Six-acre Bentota Celestia Ayurveda Resort launched in collaboration with BOI

The resort recruits nearly 80% of its staff from nearby villages

Plans afoot to establish a local supply chain for livelihood diversification

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The Bentota Celestia Ayurveda Resort – built with an investment of Rs. 2.8 billion – was launched in collaboration with the BOI, recently. The venture is a Japan-Sri Lanka joint investment by private sector investors.This perfectly curated resort will add to the key wellness tourism infrastructure of Sri Lanka as the BOI is aiming to tap the full potential of the country’s capacity to earn foreign exchange.

The property spans over six acres of land, housing 65 luxurious rooms, five of which are villas.

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka is facilitating this new enterprise in the tourism sector and will continue with future expansion as well.

Hectic lifestyles and the modern pace of life can lead to stress and burnout, which in turn can drive people to seek wellness tourism. According to the Global Wellness Institute forecasts, the wellness market will soar to $1.3 trillion by 2025, the fastest growth rate of any wellness market through 2025.

Referring to above facts, Chandana Silva, the CEO of Celestia said,” Instead of using conventional healing as a means of treating patients, our goal is to showcase a real Sri Lankan legacy of Ayurvedic behaviors as a way of life, allowing everyone to experience the foundational ideas of a joyful existence.”

“The Bentota Celestia Ayurveda resort has the vision to continue the rich tradition of Sri Lankan culture and offers more than just standard Ayurvedic treatments; it also offers contemporary programs like yoga classes, meditation with close-to-nature beach meditation and healing mind and body. The resort will provide the healing system with a tailor-made menu under the guidance of nutritionists and Indigenous doctors, which is synonymous with anti-aging detoxing with palatable foods,” he noted.

The offerings at Celestia is notably unconventional. Celestia invites future wedding aspirants to enjoy the newfound palatable menu of ancient secret medicinal herbs, rice varieties, and fruits at the resort. Celestia honeymoon packages offer a healthier start to the newlyweds’ journey.

Celestia has initiated its ESG programme by recruiting nearly 80% of its staff from nearby villages. The resort is also planning to establish a local supply chain for its food and beverage requirements as a means of sustainable livelihood diversification of the community.

More than 3 million people in the Nordic countries use Rootcode software every week

Set to expand its global presence while contributing to local community through its philanthropic efforts

Rootcode, a leading global software product engineering company, marked its 10th anniversary with a grand celebration at its headquarters. This milestone event highlighted a decade of relentless growth, cutting-edge innovations, and a commitment to delivering world-class technology solutions. The celebration also included the launch of a commemorative book titled “A Decade of Building Great Technology”, which chronicles Rootcode’s evolution from its humble beginnings into a global technology leader. The book captures the company’s journey, featuring pivotal projects, strategic partnerships and its remarkable expansion into global markets.

Over the past decade, Rootcode has grown its services across Europe, partnering with prominent organisations such as the United Nations and Kendrion, a major Dutch manufacturer of electromagnetic systems. Today, Rootcode’s technological solutions power over 100 digital products, serving more than 30 industries worldwide. The company’s footprint now extends to large enterprises and governments, positioning Rootcode as a global player in sectors including agritech, healthcare, esports, e-commerce, and e-governance.

Founder and CEO of Rootcode, Alagan Mahalingam speaking at the event said, “Celebrating Rootcode’s 10th anniversary is a testament to our vision of empowering businesses by building world-class technology. Rootcode has not only made a name for itself globally but has also placed Sri Lanka on the map as a hub for innovative tech solutions. I am immensely grateful to our dedicated team and loyal clients who have been integral to our success. Rootcode’s mission has always been clear – to help businesses build transformative technology both locally and globally.”

Alagan established Rootcode in 2014 with a singular goal to build a mobile app. Over the years, the company broadened its scope, developing advanced technology products that are recognised on the global stage. From its first product, Singify, which was nominated for The Asia Pacific ICT Alliance Awards (APICTA) in 2016, to becoming the champion at The Global Hack hosted by the European Commission, Rootcode has consistently demonstrated excellence. The product from this hack, Expert Republic, became a crucial platform during the pandemic, offering professional services to users worldwide.

