SRI Lanka's Laugfs Holdings, a new entrant in the hospitality sector, is keen to add the Maldives to its overseas portfolio.

W K H Wegapitiya, chairman of Laugfs Holdings, told TTG Asia e-Daily that the company was now scouting for a prime location in the Maldives to set up a resort under its new brand, Ananthaya.

The group joins other established Sri Lankan brands in the Maldives, including Chaaya Resorts by the John Keells Hotels Group, Adaaran Resorts by Aitken Spence, and Malwatte Hotels & Resorts, which is joining hands with Hilton International to manage a four-star resort currently under construction.

Wegapitiya said: “We have six leisure projects (in Sri Lanka), three of which are nearing completion. One includes a marina – a first for any resort here.” He added that a 150-room property at Passikudah would be ready by September, an 88-room hotel at Chilaw was due to open in December, and a 200-room resort with 50 villas and a marina was coming up at Waskaduwa.

Laugfs Holdings is also in talks with a Thai company to set up a resort in Thailand. At press time, no details were available.

Started 15 years ago in the LPG industry, Laugfs Holdings has since diversified into other businesses such as supermarkets and restaurants. The group began investing in the leisure sector when Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflicts ended in 2009.