Business
92nd birth anniversary of Felix. R. Dias Bandaranaike
Felix was born on November 5, 1930 to former Supreme Court Judge Reginald Dias Bandaranaike and his wife, Freda Dias Abeysinghe. His siblings were Christine Manel Dias Bandaranaike, and brother Michael (Mickey) Dias Bandaranaike, an academic at the University of Cambridge.He was a brilliant student at Royal College winning many prizes. In 1953 he married Muthulakshmi Jayasundara, having met her at the Colombo University. Lakshmi, a first cousin of mine, who also qualified as a lawyer both at University and Law College.
After the death of Prime Minister S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, Felix took to politics and won the Dompe seat at two elections in 1960. He worked very closely with Mrs Bandaranike, when she was elected to Parliament as the first woman Prime Minister of the world. He was appointed Finance Minister, the youngest in the Commonwealth, at the age of 29 years.
In addition he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs, a portfolio held by the Prime Minister. I recall his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary to this Ministry with nostalgia as I joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1960 and he represented the PM at our Passing out Parade held at the Police Training School, Katukurunda, with the late Stanley Senanayake (former IGP) as Director of Training .
My parents were present at the reception that followed the parade and my parents and I were introduced to Felix, by the Director of Training. My cousin, Lakshmi, introduced my parents to the Director as her aunt and uncle. While Finance Minister, Felix resigned from his portfolio due to political issues but remained in the party and started developing his Naiwela Farm in Veyangoda making it a great success. He concentrated on the farm after the SLFP lost the election in 1965.
When in 1970 the SLFP gained power with the United Left Front, including the LSSP and the CP. Felix was appointed Minister of Justice, Public Administration and Local Government. During this period as Minister of Justice he made revolutionary changes in 1973 combining the two branches of the legal profession, Advocates and Proctors into a single profession styled “Atorneys-at-Law.
The Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) was was abolished in his time and replaced with the Ceylon Administrative Service (CAS). The Village Headmen became “Grama Sevakas”. In 1973, I became his Security Officer as my brother, Vere, who held that position was promoted and transferred to the Bribery Commission.
He was given additional responsibilities by Mrs Bandranaike, after Dr N.M.Perera’s LSSP and the Ceylon Communist Party left the government. During these years I had much to do with his electorate, some times handling the private secretary’s duties at the Ministry Of Justice and I had a very strong feeling he was losing his grip on the electorate. I cautioned him of a possible defeat but he told me “Nihal, Dompe is my pocket borough. I am sure to win even by 5,000 votes.”
This country (and SLFP too) lost a honorable and intelligent politician and leader by his premature death. He was a man of action.
In 1977, the late J.R.Jayewardene, with his five sixth parliamentary majority, went on to take revenge, from his political opponents. He did not spare Mrs B, Felix and my uncle Neale de Alwis. Felix was to face a three-judge Commission of Inquiry whose findings were challenged by him in courts. The Supreme Court, with one judge dissenting, held with him.A fighter against injustice, he never gave up. He finally turned to God and decided to obtain, a Doctorate in Divinity. I used to visit him and try to console him while he was fighting a terminal illness. He died on June 26, 1985, going back to his creator.
NIHAL DE ALWIS
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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