Business
Newly refurbished CBD Business Centre in Col-01 now available for rent
Cargo Boat Development Company PLC (CBD) – an associate company of the Renuka Hotels Group – has completed the refurbishment of its landmark building in Fort. The 38-year-old edifice underwent a Rs.609 million renovation over a period of one and a half years, and is now ready for occupancy by companies looking for contemporary office space in the heart of Colombo’s business district at a very reasonable rent.
The newly-renovated CBD Business Centre holds its prime Fort address at 41 Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1; located right opposite the Central Bank and is within walking distance of the World Trade Center. The building notably offers its residents the exclusive advantage of access through both Hospital Street and Janadhipathi Mawatha, with panoramic views overlooking Colombo city, its harbor, Port City, and the ocean. This commercial property is also within close proximity to a number of prominent commercial and state enterprises, major roads, public transport services, restaurants, banks, and other conveniences. Tenants looking for a prominent workplace environment stand to benefit greatly from this central location and accessibility.
The building houses a total of 54,400 sq. ft. of rentable, modern office space spread over 11 floors. Every 5,700 sq. ft. of office floor can be subdivided into two separate office spaces of 2,800 sq. ft, with each half office equipped with three sets of sanitary facilities and a pantry area. The rent is currently being offered at special introductory rates of Rs.195 per sq. ft (+ taxes) for office floors 1 to 9, and Rs.220 per sq. ft (+ taxes) for ground floor.
In addition to new masonry and electrical & plumbing infrastructure throughout the entire building, each floor has undergone significant renovation work and now boasts state-of-the-art and energy efficient central air conditioning and LED lighting systems, with separate electricity, water, and BTU meters for each office. Interior and common area renovations include a refurbished entrance lobby with reception, newly-installed service and passenger elevators, upgraded fire detection and security systems, and a cutting-edge 100% backup generator.
What truly distinguishes the property from other commercial spaces in the Fort area however, is its 36-vehicle capacity car park – 12 at the basement level, and 24 at the ground floor. Additional services include an on-site building management service, 24-hour security, CCTV in the common areas, a fire detection and protection system, and provision for cable internet.
“We have re-launched the CBD Business Centre with a contemporary new look and an upgraded suite of facilities and services,” said Niruja Thambiayah, Managing Director of CBD. “At a time when potential tenants are becoming increasingly discerning about the office space they take, we wanted to ensure that with this refurbishment, we tick all the boxes with respect to design, sustainability, functionality, and convenience.”
The renovation was undertaken by C1 contractor Sanken Construction (Pvt) Ltd, and the design conceptualised by a dedicated team at Avant Garde Urban Design Partnership.
CBD specializes in property development and property rentals and has been operating the industry for nearly 40 years. As part of the Renuka Hotels Group, it is led by several of the same executive directors.
In a landmark move towards digital transformation within Sri Lanka’s legal system, the Supreme Court officially launched online payment acceptance via GovPay, at a ceremony held on 15th May 2025 at the Supreme Court Complex in Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12, under the patronage of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, PC.
This digital initiative enables both legal professionals and general public to make real-time, secure online payments via any GovPay-enabled internet banking, mobile banking platforms and FinTech applications for a wide range of services offered by the Supreme Court including Brief Fees, Certified Copying Fees, Commercial High Court Appeal Filing Fees, Compensation, Cost, Enrollment Fees (Attorney-at-Law), Good Standing Certificate Fees, New Plaint Filing Fees, and Online Payments for Affidavits.
At the initial phase GovPay payments to Supreme Court has been enabled via several online banking platforms and FinTech apps including BOC Smart Pay Mobile App, Peoples Pay Mobile App, NSB Online Banking, Pan Asia Online Banking, Sampath Vishwa Online Banking, HNB PayFast, Seylan Bank Online Banking, DFCC Online Banking, NationsDirect Online Banking / NationsDirect Mobile App, ComBank Digital Online Banking and ComBank Digital Mobile App, NDB Neos Online Banking, Helakuru Mobile App, iPay Mobile App, FriMi Mobile App, Genie Mobile App. The integration with GovPay ensures secure, seamless, and transparent transactions, accessible from anywhere anytime, bringing a new level of convenience and efficiency to the legal community and the general public using courts. Moreover, the entire GovPay digital process, including the receipt which generated via the system are legally valid under the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006 (as amended).
