Business
LAN hosts WeScale Sri Lanka Mentor Night
The Lankan Angel Network (LAN) recently hosted a Mentor Networking Night at Colombo’s newest hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, for the Sri Lankan leg of WeScale, a USAID-led program for Women Entrepreneurs (WEs) in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Designed to support Women Entrepreneurs in scaling their tech-focused and -enabled businesses to the next level, WeScale is coordinated by the South Asia Regional Digital Initiative (SARDI), which is a part of USAID’s Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP). Its partners include DAI and Accelerating Asia, along with LAN, Bangladesh Angels, India Accelerator and SAFAL.
According to LAN Chairperson Chandi Dharmaratne, “Now is the time for Sri Lanka’s Women Entrepreneurs to take charge and help steer our economy to a brighter tomorrow. It is widely believed that, by increasing women’s economic participation in the workplace, Sri Lanka could potentially add up to US$ 20 billion to its GDP by 2025. So, in celebration of International Women’s Day, we as mentors plan to support the efforts of Sri Lanka’s WeScale participants at next month’s WeScale+ regional program. We also expect that LAN’s partnership in WeScale, and other, similar programs, will lead to a significant growth in job creation for our country.”
Comprising an overall 12-week virtual program for women entrepreneurs, WeScale in Sri Lanka also features a 4-week intensive session where its Sri Lankan founders can take advantage of multiple opportunities to interact with budding and established investors.
Participating in WeScale Sri Lanka are: Ruwini Jayarathne, from Ruwini Jayarathne
Jewelry (Jewelry); Dhanushka Karunarathne, from Ceylon Dhee Ayurveda Pvt Ltd (Beauty Care); Achinthya Neligama, from INGROW Holdings Pvt Ltd (Food Manufacturing); Draupadie Wickramasinghe, from Maja, a New Story (Fashion); Upeka Premathilaka, from Ample (Fashion);
Dinu Kadahetti, from Enhanzer Pvt Ltd (ERP Solutions); Thanuki Idangodage, from Body Doc Fitness & Wellness Pavilion (Fitness); Nabeela Yaseen, from Stoned Jewelry (Jewelry); Shanika Sandeepani, from AGC Innovate Pvt Ltd (Construction); Pulani Ranasinghe, from Loons Lab (Software); Afrah Saldin, from The Saree Library (Fashion); Safiya Sideek, from Elements by Safiya (Gifting); Nishu Gunawardana, from Nehemiah Consultants (PR); and Tharini Dasanayaka, from Cesova Pvt Ltd (Software).
The most recent activity in this program was the Mentor Networking Night, which was held at the end of February 2023. This event entailed an evening of connecting and networking between WeScale participants and the program’s local mentors; affording the mentees the chance to ask specific questions related to scaling up their businesses, so that they could work towards becoming pitch- and investor-ready.
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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