LuxuryProperty.com Sets Its Sights on Sri Lanka: Jason Hayes on Global Real Estate, Architecture and the Future of Luxury Investment

Sri Lanka occupies a distinctive position in the global luxury real estate landscape. Its Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary natural diversity, architectural heritage and established hospitality appeal offer the foundations for a compelling international property destination. Yet the country's finest real estate opportunities have not always received the global visibility enjoyed by more established luxury markets.

LuxuryProperty.com intends to help change that.

On 5 October 2026, the Dubai-based global luxury real estate platform announced a strategic partnership with Sri Lankan property entrepreneur Sabina Karunanayake, who will lead its expansion into the country as Country Head – Sri Lanka. The initiative is designed to establish a two-way international property platform, connecting Sri Lankan developments and property owners with international buyers while giving Sri Lankan clients access to prime markets including Dubai, London and New York.

The strategy extends beyond the conventional brokerage model. LuxuryProperty.com plans to work with selected developers, property owners and investors across luxury residences, beachfront properties, branded developments, land and selected investment opportunities. Its wider ambition is to strengthen the connection between Sri Lankan real estate and international capital, expertise and demand.

For founder and chairman Jason Hayes, the expansion also carries a personal dimension. Having spent part of his childhood in Sri Lanka, he describes a longstanding affection for the island and a conviction that its real estate deserves greater international recognition.

Karunanayake brings experience spanning luxury real estate development, hospitality, marketing and investor relations. She is a co-founder, shareholder and Executive Director of Serenia Limited, the developer behind the Radisson Collection Resort Galle in Talpe — a beachfront development the company values at US$50 million, comprising 108 hotel keys and 40 branded residences.

THE PARTNERSHIP

For WAAR, the partnership opens a wider conversation about the relationship between architecture, development quality, international investment and the positioning of emerging luxury destinations. In the following interview, Hayes shares his outlook for Sri Lanka, the role of technology in cross-border property transactions, and his vision for the next five years.

01 · SRI LANKA'S GLOBAL REAL ESTATE POTENTIAL

What distinguishes Sri Lanka's luxury real estate market from other international destinations, and which types of properties or developments do you believe have the greatest potential to attract international buyers and investors?

“By nature I have a very positive mindset, and I am enormously optimistic about Sri Lanka. I genuinely believe it represents one of the most exciting emerging opportunities in the international luxury property market — and, importantly, one that has yet to realise its full potential on the global stage.

“What makes Sri Lanka so compelling is its people, coupled with the extraordinary combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, geographical diversity and, of course, the value proposition. There are very few destinations where you can enjoy magnificent Indian Ocean beaches, spectacular hill country, world-class wildlife, historic architecture and an increasingly sophisticated hospitality offering, all within one relatively compact country.

“From an international investment perspective, I see particularly strong potential in luxury beachfront residences, boutique hotels, exclusive resort developments, branded residences and thoughtfully designed private estates. Hospitality assets are especially interesting because Sri Lanka has the foundations to establish itself as one of Asia's truly exceptional luxury tourism destinations.

“For me, the opportunity is not simply about attracting international capital. It is about positioning Sri Lanka alongside the world's most desirable destinations and ensuring that its exceptional properties receive the international recognition and exposure they deserve. I believe the next decade could be transformational for Sri Lankan luxury real estate.”

02 · BUILDING A TWO-WAY INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY PLATFORM

How will LuxuryProperty.com's global network translate into practical opportunities for Sri Lankan developers and property owners, while helping Sri Lankan clients access prime international markets such as Dubai, London and New York?

“This is precisely where I believe LuxuryProperty.com can make a meaningful difference. We have spent years developing an international digital marketplace that connects exceptional properties with a global audience of prospective buyers and investors. Today, our platform showcases more than US$100 billion in luxury assets across 51 countries, supported by sophisticated digital infrastructure and increasingly advanced artificial intelligence technology.

“Our ambition in Sri Lanka is to connect the country's finest real estate opportunities directly with this international audience. For Sri Lankan developers, hotel owners and private property sellers, this means access to global visibility, sophisticated digital marketing and introductions to qualified international buyers who might otherwise never discover their assets.

“But equally importantly, this is very much a two-way relationship. Sri Lankan investors and families looking to diversify internationally will benefit from our established presence and network across major property markets, including Dubai, London and New York.

“I have always believed that property is fundamentally an international business. Capital moves across borders, buyers increasingly have global lifestyles, and successful real estate businesses must reflect that international reality. Our objective is to remove geographical barriers, connect the right people with the right opportunities and make international property transactions considerably more accessible. Ultimately, we want LuxuryProperty.com to become a trusted bridge between Sri Lanka and the international luxury real estate community.”

03 · ARCHITECTURE, SUSTAINABILITY AND LUXURY DEVELOPMENT

As Sri Lanka attracts greater interest in luxury residences, beachfront properties and branded developments, what role do you believe architectural innovation, sustainable design and a strong sense of place will play in shaping the country's next generation of premium real estate?

