Sudheera Bandara, Head of Marketing at Orion City, explains how the technology facilitator is helping to reshape the future of the industry. Orion City is a technology park that offers modern office spaces and facilities to IT and BPO companies. With over 1 million square feet of space, it caters to businesses of all sizes, offering coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and event spaces. Its amenities include a state-of-the-art data centre, high-speed internet, 24-hour security, and on-site service providers. With over 50 local and international clients, Orion City is a vital component of Sri Lanka’s technology industry.

Sudheera begins this interview with Echelon by sharing his views on the unfolding economic crisis and how the technology industry can contribute towards its revival:

“The present economic crisis is driven by various factors, of which I believe two are particularly significant. Firstly, the COVID pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy. Secondly, political instability has further exacerbated the situation. Nevertheless, I am optimistic about Sri Lanka’s potential to emerge from this crisis, especially in the realm of technology. The dynamic nature of the technology sector means it can adapt to changes and evolve quickly as we have seen with quite a few revolutionary innovations arising in the recent past. Therefore, I see great potential for the technology industry to lead Sri Lanka towards economic recovery and success. Considering our country’s resources, including our local talent and strategic location, I am confident that we can overcome the challenges posed by the current situation”

What does repositioning Sri Lanka mean to you?

There is a growing consensus that a fresh approach is necessary. In my view, a key aspect of this approach involves a deep understanding of Sri Lanka’s strengths and unique characteristics. By leveraging these factors, we can position ourselves effectively on the global stage. I believe that repositioning Sri Lanka in this way will require careful consideration of these strengths and how they can be combined to create a compelling value proposition.

When you consider the founding objectives of Orion City, how have they evolved, especially now amidst the evolving economic crisis?

Orion City, founded in 2007, has now been operating in the industry for over 16 years. Throughout our journey, our primary objective has always been to offer our tenants and customers cutting-edge office facilities. We have consistently strived to improve our facilities and amenities to meet the most modern and up-to-date standards.

For example, we are proud to house a world-class data centre within Orion City. Furthermore, during times of power crisis, we ensured uninterrupted power supply to all our tenants. With a range of office spaces available, from three-seat offices to over 1,000-seat spaces, we cater to a diverse clientele under one roof.

Our continuous efforts to improve our facilities have proven to be a key factor in successfully facing the challenges we encounter. As we look to the future, we are confident of our ability to continue to rise to these challenges and maintain our position as a leader in the industry.

What challenges confront Orion City, and how are you responding to these?

We have faced and successfully overcome numerous challenges since our inception, but currently, our biggest challenge is the unstable economic situation. Rising interest rates and service costs are impacting our tenants, and as their primary office space and infrastructure provider, we must find ways to facilitate them.

To overcome these challenges, we are continuously improving our infrastructure facilities and adding value-added services to provide the best possible environment for our tenants. Our talented team, from leadership to executive levels, understands the industry inside-out and is always looking for solutions.

One way we are addressing the challenge of resource migration in Sri Lanka is by opening a private university within Orion City to generate a more significant talent pool. We also provide world-class facilities like banking and a hotel to meet all our tenants’ needs.

Despite the challenges we face, we always find solutions as we have for the past 16 years. Our objective is to stay up to date with the evolving technology landscape and provide the best possible infrastructure and amenities for our tenants. We are committed to overcoming challenges and supporting our tenants through every situation.

How are you unlocking growth opportunities?

Here at Orion City, we always have our eyes on the future. The concept of office spaces has evolved tremendously over the years, from cluttered spaces with separated furniture and dividers to the modern, more open office concept. As the times have changed, so have our concepts. Today, within our City, you can find 50 companies that have embraced these new ideas.

We ensure our entire team, from leadership to the executive level, is trained to enable an environment with the best facilities and amenities. Since our inception, we have focused on providing services to the IT and BPO sectors. Our biggest strengths now lie in our power management and scalability options. By improving our facilities and providing more benefits to our tenants, we have effectively become a solutions provider.

To keep up with the latest trends, we continuously improve our facilities and amenities to reflect the best of these new concepts and better cater to our clients’ requirements. Our goal is always to offer the best possible services and facilities to our tenants.

What factors are shaping the tech industry in Sri Lanka, and what is the role of Orion City in facilitating the industry?

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and the Covid-19 pandemic has only served to highlight its potential and resilience. One of the biggest factors driving the industry forward is social media, which has spawned new industries and innovative digital tools. The younger generation, in particular, is showing great talent and initiating new ideas at a rapid pace, which bodes well for the future of the tech industry in Sri Lanka.

At Orion City, we are always keeping up with the latest trends and looking to provide the best possible facilities and amenities to our clients. We have a coworking centre that helps nurture new talent from the inception of their ideas, all the way to the enterprise-level solution stage. Our goal is to create an ecosystem that not only thrives within our City but also bridges the gap between new talent and the tech industry.

We cater to clients of all sizes, from those looking to start with just a threeseater office to those requiring over 1,000 seats. We currently serve over 50 local and international clients and provide all necessary amenities and service providers in the City, such as Dialog, SLTNet, and Tata Communication.

We have learned from serving industry giants like IFS, Virtusa, Synopsis, Michelin, WNS Global and many more. and observe the latest trends and requirements to ensure we can provide the best possible solutions to our clients. Our university also plays a key role in this ecosystem, helping to nurture new talent and further drive innovation within the industry. We provide not just spaces but a comprehensive ecosystem.