US based firm to build boutique hotels in SL

Shirajiv Sirimane

Heli Associates international Pvt Ltd based in California, USA, would be investing over Rs. 400 million to build three boutique hotels in Sri Lanka. Managing Director of the group, Asoka Fonseka told the 'Daily News Business' that they would build a five room hotel in Mawanella. "We have already acquired the land for this project and the building would commence this year," he said.

Their second hotel would come up in Kataragama, where the group hopes to build a 10 room hotel.

Fonseka said that they were looking for a small property in Nuwara Eliya to build their third hotel which would be a five room property. "We are also looking to have an 'open house' where different flavors of tea would be served with the 'colonial' touch.

He said that funds within the group would be generated for the project and they were hopeful with the current high arrival pattern to Sri Lanka, they would be able to break even in three years. "We are also hoping to market this hotel in USA," he said.

Fonseka said that they were also looking at investing on a bottle water manufacturing factory.

Fonseka who is also the Country Director for JVD branded equipments for hotel, said that they were hoping to introduce disposable items such as caps for Chefs, to their portfolio. "In addition, we would also introduce the world's first bio metric safety locker for hotels."

These products would be launched at the Hotel show which will begin on July 13 at the BMICH. Top officials of the JVD group too would attend the event.