Expressing its confidence in the country’s most tech savvy, digital hub, Apple Inc. recently appointed tabZ as an authorized reseller for its full range of iPhones, iPads and all related accessories in Sri Lanka. Located on the Lower Ground Floor at Unity Plaza, Colpetty, tabZ will now retail the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 5S as well as the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad Mini 4 and iPad Mini 2 along with all accessories for these two product lines.

tabZ also announced that a dedicated showroom for all its Apple products, designed according to international Apple standards is currently under construction and is expected to be completed early next year. In addition to this, showrooms out of Colombo are also envisaged, especially in key cities such as Jaffna, Galle and Kandy.

Explaining his vision for Apple in Sri Lanka, Dr. Prasantha Jayamanna, the outspoken Chairman/CEO of DPJ Holdings, the holding company for tabZ said, “Apple products no longer cater only to high profile CEOs and top management executives. It is now an affordable device that a middle class family could use and experience the productivity and day-to-day ease it brings to our lives. From effectively managing your work, to sharing information with your friends, to using it as a source of entertainment, Apple is now a lifestyle brand that you can use from the start of your day to its end.”

“Technology such as this releases barriers and expands our horizons. Using brands such as Apple allows people to see things from a different perspective and innovate. We firmly believe that the time is right for Apple in Sri Lanka. Prices are coming down and people’s disposable income is quite high. Along with this, we will introduce many novel repayment schemes to make Apple a brand that everyone can afford,” he further elaborated.

The increased affordability of Apple in Sri Lanka is also expected to bring about several opportunities for Sri Lankans to develop and prosper. For instance, local musicians can use iTunes to sell their music, local developers can create apps which are introduced to the App Store while budding film makers can refine their talents using video editing apps. All that is required is the right technology, the right back-end support and a little bit of hype on the limitless possibilities.

Schools, universities and other educational institutions can also use these products as a learning tool. Given the manner in which prices are reducing, it will soon be possible for each classroom to be equipped with tablets. In an attempt to make this a reality, tabZ has already started working with banks and other lending institutions to assist schools.

This is the vision Dr. Jayamanna hopes to see realized for Apple in Sri Lanka. Himself a visionary and one of the most dynamic young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka, he has won both the Provincial and National Award for ‘Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year’ every year from 2008 to 2014 and was adjudged ‘The Outstanding Young Person of the Year (TOYP) in 2009. His company DPJ Holdings has won the ‘COYLE National Award for Outstanding Performance’ from 2010 to 2012, the ‘National Business Excellence Award 2010 – ICT Service Sector and the ‘CNCI Achievers Awards 2012 – Service Sector’.

Established in 1999, DPJ Holdings is one of the leading groups of companies in Sri Lanka, spreading its wings over seven diversified industries such as barcode automation/solutions, labels, time and attendance, convenience shopping, leisure, pharmaceuticals and smart phone and tablet pcs.