New firm set up to care for needs of Lankan expats abroad

Caring Hands Lanka Ltd, a unique Company, which concentrates on looking after the needs of the Sri Lankan expatriates based abroad with local interests here, has just commenced operations. It is believed to be the first service of its kind in the world.

Caring Hands Lanka Ltd. is a 100% Sri Lankan Company registered in Colombo, set up with the sole purpose of serving Sri Lankan expatriates. On their behalf, the company will take care of their property, business and personal interests in Sri Lanka, so that they are free from these worries and burdens. They can then concentrate on dealing with the day-to-day demands on their lives overseas.

The Board of Directors comprises: Chairman Lucky Wikramanayake, an eminent Lawyer,

Managing Director/CEO Lasantha (Bunchie) de Silva, an International Commodity Trader/Quality Controller, Executive Director/COO Suresh Murugaser, a Leisure Industry veteran, and Non-executive Directors are Ranil Bibile, a Hospitality Industry expert, Mohideen Bawa, a well-experienced Accountant and Entrepreneur, and Shyamica Fernando, a well-known personality in the Tea Trade.

The Directors count several years experience at top corporates here and abroad, thereby giving its potential customers the peace of mind that they are dealing with a reputed Company.

The easy-to-use website www.caringhandslanka.com has all the details of the services being offered. It costs just US$40 per month (payable a year in advance) to become registered as a customer, after which all services are provided on a cost plus 10% basis. An additional US$500 refundable deposit is also payable at the time of registration, to cover the cost of any expenses incurred on behalf of customers. The customer will “top up” this deposit based on services quoted, agreed upon and invoiced by Caring Hands. All transactions will be conducted on the Internet via a secure payment gateway.

Commenting on the Company, its founder and Managing Director Lasantha de Silva stated “This has been a long-standing dream of ours coming true. An immense amount of research has been conducted overseas – the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy – over the last few years.”

“In addition to looking after their interests here, with the growing number of senior citizens in Sri Lanka living alone as their children live abroad, we felt there was a need to cater to that market too,” he added.

Suresh Murugaser, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer elaborated “Since many of the Directors have lived abroad for a good part of their lives, we realised the need for such a service. It has taken us a lot of work to put all this together, and we are confident that the business will grow exponentially in a short time.”

 “Another service the Company is providing is ancillary services like basic plumbing, electrical work, running errands for busy executives or retired people, who find it difficult to do these themselves. These could include banking, paying phone, electricity and water bills, doing grocery shopping, delivering and collecting gas cylinders, laundry or medicines.”

All this costs just Rs. 1000/- per month paid quarterly in advance plus Rs. 400 per minimum 2-hour stint. Of course, the plumbing and electricity will be charged based on the job done.

The Company expects that its prospects will be bright due to the burgeoning ageing population and number of double-income families in the country, coupled with the ever-increasing costs of domestic help.