Business
Chanaka Liyanage takes over as Chief Agency Officer of AIA Sri Lanka
AIA Sri Lanka is pleased to announce the appointment of Chanaka Liyanage as the company’s Chief Agency Officer, effective 01st April 2023. In this role, he takes over AIA Sri Lanka’s Agency Sales Distribution with over 100 Branches, 4,000 Wealth Planners and 500 Agency Leaders spread across Sri Lanka. In his new role Chanaka will lead the next phase of the agency trajectory of the company, focused on growth and expansion of AIA’s unique Wealth Planner centred agency sales channel.
Chanaka commenced his journey with AIA Sri Lanka in November 2019 and was seconded to TATA AIA India on a short-term assignment, where he was part of the project team, that launched TATA AIA’s full time Premier Agency channel in India. Functioning thereafter as the company’s Deputy Chief Agency Officer, he was instrumental in shaping the digital transformation of the company’s Agency Channel.
Chanaka started his career as a banker with HSBC Sri Lanka, joining as a Banking Assistant and going up the ranks of Senior Manager, ending up as the Head of Sales of HSBC Sri Lanka.
He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland, an Advanced Diploma in Management Accountancy (CIMA) and a Diploma in Marketing from the Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM). He has been a member of the eminent Panel of Judges for the National Sales Congress (NASCO) by SLIM since 2016. He is a proud product of Royal College Colombo 07.
“AIA’s CEO Chathuri Munaweera congratulated Chanaka on his appointment while noting, “At AIA Sri Lanka, we are very proud of our Wealth Planner Agency Sales force, and it has been a privilege to develop young leaders in the caliber of Chanaka to take on its new generation of senior leadership positions.”
Chanaka’s extensive background in the financial industry, innovative business development mind-set and energetic leadership style will no doubt strengthen our Channel Distribution. It demonstrates our commitment to people development and our ambitions to grow and expand our unique market and customer presence in Sri Lanka to serve millions of people to live healthier, longer, better lives”.
Chanaka commenting on his new role, added, “Coming from a financial and marketing orientation, life insurance was a natural fit for me in my career journey. I feel privileged to lead AIA’s team of outstanding Wealth Planner sales professionals who believe in truly making a difference, working tirelessly towards protecting Sri Lankans. We are a part of one of the world’s largest insurers and in Sri Lanka, we represent a top-notch Wealth Planner team with a strong digital and branch presence. Together, we are committed to providing protection to our customers and solidifying our position in leading in our chosen markets.”
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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