Business
‘SL in a position to provide professionals to global maritime industry’
by Hiran H. Senewiratne
Sri Lanka is in an ideal position to provide seafarers and maritime professionals to the global maritime industry, with the expansion of global trade and the establishment of a number of new sea ports in the future, General Manager, McLarens Maritime Academy (Pvt.) Ltd. (MMA) Capt. Dhakshina Perera said.
“We focus on providing world class maritime training within Sri Lanka, while creating a benchmark to develop the skills of Sri Lankan seafarers and other maritime industry professionals for the future for global shipping lines in the world, which would bring an enormous amount of foreign exchange into the country, Perera explained.
Perera added: ‘MMA also seeks to expand the overall labor market potential of the maritime industry by providing an internationally accepted, high quality maritime education solution within Sri Lanka and by reducing the requirement of foreign training centers.
‘Students of McLarens Maritime Academy are given hands-on experience in ships, using our own fleet of ships. MMA is one of the few merchant shipping- approved institutions in the country. With the expanding of East and West Terminals, the number of ships that will be calling at the Colombo Port would increase significantly and in turn the demand for seafarers and maritime professionals will increase at an equal pace in no time.
‘MMA was launched as the dedicated maritime training and development arm of the McLarens Group of Companies, taking the initiative to train well-qualified seafarers to the shipping industry.
‘It is said that 90 per cent of global trade is happening via ships and our academy enrolls a limited number of students and they are being trained at our Kotahena training center and also at the Wattala center.
‘One can join the Academy with a minimum qualification of GCE O/L or A/L as a trainee. There is a lot of scope worldwide in this field because in the next five years the maritime industry will expand exponentially. In that context, the demand for seafarers and other maritime professionals will increase in a big way.’
The McLarens Group is a diversified conglomerate with interests in Maritime and Logistics, Petroleum and Energy, Distribution, Manufacturing and Leisure/Property. McLarens has established a major presence in the shipping, marine and logistics industry for over 70 years, informed sources 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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