Category: People & Events

Colombo’s once static skyline is now in the midst of a vast transformational process and at the forefront of this immense development is Shangri-La, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel, resort and residential group, with its very first mixed development project, One Galle Face.

A rendition of the luxury apartment, the ‘New Show Suite’, located inside the actual towering 51 floor high residential structure, welcomed media for an exclusive sneak preview at an event held recently. The Group was pleased to announce recently that the construction on, The Residencies at One Galle Face, the fully integrated residential towers, was in line with development plans.

“We are very happy to state that development on this iconic oceanfront property has now gained momentum and is in accordance to our plans,” stated Rajeev Garg, Deputy General Manager and Director of Finance, Shangri-La Hotels Lanka (Pvt) Limited at an event held exclusively for the media. “This is a soft launch of the New Show Suite exclusively for media and we are planning on a separate launch soon for both our valuable existing and potential buyers,” added Rajeev.

The New Show Suite is a four bedroom unit of 2,765 square feet, the show flat will comprise of living area, dining, dry and wet pantry, bedrooms, three bathrooms, a maid’s room, bathroom and yard, all of which will epitomize the exacting lavish standards that will be upheld throughout the entirety of the property development.

All in all, The Residencies at One Galle Face will feature 390 apartments, consisting of two, three and four bedroom units. Additionally, it will contain 16 penthouses, offering eight Duplex and eight Simplex units. The exclusive address and unmatched lifestyle experiences come together as the ideal integrated development for foreign investors, expatriates and an expanding class of influential Sri Lankans.

Every room and suite in the residential tower offer spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, Galle Face Green or Beira Lake. Coupled with tranquil interiors and natural landscaping, every aspect has been meticulously detailed to create a perfect sanctuary in the heart of Colombo’s central business district.

Lofty ceilings, spacious interiors, and exquisitely-appointed bathrooms and fixtures all come together to form the essence of luxury living, afforded by the hallmark quality of Shangri-La. Designed for flexibility, the study room can be an oasis for quiet rejuvenation, or an enviably expansive space when integrated with the master bedroom.

The Residencies at One Galle Face is also all about exclusive convenience bolstered by exquisite comfort. In line with this, the upscale contemporary collaboration of Shangri-La Hotel, Residences, Office and Retail will offer residents world-class shopping and dining, an exclusive residents club, an on-site supermarket and an international grade office tower, right at their doorstep, as well as doorstep access to the integrated services of the Shangri-La Hotel. Additionally, not forgetting the importance of joyful childhood moments, the mixed development project will also feature a kids’ zone, a Cineplex and a myriad of entertainment options.

“Today marks a special day as we officially open the New Show Suite to media. This is going to be a great place to live in. The Residencies at One Galle Face ticks all of the boxes of luxury living; idyllic location, incredible view, tranquil interiors and convenience for all our residents,” commented Neluka de Alwis, Head of Sales and Marketing (Residential), Shangri-La Hotels Lanka (Pvt) Limited at the event.

Commencing with its first deluxe hotel in 1971 in Singapore, today, Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is one of Asia Pacific’s top luxury hotel groups. Considered to be one of the world’s finest hotel ownership and management companies with 100 hotels and resorts throughout Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Europe, they are grouped under brands Shangri-La Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels, Traders Hotels, Kerry Hotels and Hotel Jen.

The address One Galle Face alone embodies the luxury lifestyle and elegance that the Shangri-La Group stands for globally, and is poised to transform Colombo with unparalleled levels of class and sophistication, redefining cosmopolitan living in the city.

Record breaking crowds of automotive enthusiasts thronged the BMICH over the last weekend to be a part of the Ceylon Motor Show 2017, Sri Lanka’s single largest showcase of the very latest in the motor vehicle industry alongside their counterparts from the classic and vintage era dating back to the 1900s.

Registering attendance in excess of 25,000 visitors at the end of its third day – almost double the number of visitors at its previous edition, Ceylon Motor Show 2017 also carried a display of over 60 brands by 25 franchise holders from the Ceylon Motor Traders Association.

