Business
45th AGM of Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka
The 45th Annual General Meeting of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) and the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL) was held on September 19, at the Tangerine Beach Hotel, Kalutara. 183 participants attended this event. Channe Wijemanne, Director / CEO, George Steuarts Travels Ltd was re-elected as president of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) for the year 2020 /2021. Tilak Wickramasinghe, Managing Director of Skyways Travel Solutions (Pvt) Ltd was elected as the President of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL) for the year 2020 /2021.
Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga graced the occasion with his presence.During his speech, Wijemanne requested the Minister of Tourism to assist the industry on the requests made for financial assistance for the travel industry and moratorium and the working capital soft loan extensions. Further the Minister of Tourism reiterated that as discussed, positions would be given to TAASL & IAASL on the Management Committee of Airport and Aviation. Wijemanne thanked the Minister of Tourism profusely for giving the industry numerous opportunities to voice our grievances and wished him good luck in achieving his objectives and confirmed the industries fullest cooperation and support.
TAASL is the national travel agents body in the country, with representation on the governing boards of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourist Hotel Management (SLITHM), the Tourism Industry Skills Council and a member of the “One Industry One Voice” initiative.
It was founded on October 22, 1974 and is an approved association of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce representing the interest of 165 outbound travel agents in Sri Lanka.
IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL) an affiliated association of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, which was formed in 1988 as a body to represent the interests of the Sri Lankan travel agencies accredited by the International Air Transport Association. At present the membership consists of over 145 travel agencies located throughout Sri Lanka.
The following Executive Council Members were elected at the TAASL Annual General Meeting:
Mr. Jude Condrad of Himpras Tours (Pvt) Ltd – Senior Vice President, Mr. Sabry Bahaudeen of Classic Travels (Pvt) Ltd – Junior Vice President, Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Nishantha Senaveratne, Alpha Travels & Holidays (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Wilhelm E. Brown, BOC Travels (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Romesh Samaranayake, Acorn Travels (Pvt) Ltd (Formally Hemas Travels (Pvt) Ltd) – Mr. Mohamed Hussain Abdul Habeeb, Intersun Travels (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Suffian Mohideen, Lando Travels (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Lawrence Fernando, Mackinnons Travels (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Shamindra Fernando, Scenic Ventures (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Rizwan Ramieze, Skyways – Mr. Tillak Wickremasinghe, Traveller Global Destinations & Leisure Holidays (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Omar – Ul – Shibly Shamsudeen, Upul’s Travel Service (Pvt) Ltd – Mr. Kapilanath Kalapuge.
The following Executive Council Members were elected at the IAASL Annual General Meeting:
Mr. Janath Vidanage of Danata Travels & Tour (Pvt) Ltd – Vice President, Mr. Riza Ahamat – 02ND Chance Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Hussain Habeeb – Acorn Travels (Private) Limited, Mr. Wilhelm Brown – Alpha Travels & Holidays (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Romesh Samaranayake – B. O. C. Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Mohamed Sabry Bahaudeen – Classic Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Brighton Alexander – Ganlo Travel & Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Mohamed Ziard Wahid – Golden International Travels & Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Jude Condrad – Himpras Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Lawrence Fernando – Lando Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Shaminda Fernando – Mackinnons Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Rizwan Rameize – Scenic Ventures (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Saman Premakumara – Travel World (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Rizmi Reyal – The Traveller Global (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Duminda Kuruwitaarachchi – Travel Outlook (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Kapilanath Kalapuge – Upuls Travel Service (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Nishantha Senaveratne will join the Executive Council in his capacity as the Immediate Past President.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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