Business
IFS Sri Lanka’s operations seen as ‘incredibly robust’; 75 % of R&D taking place in Colombo
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Seventy five per cent of the Research and Development (R&D) work of the global cloud enterprise software company, IFS, is being done in Colombo and its Sri Lanka operations are incredibly robust, IFS Chief Executive Officer Darren Roos said.
“Over the past five years, our employee base in Sri Lanka has almost tripled since 2017 to over 5000 and it will further increase by around 400 this year. We will also continue to invest in our business in Sri Lanka, Rood said in Colombo recently at a function held at the Hotel Shangri La, Colombo to celebrate IFS’ 25 years of operations in Sri Lanka.
Roos added: ‘IFS Sri Lanka is IFS ‘s most extensive R&D center outside of Sweden and supports functions across Finance, Procurement, Marketing, Global Customer Support, Cloud Operations, Consulting and IFS Labs.
‘Today IFS Sri Lanka is a powerhouse in the local ICT industry, accounting for around 40 per cent of IFS’s global staff. Over the last 25 years, the company has generated more than 5,000 employment opportunities for Sri Lankans, helping to shape the future of many industry professionals.
‘Since its beginnings in 1997, with just 26 employees in a two- roomed office in Colombo 03, IFS has made major investments in the workforce and community, becoming the second largest technology employer in the country. At present over 5000 employees are working in the Sri Lanka office, which was a great team with great talents and could compete with any country in the world.
‘The Sri Lankan team has played a critical role in providing IFS with the organizational support and agility needed to achieve its growth.
‘The team’s contribution to our success and company culture is felt throughout the organization because it supports so many of IFS’s working processes from R&D to HR, Marketing, Support and more.
‘At a time when Sri Lanka’s ICT industry is developing, IFS saw an opportunity to set up its innovation hub in the Asian region due to the country’s excellent technology talent. Sri Lanka is now an integral part of IFS’s international success, with close to 80% of global product support services and 60 per cent of the global product development of IFS being facilitated out of Colombo.
‘IFS Sri Lanka also manages the South Asia Customer Organization, which offers services and support for IFS Cloud.’
IFS Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Ranil Rajapakse, who is an original IFS Sri Lanka employee, said that 25 years ago, IFS was virtually unknown in Sri Lanka, but today people recognize it as a well-respected technology big-hitter and a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
‘IFS has also taken bold steps to improve living standards and break the poverty cycle in Sri Lanka through the IFS Foundation, having invested in a series of projects in partnership with local communities in remote and rural areas, he said.
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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