Speaking at the launch, Chief Justice Murdu Fernando PC emphasized the significance of this initiative in modernizing the judicial system, stating that “This marks an important milestone in our journey towards a more accessible and technology-enabled judiciary. By embracing digital platforms such as GovPay, we are not only improving efficiency and transparency, but also enhancing public trust and ease of access to all stakeholders of the judicial system” , the Chief Justice stated.
Integration with GovPay aims to reduce the reliance on physical cash transactions, long queues, and administrative difficulties that have historically burdened court users as well as legal professionals. It also aligns with the national agenda of leveraging digital infrastructure to improve public service delivery.
The Supreme Court’s adoption of technology-based payments is expected to serve as a model for similar implementations across other courts of law throughout Sri Lanka. Several high-ranking legal professionals, officials from LankaPay, ICTA and representatives of the legal and banking sectors were present to witness this historic occasion.
This transformation is the result of collaboration between the Supreme Court Registrar, the Registry Staff, the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Digital Economy and key financial and technological institutions committed to enhancing digital inclusion within public institutions with the support of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
As the legal landscape evolves, digital platforms, such as GovPay, will play a critical role in ensuring the justice system remains adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready. The Supreme Court’s forward-thinking initiative is expected to pave the way for comprehensive judicial digitalization nationwide.
Fortude has announced a strategic partnership with Ettos, a leading supply chain traceability platform aimed at enabling fashion businesses to maintain more transparent processes and allowing customers to understand how their products are made. This collaboration will integrate traceability, compliance, and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) into a unified solution, helping fashion brands streamline their supply chains and enhance transparency.
Ettos’ platform simplifies the tracking of raw materials and the verification of sustainability claims. It offers a B2B web platform for managing traceability and compliance, along with a B2C web app that delivers DPPs to consumers via QR codes. Through this partnership, Fortude and Ettos will jointly expand their capabilities in the fashion sector, supporting clients from raw material sourcing to final product delivery.
Adriana Batty, Co-founder of Ettos, said, “We are happy to partner with Fortude, whose expertise in digital solutions and deep roots in the fashion industry align with our vision of creating a transparent global supply chain. Together, we will empower brands and consumers with verifiable sustainability insights.”
With over a decade of experience delivering digital solutions to global fashion brands, Fortude shares Ettos’ commitment to transforming supply chain transparency. Daniel Rodrigo, Senior Vice President Global Technical Consulting at Fortude added, “Our partnership with Ettos reinforces our mission to provide digital solutions that matter. For over a decade, we have been an Infor partner, delivering ERP solutions to numerous global fashion brands. As we broaden our vision to drive digital transformation, this partnership is a significant step toward driving meaningful change for fashion brands seeking enhanced transparency and compliance.”
This partnership marks a significant step forward in meeting the fashion industry’s growing demand for sustainability and transparency. Fortude and Ettos are dedicated to helping brands navigate complex supply chains with confidence, fostering a more sustainable future for fashion.
Turyaa Chennai, a premier five-star deluxe classified hotel under the Aitken Spence Hotels portfolio, celebrates a decade of redefining hospitality in one of South India’s most dynamic urban corridors.
Conceived by the visionary entrepreneur and Late Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC, Deshamanya D.H.S. Jayawardena, Turyaa Chennai was built on the belief that Aitken Spence warmth and world-class hospitality could find a meaningful home in India. Ten years on, his legacy continues—alive in every guest experience, every team member’s dedication, and every milestone the hotel celebrates.
Since its opening in 2015, Turyaa Chennai has become a trusted name in Chennai—offering warm service and contemporary comfort. Strategically located along Chennai’s IT expressway, the hotel has grown into a hospitality landmark for business travellers, international travellers, and local tastemakers. Its vibrant dining concepts, spacious rooms and suites, rooftop leisure areas, and exceptional service standards have made it a preferred address in the city.
To mark its 10th anniversary on 15th of May 2025, Turyaa Chennai is hosting a month-long series of celebrations in honour of its legacy and the people who helped shape it. These include religious blessings, a celebratory dinner for loyal guests and partners, an awards ceremony for team members, and culinary showcases that nod to the hotel’s South Indian and Sri Lankan heritage.
Turyaa Chennai (Aitken Spence Hotels) donates wheelchairs to Tamil Nadu Railways in collaboration with Geo India Foundation.
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