Shangri-La hotel gets off the ground
by P. Krishnaswamy
Minister of Economic Affairs Basil Rajapaksa, Deputy Minister of
Economic Affairs, Laksman Yapa Abeywardena and Shangri-La Asia Chairman
Kuok Khoon Ean cut the first sod of soil at the ground- breaking
ceremony at auspicious time 10.30 a.m. on Friday for the 660 room
state-of- the-art hotel project of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts at
the prime land opposite the Galle Face Green, amidst a large gathering
of foreign and local dignitaries and VVIPs, including Treasury Secretary
Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal and
Colombo Mayor, A.J.M. Muzammil.
The Hong Kong-based group bought 10 acres of state land in January
2011 and is hoping to open the hotel by mid-2015. Shangri-La is also
developing a second property, a 315 room ,city resort on approximately
145 acres of land in Hambantota. Shangri-La, one of the world's premier
hotel companies, already owns 72 hotels across 17 countries employing
over 40,000 people.
They are also hoping to set up 120 more hotels with 50,000 rooms.
Their first hotel project was launched in Singapore 41 years ago.
Prior to the ground- breaking ceremony ,Executive Director and Chief
Financial Officer, Shangri-La Asia Limited, Madhu Ramachandra Rao,
thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Basil Rajapaksa and other
Ministers for the assistance and cooperation rendered to make the hotel
project a success. Sri Lanka is a successful tourist destination, a
beautiful country with hospitable people and their projects would
contribute to the already fast-developing economy, he said.
Director - Shangri-La Hotels Lanka (Pvt) Ltd Sajad Mawzoon, Vice
Chairman of Kerry Group George Yong-Boon Yeo and Associate Director -
Finance, Shangri-La Asia Kuok Meng Xiong were also present.
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