Category Archives: News & Press

Aster Residencies (Pvt) Ltd announced the completion of the building structure of its flagship residential project in Nugegoda, the 10-storey Aster Residencies. Located in the tranquil environs of Poorwarama Road, Nugegoda, the building is scheduled to be completed in November this year. This BOI approved condominium project has come to life as a joint venture between Aster Residencies (Pvt) Ltd and Maga Engineering, the leading construction company in the country.

The apartment complex encompasses 10 residential floors which offer 2 and 3 bedroom apartments equipped with high quality finishes and modern fittings. The layout of each apartment has been thoughtfully designed to maximize the use of floor space, and the result is a fully-fledged abode of your dreams. There are 50 apartment units in total. The objective of project has been to offer high quality yet affordable apartments which are designed to cater to the needs of corporate sector managers, executives and entrepreneurs who seek a high standard of living, coupled with convenience and quick access to the city of Colombo.

Commenting on the project, Chairman & Managing Director of Mäga Engineering Mr M. G. Kularatne said, ‘We commenced this project in July 2017 and I am pleased note that the project is progressing on schedule. I would like to commend our dynamic project team for their commitment to deliver an affordable yet high-quality apartment complex, a rarity in the market today. The project’s vision has been to combine good design, exceptional quality, a broad range of amenities, right location and affordable pricing – the realisation of these five factors has manifested through the overwhelmingly positive response the project has generated.”

Assured with all the comforts of modern living, the residents of Aster Residencies will have access to a range of high-end lifestyle amenities such as a swimming pool, kids’ play area and pool and a modern gymnasium. The rooftop features modern recreational spaces, including a BBQ area for residents to hold social events. The complex also provides CCTV monitoring with 24-hour security that ensures privacy and safety of residents. All apartments offer facilities such as hot and cold water, air conditioning, gas system with individual meters, reliable fire protection and alarm systems and high-speed broadband/entertainment connectivity. The apartment complex also includes service balconies, a separate maid’s room and washroom, differently-abled access, driver’s rest rooms and a fire command centre.

“Despite a challenging market, the project has been a success due to the quality of housing solutions we have offered at a competitive price point, to buyers who seek to reside in the bustling town of Nugegoda”, noted the Head of Sales of Aster Residencies (Pvt) Ltd Mr Tuan Fawaz said. “The location was also a key driver for our success, and we have been able to complete over 70% of sales. We invite buyers who dream of owning a quality apartment close to Colombo to visit our model apartment and witness the project first-hand.”

Prospective buyers can reach Aster Residencies through 077 008 8800 or 077 009 9933 and arrange a visit to the location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maga Engineering, Sri Lanka’s leading construction company, completed Rs. 6 billion worth of work in the water sector in the year 2018, delivering few projects of national importance in the process.

Underscoring the significance on achieving United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal to access affordable drinking water for all citizens, Government of Sri Lanka has given top priority to developing the country’s water infrastructure. Accordingly, these projects aim to build and modernise the municipal and rural water infrastructure in the country. At the same time, they are an intermediary step towards the eventual goal of providing a safe drinking water to 100% of the urban and rural population, whilst creating the industrial infrastructure required for further economic development.

The first of these projects is the Galagedera-Mawathagama Water Supply Project, implemented by the National Water Supply & Drainage Board of Sri Lanka (NWSDB), at a value of Rs. 3.2 billion with the support of DFCC bank. The project involved the construction of a 1000m³ capacity elevated tower, a 450m³ capacity ground reservoir and supply and laying of 250mm diameter DI & HDPE transmission line of 27km, along with 131 km long distribution system. Now substantially completed, the project will provide pipe borne water supply to an estimated population of 20,000 in the eastern part of the Kurunegala District including Galagedara and Paragahadeniya and Mawathagama area of Kandy District.

During the year, Maga also completed the supply and laying of a purific water pipeline along the Extension of Southern Expressway Section 4 From Mattala to Hambantota under the Road Development Authority and China Habour Engineering Company.

The company is presently completing the Towns East of Colombo Water Supply Project (Package 2), implemented by the NWSDB at a value of 4.8 billion rupees with the assistance of the Bank of Ceylon. The project comprises the construction of a ground reservoir of capacity 18,000m³ and the supply and laying of 1,000 mm diameter DI transmission line of 8km and HDPE line of 7km from Iridapola Junction to Meepe. In whole, the Towns East of Colombo Water Supply Project aims to serve a population of 375,00 in the eastern parts of Colombo District including Padukka and Horana.