Enthusiasm for the event was at a fever pitch as visitors were given unique access and insight into some of the biggest and most popular brands of cars, SUVs, trucks, buses and bikes – even getting the opportunity to step into the driver’s seat and experience the hum of some of the most powerful vehicles in Sri Lanka.

Standing side-by-side with the industry’s very latest were a collection of over 130 of the finest and rarest classic and vintage cars and bikes displayed by the Classic Car Club of Ceylon, together with a restoration corner, where visitors were provided valuable insights into the skills and processes at work in keeping some of these timeless classics in pristine condition.

“We have been overwhelmed by the immense and unwavering support that we received for the Ceylon Motor Show 2017, from the general public and from our main sponsor, Sri Lanka Insurance Motor Plus, our electronic and print media partners, and outdoor partners who came together to make this event the tremendous success that it was.

“The feedback that we have received has been extremely encouraging for our team of organisers. We had many visitors making an effort to tell us how they appreciated the standard at this year’s iteration of the Ceylon Motor Show which many said had truly been of an international quality. Hence this year’s exhibition will almost certainly set the standard for future events in time to come,” said Ceylon Motor Traders Association Chairman, Mr. Reeza Rauf.

Further three brand new ranges of vehicles – including premium sports cars, SUVs, and Hatchbacks – were also officially launched into the Sri Lankan market at this year’s event.

Jointly organized by The Ceylon Motor Traders Association and The Classic Car Club of Ceylon in partnership with main sponsor Sri Lanka Insurance Motor Plus, the Ceylon Motor Show is currently the only exhibition of its kind in Sri Lanka to enjoy mass industry support and participation.

“This year’s event was a tremendous success and we were very satisfied with the massive exposure and the outpouring of support for the classic cars at this year’s Ceylon Motor Show 2017. We thank our members, organisers, sponsors and fans for their continuing efforts and look forward with great enthusiasm to even greater success at the next Ceylon Motor Show,” said Classic Car Club of Ceylon President, Mrs. Ramani Ponnambalam.

YES FM, Legends 96.9, Sirasa FM, TV1 and Sirasa TV served as electronic media partners, and Official Outdoor Digital Signage Partner: Emerging Media.

 

Sri Lanka. Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd unveiled the new MINI Clubman to conquer the premium compact segment. The new model offers the highest level of everyday practicality, long distance suitability, versatility and ride comfort ever seen in a MINI.

With four doors and the characteristic split doors at the rear, five fully-fledged seats and a generously sized, versatile interior, the new MINI Clubman meets all the requirements of the compact class in terms of functionality in its own unconventional way, migrating from its youthful exuberance to a mature responsible outlook, much similar to its customers who have been a part of MINI. Individual style, outstanding driving fun and the quality level of a premium automobile, makes it an exceptional phenomenon that allows additional target groups to get a taste of the distinctive MINI feeling.

Heinz Reuter, Chairman of Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd said, “When the MINI Clubman was first presented in 2007, it was responding to a desire for space to accommodate more passengers and luggage as well as to expectations of a 21^st century automobile in terms of comfort, safety and efficiency. Today, the new MINI Clubman far surpasses its predecessor not only in dimensions but in providing an enhanced driving experience packed with more technology and innovations than ever before.”

Ranjith Jayawardena, Director Marketing at Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd. said, “We are thrilled to offer the new MINI Clubman to our fans in Sri Lanka. On top of its much-loved signature split rear doors, drivers will also enjoy greater accessibility and everyday usability thanks to its four full-sized side doors. With its powerful fusion of sleek lines, innovative touches and first-rate materials, we believe the new MINI Clubman will turn heads on the road and deliver a classic MINI driving experience that will appeal to MINI fans and car enthusiasts alike.”

 Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd the authorized importer for MINI with a history spanning more than two decades in Sri Lanka, offers the latest MINI models to the market and globally benchmarked standard of service through its Service Help Desk and technically proficient team of sales persons.

