Q: How do Sri Lankans compare with their regional counterparts when planning for retirement?

A: Retirement is a time when people anticipate a more relaxed lifestyle and look forward to enjoying their accumulated earnings without being a burden to loved ones.

With a population that is ageing more rapidly than its South Asian neighbours, Sri Lanka’s retirees are increasingly seeking convenience, privacy and security when planning their retirement.

It is to this emerging segment that La Serena offers a maintenance free lifestyle, advocating active wellbeing through luxury hospitality services aimed at fulfilling their needs.

Q: To which segments of the population does La Serena cater?

A: The resort caters to several customer segments including newly retired or semi-retired men and women who have the means, and are looking to retain their independence, be reasonably active and enjoy a hotel-like ambience.

La Serena also caters to children seeking a secure and managed environment for their parents, as well as older people who desire short-term rentals while visiting family or friends in Sri Lanka. It aims to serve those who are looking for the perfect mix of privacy and companionship, in a convenient environment that facilitates an active and healthy retired life.

Q: And how does the resort address their needs?

A: La Serena is positioned as the country’s first retirement resort that caters to active retirees, enabling them to live independently without the hassle of maintaining and running their own homes. It’s intended to be a home away from home with modern conveniences and warm hospitality.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Ceylinco Life, the resort’s management firm Serene Resorts benefits from the parent company’s consumer insights. This enables La Serena to provide retirees the peace of mind they desire – i.e. a resort with a hotel environment that enables an active, healthy and comfortable lifestyle while providing luxury conveniences such as having a doctor on call.

Being the leader in life insurance, Ceylinco Life continues to research the changing needs of Sri Lanka’s ageing population; it understands that retirees are concerned about overdependence on relatives and the lifestyle changes that are necessary as they age.

When planning for retirement, people must consider the effects on immediate family interactions, which La Serena addresses through an on-site guesthouse that has four rooms for day rental by visiting family members.

Q: And what facilities are on offer at La Serena?

A: Comprising 44 self-contained, fully furnished and equipped, and serviced living units, La Serena’s design is similar to that of a medium size resort hotel. Located on almost three acres of beachfront land at Uswetakeiyawa in the Gampaha District, its common facilities include a swimming pool, a mini gym, a restaurant, a library and reading room, an entertainment lounge and a beach terrace.

Meanwhile, the living units contain a living room, dining area, kitchenette and en suite bathrooms – there’s one for every bedroom.

Q: What are the main challenges faced by your sector?

A: Many Southeast Asian countries are competing for a share of retirees’ investments. This sector faces increasing competition with multiple retirement facilities opening their doors within a few years to both locals and foreigners.

La Serena strives to overcome this challenge by catering to several segments – by providing both short and long-term rentals.

Thushara Ranasinghe
Managing Director/CEO
Ceylinco Life
Telephone 2461471
Email serene@ceylife.lk
Website www.laserena.lk