1912 CE
Founding of Aitken Spence as Shipping Agency
Charles Aitken and Harold Spence established a shipping agency in Colombo, Ceylon, marking the beginning of the Aitken Spence enterprise. #business #shipping
Chronological Storyline (31 Milestones)
1968 CE
Incorporation of Aitken Spence & Co. Ltd.
The company was officially incorporated as Aitken Spence & Co. Ltd., transforming from a partnership to a limited liability company. #corporate #history
1972 CE
Entry into Tourism Sector
Aitken Spence ventured into tourism with the acquisition of the Hotel Ceylon Inter-Continental, marking its diversification beyond shipping. #tourism #business
1983 CE
Listing on Colombo Stock Exchange
Aitken Spence & Co. Ltd. was listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, becoming publicly traded and raising capital for expansion. #finance #CSE
1985 CE
Acquisition of Hotel Eden
Acquired Hotel Eden in Beruwala, expanding its hospitality portfolio in Sri Lanka. #tourism #acquisition
1990 CE
Expansion into Maldives Tourism
Entered the Maldives market with the development of the first resort, marking international expansion. #tourism #Maldives
1994 CE
Diversification into Logistics and Services
Expanded into logistics, freight forwarding, and related services, strengthening its business portfolio. #logistics #diversification
1998 CE
Appointment of Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake as Chairman
Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake became Chairman, leading the company through a period of modernization and growth. #leadership
2001 CE
Adoption of 'Aitken Spence PLC' Name
The company changed its name to Aitken Spence PLC, reflecting its corporate structure and public listing. #corporate #rebranding
2003 CE
Launch of Aitken Spence Travels (India)
Expanded into the Indian market with a travel and tourism subsidiary, tapping into the growing outbound travel segment. #India #expansion
2005 CE
Acquisition of Serendib Leisure Management
Acquired Serendib Leisure Management, enhancing its resort management capabilities in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. #acquisition #tourism
2007 CE
Joint Venture with Emirates Airlines for Cargo
Formed a joint venture with Emirates SkyCargo to operate a cargo terminal at Bandaranaike International Airport, boosting logistics. #logistics #jointventure
2008 CE
Aitken Spence Wins Best Corporate Citizen Award
Received the Best Corporate Citizen Award from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for responsible business practices. #CSR #award
2010 CE
Launch of 'Aitken Spence Hotels' Brand
Unified its hospitality operations under the brand 'Aitken Spence Hotels', strengthening market presence. #branding #hotels
2011 CE
Acquisition of 'Resort Management International'
Acquired Resort Management International, expanding its portfolio of managed resorts across the Indian Ocean. #acquisition #resorts
2012 CE
Centenary Celebrations
Commemorated 100 years since the founding of the original shipping agency, highlighting its legacy and evolution. #anniversary #history
2013 CE
Expansion into Bangladesh Tourism
Entered the Bangladeshi market with resort management contracts, diversifying its geographical footprint. #Bangladesh #expansion
2014 CE
Acquisition of 'Pvt. Ltd.' Logistics Firm
Acquired a majority stake in a private logistics company, strengthening its supply chain capabilities in Sri Lanka. #logistics #acquisition
2015 CE
Appointment of Mr. J.M.S. Brito as CEO
Mr. J.M.S. Brito was appointed Chief Executive Officer, bringing strategic leadership to the conglomerate. #leadership #CEO
2016 CE
Launch of 'Aitken Spence Digital'
Established a digital arm to drive e-commerce and digital marketing initiatives across its businesses. #digital #innovation
2017 CE
First LEED Certified Building in Sri Lanka
Opened its first LEED-certified corporate headquarters, committing to sustainable practices in operations. #sustainability #LEED
2018 CE
Joint Venture with 'Groupe Dubreuil' for Aviation
Entered a joint venture with Groupe Dubreuil for aviation ground handling services at Sri Lankan airports. #aviation #jointventure
Oct 15, 2019 CE
Launch of 'Solar Power' Initiative
Commissioned a 5 MW solar power plant to supply renewable energy to its hotels, reducing carbon footprint. #renewableenergy #solar
2020 CE
COVID-19 Impact and Resilience
Faced severe disruption in tourism and logistics due to the pandemic; implemented cost-cutting and diversification strategies to weather the crisis. #covid19 #resilience
2021 CE
Acquisition of 'Lanka Logistic Solutions'
Acquired Lanka Logistic Solutions to bolster its supply chain and warehousing capabilities in Sri Lanka. #logistics #acquisition
2022 CE
Launch of 'Aitken Spence Hospitality Management' Brand
Rebranded its hotel management division to Aitken Spence Hospitality Management to streamline international operations. #branding #hospitality
2023 CE
Record Revenue and Profit Announcement
Announced record annual revenue exceeding LKR 50 billion, driven by strong tourism recovery and logistics growth. #financialresults #record
2024 CE
Expansion into Vietnam Tourism Market
Signed management contracts for resorts in Vietnam, marking entry into Southeast Asia. #Vietnam #expansion
Mar 1, 2025 CE
Appointment of New Chairman Ms. Anushya Coomaraswamy
Ms. Anushya Coomaraswamy was appointed as Chairperson, becoming the first woman to lead the board. #leadership #diversity
Jun 1, 2025 CE
Sustainability Report Highlights Net Zero Goal
Published a sustainability report outlining a pathway to net zero emissions by 2050, aligning with global climate goals. #sustainability #climate
Sep 1, 2025 CE
Acquisition of 'Eco Hotels' Brand
Acquired the Eco Hotels brand to expand its portfolio of eco-friendly accommodations in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. #acquisition #ecotourism