In addition to the above, Maga is presently executing the civil works of the Kelani Right Bank Water Supply Project (Stage Two) under the Main Contractor of the project Suez International of France. The project’s main civil works is valued at LKR 8.5 billion and it includes a 180,000m³ water treatment plant of latest technology, a treated water pumping main and a 35km long transmission line. Critical to maintaining and expanding the water supply of the western province, namely north eastern regions of Colombo and Gampaha, the project will benefit 1 million residents in Biyagama, Kelaniya, Kiribathgoda, Kadawatha, Ragama, Wattala, Kandana, Ja-Ela, Seeduwa and Ganemulla areas.

Commenting on the aforementioned projects, Maga Engineering Chairman & Managing Director Mr M. G. Kularatne stated, "We are excited by the opportunity to support the efforts to augment the country’s water supply at this critical juncture in Sri Lanka’s development trajectory. Along with the NWSDB and our industry partners, we are committed to complete these projects on schedule and bring uninterrupted supply of high-quality drinking water to resident communities, and realise the Government’s vision to provide 100% access to clean water by the year 2025.’’

With a workforce over 12,000, Maga Engineering has completed 525 multi-disciplinary projects in building and infrastructure sectors in Sri Lanka and abroad. Focused on the ethos of sustainable development, Maga holds the platinum rating in the country’s corporate accountability rating.

Clearpoint Residences, Rajagiriya, has been awarded with the Platinum Rating Certification under the GREEN^SL® Rating System for Built Environment, at the Annual Green Building Awards Ceremony 2018 held at Earls Regency Hotel, Kandy last week. This prestigious Awards Ceremony was organized by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka with the prime objective of promoting cost effective high performance environmentally friendly green buildings incorporated with extremely efficient energy and water saving mechanisms and measures taken to ensure healthy and comfortable indoor environment.  Furthermore, this awards scheme recognizes the developers who aspire to implement such green building practices as a value addition to both their product and to the real estate industry as a whole.

The Sri Lanka Green Rating System for existing buildings is a set of performance standards used to certify the operations and maintenance of all forms of commercial or institutional buildings and residential buildings of all sizes, both public and private. Platinum is the highest rating a green building can earn under the GREEN^SL® Rating System. .As per this rating system, Clearpoint Residencies is one of the highest-rated green buildings in Sri Lanka.

Regarded as the ‘tallest vertical garden in the world’, Clearpoint Residences is a joint venture between Milroy Perera Associates and Maga Engineering. The brainchild of renowned architect Mr Milroy Perera, the residential apartment tower is a fully-fledged green building which accommodates 171 apartments across 47 floors. It’s most unique feature, the planted terraces encircling the building, gives the building its character while providing many practical benefits.

The formation of a green cover provides a natural cooling system for the entire building, resulting not only in a fresher, more relaxing atmosphere, but also less energy consumption on air-conditioning. This blanket of trees endows the building with an innate sound-proofing system. It also provides shade and acts as a buffer against radiated heat. Clearpoint Residencies is also the first high-rise building in Sri Lanka to contain a fully-fledged rainwater harvesting system, automated drip irrigation system, grey-water recycling system and solid waste disposal system, in addition to solar panels that can power all its common areas. This one-of-a-kind condominium also promotes clean energy amongst its residents by having an electric charging station within the premises.

Commenting on this significant achievement, Chairman & Managing Director of Maga Engineering Mr. M G Kularatne said, “ Clearpoint Residencies has been recognized on many occasions for being an exceptional building with its unique sustainability features. Of equal importance was the way we managed the construction with utmost concern for the environmental nerve points in the surroundings. This Platinum Green Rating will further add value to the property and benefit the residents who have already occupied their apartments at Clearpoint Residencies.  I would like to convey my grateful appreciation of the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka for their pioneering efforts to implement the Sri Lanka Green Rating System and create much needed impetus amongst Sri Lanka’s developers and builders to embrace sustainability ideals.’’

