“Invest in Sri Lanka?”at a seminar held in Moscow with Mr. Asanga Seneviratne
31 January 2015
Sri Lanka Ambassador in Russian Federation Udayanga Weeratunga with Mr. Asanga Seneviratne, founder of Anilana Hotels & Properties Limited was the keynote speaker at a seminar held in Moscow at hotel the 31 January 2015. Around 100 senior business executives, government representatives, and media representatives participated at this event, providing a unique opportunity to learn about the particularities of the Sri Lanka market. The theme of the seminar was “Why Invest in Sri Lanka”.
Without any doubt, Sri Lanka and Russia are different countries with different cultures, traditions, needs, market regulations and business environment. Despite the diversities, there has always been a close connection between our country and Russian Federation. Our recent political and economic development shows that Sri Lanka is one of the potential destinations for worldwide investors. The objective of this seminar was to help Russian investors adapt to the competitive environment by relocating their investments to low-cost Sri Lanka.
At this seminar, A few investment projects were also brought to the notice by Ambassador Weeratunga. Russian Investors received complete market information about Sri Lanka and additional details about the Kankasanthurai Cement Factory and Hambantota International Port & airport
Ambassador Weeratunga further stated “There are several investment opportunities especially for infrastructure development in the north east region. Through the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Mission in Russia is ready to provide any assistance and support. During the question and answer session, questions were raised by the participants which is clearly highlighted that the enthusiasm of Russian investors to do business with Sri Lanka.
Asanga Seneviratne Managing Director
Mr. Asanga Seneviratne is the founder of Anilana Hotels & Properties Limited, spearheading the launch of the “Anilana” brand, which he owns. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Nation Lanka Finance PLC. Mr. Seneviratne was previously a director of Taru Villas Holdings (Pvt) Limited where he was instrumental in developing the hotel chain of Taru Villas, as well as being a Director and Chief Executive Officer of Asia Capital PLC, a public quoted Company on the Colombo Stock Exchange (since 1994). Mr. Seneviratne was previously Managing Director of Asia Securities (Pvt) Ltd, and Chief Executive Officer of Asia Capital Ltd. He has also served as Chairman of the Stock Brokers Association of Sri Lanka (2005/2006), and is currently a Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Mr. Seneviratne pioneered on-line trading in Sri Lanka through investor Access Asia (Pvt) Ltd with CDAX, the first on-line trading system in Sri Lanka, enabling direct access to the Colombo Stock Exchange for the first time, directly from the clients’ personal computer. He has been involved in key capital market and private investment deals that have taken place in Sri Lanka over the last 20 years, promoting many Direct Investments in Sri Lanka from large Foreign Institutions such as Credit Agricole-Indosuez W.I.Carr, Regent Fund Management, Auerbach Grayson & Company. As well as high net-worth individuals such as Dr. Sena Yaddehige and S.K. Tiog (Malaysia). He has been instrumental in promoting many investor conferences in Sri Lanka.
With more than 20 years of extensive finance and investment experience with Asia Securities and Asia Capital, together with his experience within the hospitality industry, Mr. Seneviratne is well equipped to lead the emerging Anilana Group of Companies and successfully achieve their progressive business and expansion stratergies, building a new and profitable brand which is quality driven.
