Business

Aban’s pioneering hospitality foray debuts In Colombo

Published

5 months ago

2023/01/15

Courtyard by Marriott, overlooking Colombo’s Beira Lake from Sir. James Pieris Mawatha (previously General’s Lake Road), the newest entrant to Colombo’s luxury hotel scene and the Abans Group’s first foray into the hospitality industry, was formally commissioned a few days ago.

Part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 brands, it is the first Courtyard to open in Sri Lanka. Located at the heart of the city’s central business district adjacent to the Colombo City Centre Mall, Courtyard by Marriott Colombo is set to offer a sophisticated yet comfortable environment for guests as they explore the city.

The 164-room hotel is headed by an expatriate general manager, Elton Hurtis, who has been here for three years heading Marriot Weligama, an experience he said he enjoyed very much.

“We are delighted to debut Courtyard by Marriott in Sri Lanka …….,” said Ranju Alex, Area Vice President – South Asia, Marriott International. “The opening of Courtyard by Marriott Colombo marks Marriott Bonvoy’s third property in Sri Lanka, further complementing our commitment to growth in the region and accommodating different types of travellers visiting this beautiful destination.”

The hotel features three distinct dining venues including Beira Kitchen, an all-day dining restaurant offering local delicacies and international cuisines. At Tito’s café, guests can start their day with freshly baked bread, coffee or tea and The Lounge provides a relaxing atmosphere with light beverages and assorted bites.

The hotel is equipped with state-of-the-art banqueting facilities for hosting events and gatherings of varied sizes. Its indoor meeting spaces are spread over an area of 14,500 sq. ft and are suited to accommodate both large and intimate gatherings. Recreational facilities at the hotel include a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool above ground level.

Within a few days of its launch, there was at least one corporate event hosted at the hotel on Tuesday when a press lunch was hosted. The management declined to discuss opening time occupancy but said “we’re pretty popular with the corporate sector.”

“I am delighted to welcome guests to an international hotel experience in Sri Lanka with the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Colombo,” said Elton Hurtis, General Manager of the hotel. “Sri Lanka has plenty to offer, from golden sandy beaches and exotic wildlife to UNESCO world heritage sites and rich biodiversity. We offer a prime location for business or leisure travel – or a blend of both – and look forward to providing excellent comfort, functionality, and guest services to both national and international travellers.”

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Business

Oil prices rise as Saudi Arabia pledges output cuts – Opec+

Published

7 hours ago

2023/06/5

Priyan

(picture BBC)

Oil-producing countries have agreed to continued cuts in production in a bid to shore up flagging prices.

Saudi Arabia said it would make cuts of a million barrels per day (bpd) in July and Opec+ said targets would drop by a further 1.4 million bpd from 2024.

Opec+ accounts for around 40% of the world’s crude oil and its decisions can have a major impact on oil prices.

In Asia trade on Monday, Brent crude oil rose by as much as 2.4% before settling at around $77 a barrel.

The seven hour-long meeting on Sunday of the oil-rich nations, led by Russia, came against a backdrop of falling energy prices.

Total production cuts, which Opec+ has undertaken since October 2022, reached 3.66 million bpd, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Opec+, a formulation which refers to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, had already agreed to cut production by two million bpd, about 2% of global demand.

(BBC)

Business

Manpower services agency wins accolades for its contribution to foreign employment sector

Published

10 hours ago

2023/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services receives the award

Its MD says. ‘go abroad only if you can work hard’

Siraj Manpower Services, one of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign employment agencies, was honoured with the Three-Star Award at the ‘Golden Awards’ 2023, organised by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). This award ceremony was organised to honour foreign employment agencies that have made a significant contribution to the development of the foreign employment sector, which is a major source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. Siraj Cafoor, Managing Director of Siraj Manpower Services, was presented with the award at the award ceremony which was held at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Employment and Labour Manusha Nanayakkara.

Having been established in 2002, Siraj Manpower Services (www.sirajmanpower.lk) has earned a reputation in the field of foreign employment by winning the trust of customers for more than 20 years. It has been offering job opportunities in the Middle East countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia as housekeepers, drivers, sanitation workers, labourers and also jobs related to the apparel industry. All these workers are entitled to approved salary scales certified by the SLBFE.

“We always stand for the safety of workers who go abroad through our organisation. We work to solve the problems that arise in relation to the contracts that the workers have entered into. I must mention something special to those who go abroad for employment. That is, you should keep in mind that you go abroad only to work. Go abroad only if you can work hard. You have to remember that you are going abroad to earn some more money and achieve the advancement of your family.” said Siraj Cafoor.

Business

Direct flights between Istanbul and Katunayake to commence from August

Published

10 hours ago

2023/06/5

Thilina Walpola

A special discussion between Turkish Ambassador – Demet Sekercioglu and Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation – Nimal Siripala de Silva took place last week at the ministry office. The aim of the discussion was to seek authorization to commence direct flights from the Turkish Capital Istanbul to Katunayake, Sri Lanka. The Chief of Turkish Airlines’ South Asia Office Fathi Bozkurt was also present during the discussion.

Currently, Turkish Airlines connects with Sri Lanka through a route that includes a stopover in the Maldives, resulting in an additional travel time of one and a half hours. The delay caused by this routing is not favored by travelers, as emphasized by the Ambassador.

The Chief of Turkish Airlines requested for time and space to be allocated in order to initiate direct flights between Istanbul and Katunaike, thus providing convenience for Turkish tourists and travelers who prefer visit Sri Lanka.

The Minister announced that the request would be forwarded to the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka and the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited. The aim is to establish direct flights between Istanbul and Katunayake starting from August this year.

Turkish Airlines, a renowned airline with a fleet of over 100 aircraft, offers flights connecting Europe’s Vancouver and New York. The Chief of Turkish Airlines said that the new service would not only benefit European travelers but also encourage them to travel to Sri Lanka.