Mr Arosha Perera, Director of Milroy Perera Associates and Lead Architect for Clearpoint Residencies added that “it is an honour for Clearpoint Residencies to secure the Platinum Green Rating by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. This platinum rating is testimony to our holistic efforts to realise a unique and fully-fledged green building which has set a benchmark not only in Sri Lanka but in the world. Through this holistic approach, we have been able to design and construct a building possessing sustainability, technology, spaciousness and most notably cost-efficiencies, using a team comprising of solely local designers and contractors.”

A Green Environmental Rating System applicable to Sri Lanka has been formulated as a ‘home-grown system’ with all norms acceptable to leading rating systems, after conducting research projects and workshops by an Expert Committee appointed by the GBCSL, with the assistance of national and international experts. The Expert Committee has studied the experiences of green building initiatives of India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, which are the rapidly growing economies in our region. The GBCSL commissioned a panel of Certified Assessors to validatethe documentation for all claimed credits and assure that they conform to the compliance requirements as outlined in the ratings document.

Caption (from L-R) : Director Finance & Planning of Maga Engineering Mr. Mega Kularatne and Maga’s Assistant General Manager & Project Manager for Clearpoint Residencies project Mr. Saman Mahawatte receiving the award from the Chairman of Green Building Council of Sri Lanka Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake. Chief Guest of the event Prof. Ajith De Alwis of Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa is also seen in the picture.

 

Veteran business leader Mr. M.G. Kularatne won the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award at this year’s Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year 2018, held at Hilton Colombo recently. Founder and visionary of Maga Engineering, the largest construction company in the country, Mr Kularatne was recognized for his entrepreneurial spirit and creative leadership that has elevated the Sri Lankan construction industry.

Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year Award Ceremony is organized by the country’s premier entertainment television channel TV Derana to honour and celebrate individuals and business entities whose efforts have had a lasting impact on the country, whilst helping promote Sri Lanka globally. Awards are presented in a wide range of fields including arts, sports, public service, business and heroism. The two-tiered selection process is a robust and transparent scheme with nominees being shortlisted through an editorially driven process, under the supervision of the Ada Derana editorial leadership and industry specialists.  

Speaking after the event, Mr. M. G. Kularatne stated "I wish to thank Ada Derana for this great accolade. I dedicate this award to the entire team at MAGA for their commitment and hard work over the years. I believe it is a testament to the indomitable spirit and core values held within MAGA, through which we have built a reputation as the most trusted construction company in Sri Lanka and have had the opportunity to positively to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Sri Lankan construction industry and the economy.”

Under his leadership, MAGA has grown from humble beginnings to become the leading construction company in the country, going toe-to-toe with reputed international contractors to construct some of the country’s most landmark buildings, roads, bridges and water supply schemes. He has spearheaded the delivery of projects of international acclaim, including the construction of Sri Lanka’s tallest building (Grand Hyatt), world’s tallest vertical garden (Clearpoint Residencies), South Asia’s first green university (NSBM Green University Town), world’s first LEED Platinum certified manufacturing plant (MAS Thurulie) and the country’s longest road rehabilitation (Matara Wellawaya Road).

Mr Kularatne’s nationalistic ethos has inspired MAGA to build a truly Sri Lankan organization, with over 350 engineers and a workforce of over 10,000, that has completed over 450 projects in the process. The company’s sustainable businesses practices have set a benchmark in the industry, as a responsible corporate entity committed to the wellbeing of local communities and stakeholders, as evidenced by the company holding the Platinum rating and number 4 rank in the country’s Corporate Accountability Index. Alluding to this fact, Mr Kularatne noted that “the construction industry is well positioned to further enact positive social impact amongst a wide cross-section of communities across the country, and bring people together. I believe economic empowerment is not just about wealth generation but also social development, and we are committed to achieve both through the infrastructure development projects we engage in.”

Mr. Kularatne is a graduate of the University Ceylon and a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers and the Institute of Chartered Business Administrators. Joining the Sri Lanka Army after graduation, where he had an illustrious career, he was elevated to the rank of Captain in 1968. Subsequently, he served as the Administration Officer at the New Parliament project at Sri Jayewardenepura for Mitsui Construction of Japan and as the Chief Administration Officer at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Project for Kajima Corporation of Japan. He also served as the special advisor to Takenaka Komuten Co Ltd of Japan at the New International Passenger Terminal Project at the Katunayake International Airport. Kularatne established Maga Engineering in 1984, setting the foundation for it to become a model construction company and steering it to its present market leadership position.