Business
Minister alleges ‘bribery ring’ at Colombo Airport’s passport control
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara alleged loose checking of passports by some immigration officers at the Katunayake International Airport on receiving bribes.
“We know that some immigration officers are taking bribes and supporting illegal human trafficking through the Airport. These are pre-arranged, well-coordinated exercises. The cohorts are connected to one another in this operation. These migrants who come to the departure lounge are informed well in advance which passport counter they should join, and to which officer they should produce their passports. And then their passports are not checked thoroughly in line with the purpose they are leaving the country. Some people even enter the airport building with one passport and get another passport inside the airport building. The involved immigration officers do not properly examine the integrity of their travel documents,” he alleged.
The minister made these remarks while speaking at the opening of the Safe Migration Promotion Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on Monday.
He pointed out that those immigration officers involved in this exercise should think of the consequences of allowing unfit persons to leave for overseas jobs because they face hardships they can’t endure in the countries they go to, and end up in great misery.
“In recent times, the country had to bear the cost of deploying 3 planes to bring back such migrant victims, using public money. I must tell you that efforts to curb human trafficking and illegal emigration for foreign jobs cannot be stopped by just one entity. It should be a combined effort involving the Ministry of Defence, CID, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, Airport and Immigration and Emigration officials and other relevant officials,” he said.
The newly opened unit has been established with the aim of preventing Sri Lankans going abroad for work on tourist visas and to prevent them from becoming victims of human trafficking. The unit will also provide proper guidance to Sri Lankan migrant workers to find safe work environments according to their skills. It mainly focuses on those who go to Malaysia, Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi on tourist visas in search of jobs.
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
