The Sunhill Group of Companies which has made a mark as one of the leading Hotel and entertainment enterprises in the country would be celebrating 25 years on January 16.th
From the day he could remember Wasantha Perera had a passion for the entertainment industry. His character was such that he always thought big and this may be the reason for him to take wing to Japan not only to pursue his studies but also to get employed. After being in Japan for three years he came back to unleash his dream.
Filled with ides and hungry for opportunities Wasantha stuck a right note when he decided to convert their family home (Mahagedara) in Nuwara Eliya to a star class hotel. The experience gained in Japan helped him to add a rich class of touch to this Rs 12 million venture. He names this 12 room property 'Sunhill Hotel'.
The quality of service that was offered at the hotel with the personal touch from Wasantha saw Sunhill gaining popularity and it soon became the talk of the town. With Sunhill maintaining high occupancy levels he decided to introduce excursion packages and bought a fleet of vehicles including jeeps.
Through his counter parts in Japan. Wasantha moved in to car sale and leasing business, becoming the first entrepreneur in the hill country to do so. He then diversified in to the real estate and even today he maintains his venture offering lands in prime locations for a competitive price.
Next in line was the establishment of 'Sunhill Property Development (pvt) Ltd' a real estate and property development venture which has successfully maintained to this date. In 1996 Wasantha bought over a seven room hotel property in Kandy and moved down his car sale and leasing business to Kandy. In 1996 he moved down the releasing and car sales business to the hill capital.
With the war raging he observed that Colombo city was lacked entertainment and decided to move in. His first investment was 'After Dark' Night Club in Kollupitiya and then bought over the 'Pier Three' Property.
He also pioneered winter place in Colombo 02 to add the entertainment blitz to the city of Colombo. He also pioneered Lush Night Club, Bristo Latino and several ventures.
Sunhill Group also diversified in the telecom industry by setting up business in Colombo 3 and Kotahena. One of the biggest investments he made during that time was to acquire a 12 room hotel in Mount Lavinia and reinvested to upgrade it to a 25 room hotel with a swimming pool.
With intention of adding a city hotel to his profile he invested on a 25 room neglected hotel in Colombo 3 in 2007 and turned it around to a star class hotel. Today Sunhill Hotel Colombo in marine drive offers 80 rooms, two restaurants serving both Chinese and western cuisine. It also has facilities to host conferences and private parties and a spa.
Two chefs from china are also working in the restaurants making it one of the most sought after restaurants for Chinese food both by locals and foreigners.
Later he built two hotels in Mount Lavinia and Katunayake mainily targeting tourists ,airport transit passengers and airline Crew. The European concept of entertaining was introduced to Colombo with the opening of the Texas Pub Colombo 03. Texas would take up 120 guests and today it is one of the most sought after entertainment spots in the city.
His pioneering venture Sunhill Hotel Nuwara Elya also won Global accolade when it was nominated best economy class hotel in 2011.
Under the Sunhill group nearly 400 are employed and the Group also allocates millions each year for CSR initiatives.
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