Strategic Insurance is ‘Broker on Record’ for CHEC Port City Colombo 

Photo Left to right: Micheal Hu Manager – Investment Promotion and Marketing CHEC Port City, Lakmini Wickramasinghe – Manager Sib, Omardeen Azardeen – Manager Sib, Chief Marketing Officer, CHEC Port City, Indrajith Fernando – Managing Director – Sib, Blair Lan –  Director China Markets in Sri Lanka, Nishan Silva – Chief Economic Affairs Officer/General Manager, Strategy and Transaction Services, CHEC Port City, Nilma C E Samarasinghe – Senior Manager, Strategy and Transaction Services, CHEC Port City.

The Port City Mall in Colombo got underway and has appointed the Uniba international network partner in Sri Lanka Strategic Insurance Brokers (Sib) for Risk Management, Insurance advice and placing comprehensive insurance-covers involving the Duty Free Mall. Uniba partners is a premium global broker network having a very sizeable 70 partners, and presence across 140 countries.

This choice of Sib is seen by industry experts as a judicious one. China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) that runs the Port City wants a sterling reputation. To pick the Uniba network partner in Sri Lanka was therfore a strategic move, they say. Sib is led by Indrajith Fernando who has established himself as a thought-leader in the community as an accomplished Chartered Accountant, and this experience would give credence to the insurance services he offers, industry experts said.

The strategic partnership ensures comprehensive insurance coverage for Port City Mall, a premier business and lifestyle destination. One World Duty Free (ODF), Singapore’s first home-grown omnichannel duty-free brand with a reach across Asia and China Duty Free Group Co. Ltd. (CDF) operates as a duty free goods distributor at Port City. The Company provides traditional duty free business, offshore duty free business, overseas business, and other related services. 

“Port City’s risk has to be mitigated and its reputation has to be safeguarded. Its assets, tenants and operations have to be indemnified. Indrajith Fermando has made insurance coverage for these types of prestigious businesses his calling card. It is a rare type of expertise,” said Blair Lan, Director China Markets in Sri Lanka.

Insurers have been requested to assist in every way possible in this placement including but not limited to providing placing slips, policy wordings etc. as requested by Strategic Insurance Brokers, a Port  City official said.

“We are delighted to be the first and only insurance brokering company affiliated to the Port City. The Port City breaks many barriers in business in Sri Lanka. In the first place it is a daring venture on reclaimed land. Its’ aim is to rival the best tourism and commerce based destinations in South Asia such as Macau. The city needs credible affiliates in this regard and we are proud to partner them as the authoried broker for the Mall. The range and the reputations of entities that would seek to establish themselves in the Port City are phenomenal. It’s why I took a personal interest in this matter and made sure our best services are available to them,” Indrajith Fernando said.

Fernando has personally seen Sib through major brokering undertakings such as the nation-wide Disaster Management and Retrocession insurance contracts, overseen by the NITF (National Insurance Trst Fund.) Therefore his expertise in top-level insurance and indemnification matters is such that he has been seen as an instant fit for Port City after their evaluation, Port City sources stated.

Besides that, Port Coty top-Management feels that the Sib team including Lakmini, and Azardeen who are industry veterans, offers astute ledership. “They takes into account all the various influences that could impact the insurance industry in good times and bad”, Port City sources stated. Fernando has served in the capacity of president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants etc. and this sort of wide-ranging industry and civic-space involvement has given him the proper venturing instincts to carry forward a task of the nature of basically indemnifying the mammoth Colombo Port City.   

Colombo Port City is a pioneering Special Economic Zone (SEZ) rapidly emerging as a key business and lifestyle destination in South Asia. This visionary development boasts world-class infrastructure, a business-friendly legal framework, and a strategic location near Colombo’s existing commercial centre. With a focus on sustainability and smart city principles, Colombo Port City is attracting leading companies and investors, propelling Sri Lanka’s economic growth.

Situated at the heart of major trade routes, Colombo Port City acts as a gateway for businesses seeking to tap into the vast South Asian market. This state-of-the-art development offers a unique blend of commercial, residential, and leisure spaces, fostering a dynamic environment for innovation and collaboration. By attracting top talent and cultivating a vibrant community, Colombo Port City provides companies with the ideal platform to establish a strong presence in the region.

Strategic Insurance Brokers is a leading insurance brokerage firm in Sri Lanka, specializing in providing comprehensive risk management solutions.Their team of experienced professionals works closely with clients to understand their unique needs and design customized insurance plans. Strategic Insurance Brokers leverages their expertise to negotiate on clients’ behalf, securing the most competitive rates and terms for optimal coverage.

Guiding its clientele through every step,  SIB recognizes the importance of safeguarding their assets and future. They offer a broad spectrum of insurance products, encompassing property and casualty, business interruption, marine, and employee benefits. Partnering with SIB grants any entity access to their extensive Uniba supported network of insurance carriers and their unwavering support throughout the claims process.