Business
Uber appoints Kaushalya Gunaratna as new head of mobility business
Uber, the leading ridesharing app, today announced the appointment of Kaushalya Gunaratna as the Country Manager of Uber – Sri Lanka. In her role as the head of business, she will oversee the operations of Uber’s mobility business in the island nation.
With this announcement, Kaushalya moves from the Uber Eats business where she was heading Merchant Operations to the Uber rides vertical which offers urban mobility solutions. In her previous role, Kaushalya strengthened Uber Eats’ merchant network, devised revenue growth strategies, and collaborated with global and regional teams to support local operations.
Prior to Uber, she has been part of the apparel industry where she gained an extensive and diverse experience in collaborating with leading global brands. Her responsibilities included business development, strategy and planning, supply chain management and finance.
Commenting on the appointment, Shiva Shailendran, Director – Operations, Uber India & South Asia, said, “We’re pleased to welcome Kaushalya to lead Uber in Sri Lanka and grow it further. During her Uber journey, Kaushalya has proven herself to be an excellent collaborator, astute planner, and someone who is focused on delighting customers and partners, with a keen eye on growth. Her appointment demonstrates Uber’s commitment to providing opportunities for employees to grow their careers within the company. I wish her the very best and am confident that she will enjoy building a brand that has received overwhelming love ever since we entered Sri Lanka in 2015.”
Kaushalya Gunaratna, Country Manager, Uber Sri Lanka, added, “I am delighted to take on this new role and lead the Uber mobility business through the next phase of growth in Sri Lanka. As a nation we look to rebuild after a prolonged period of crisis. We are focused more than ever to make every ride magical for our riders and driver partners. I look forward to working with the mobility team and continue to bring the best that Uber has to offer to our beautiful country.”
Since its launch in 2015, Uber has emerged as a leading ridesharing platform in Sri Lanka. Offering Uber rides in 40 Sri Lankan cities today, the company has unlocked earning opportunities for hundreds of thousands of driver partners, and has made movement convenient and hassle-free for riders. Recently, Uber partnered with the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to launch a dedicated pick-up spot for riders to make travel-related stress and guesswork at the airport a thing of the past.
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
