24 April 2021 12:00 am
Ceremonial ribbon cutting by SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage and CEO Vipula Gunatilleka
SriLankan Airlines, the flag carrier of Sri Lanka, unveiled its refurbished office located on Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha, Colombo 1.
Strategically positioned in the commercial heart of Colombo, the airline’s city office is an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary styles. The Dutch colonial façade, inner structure and courtyard offer a soothing and welcoming atmosphere of old-world charm, which is complemented with modern, purpose-built interiors. The facility will be occupied by the corporate offices, passenger, cargo sales and SriLankan Holidays.
SriLankan Airlines hosted its sales and corporate offices at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Colombo and the lease of which was terminated two years ago, resulting in annual rent savings of Rs.80 million. Further, the lease of the cargo sales office premises in Colombo will be terminated, resulting in further annual savings of Rs.10 million.
The refurbishment of the Sir Baron Jayatilake Mawatha site was started as part of the restructuring programme to improve the effective utilisation of the office premises and the project got delayed due to the pandemic.
The property, which has a long history, was received by Air Ceylon in 1976 from the state; with the closure of Air Ceylon, the property was purchased by Air Lanka in 1985 and is currently the only property owned by SriLankan Airlines.