Business

‘All the good in the world’ this season

Published

6 years ago

2020/12/17

Premier hospitality chain, Aitken Spence Hotels, celebrates this festive season with a unique campaign aimed at paying tribute to “All the good in the world”. This year’s theme is inspired by the silver linings that have truly made a difference in the world today, amidst the disruptive events that unravelled since March 2020.

Curated around the ethos of ‘giving back’ and ‘sharing’ – two essential components that illustrates the heart of the festive season – the hospitality arm of the Group has created a range of activities that reiterates the spirit of Christmas, across its hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka, Maldives, India and Oman.

Close to home, Closer to heart

Under this overarching theme, the domestic campaign “Close to home, Closer to heart” reaches out to those travelling with a purpose. Encouraging guests to spend their holidays in a space that feels like home – close to their own residences, and closer yet to the heart at Aitken Spence Hotels, Sri Lanka. Belonging to the chain of Hotels; Heritance Kandalama, Heritance Negombo, Heritance Ahungalla, Heritance Tea Factory, Turyaa Kalutara, Amethyst Resort Passikudah, Bandarawela Hotel and, Earl’s Regency and Earl’s Regent in Kandy – promises a rewarding experience, welcoming all to partake in a holiday that goes beyond just another vacation.

Taking on ‘a season of giving’, Aitken Spence Hotels Sri Lanka has pledged 1% of their turnover between 1 Dec 2020 and 15 January 2021 to purchase school supplies for children in and around the locality of the resorts in Sri Lanka. The Group also encourages guests to partake in this endeavor by choosing Aitken Spence Hotels as their home away from home this December and further contribute to the cause by donating to Spence Evoluzione Charitable Trust, which will further facilitate the cause.

Celebrating the brave hearts

In appreciation of the hard work and dedication of the local military and healthcare professionals, the hospitality group has also extended special discounts up to 58% under its ‘brave heart’ celebratory drive. Bookable during the month of December, the national heroes can enjoy a relaxing holiday at its resorts –– from January to March 2021.

Love from Yonder

Not forgetting the families who are kept apart from their loved ones due to the pandemic, the group has also made available bespoke and pre-made hampers as well as share meal platters that can be ordered online and delivered to the doors of their near and dear. With a range of sweet and savory treats, unique hampers including local sweetmeat hampers ideal for the new year and an array of pre-planned meals for families of six to eight, the Group’s Heritance Hotels and Resorts are going all out in promoting a season of sharing, carefully crafted by their team of award-winning chefs.

Tying in with the overall domestic campaign of “Close to home, Closer to heart” the lineup of treats include those closer to our palettes with new and innovative twists – such as billing chutney, rhubarb jam and a localised hamper with traditional favourites. Made in line with the Group’s sustainable and community development, ingredients are also largely, locally sourced.

A season like no other

Speaking of this incredible spin on the season of festivities, Stasshani Jayawardena, Aitken Spence PLC Director, Head of Tourism and Leisure, and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Managements, noted that the theme came naturally given its longstanding commitment to empower and inspire. “From the inception, Aitken Spence Hotels is known to have led the way for greater things within the industry. From sustainability to F&B to community engagement, we have always been at the forefront.

The values and traditions that envelope us as a company is based on a premise of appreciation. Whilst it is easy to delve on the negative connotations based on the black swan event that has interrupted our lives as we knew it, we take this as an opportunity to appreciate and provide for those in need.”

She added; “We are grateful to all our patrons and partners who chose to stay, dine, celebrate and work with us in the past months. This is our way of paying it forward.”

Trendsetters in the industry, Aitken Spence Hotels hold a special place in the hearts of many, built on trust and loyalty over the years. With seasonal activities planned at all their properties to create a relaxing and stress-free holiday, they also maintain heightened health and safety practices, in line with local and international healthcare standards.

To be a part of a unique season and for more information, log on to www.aitkenspence.com or www.heritancehotelsandresorts.com

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Business

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

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.