Mass Asia Group introduces ‘convenient stores’

Mass Asia Investments Ltd. is planning to launch several ‘Mini Super Markets’ in Sri Lanka. “These supermarkets will be similar to the much sought-after 7/11 style supermarkets commonly found in South East Asian countries,” said Mass Asia Group Chairman Dr. Aloka Wahalawatta.

The first ‘Colombay Super’ Mini Mart was already opened in Katuwawala, Boralesgamuwa and plans are to open two more this year in Kegalle and Negombo. The company plans to invest around Rs. 30 million for these operations for 2020. “Unlike 7/11 outlets we are offering more household items such as fish and meat, vegetables and other commodities. We have already carefully handpicked and selected regular suppliers who ensure high quality merchandise for us to market,” he said. 

He also said that due to regular lockdowns and curfews in some areas they also launched ‘colombay.com’ online home delivery system which is now very popular. Mass Asia Investments commenced operation in 2018 July as a lending arm and today is the fastest growing entity along with several business verticals.

“We have recorded a significant growth within a short span of our operations since our inception, marking record-breaking achievements for our societal contributions and earning recognition for our business model.” In just a short period, MASS Asia Investments have expanded our reach to Boralasgamuwa, Chilaw, Kegale, Kuliyapitiya, Nittambuwa, Ruwanwella and Negombo, with the express purpose of providing financial services to the market with an identified gap in reaching the Sri Lankan masses.

“We plan island wide penetration within the next couple of years with further diversified product portfolio, leveraging technology with digitisation, bundling our delivery with highly competitive and customised service standards with many ambitious plans for growth are set in our strategic directions,” he said.

Mass Asia Investments Ltd. financial products are, Consumer Loans, (Asia Saviya) Business Loans, (Asia Dirimaga) Micro Leasing (Mass Leasing) Micro Loans (Asia Aruna) and Gold Loans Mass Gold Loans. As a support to COVID-19 affected SME businesses ASIA investments will introduce new loan facilities to fulfil their technology requirements. “Mass Asia Investments will also help our customers who borrow from us to find new markets for their existing products and help to enhance existing products to meet market demand. We also take the extra mile to provide our customers with our marketing expertise to promote their products and help them to move up in the ladder.” 

Dr. Wahalawatta an accomplished, skilled senior sales and marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience in the industry was awarded ‘Deshamanya’ in 2016 for his outstanding contribution and service to the humanity due to his work helping the underprivileged sectors of society through the Lions Club International of Maharagama Golden City where he continues to be an active member. He now the GLT Coordinator for District 306C-2 (Global Leadership Team).

Renowned as an enthusiastic and forward-thinking leader and a trend setter in the financial services industry for his ability to provide creative and innovative solutions he then diversified to the Real Estate sector with Mass Properties and created, ‘Asia Aruna’ aimed at enabling economically disadvantaged rural entrepreneurs to obtain the required financing for developing their home-based business. ‘Mass Properties’ initiates a way forward to offer financial facilities together with assistance in identifying an appropriate land to build a customer’s home together with a range of support services.

Making another business vertical he introduced Mass leisure with a four-room luxury boutique hotel in Galle. “We plan to have more properties in Nuwara Eliya and other areas but have put our plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Rather than laying off staff and cutting down their wages I have now roped them to be suppliers/distributors of both ‘Colombay Super’ and colombay.com online home delivery system keeping them occupied and most important ensuring them of the better take home pay. Our commitment to ‘Safety First’ is our motto for ourselves and all stakeholders,” he said.