“Architectural merit and design are, I think, fundamental to the future of luxury real estate in Sri Lanka. The country has an extraordinary architectural heritage — from its historic colonial buildings to the work of Geoffrey Bawa, whose tropical modernism demonstrated how architecture can respond to climate, landscape and culture with remarkable sensitivity.

“The next generation of premium development should build on that legacy. International buyers increasingly expect more than a beautiful location; they look for design integrity, environmental responsibility and a genuine sense of place. Developments that respect their setting, use materials intelligently and offer a considered relationship between indoors and outdoors will distinguish themselves in a competitive global market.

“Sustainability is no longer a marketing preference — it is an expectation among sophisticated purchasers and investors. Sri Lanka's climate and natural environment give its architects and developers an exceptional canvas on which to demonstrate that luxury and environmental intelligence can reinforce one another.”

04 · SABINA'S LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC CONTRIBUTION

As Country Head – Sri Lanka, what will Sabina bring to the business beyond her knowledge of the local property market, particularly given her experience in luxury real estate development, hospitality, investor relations and branded residences?

“For me, success with international expansion has always been about finding the right people to take the management lead rather than simply entering new markets. When considering Sri Lanka, I was absolutely determined that we should establish the business with someone who genuinely understands the country's real estate landscape, appreciates the expectations of international investors and shares our ambition to build something of lasting significance. Sabina brings precisely that combination — and, of course, so much more.

“Her hands-on development and transactional experience across luxury real estate development, hospitality, investor relations and branded residences gives her a particularly valuable perspective on where the Sri Lankan market is today and, more importantly, where it can go in the future. What particularly impressed me was her understanding that luxury real estate is about considerably more than property itself. It is about lifestyle, investment confidence, exceptional presentation, relationships and the ability to communicate the unique qualities of an asset to a sophisticated audience.

“Sabina's role will be considerably broader than that of a traditional country head, and that is very much by design. We see Sri Lanka as a strategic growth market, and we want to approach it with the same international ambition that has driven the development of LuxuryProperty.com. She understands how developers think, what investors are looking for and how exceptional properties need to be positioned to attract the right international audience.

“That combination will allow us to develop relationships not only with private property owners but also with leading developers, hospitality groups, investment partners and those creating the next generation of luxury destinations across Sri Lanka. She will also play an important role in identifying opportunities where our international network and technology can add genuine commercial value, whether through global marketing, strategic partnerships or introductions to prospective investors.

“Equally importantly, I want Sabina to help shape our long-term strategy in the country. Local leadership must have the freedom and confidence to identify opportunities, build relationships and develop the business in a way that reflects the realities of its market. My responsibility as Founder and Chairman is to ensure she has the international platform, technology, resources and strategic support necessary to succeed.”

05 · THE FIVE-YEAR VISION

“My ambition is for LuxuryProperty.com to play a significant role in establishing Sri Lanka as a recognised destination within the international luxury real estate market. Over the next five years, I would like us to build a substantial and highly respected presence in the country, representing some of its finest private residences, beachfront estates, luxury developments and hospitality investment opportunities.

“However, I measure success by considerably more than the number of properties we represent. Success would mean seeing Sri Lankan developers attracting meaningful international investment, exceptional local properties receiving global recognition and international buyers increasingly considering Sri Lanka alongside destinations such as the Maldives, Bali, Phuket and other established luxury markets.

“I would also like our presence to contribute positively to the evolution of development standards, particularly in architecture, sustainability, presentation, marketing and the overall experience offered to international purchasers. Technology will be an important part of that journey. We are investing heavily in the evolution of LuxuryProperty.com as a global digital marketplace, including our proprietary artificial intelligence search capabilities. These innovations create exciting opportunities to introduce emerging destinations to international audiences in ways that simply were not possible a few years ago.”

A BRIDGE BETWEEN SRI LANKA AND THE WORLD

The LuxuryProperty.com expansion reflects a broader ambition to connect emerging luxury destinations with the international networks through which property, capital and expertise increasingly move.

For Sri Lanka, the opportunity extends beyond visibility. International positioning can help exceptional developments reach new audiences, while stronger connections with established property markets can offer Sri Lankan clients a broader range of international options.

The challenge will be translating that ambition into enduring relationships, well-positioned properties and meaningful commercial opportunities. Architecture, environmental responsibility, development quality and local expertise will remain essential to ensuring that international attention is matched by lasting value.

With Sabina Karunanayake leading its Sri Lankan operation, LuxuryProperty.com is positioning itself to participate in that evolution. As Jason Hayes's vision makes clear, the ambition is not simply to introduce a global brand to a new market. It is to create a two-way connection between Sri Lanka's exceptional property offering and the wider world.

For a country whose natural beauty and architectural identity are among its greatest assets, that connection could become an important part of the next chapter in its luxury real estate story.