Business
Hunas Holdings announces landmark partnership with Adrian Zecha
In an exciting and highly positive development for Sri Lanka’s rebounding tourism industry, Hunas Holdings PLC – the company that owns the legendary, multigenerational favourite, the Hunas Falls Hotel – has announced a landmark partnership with Azotels – a company owned and managed by the ‘Hotelier of the Century’, Adrian Zecha. The partnership will see Azotels developing the present Hunas Falls Hotel into a high-end luxury hotel with villas, whilst also undertaking the management of the establishment, which is guaranteed to bring it in line with the best hotels in the world.
Hunas Holdings PLC, formerly known as Hunas Falls Hotels PLC, is a diversified conglomerate operating across five industries with a presence in hospitality and tourism, real estate, renewable energy, and tea plantations, factories and tea brokering. The Hunas Group continues to strive forward with a keen eye on sustainability, fully aware that progress and preservation goes hand in hand and that it is a testament to the unwavering vision and tireless efforts of the Hunas Holdings PLC.
Discussing the significance and value of the partnership, Dhanuka Samarasinghe, Chairman at Hunas Holdings PLC said, “This partnership is an incredible milestone for Hunas Falls Hotel as we celebrate 50 years of memories. We truly believe that Hunas Falls hotel is a beautiful asset of Sri Lanka. It will be an honour to work together with Zecha, a distinguished outlier in the hospitality industry, with over 50 years of experience, and only an ever-increasing passion for the industry. At Hunas Holdings, we share a mutual vision with Zecha, in terms of working together with local communities to preserve the natural environment, culture, architecture and diversity, whilst bringing it all together in an exquisite and unforgettable experience for guests. This core ethos of harmony extends beyond our hospitality interests and is something we strive to achieve in all aspects of our business. Therefore, we couldn’t be happier to announce this partnership, and we look forward to transforming the Hunas Falls experience, guided by Zecha’s visionary insights.”
Adrian Zecha is a true veteran, visionary and pioneer in the hospitality industry, with over 5 decades of experience under his belt, carrying the prestigious title of ‘Hotelier of the Century’ from Forbes Magazine, along with a string of other prestigious accolades and unique lifetime accomplishments. He is the pioneer of the luxury boutique villa concept and effortlessly intertwines natural beauty, architectural heritage, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability, seamlessly in his own unique style, through his various hotels across the world. Zecha’s portfolio of hotels, which included his uniquely popular and signature brand, Aman Resorts, are notably recognized for its award-winning designs, extraordinary levels of space & lifestyle elements & above all, for the continued seamless personal service offered to his guests.
The partnership between Hunas Holdings and Azotels underscores the exceptional value that Sri Lanka represents to the global tourism industry, and will create an ideal platform upon which the industry can build and pivot towards attracting the high-value luxury tourism segment, and repositioning Sri Lanka as a true luxury travel destination.
Board of Directors of Hunas Holding from Left to right: Toshiaki Tanaka – Director, Dhanuka Samarasinghe – Chairman, Atheeq Ansar – Managing Director, Misako Tanaka – Director
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
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
