Business
Amethyst Resort Passikudah of Aitken Spence Hotels – paw-fect for dog lovers!
Amethyst Resort Passikudah, part of the premier hospitality company Aitken Spence Hotels, has opened its doors to welcome furry friends as a pet-friendly hotel from Monday, 13 December 2021.
The resort is strategically located in a lengthy shallow coastal belt in the East, making it a perfect vacation spot for those who love a low-key holiday experience. With pool-like still ocean gently lapping the shore right in front of the 38-room hotel, dog-lovers can now enjoy their vacation with their pets, in comfort and quietude. Designed with large open spaces and undisturbed tropical green, the Amethyst Passikudah is ideal for paw-fect guests who deserves a change of scenery with their much-loved owners.
To ensure the safety of guests and associates, the hotel is welcoming dogs weighing 75-80 pounds or less with updated vaccination cards.
Speaking of the initiative, Aitken Spence PLC Director, Head of Tourism and Leisure, and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotels Management Stasshani Jayawardena stated that “The dog-friendly concept has been on our minds for some time as we understand the importance of not wanting to leave behind your dog-friend whilst you holiday. It came almost natural to the company given its strength in providing superior customer experience. Aitken Spence Hotels is known for pushing boundaries in order to elevate guest experience. Be it in Sri Lanka or our other destinations (Maldives, India and Oman), we are constantly looking ahead to curate experiences that are holistic, wholesome and to make holidays more memorable for our guests.”
“Amethyst Resort was the natural choice from our range of hotels given the vast amount of space within the property and how its built. Where better for our canine friends to enjoy than a property with a vast stretch of beachfront and shallow waters?”, she further added.
The pet-friendly concept accommodates a maximum two dogs per room at a nominal fee of LKR 3,000 per day. As this is the first phase of the pet-friendly hotel, dog owners are requested to keep their fur friends on leash when in public spaces such as the beach. The Company requests dog owners to keep the property aware at point of reservation to ensure that all policies are met ahead of time. To make a reservation, please contact 0112308408 or (+94) 65 567 6003-5. For more details, please write to res.amethyst@aitkenspence.lk.
Aitken Spence Hotels is part of the Sri Lankan blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC and operates 22 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman and India. The Company’s owned hotels are reflected under the Heritance, Adaaran and Turyaa brands, popular around the world for its exceptional service and undisputed product and curated lifestyle experiences. The Company’s Sri Lankan portfolio includes 11 resorts spread across the island, whilst the Maldives resorts totals to six, four in Oman and one in India.
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
The sun will be directly overhead Colombo, Awissawella, Talawakelle, Dimbula, Galakumbura and Dambagalla at about 12:12 noon today [07]
Heavy rainfall of above 100 mm is likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva and North-central provinces and in Ampara district
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