Fairway Leisure Sector is preparing for a major expansion of its hospitality portfolio, with plans to reach at least 500 room keys by the end of the current financial year. Through its travel and hospitality arm, Fairway Travel, the group is also expanding its nationwide network to facilitate seamless round tours and capitalize on the country’s growing tourism activity.
Chief Executive Officer of the Leisure Sector, Basheer Cader, who has more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, said the group’s strategy is focused on connecting key tourist destinations across Sri Lanka through a combination of strategic property acquisitions and asset-light management agreements.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Cader said the Northern Province is a key focus of the group’s expansion plans. With regional air connectivity increasing and Jaffna currently receiving around four to five flights a day, Fairway plans to establish a cluster of three properties in the region. The properties are expected to support both short-haul visitors and tourists undertaking round tours from Jaffna to other destinations in the North.
The group is also progressing with acquisitions and management agreements in several major tourism hubs. Among its plans is the acquisition of a distressed hotel in Dambulla currently under bank receivership, for approximately Rs. 250 million.
In Trincomalee, Fairway is preparing to take over the management of Trincomalee Beach Resort & Spa, owned by a Sri Lankan investor based in Canada. The resort is set to undergo a refurbishment costing around Rs. 60 million, covering improvements to rooms, air-conditioning systems and other amenities, with the aim of upgrading the property to four-star standards.
The resort also features a 1,200-seat marquee, which Fairway plans to position as a venue targeting the destination wedding market.
Cader further revealed that agreements are nearing completion for additional properties in Kandy, Ella and Sorowwa in Dambulla, marking another step in Fairway Leisure Sector’s strategy to expand its presence across Sri Lanka’s key tourism destinations.
Sri Lanka and Indonesia Move to Deepen Cooperation in the Labour Sector
Sri Lanka and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the labour sector, with a focus on labour protection, social security, migrant worker rights and addressing challenges associated with irregular migration.
The agreement was discussed during bilateral talks between Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Indonesian Minister of Manpower Prof. Yassierli at the Ministry of Manpower in Jakarta, during Fernando’s official visit to Indonesia.
The two Ministers exchanged views on the strengths and challenges affecting the labour forces and working conditions in both countries, as well as their respective systems for labour protection and social security.
They highlighted the importance of exchanging knowledge, experiences and best practices and agreed on the need to establish an institutional framework to facilitate closer cooperation between relevant institutions in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The proposed framework is expected to strengthen institutional ties and people-to-people relations while providing a stronger basis for continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest within the labour sector.
The discussions also addressed the growing importance of labour mobility between the two countries. Both sides emphasized the need for coordinated mechanisms to combat human trafficking, human smuggling and violations of migration laws, while ensuring the rights, safety and welfare of migrant workers are protected.
New Acquisitions and Management Agreements Drive Tourism Growth in the North-East