Among the after sales services available to MINI owners in Sri Lanka at Prestige Automobile (Pvt) Ltd are a spare parts department, BMW-trained technicians and a state-of-the-art workshop with BMW-specified diagnostic devices. A MINI purchased from Prestige Automobile comes equipped with country specific interior, exterior and engine modifications and a two-year standard manufacturer warranty, which is extendable up to five years if required.

Be the first to see the new MINI Clubman on Sunday 26 March 2017 from 10am to 5pm at the MINI Showroom in Colombo 8. For this Open House event MINI invites all their fans to get a personal experience and introduction to the MINI Clubman.

 

February 9, 2017, Colombo:  Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., a part of the USD 17.8 billion Mahindra Group based in India, today announced its entry into three new businesses in Sri Lanka with the debut of Truck & Bus, Construction Equipment and Powerol businesses in the island nation. The company will set up these three new businesses in partnership with M/s Ideal Motors Ltd, its long standing partner of over 8 years.

Mahindra has strengthened its position in Sri Lanka over the last 8 years with its wide range of Pick Ups and now it is set to further bolster its position in the island nation with the introduction of a new range of products and equipment from the Mahindra stable. Under the Truck & Bus category, Mahindra launched the Blazo 49, Traco 40, Torro 25 Tipper, Loadking Optimo and Cosmos range of Buses. The range of Construction Equipment will include one of the most efficient backhoe loaders, the Mahindra Earthmaster SX 4WD and Mahindra Powerol will offer a range of 7.5 kVA – 200 kVA Diesel Generators (DG). This is part of the company’s strategy to enhance its presence in the country.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Sanjay Jadhav, Vice President, Head of International Operations – (South Asia), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said. “We are delighted to launch the Mahindra range of trucks and buses, construction equipment and diesel generators in Sri Lanka, which has strategic importance for Mahindra in the South Asia region. Mahindra vehicles have carved a distinct niche for themselves in Sri Lanka with their unique combination of rugged utility and style. Our partner, Ideal Motors is one of Sri Lanka’s most established automobile companies and their sound knowledge of the local market coupled with professional expertise have ensured our success. Going forward, we are confident that our new range of products will set new benchmarks and help us to further entrench brand Mahindra in the market”.

Speaking on its association with Mahindra in Sri Lanka Nalin Welgama, Chairman, Ideal Motors Ltd. said,” We are proud of our association with Mahindra which has endured over the past 8 years.  Our objective is to offer world-class products to our customers at competitive prices. With their tough and rugged DNA, we believe that Mahindra vehicles and equipment have a strong value proposition which will make these the preferred option in their respective segments. It is an exciting opportunity for Ideal Motors as we diversify our product portfolio and assist the Mahindra Group in expanding its business footprint in the country.”

Today, Mahindra is present in the automotive segment through its channel partner, M/s Ideal Motors, a large conglomerate and a respected name in the country. Ideal Motors has also inaugurated exclusive Truck & Bus showrooms in Colombo, Kandy and Yakala with plans to further expand to five additional locations over the next 6 months, to ensure a differentiated experience to the customers.

About Mahindra

The Mahindra Group is a USD 17.8 billion federation of companies that enables people to rise through innovative mobility solutions, driving rural prosperity, enhancing urban living, nurturing new businesses and fostering communities. It has a leadership position in utility vehicles, information technology, financial services and vacation ownership in India and is the world’s largest tractor company, by volume.  It also enjoys a strong presence in agribusiness, components, commercial vehicles, consulting services, energy, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, steel, aerospace, defence and two wheelers. Headquartered in India, Mahindra employs over 200,000 people across 100 countries.

 

Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail clothing stores with over 16 outlets islandwide, opened their 17^th store in the heart of Wellawatte, popularly known as Shoppers Paradise in time for the Avurudhu season!

Located at No 38, Galle Road Wallawatta the brand new Fashion Bug is located on three floors and is stocked with a wide range of ladies, gents, and kids wear, while beautiful and useful home ware as well as accessories to suit every occasion and style are on sale for the discerning shopper.

