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Thursday, 20 November 2014 01:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Ground breaking ceremony of ITC Colombo One yesterday: From left Colombo Mayor A. J. M. Muzammil, Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha , Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, ITC Chairman Y. C. Deveshwar and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal - Pic by Lasantha Kumara
The groundbreaking ceremony for the iconic luxury hotel and residences ITC Colombo One took place yesterday, in the presence of Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha and ITC Ltd. Chairman Y.C. Deveshwar. ITC is one of India’s largest multi-business enterprises. Other dignitaries who were present at this auspicious occasion included Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Army Commander Lieutenant General R.M. Daya Ratnayake. Situated along the picturesque coastline overlooking the historic Galle Face Green, ITC Colombo One is likely to offer about 350 rooms in the first phase, more than 130 luxury residences, world-class banqueting and cuisine experiences for which ITC Hotels is globally-renowned, as well as retail and full service office space. Located between the oceanfront and the Beira Lake, the hotel will offer panoramic views of the Indian Ocean as well as the city of Colombo. ITC Hotels is India’s largest luxury hotel chain and is a part of ITC Ltd., a leading diversified enterprise in India. With a market cap of over $ 45 billion, ITC’s businesses in India span FMCGs, hotels, paperboards, paper and packaging, agri business and Information Technology. ITC Hotels is also internationally-acclaimed for its cuisine excellence with globally-awarded brands such as Bukhara, Dum Pukht and Dakshin and also for its indigenous spa brand Kaya Kalp. ITC Hotels has set global benchmarks in its services, integrating personalisation with state-of-the-art technology to deliver planet positive luxury experiences to its guests. Commenting on ITC’s investment in Sri Lanka, ITC Chairman Deveshwar said: “India and Sri Lanka have shared a common heritage in the sub-continent and have generations of rich socio-cultural ties. ITC Colombo One will build on this heritage and strengthen our relations even further. ITC dedicates this project to Sri Lanka and to its future progress and prosperity. I am sure that this landmark hotel will add a jewel to the crown of Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector.” With an investment outlay of around $ 300 million, this luxury hotel will be ITC’s maiden overseas foray in the hospitality sector. ITC Colombo One is inspired by the rich cultural ethos of Sri Lanka, its history and architecture. Uniquely differentiated with superior environmental design, the hotel is slated to achieve a LEED Platinum rating. This echoes ITC’s triple bottomline approach to business which has inspired ITC Hotels’ credo of ‘Responsible Luxury’, an endeavour which is manifest in the highest rating accorded to green buildings in the world – LEED platinum, for all its luxury hotels – making it the ‘greenest luxury hotel chain in the world’.
