Born in Culcutta, hailing from Kochi, in India, Captain Anirban Banerjee, Managing Director of Krypton Maritime Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, Colombo who journeyed for long in his career in shipping has firmly docked in Colombo and made Sri Lanka his home.
Having schooled in his home town Kochi, he excelled in handball and got selected to the Junior India squad. Being a fully qualified Master Mariner, his career journey commenced at sea, when he sailed the high seas and deep oceans for two decades that took him to 84 countries.
Thereafter he stepped ashore and joined a multi-national logistics company, St. Johns Freight Systems where he gradually rose to the position of Senior Vice President. In 2015 opportunity knocked for him by way of joining the largest integrated shipping, ZIM, an Israeli company as a Managing Director.
Though he had the opportunity of settling in New Zealand, Singapore or Sri Lanka, he chose Sri Lanka and has not looked back since and ironically celebrates living contentedly and successfully with his family for exactly 10 years in Sri Lanka, to this very date, 1st June, 2025.
In 2020, having firmly settled himself in Colombo, Captain Banerjee decided to set sail his own ship, as it were and set up his own company, Krypton Maritime Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in Colombo. Having firmly established his own in shipping and unafraid to venture, into unchartered waters, Captain stepped into new territories and diversified from shipping to the exports and imports business and to the hospitality trade and is venturing further. Along the way he also anchored safely in Sri Lanka’s Tourism investment and has tremendous faith in its potential for higher yield.
From Captain Banerjee’s life-long passion for travel, food and adventure manifested what he always harboured as a dream – HANGLA – The Ocean Lounge. A high-end rooftop restaurant which boasts one of the best ocean views in Colombo well located at the top of the biggest luxury shopping mall in the country, One Galle Face.
Inspired by the vast oceans and journeys across 84 countries, HANGLA roof top has a beautiful view of the ocean – hence the name includes ‘Ocean Lounge”. It is a wide area of space where culture meets, and flavours tell stories, have the flags of all 84 countries flying high as part of the verandah deck decor. Every element, from the ocean–themed interiors to the vibrant outdoor terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean, reflects his maritime experiences and love for discovery.
Hangla – Ocean Lounge is just the start, Captain has sailed past to expand further into our best spots in the country in search of other ports and has signed with Raddison Resort to develop a resort in Trincomalee soon.
This one-time regular visitor to our country who has now made Sri Lanka his home has in the last decade studied and experienced the best of his passions here. His views on Sri Lanka and the amazing love for the country that has grown and having the faith to say that it is by far the best place for him and his wife and the place for his children to grow up, is by itself a message to convey. His glowing recommendations of Sri Lanka and describing the country as a gold mine to investors, will no doubt give confidence to the vast majority out there looking at Sri Lanka.
Captain Banerjee who runs six companies from his office situated in Nawam Mawatha overlooking the Beira Lake, is a content man. “See the view, it’s beautiful,” he says gazing out into the beautiful view he has from his office. As much as he fell for this country, it was great to see him mesmerized with the view of our city Colombo, I was intrigued as to how and why he chose Sri Lanka from all the choices he had, to settle down. He has expanded to multiple fields, from shipping to health clinics and to now anchoring into the Tourism sector and in the midst of it all some outstanding charitable work too. We sat him on the Hot Seat of Sunday Observer Explorer to find out more.
Q. Captain Banerjee your life story thus far is intriguing, and my first question is, you’ve visited 83 countries, but chose Sri Lanka to settle down. We are honoured that you have and it would be interesting to know why and how it all came about?
A. “Why, because I look Sri Lankan” he says with a hearty laugh, but adds “I am serious”. It is good to settle in a country where you look the same as the people there.”.
“Also when I was based in Colombo working for a shipping company, I found in every way it is a good place to settle down, my wife and children loved it, 10 years down we are yet mesmerized by your country yet and very happy here, he said contentedly. Although I had a choice of New Zealand, Singapore or Sri Lanka. Despite our relatives not in favour of it, we yet thought differently. I not only came to your country when I was sailing, but travelled many times on vacation to Sri Lanka with family. Taking the decision to settle here was easy. Apart from I have also had no obstacles setting up business here. Apart from Krypton Maritime Solutions Pvt. Ltd., I have six businesses running here. It has been a pleasant experience. No one has attempted to take the wind off my sails”
Q. It would be good to know from your perspective as an Indian who has chosen Sri Lanka to live in, work in, raise a family and now invest here in the Tourism sector. We are yet to attract viz a viz our real potential in terms of Tourism. What do you make of Sri Lanka, your own assessment?
A. This is a land of opportunities that is unexplored. Image is already there, but the invitation to explore has not been extended sufficiently. Primarily 1.3 billion people in India – Indian people don’t know enough about Sri Lanka. Branding is not enough. Your maximum FDI’s opportunity lies in India. The Sri Lanka embassy must actively campaign to show Sri Lanka, to promote investment. There are plenty of opportunities.
Sri Lanka is strategically positioned
Dubai is promoting investments but have only a dessert, but watch how well they market it.
Look at Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, it’s nothing compared to Sri Lanka. But see how well they market what they create. The Indian people still believe that people here have problems, and does not know Sri Lanka is open for business.
Sri Lanka is strategically placed and is next to a country with a 3 trillion dollar economy, 40 times bigger that Sri Lanka’s. The country ought to really harvest this. A global campaign is critically at this stage. It’s got to be done right now.
Q. You have established your shipping company, what other areas of business are you involved in and what plans do you have in the future?