In addition, a dedicated counter for a stunning range of ethnic and fusion wear which includes

sarees, shalwars and kurthas will also be available, while closer to Avurudhu, yet another new consignment of goods will be on sale for your selection .

Customers who thronged the store were ‘wowed’ by the range of goods available while a 10% discount on the day of the opening on all goods purchased served as an added incentive.

Speaking at the opening, Director Fashion Bug, Shabier Subian said “Wellawatta has become a shopping hub. As we don’t have an outlet between Colpetty and Katubedda we decided it was high time we do so and open up in ‘Shoppers Paradise’”.

Subsequent to the cutting of the ribbon and lighting of the oil lamp, shopping was the order of the day with something to be had for everyone, with refreshments being served to all the happy shoppers who thronged the store!

Fashion Bug was founded in 1994 in Bandarawela with a 7 member team, the first shop being a mere 500 square feet in Bandarawela town. The brainchild of Founders Mr. Rizal and Ashan

Subian and   Mr. A.C.M. Thariq, today it has evolved into a household brand that boasts of 18 outlets islandwide. Fashion Bug currently numbers over 1250 Sri Lankan men and women amongst its staff, who hail from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities; hence they constitute a truly Sri Lankan corporate entity. An equal opportunity employer, Fashion Bug prides itself on the fact that they invest in their employees, which they believe is a key to their success. Very high on the Company’s list of priorities is the preservation of racial and ethnic harmony and unity which is evidenced by the fact that all communities and religions work side by side at Fashion Bug’s outlets and factories.

“Not just Fashion Bug, but for any business to prosper and go forward we must all act as one united country and as one people”, said Dr S.H.M Faraaz, Deputy General Manager at Fashion Bug

All outlets currently stock ladies, gents and children’s clothing, as well as household linen. Both Eastern as well as Western wear is on sale, while a range of designer saris, kurthis and salwars, together with accessories, handbags, shoes, etc in a range of designs and colours to suit all tastes are available. “In addition to the array of our very own brands, we also feature international brands such as Levis, Crocodile and Triumph in our showrooms, while the increasingly popular amante brand too is on sale” said Subian.

Other than the 1250 employees who are currently on the payroll, Fashion Bug sustains over 2000 Sri Lankan men and women via the supplier chain that manufactures their own brands such as Givo, Posh, Hush, Jobbs, Bigg Boss, Rock Star and Bug Junior. ‘Some of our suppliers who have been with us since inception have grown from SMEs to large factories side by side with us and we take pride in their success”, said Chairman Fashion Bug, Mr. Rizal Subian. He went on to say that customers could look forward to an array of quality goods that are on par with those available anywhere, whilst current trends will also be catered to for the forthcoming Avurudhu season.

Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 22, 2017:

Expert shoemakers, Clarks launched its 3^rd store in Colombo today through their sole distributor in Sri Lanka, D. Samson & Sons (Pvt.) Ltd. The store brings to the city Clarks’ beautifully crafted Spring/Summer 2017 collections for men and women.

Spread over 480 square feet, the store will be located in Colombo 4 and will offer a premium range of British key signature styles for the season. The brand juxtaposes vintage British styling with contemporary tailoring to fulfil everyday requirements of work, leisure and travel, and bears a strong resemblance to British roots taking pride in its nearly two centuries old heritage.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sanjay Pandey, Business Head, Clarks India said, “We have received a very positive and encouraging response from this market and we are very happy to be expanding our footprints in Colombo. Being the experts in footwear industry coupled with beautifully crafted shoes that are on trend, we are hopeful to cater to the needs of the city. With a great partner here in Colombo, we are certain this store will be welcomed warmly.”

Mr. Thusitha Rajapaksa, Managing Director, D. Samson & Sons (Pvt) Ltd. added, “We are very happy to announce the launch of our 3^rd store in Colombo in association with Clarks. We have had a great partnership with Clarks and we hope to continue bringing the best of footwear trends to Colombo through this partnership.”

