Hayleys expands in tourism here and abroad
Hayleys PLC has set its sights on more expansions in its tourism footprint locally as well as overseas. Officials said that negotiations are on with local parties to buy luxury properties and a foreign resort by the conglomerate which is the third largest resort operator in the country. According to them, Hayleys has ongoing negotiations with the Anilana Group of hotels owned by businessman, Asanga Senevirathna. The other property is in the Maldives. “We’re still discussing the deal on Anilana property and we’re into the last stages in finalising the property in Maldives,” an official told the Business Times.
The Anilana Group has three upscale properties in Pasikudah, Nilaveli and Nuwara Eliya. Anilana had plans to enhance its comparative advantage of owning large blocks of prime, beachfront properties in Nilaveli, Pasikudah, Panichchankerni, Selladiv Island, Vakarai, Trincomalee and a well-located property in Dambulla, by building luxury hotels and custom designed villas. It’s likely that Hayleys will see through some of these plans, the official added. Hayleys PLC has an aggregate room portfolio of 372 rooms. Seven properties fall under the group’s purview as at official data last year. With the acquisition of Amaya Beach in Passikudah in 2014 the company made its entry to the East Coast of the country.