Belluna Lanka Pvt Ltd., the South Asian anchor of Belluna Co. Ltd., Japan, together with Sanken Overseas (Private) Limited, has formally launched Project Granbell Hotel Ella, a planned hospitality development located in Sri Lanka’s Uva Province. The project represents a total planned investment of approximately LKR 4 billion (USD 12.5 million) and reflects Belluna Lanka’s continued focus on strategic, long-term hospitality development across emerging destinations in Sri Lanka.
Granbell Ella forms part of the Belluna Group’s established Granbell hotel portfolio, which spans multiple destinations in Japan and includes Granbell Hotel Colombo and Le Grand Galle in Sri Lanka. The project extends the brand’s location-led, experience-focused hospitality philosophy, supported by Belluna’s broader international presence across hospitality and service-led developments in markets such as the United States and the Maldives, including The Westin Maldives, managed by Marriott International. Belluna also owns and manages over 26 hotels in Japan, further underscoring the Group’s depth of experience and operational expertise in the hospitality sector.
Sanken Overseas, the international construction arm of Sanken Group, brings extensive experience in hospitality investments and developments operated by leading global and regional brands including JW Marriott, Alila, Amari, Cinnamon Hotels, and Hayleys Leisure, across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. For Granbell Ella, Sanken Overseas will act as both co-investor and turnkey contractor, marking a significant addition to its Sri Lankan portfolio.
Planned as a 60-key hotel development, Granbell Ella is being developed as a joint venture between Belluna Lanka, a wholly owned subsidiary of Belluna Co. Ltd., Japan, and Sanken Overseas. Located in close proximity to Ella Town and the Ella Railway Station, the project is designed to respond sensitively to its natural and cultural surroundings. Proposed amenities include an open-air heated jacuzzi, swimming pool, spa services, outdoor restaurant, gym, and sauna, all curated to complement the surrounding landscape.
Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, with project completion targeted for 2028, following a planned development timeline that carefully considers architectural, operational, and environmental factors.
Commenting on the project, Reyhan Morris, Managing Director of Belluna Lanka, said: “Ella is a destination that demands moderation and respect. Granbell Ella reflects our conviction that long-term sustainability, appropriate scale, and location sensitivity must guide hospitality development. This project aligns closely with the Government of Sri Lanka’s broader tourism objectives, including regional economic growth, employment creation, and long-term value generation for local communities. It is an investment driven by quality and experience rather than volume.”
Mevan Gunatilleke, Managing Director of Sanken Overseas, added: “Ella has grown organically as a destination over the past decade. We believe the time is right for carefully selected branded hospitality developments that appeal to discerning travellers. Granbell Ella represents a long-term investment that brings together Belluna’s proven hospitality expertise and Sanken Overseas’ development capabilities to create enduring value for the region.”
Architectural design for Granbell Ella continues Belluna Lanka’s long-standing collaboration with PWA Architects, led by Philip Weeraratne, ensuring contextual design sensitivity and disciplined scale consistent with the group’s existing portfolio.
Backed by Belluna Co. Ltd., Japan a Tokyo Stock Exchange–listed company with diversified global investments, Belluna Lanka continues to expand its footprint across Sri Lanka and the region through projects that balance technical rigour, contextual design, and sustained operational value. Granbell Ella stands as the company’s latest step in extending this philosophy into Sri Lanka’s hill country, reinforcing confidence in the country’s evolving hospitality landscape.
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