Photo: From left: The Pickle Island Founders Dilshan and Ronali Michael along with investors Aravinda de Silva, Sanjeev Gardiner and Gardiner Group Director, Investments and M&A Seshaan Gardiner

The Gardiner Group has acquired The Pickle Island, a Sri Lankan pickleball venture focused on developing the sport and its growing community, marking its entry into the country’s emerging sports and recreational leisure market. 

With seasoned investor and entrepreneur Aravinda de Silva joining as a partner, the acquisition represents the first step in what the Group describes as a broader investment strategy to build a portfolio of diversified leisure businesses in Sri Lanka.

Gardiner Group is a Sri Lankan hospitality and investment group with a longstanding legacy in the country’s hospitality industry. Its portfolio includes the iconic Galle Face Hotel, established in 1864; Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC, with its portfolio of hotels and resthouses; and The Kandy Hotels Company (1938) PLC, which owns the historic Queen’s Hotel and Hotel Suisse in Kandy.

The Group also holds 50:50 joint venture interests in Uga Giri Ella and Radisson Hotel Kandy.

Building on this established hospitality heritage, Gardiner Group is expanding its business interests into complementary areas of leisure, lifestyle and experiences, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Sri Lanka’s hospitality and leisure sectors.

Gardiner Group Director, Investments and M&A Seshaan Gardiner said: “Our heritage is in hospitality, but our vision extends well beyond the traditional hotel experience, as we see significant opportunities to invest in Sri Lanka’s evolving leisure and lifestyle landscape. The Pickle Island represents one of several strategic investments we intend to make as we expand into new sectors, create meaningful experiences, and build on our long term confidence in Sri Lanka’s potential, both for those who call it home and those who visit.”

Founded by Ronali and Dilshan Michael, The Pickle Island was created to give people a healthy and enjoyable outlet to socialise, connect and engage through sport. It has since helped build a growing community around pickleball in Sri Lanka.

The new partnership will support its next phase of growth through wider access, new opportunities, sporting related social events, and community-focused initiatives. Ronali and Dilshan will remain closely involved, helping preserve the identity and ethos on which the business has been built.

Aravinda de Silva said: “Sport has the ability to bring people together. I look forward to supporting The Pickle Island as it continues to grow and create more opportunities for people to participate.”

This investment marks a significant step in Gardiner Group’s broader strategy to expand its presence in Sri Lanka’s leisure sector. Building on its established hospitality portfolio, the Group is pursuing new opportunities across leisure and lifestyle, with a focus on creating experiences that appeal to both Sri Lankans and international visitors.