Vella announces establishment of corporate group structure

• New organisation to drive global market leadership of Group companies 98 Acres Resort & Spa, Flying Ravana, and Halpé Tea among others

The Vella Group of Companies marked its official launch as a corporate entity at the Ravana Pool Club in Ella, one of its flagship properties. The newly established organisation, Vella, will serve as the central hub for administrative and corporate management across all operations within the Group.

The Vella Group comprises over 10 subsidiaries in the tea, leisure, adventure, investments, and IT sectors. Vella Tea’s portfolio includes Halpéwatte Tea Factory and estates, Halpé Tea, Ceylon Tea Supermarket, Halpé Tea Tour, and U.H.E. Exports. The leisure and adventure portfolio includes properties such as the 98 Acres Resort & Spa, Ravana Pool Club, Villa Lé Maas Tota, Walaa Kulu, Flying Ravana Adventure Park, Ella Swing, Amber Swing, and Skywalk – which will be the next biggest upcoming venture of the company. Through its investment arm, Vella has ventured into Ceylon Escapades and Kiri Kōpi. The IT portfolio includes Cloud and ERP solutions such as 98 Solutions and Mango Automation.

The launch event celebrated the Group’s origins in the Sri Lankan tea sector, tracing back to the well-known “Halpe Tea” and Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory. This high-profile event highlighted the Group’s impressive growth trajectory, evolving from its roots in tea production to becoming a multi-sectored organisation. The occasion also featured the unveiling of the new corporate website, www.vellaglobal.com, further enhancing the Group’s digital presence.

The name “Vella” symbolises beauty and reflects the sentiment, “We are from Ella.” This not only represents the aesthetic splendour of the region but also signifies the Group’s intrinsic connection to its origins. 

The guiding principle, “Inspired by the beauty of Ella,” emphasises the Group’s commitment to promoting regional excellence on a global platform. The “V” in Vella also represents the Roman numeral for 5, symbolising the five founding family members of the family. Co-Founders and Directors Messrs. Chamara, Ranga, and Eranda Abeyrathne and Deputy Chairman Dr. Kumudu Gunasekara now serve as the Board of Directors of Vella.

At the event, Chairman A.P.D. Abeyratne reflected on the Group’s remarkable journey from being founded in 1971 with the acquisition of the Uva Halpéwatte Tea Estates and Factory. Under his visionary leadership and with the support of his family, the Group has expanded across multiple industries.

The event also provided a platform to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of Vella Group’s employees. Special awards were presented to tenured employees to recognise their commitment and dedication, categorised into three key areas: Service Excellence, Leadership, and Rising Stars.

Establishing this new corporate group structure for the Vella Group of Companies represents a significant milestone in the ongoing growth and organisational evolution of the Vella Group. With a solid foundation built on decades of excellence, innovation, and social responsibility, Vella Group said it is well-positioned to enhance its global market leadership through its diversified initiatives.

While the Group remains committed to future growth, it continues to honour its heritage by showcasing the best of Sri Lankan enterprise on the international stage, all while adapting to emerging opportunities and challenges.