The religious blessings were invoked by Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thero, Ven. Banagala Upatissathero, Ven. Monaragala Pagnayalankara Thero. Shri Luxmikantha Jegatheesa Kurukkal, Sheikh Arkam Nooramith, Rev. Fr. Deninton Subasinghe, Rev. Fr. Placidus De Silva, Rev. Fr. Felician and Rev. Sr.selinta.
To mark the 150th year anniversary, lighting of the oil lamp by the distinguished guests followed by sacred blessings recited by the respective religious leaders that were present at the ceremony. Deshamanya D.H. S. Jayawardena, Chairman of Aitken Spence PLC pinned the 150 years badge on the Deputy Chairman and Managing Director J. M. S. Brito.
Following the unveiling of the 150 years logo at the lobby of the building, board of directors to the celebratory cutting of the cake marking the occasion, that was produced by award-winning chefs from Aitken Spence Hotels.
“Over the course of its history Aitken Spence has continued to adapt to an unprecedented variety of changes that are taking place in our industries, economies and societies, while growing both locally and globally. We will take this company to even greater heights in the near future,” stated Aitken Spence Chairman D.H.S Jayawardena.
“I would like to say that we are 150 years young. Our youthfulness shall enable us not only to understand the plethora factors locally and globally affecting business today, but to address its risks and exploit its opportunities, to keep moving Aitken Spence forward, as we have done for 150 years”, said JMS Brito, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC.
To conclude the ceremony, the Executive Director and Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Managements (Private) Limited and Director of Aitken Spence Aviation (Pvt) Ltd., Stasshani Jayawardena gave the final closing remarks.
“As we conclude this inaugural ceremony of the 150-year celebration, let us remember that the path ahead is bound to be ever more exciting and it is up to all of us, sitting here to paint the future with the brightest of colours of success. Let us not forget that no task worthwhile has come easy and let us continue a forward march to enrich this legacy of our past with our very own successes,” she said.
Over the century and a half, the journey of Aitken Spence has created many benchmarks, pioneering endeavours and a reputation of integrity. In the recent Best Corporate Citizen Award 2018 organised by the Ceylon Chamberof Commerce, Aitken Spence was the coveted winner for the second consecutive year and among the top 10 corporate citizens for an unprecedented 13th consecutive year.
Aitken Spence is a blue-chip conglomerate with a strong regional presence in the hotels, travels, maritime services, logistic solutions, plantations, power generation, financial outsourcing, insurance, IT, printing and apparel sectors.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko