Business
Interview with Cassandra Fernando MP, prominent Australian politician of Sri Lankan origin
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Q: Are you the first Sri Lanka-born individual elected to Australian Parliament?
A: I am the first Sri Lankan-born Federal Member of Parliament in Australia, a position that I am proud of because it reflects the increasingly multicultural nature of Australian society. However, I am not the first Sri Lankan-born to be elected to any parliament in Australia—Jude uncle (Jude Perera), who was the State Member for Cranbourne, a seat fully located within my federal electorate of Holt, served in the Victorian Parliament between 2002-2018.
Q: Do you see your trip to Sri Lanka as a very significant one, if so, why?
A: I am delighted to be back here in Sri Lanka, as a Sri Lankan-born person and as the Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Sri Lanka for the 47th Parliament.
I have not had the opportunity to meet with several of my friends and family members residing in Sri Lanka for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to seeing them all again, especially my young nieces and nephews who I have seen grow up over video call.
I am also delighted to be visit Sri Lanka as the Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Sri Lanka and help strengthen the ties between our two countries.
Q: Why did you choose the Labour Party?
A: Growing up I learnt that only a Labor Government can deliver a better future for our community—a future in which families like mine are not held back or left behind. Labor is the party that has supported workers like my parents and my former colleagues, promoted multiculturalism and ensured a ‘fair go’ for all Australians.
Q: Which state do you represent?
A: The Federal Electorate of Holt is located in the state of Victoria.
Q: Why did the people elect you?
A: Many voters approached me during the election and emphasised that their main reason for voting for me was because I was just like them – a suburban supermarket worker who believed in a better future for our community and was willing to fight for it. Holt also has a high foreign-born population, many of whom speak a language other than English at home. Many of these voters empathised with me because I too was born overseas in Sri Lanka and spoke Sinhala at home.
Q: What challenges did you face during the journey?
A: I became a candidate for the Australian Labor Party less than 6 weeks from the election. It was a short but very intense campaign and the learning curve was steep.
Q: How did the opponents treat you during the campaign trail?
A: I was pleased with how respectful the opposing candidates were, barring a few exceptions.
Q: Do you really think different cultures are widely accepted in Australia?
A: Australia is a diverse, inclusive and accepting country.
Q: What can Sri Lanka learn from Australia in terms of diversity, inclusion and democratic institutions?
A: Australians acknowledge that we may differ in our pasts but are united in the pursuit of a shared future through the democratic institutions that govern us. It is an important lesson for every country in the world.
Q: Sri Lankan community in Australia keeps growing. Do you think there should be more representation for them in Australian parliament?
A: I am proud of the diversity that is represented in the 47th Parliament of Australia, and I am confident this diversity will only grow with time.
Q: There was a pretty big press briefing in Colombo recently on Sri Lankan boat migration to Australia. Is there any suspicion in Australia about Sri Lankan government’s complicity in people smuggling operations?
A: The Australian Government has full faith in their Sri Lankan counterparts when working on challenges of mutual interest, such as people smuggling.
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
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