacity to ensure strategic continuity.
Govindasamy’s tenure which began in 1997 as CEO of Watawala Plantations, saw the Group expand into healthcare, consumer goods, renewable energy and dairy, while launching iconic brands such as Zesta, Watawala Tea, and Ran Kahata as well as Healthguard Pharmacy. Under his stewardship, Sunshine forged partnerships with global giants such as Wilmar and SBI Japan, earned recognition among Asia’s Best Workplaces, and championed social impact through the Sunshine Foundation for Good.
Shyam Sathasivam, Govindasamy’s nephew and successor, joined Sunshine in 2005 and has been integral to its recent growth. Having collaborated closely with his uncle for nearly two decades, Shyam emphasised his commitment to upholding the Group’s purpose-driven ethos: “Mr. Govindasamy nurtured a vision that blends business with heart. I am honored to build on this legacy, ensuring we continue to care for all stakeholders,” he stated at the farewell event.
During his address, Govindasamy observed attendees dispersed across the room and humorously underscored his attention to detail by remarking, “I kindly request everyone to assemble closer to the stage—such nuances catch my eye, a testament to my micro-management tendencies.” The lighthearted comment drew laughter while reflecting his reputed dedication to organizational precision.
Then shifting to the matter at hand and reflecting on his journey, Govindasamy acknowledged the Group’s resilience through Sri Lanka’s civil war and economic crises, expressing confidence in his nephew’s leadership: “Sunshine’s future is bright under Shyam. Our shared values and his forward-thinking approach will drive new heights,” he said.
The transition underscores a unique fusion of family trust and corporate strategy, positioning Sunshine Holdings for its next chapter.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
‘Blog It Symposium’
The ‘Blog It Symposium’ hosted by Union Assurance on March 27 at the BMICH, had drawn writers, students and professionals alongside literary giants like Ashok Ferrey. The event was less a corporate gathering and more a cultural movement, symbolising a quiet revolution in Sri Lanka’s journey toward financial empowerment.
Financial literacy, often confined to jargon-filled pamphlets or intimidating technical writeups, has found an unexpected ally in storytelling with Union Assurance’s Blog It initiative, launched years prior, which recognises a universal truth: people connect with stories, not statistics. By inviting bloggers and writers to explore themes like life insurance, savings, and generational wealth through personal narratives, the initiative transforms complex concepts into relatable tales. A mother’s account of securing her child’s education amid economic uncertainty, a young entrepreneur’s journey from debt to stability, or a retiree’s challenges in the rest of his or her life were the seeds of stories that resonated deeply with the writers in the audience especially because they are writing for a society whose financial planning is often overshadowed by day-to-day struggles.
Ashok Ferrey, the keynote speaker asked the audience,” Why do we write? “We write,” he suggested, “to express ourselves in ways that evade the rigid pathways of ordinary consciousness.” Imagine, he said, slipping into a disguise to go to a fancy dress party; that lets you be someone else. Writing, in Ferrey’s vision, operates similarly—it is a costume party for the psyche. “When we write, we shed the constraints of our daylight selves. The keyboard or pen becomes a mirror that reflects not who we are, but who we might invent,” he said.
“These aren’t just blogs,” remarked Lal Medawattegedara, novelist and symposium panelist. “They’re survival guides written in the language of the people.”
Rather than lecturing, Union Assurance has created a platform for dialogue. Winning entries, published in newspapers and shared across social media, turns anonymous writers into local influencers. A gem merchant from Ratnapura, whose blog on gem buying and selling would go viral, encouraging young people in the area to follow suit. A Colombo college student’s poem about her family’s medical debt would inspire a community savings drive. “Financial literacy isn’t about telling people what to do,” said Union Assurance CMO Mahen Gunarathna. “It’s about giving them the tools to write their own futures.”
As the 2025 symposium concluded, the message was clear: financial literacy is not a solo journey but a shared narrative.
In a world where money talks, Union Assurance has mastered a profound lesson: sometimes, the most powerful currency is a story well told. Sri Lankans are not just learning about finances—they’re rewriting their financial destinies with the support of Union Assurance.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
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