Clarks launched its first store in India in April 2011 through a joint venture with the Future Group and today owns 60 standalone stores in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The joint ventures have been very successful and now they are all set to expand into more Asian countries through the same partnerships.

Apart from the standalone stores, the brand is also available in shop-in-shop formats and one Origin store managed by D. Samson & Sons (Pvt.) Ltd. Clarks has presence in Shops-in-shops and multi-brand retail stores in several countries around the world.

 

About Clarks

From contemporary looks inspired by the catwalk to shoes that put growing feet in safe hands, one name says it all: Clarks.

Clarks began in a tiny English village called Street, in Somerset in 1825. Today the business is still based in Street, but manufactures and markets globally, selling close to 35 million pairs of shoes a year. The international design team takes inspiration from the archive and the rich melting pot that is British culture. Every Clarks shoe is made the proper way, blending traditional craft with cutting edge innovation and technology.

 

About D. Samson & Sons (Pvt.) Ltd.

 Samson & Sons (Pvt) Ltd is the main marketing and distribution arm of the DSI Samson Group and is also one of the largest retail networks in the country that provides footwear, accessories and apparel to the local customer. The company is the only distributor of local footwear brands; DSI, Ranpa, Samsons, Jessica, Silviar, Waves, Beat, DSI Supersport and AVI, while also serving as the distributor of international brands such as, Reebok, Puma, Fila, Clarks, Florsheim and Redtape. The network of the organization spans more than 200 company outlets, 4000 dealers and 39 sales representatives island wide.

Leading intimate apparel label amanté invites every woman to tap into the wanderer within, as it brings its Spring/Summer 2017 collection to the shelves. ‘Wanderess’ was launched at Arq Style House on Friday, 10 March. Guests holding a quirky postcard invitation mingled with the amanté team at the launch as they immersed themselves in the Wanderess collection.

Drawing inspiration from a love of travel and discovery, especially among young women, the SS17 collection borrows from nature in colour, texture and print. Wanderess is trend-right, following hot on the heels of catwalk collections by Dior and D&G to create lingerie that plays with unusual laces, crochet patterns and linear layers. As a base, the collection uses matte and shine jacquard material and print elements based on dreamy and exotic florals.

The colour palette is inspired by landscapes across the continents. The glimpse of orange just before the sun sinks into the ocean, the soft blues of the early morning sky–and lends excitement to them with vivid colours such as Virtual Pink, Sunkist Coral and Red Dahlia.

amanté is the first Sri Lankan brand to design silhouettes for the South Asian woman with a distinctively runway edge. “Each of these products are inspired by the love of travel, which resonates strongly with the spirited woman we cater our products to,” shared Sasanka Bandara, General Manager-amanté Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. “Travel and lingerie might seem like an unusual combination, but in reality every woman will add lingerie to her wardrobe when she makes a trip. And who doesn’t want to be reminded of their holidays during more mundane days? With this in mind, the collection was designed to bring excellent support, comfort and style as always, but with a wanderlust inspired twist.”

To evoke its core theme, the Wanderess collection employs five styles: Lacy Twirl, a padded and wired bra with a layered linear pattern reminiscent of shifting desert sands; Floral Touch, a full cover moulded wireless bra with a smooth and continuous front; Chic Crochet, a demi cup with convenient front closure and a crochet lace racerback placement for tank tops and tees to beat the heat; Tropical Crochet, a plunge style with a lower centre-front for lower necklines and a tropical print to evoke island adventures; and Spring Breeze, a non-wired silhouette in dreamy monochrome floral with a pop of colour.

At the launch, guests enjoyed an immersive fashion experience. The campaign images employed projection photography which was replicated at the event, projecting scenic locations on to a backdrop for guest photographs. This was followed by a short runway event for the Wanderess Collection and amanté’s latest swimwear, debuting just ahead of the upcoming holiday season.

The collection will be available at the flagship amanté store at the Racecourse mall in Colombo 07 and Kandy City Centre, where experienced fit consultants can guide customers to make the choice that fits best. The brand is also available at leading modern trade retail outlets island-wide. It is also available on the amanté e-commerce site global.amantelingerie.com for global shipping and delivery.

