Business
Discussions underway with India and Japan on ECT development -SLPA chairman
The East Container Terminal ( ECT) of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) inaugurated its container operations on 27, 2020 with the arrival of the first container carrier ship MSC Emma.
by Sanath Nanayakkare
General (Retd) Daya Ratnayake, chairman of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) yesterday refuted recent news reports in foreign and local media which claimed that Indian conglomerate Adani Group was all set to develop Sri Lanka’s thwarted East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Port of Colombo.
“It’s all speculation without any concrete basis” Gen. Ratnayake said in response to a question by The Island Financilal Review whether the news story being circulated that the present government is going to toe the former government’s line in relation to developing the ECT, with Indian and Japanese collaboration is true. “Sri Lanka Ports Authority recently started operations in certain parts of the East Container Terminal which has been already constructed, using existing gantry cranes, after receiving the government’s approval to do so. We needed to do it to enhance our container operations. As a hub of the Indian Ocean, the capacity development of the Port of Colombo is of great importance,” SLPA chairman said.
When asked whether the deal signed by the former government with India and Japan to develop the ECT still remains valid, he said, “After the change of government, negotiations began to be re-looked at in a more comprehensive manner and the government of Sri Lanka is in discussions with the governments of Japan and India on how to operationalise the terminal. These negotiations are still taking place on state-level,” he said.
Asked whether India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. along with a local partner have received consent to sign a deal with SLPA which gives SLPA the right to hold a majority stake in the project, he said, “Nothing is concrete in this regard yet. The three governments will work out details based on the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)”.
Sri Lanka, India and Japan signed the MoC for the development of the East Container Terminal in the Port of Colombo on May 28, 2019. According to the MoC, SLPA will retain 51% stake of the venture while the rest is to be shared between India and Japan.
In August 2020, with the parliamentary election right around the corner, workers at the Port of Colombo stopped work for two days in protest against the privatisation of the Eastern Container Terminal, due to which revenue of the Port was reportedly dented by Rs. 10 billion.
The strike was called off after trade unions had discussions with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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