A. The import export businesses are all non-perishables. As for HANGLA– The Ocean Lounge, we believe in more than just serving food – we create moments. Whether it’s our signature multi-cuisine dishes, the cool sea breeze at sunset, or jaw dropping cocktails, every detail is crafted to bring joy. My heart lies in ensuring your experience here feels like a celebration of life, love, and togetherness. Come, savor the stories behind every bite and create memories that last forever..
Q. What have you to say about Trincomalee?
A. The East is still untapped and it should be top priority to open the Tricomalee Airport. It will attract Indians they are crazy about Munesweran Temple and the absolutely virgin beaches in the East Coast. This will open an opportunity for Tourism 360 days. When Tourism slows down in the west coast of Sri Lanka because of the monsoon, one can head to the East Coast. This is a gold mine, if the Airport opens. People speak of the Goa beaches, Sri Lanka beaches are 10-folds more beautiful. East coast beaches are 20-fold more beautiful than Goa.
While Sri Lanka does the campaign for the East Coast, the Airport must open and the flights needs to be ones that have the capacity to carry a larger number of people. What currently available is a domestic flight aircraft which is an eight-seater.
Therefore, the product must be ready too. For any place to bloom one has to have a Sea port. Trinco already has, you need an Airport. The majority of your tourism is from India
Q. What have you observed that can improve the tourism revenue in Sri Lanka?
A. Sita Eliya is a place that Indians would love to visit. Sri Lanka can make it into a pilgrimage. Make it a Ticketed entry. Also I find that it’s too easy to get to the place. The more difficult you make it getting there, more the value. If you choke the supply the demand will go up. Today anyone can go for free. But why permit that? When it can attract an influx of Indians to the site. They can create a path for them to walk a kilo- meter to see the place, this will add more value. You’ve got a treasure next door.
Another suggestion if I may, I would like to say that Sri Lanka must look at having something for the kids, there’s nothing for the Children. No properly managed amusement parks. Look at Sentosa Islands in Singapore. The children love to go to Singapore as that country has thought of them and created theme parks. Universal Studios charge $100 for the entrance ticket!
I know there is one place in Bandaragama, but it’s quite a distance away from Colombo.
It must be at a distance that would be convenient to travel from the Colombo.
One other area Sri Lanka must look at is having more things going to entertain the children.
Q. You are the President of the Indian Cultural Association (lCA) Sri Lanka running in its 8th year and though which you have done some major charitable services, what were the projects?
A. Yes, The Indian Cultural Association (ICA) Sri Lanka is an 8-year-old registered non-profit organization in Sri Lanka. In 2018, a group of Indian expatriates came together with a shared vision.
We have 170 Indian families in the organization. These individuals, driven by a deep sense of cultural identity and a desire to preserve and celebrate their heritage, founded the ICA as a means to promote Indian culture and traditions in their new homeland. Over the years, the association has grown and evolved, becoming a vibrant community that organizes cultural events, festivals, and charity programs, serving as a bridge between India and the diverse communities of the host country.
We held the inaugural ICA International Half-Marathon on 1st September, 2024. This event would created an excellent platform to showcase the vibrant cultural relations between India and Sri Lanka. The marathon not only promoted physical well-being but also raises crucial awareness for organ donation, fostering a culture of compassion and altruism and promotion of the country for Tourism with so many from overseas joining in.
International Half Marathon: The primary objective of ICA Sri Lanka is to bring together Marathon enthusiasts worldwide to Colombo for a half marathon. Our objective is to create a global platform whereby individuals from various countries could come together and showcase the spirit of unity, and foster camaraderie. ICA International Half Marathon shall encompass the below objectives.
Half Marathons have gained incredible popularity worldwide, inspiring people from all walks of life, and serving as a platform for individuals from different backgrounds to come together and engage in regular physical activity, emphasizing the importance of fitness, healthy lifestyle, and well-being. Also Half Marathons are probably the only sport which can be participated by thousands of people and yet be completed within 3~4 hours.
We plan to hold the half marathon this year too on the 16th of December.
Organ Donation Drive
Every marathon is run for a cause and our cause is to encourage “Organ Donation”.
As per statistics, the daily death rate in this world is about 165,000 people per day. And out of this number, about 100,000 people die waiting for an organ or due to organ failure. It’s a matter of shame that just 0.1% of the world population donates their organs and the rest are cremated/ incinerated without any guilt. If organs are timely harvested, each donor could save at least 8 lives and enhance over 75 lives. We feel that our Marathon Enthusiasts could bring in a change if we could campaign on the greatness of Organ Donation after death. We will be encouraging every participant to sign an Organ Donation Application form. Those who fill out the online form will be given a Donor Card. We will also request every participant to actively promote this campaign amongst their friends & families once they return to their respective countries.
Q. ICA’s dedication to charity is commendable, especially your support for the less-fortunate children in orphanages across Sri Lanka. Tell us more about it.
A. ICA Sri Lanka organized a nationwide art competition for 4,375 children living in orphanages of Sri Lanka. In 2021, during Covid, members of ICA Sri Lanka donated 700 computers, so that children living in orphanages could attend online classes.
In July 2022, during the Economic crisis in Sri Lanka, when food was a scarcity, ICA Sri Lanka donated 100 days of ration worth 80 Million rupees to 367 orphanages in Sri Lanka and catering to 10,600 children). Captain has got major commendations from even the head of state and other top officials praising the work of this Association, ICA’s dedication to charity is commendable, especially their support for less-fortunate children in orphanages across Sri Lanka. Through such initiatives, we can build bridges between communities and create a more inclusive and compassionate world run together for a noble cause, promoting health and heritage.”