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) proudly donned the overall crown of being Sri Lanka’s most transparent company at the ACCA Sri Lanka Sustainability Reporting Awards, under the aegis of chief guest Resident Coordinator, UN Sri Lanka and Resident Representative, UNDP Sri Lanka Una McCauley.  JKH also topped the Conglomerates and Diversified category, while Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) further etched its corporate stewardship by emerging Runner Up overall and winning the Retail and Trading category. The fifteen awards presented across seven industry categories demonstrated a comprehensive coverage of the three fundamental pillars of sustainability, namely economic, social and environment and were selected from nearly sixty applicants judged by an expert panel of judges headed by Franklyn Amerasinghe.

 

In the banking category, Sampath Bank emerged the winner while HNB came in runner up, while Expolanka Holdings was the runner up in the Conglomerates & Diversified category.  Winning the Financial Services & Insurance category was Union Assurance with the Runner Up being Citizens Development Business Finance, while in the Retail & Trading sector Runner Up was American & Efird Lanka.  John Keells Hotels and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings were adjudged Winner and Runner Up in the Leisure & Connected Services and Nawaloka Hospitals won the General Services & Utilities category. Seemasahitha Sanasa Rakshana Samagama was the winner in the SME category and Vidulanka PLC emerge Runner Up.

March 20^th 2017 Colombo Sri Lanka: The eternal beauty of dazzling diamonds, ethereal emeralds, resplendent rubies and sparkling sapphires set against the aquiline silhouettes of contemporary leather, spotlighted the magnificent legacy of Colombo Jewellery Stores as it showcased an impressive collection denoting Ninety Five Years of Timeless Glamour at CFW 2017. As the svelte models walked the runway at Sri Lanka’s biggest fashion festival, the nuances of a sophisticated design legacy that began in 1922 in the historic port city of Galle and traversed the globe, intertwined vignettes of the avant garde, ceaselessly transcending nearly a century of craftsmanship, curated design and unparalleled quality. The artistry and creativity that remains the quintessence of the heart and soul of CJS was brought to life with each pair of earrings, bracelet, ring, cuff and necklace, each making a bold statement about the empowered modern woman.

The fascinating discovery within some of the 95 designs in the Timeless Glamour Collection walking the ramp at CFW also highlighted the CJS commitment to saving the elephant in the wild and mitigating the human-elephant conflict highly prevalent in villagers spanning the elephant corridors. CJS unveiled the new pilot PachyDRONE project in partnership with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Society to monitor, manage and save the majestic pachyderm using drone technology. This non-threatening device which closely resembles the noise of humming bees, induces elephants to flee from areas where they could pose a serious threat to people, crops and property and is the ideal tool in not only alleviating the extinction of this majestic being but also in mitigating human-elephant conflict. In this social responsibility initiative, CJS declared that a percentage of the sales of the Timeless Glamour Collection will contribute towards the funding of PachyDRONE.

As Chairman of Akram Cassim mentioned in a post-show interview, “Over 95 years, CJS has transformed the concept of design and creativity into a hallmark of individual style and elegance, all the while affirming our founding core values of uncompromising quality, unparalleled craftsmanship and unmatched customer service. This collection epitomizes the legacy that my grandfather Thaha Cassim envisioned 95 years ago in its journey of timeless beauty, grace and style.”

Adding that the axiom of ‘Diamonds are forever’ inspired the concept of infinitude in this collection, Akram says, “Just as CJS has stood the test of time, our responsibility is to ensure that people understand that elephants in the wild play a fundamental role in the ecological balance.” Since 2014, CJS has become an interactive collaborator in a pilot project to save elephants in the wild in Wasgamuwa. Last year, CJS was instrumental in giving the villagers the ‘Elebus’ for safe transportation through elephant corridors in the village and also initiated a trilingual mobile awareness exhibition that travelled around Sri Lanka.