The business which established itself as a household name in Maharagama, was eventually handed over to his son in law, the late Mr. Dharmadasa Dedigama, father of the present Chairman, Dr. Ranjan Dedigama. Mr. Dharmadasa Dedigama’s personal touch and passion for gems and jewellery made Dedigama Jewelers, the most trusted gold house in many parts of the Western Province of Sri Lanka.
After more than four decades since establishment, Dr. Ranjan Dedigama took over the reins as the Chairman in the year 1992.The current Chairman, Lankaputra Deshamanya Dr. Ranjan Dedigama JP.
With more than 40 years of experience in managing the Dedigama Group of Companies and a master valuer of gemstones further embarked on expanding the group.With the introduction of gold loans over and above the core businesses of gems and jewellery, the group progressed on a steady path to grow into a major business organization in Srilanka. The business activities that were confined to Maharagama expanded up to Tissamaharama on the southern coast, to Matale in the hill capital, to Dambulla on the A9 highway and to Chilaw on the western coast of Sri Lanka.
The group, at present owns and manages over 200 gold loan centers, 15 gem and jewellery showrooms and employs over 2000 staff as part of its core activities.
Dedigama Group’s entrance into the hospitality industry in 2005 saw the rapid growth of a portfolio of hotels, and at present, the Group owns and manages 8 star class hotels in Unawatuna, Hanwella, Dambulla Sigiriya, Kataragama, Anuradhapura and Habarana. On acquisition, the group has strategically invested to improve the general appearence and standards of each one of these properties to make them uniquely representative star class Sri Lankan hotels.
In addition to hotels, estates and plantations, commercial real estate and property development are some of the other areas of business carried out by the group.
The group prides itself in being one of the most resilient and leading privately held family businesses in Srilanka, generating economic value in the tens of billions of rupees annually. The strong close knit culture, deep business specific experience and personal touch that is reflected in the products and services we offer stands as testament to our success.
The Dedigama Group, a family owned, and managed diversified conglomerate embarked on its journey into the business world with a handful of employees in the year 1950.
When we look back at the evolution of the Company since its inception, we can be pleased and proud of the numerous successes and achievements along the way. As we look to the future, we are confident that the strong foundation that has been laid will enable the organization to grow from strength to strength and further instill our core values and business experience into the products and services we offer.
Today the Dedigama Group employs a staff base of over 2000 professionals and are active in a wide range of diversified verticals including Financial services, Jewellery, Gem trade and exports, Hospitality, Real Estate and Plantations.
We have a clear objective of achieving the highest quality standards for our products and services, in order to ensure we achieve customer satisfaction, reliability and trust. The succesful growth and maintenance of our brand loyalty has always been a key part of our culture.
Our decision at a senior managerial level to focus on and build on our existing sector exposure, has been met with outstanding results.
Within financial services, we have continued to be the market leader in gold loans services in the country. Our branch network of well over 200 gold loans centres reflects the strength of our brand name and the recognition the company has won in the country.
Within gem trade and exports, a key part of our long-term strategy is to fulfill the aim of further elevating our global exposure through working with various international business partners. To bring this strategy into fruition we have entered into several joint venture relationships with Chinese companies within the gem trade and exports business, given the growing international demand for locally sourced precious stones.
The leisure sector of the Group primarily focuses on hotels with the inception of the Lavendish hotels portfolio in 2005. We continue to strategically invest in our present portfolio of hotels in terms of number of rooms and the general appearance and standards of each hotel. Our portfolio continues to expand with our recent acquisition of a 50-room star class hotel in Habarana that is currently undergoing redevelopment and room expansion.
Our business activities also span commercial real estate leasing and property development where we have observed substantial outreach and success. The real estate arm of the Dedigama Group through property development and leasing of commercial space has consistently strived to reinvigorate the Colombo and suburban built environment.
The estates and plantations division develops and manages Tea, Rubber and Coconut estates amongst other produce. The groups Cavendish Banana Plantation is managed in collaboration with a foreign partner that exports produce to Dubai and the US.
We at Dedigama Group ensure that we take significant care to consider the community and the environment through a wide range of corporate and social responsibility initiatives. From senior management to our most junior staff, the need to improve the quality of life and standard of living for our countries citizens has always been ingrained into our work culture.
I am proud to be a part of and lead a diligent, motivated and committed work force that have steered our organization into a reputed and resilient Srilankan brand name that has won the hearts of the entire country.
Ranjan Malien Dedigama
Contact
0112 844 302
Address
No: 12 Dehiwala Rd, Maharagama 10280