Business
Suwa Arana:Sri Lanka’s first Paediatric Palliative Care Center opens in Maharagama
Suwa Arana, Sri Lanka’s first Paediatric Palliative Care Centre opened its doors for paediatric cancer patients. Designed on the overarching ethos of being a place for healing, this pioneering project fulfils a dire need in the paediatric palliative care space in Sri Lanka bringing together a holistic environment of supportive care, designed to promote physical, emotional and psychological healing for paediatric cancer patients.
Suwa Arana’s concepts in its architecture and interiors too go beyond the norm, having been designed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, child life specialists and paediatric experts to ensure efficiency, functionality and most importantly, healing.
The soothing color palette, nature-inspired elements, interactive spaces, personalised touches and prioritization of safety, hygiene, privacy and family togetherness in trying times are well thought out elements in this state-of-the-art facility.
Suwa Arana houses cutting edge technology and contemporary care services including pain and symptom management, psycho-social support, art and music therapy, end of life and bereavement support, created as a haven for both children and their families. Within the six-storey facility are four patient floors, in which are 32 en-suite family rooms, rooftop garden, ground floor dining, specialised kitchen and recreation facilities.
With nearly one thousand children diagnosed with cancer in Sri Lanka, 7 out of 10 are from low income families. Most cannot afford the cost of medication, transport and accommodation due to their disadvantaged economic circumstances. Suwa Arana creates a home away from home for these children, completely free of charge, in a warm and supportive residential facility.
Facilities at Suwa Arana are free of charge, a home away from home for children
with cancer to live with their families
The Indira Cancer Trust, which was initiated following the demise of Indira Jayasuriya of cancer at the age of 40 is a collobarative partnership with Sri Lanka Medical Association North American Western Region (SLMANA WR) and a collective of foundations, service organisations and family trusts. The donors for this pioneering Centre for Healing include the Roshan Mahanama Trust, Lions Club International Foundation (Lions District 306B2), MJF Charitable Foundation, Wijerama Family Foundation and The Prince Group, Australia. In addition, invaluable support has been extended by a host of individuals and families to sponsor rooms, which will ensure the Center’s sustainability going forward.
Former Speaker and Member of Parliament SriLankabhimanya Karu Jayasuriya who is the Patron of the Indira Cancer Trust, walked the journey of pain his family suffered on the death of his daughter. “We made a pledge at the time that we would never allow other parents to go through that pain. Suwa Arana is truly a place for healing, where we take a holistic approach to care for children who are faced with an unimaginable amount of pain, uncertainty and the snatching away of their childhood. Their parents are truly helpless with no support system to give them strength.”
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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