Thailand's Centara And Minor Lead Lanka Charge

Centara Hotels & Resorts will open two properties in the emerging tourism destination of Sri Lanka. The 126-room Centara Passikudah Resort and 166-room Centara Ceysands Resort in popular Bentota will both open this year.
While another Thai hospitality group Minor in a joint venture with Sri Lankan firm Serendib Leisure have the 105-room Avani Kalutra and 138-room Anantara Kalutara in the pipeline.
In other news in the break-up of the Six Senses chain, founder Sonu Shivdasani is concentrating on expanding the spun off Soneva brand. A 71-villa luxury resort with private beachfront residences is underway in Ahungalla with Aitken Spence Hotels. Plans call for a 2014 debut.
Meanwhile according to local media source the Daily Mirror two Shangri-La projects located in Colombo and Hambantota are working to a 2015 completion. As another international chain Moevenpick will start taking guests in Colombo next year, as well a 306 room Sheraton.
News here on the ground is seeing China continue to make major inroad in direct foreign investment (FDI). National flag carrier SriLankan Airlines are set to double up airlift to the mainland with service to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.