From left – CEO of Zivi and a long-time Rootcode client, Kujtim Salihu; Founder and CEO of Rootcode, Alagan Mahalingam and Partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mangala Perera

Rootcode’s journey of innovation and growth was further strengthened with the addition of Mangala Perera, who joined as Partner and Chief Operating Officer. With over 25 years of experience in the tech industry and previously serving as Vice President of Software Operations at IFS, Mangala’s leadership has been instrumental in steering Rootcode toward continued success.

Rootcode’s establishment of a dedicated artificial intelligence division in 2021 marked a significant milestone in the company’s history, positioning it as a pioneer in AI innovation in Sri Lanka. Shortly after, Rootcode launched Rootcode Studio, its user experience design arm, further solidifying its focus on enhancing digital products with top-tier UX design.

In 2022, Rootcode extended its vision beyond business success by launching the Rootcode Foundation, a philanthropic initiative dedicated to empowering underprivileged students through technology education. Rootcode has also fostered a thriving community of tech and AI enthusiasts through its AI Community Meetup, which has grown to over 3,500 attendees globally. These meetups have become a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and staying updated on the latest technological trends.

Rootcode’s achievements include securing a public tender from the Government of Estonia to build an artificial intelligence framework, marking its first contract with a European government. This collaboration underscores Rootcode’s growing influence in the global tech landscape.

During the anniversary celebration, the CEO of Zivi and a long-time Rootcode client, Kujtim Salihu shared his appreciation for the company’s expertise and dedication: “Since partnering with Rootcode in 2020, I have witnessed their transformation from a small startup into a global technology powerhouse. Their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional solutions has played a significant role in our success. I trust Rootcode to be a partner in every venture I pursue, knowing they are driven by expertise and a passion for innovation.”

Rootcode’s ability to forge strong, long-lasting client relationships is a testament to its exceptional service quality. With over 100 talented employees and a customer base that spans the Nordic and North American regions, Rootcode continues to deliver impactful digital products to clients across the globe.

As Rootcode embarks on its second decade, it remains focused on advancing cutting-edge technologies, expanding its global presence, and continuing to make meaningful contributions to communities through its philanthropic efforts. Alagan Mahalingam’s vision for the future is clear – to lead the global tech industry while maintaining a deep commitment to innovation and social impact. Rootcode’s remarkable success story is a source of inspiration. By remaining true to its core mission of helping businesses succeed through great technology, Rootcode has built a legacy of growth, resilience, and forward-thinking innovation.

A groundbreaking event in Sri Lanka’s marine and offshore service sector, Voyage Sri Lanka 2024 Conference is to set sail on 26th November 2024 at Kingsbury Colombo.

The registration process is now open. Please visit www.voyagesrilanka.lk and secure your seat. The conference will spotlight the blue economy and showcase strengths, potential, and cutting-edge technologies in Sri Lanka’s marine and offshore services, as well as boat and ship building sectors.

Voyage Sri Lanka 2024 brings together the public & private sector stakeholders in the marine & offshore, and boat & ship building sectors, providing a unique platform for industry leaders, investors, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the future of the blue economy. This pioneering event will focus on sustainable practices, emerging technologies, and collaborative efforts to enhance Sri Lanka’s role as a global marine hub.

Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Board of Investment, Sri Lanka Navy, Chamber of Marine Industries, Colombo Dockyard, GAC Shipping and CWIT have partnered to initiate this worthy course.

.”Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned to leverage its maritime resources and expertise,” said Champika D. Dharamasena, Director General, Sri Lanka Export Development Board during the launch of the official website on “www.voyagesrilanka.lk”. “We are committed to developing our marine and offshore industries to meet global standards and to attract international partners.”

With Sri Lanka’s strategic location at the crossroads of major shipping routes, Voyage Sri Lanka 2024 aims to bolster the nation’s role in the global marine landscape. The event will cover a range of topics including Emerging Trends in Oil & Gas Sector in Sri Lanka, Exploring Sri Lanka’s offshore wind and other renewable energy potential, Current and future challenges in ship building and ship repair Industry, boat building industry and potential on fish exporting Industry among other things.