Business
CEAT Kelani celebrates resilience at first post-pandemic dealer awards gala
Hosts top 125 dealers and their families at two-day event at Shangri-La Hambantota
A two-and-a-half-decade journey of manufacturing excellence leading to market domination was acknowledged when CEAT Kelani Holdings felicitated the Company’s top dealers at a spectacular awards gala recently.
The top 125 CEAT dealers in Sri Lanka and their families came together with representatives of the Company’s senior management after a lapse of three years to celebrate the success of their combined efforts to overcome the adverse impacts of the global pandemic and the economic downturn.
CEAT’s top 10 dealers countrywide received handsome awards for their contributions to the Company’s performance while the top 45 dealers received awards of excellence and the top performers in each of four tyre categories were recognised separately at the dealer convention.
The two-day event at the Shangri-La Hotel in Hambantota took place just days after CEAT Kelani was lauded by the country’s President, political and business leaders at its 25th anniversary celebration in Colombo.
In his welcome speech, CEAT Kelani Chairman Chanaka de Silva said: “I am proud to say that CEAT Sri Lanka, as a premier tyre manufacturer, has been resilient through these tumultuous times. But our resilience was not just a testament to our company’s strength. It reflected the unwavering support, trust and dedication of our esteemed dealers. Each one of you played a crucial role in ensuring that we stayed on course, even when the path was riddled with obstacles.”
“I am filled with hope and optimism as we look ahead. The road to recovery has begun, and together, we embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and shared success. Let’s continue to work together, forging a legacy that future generations will look back upon with pride,” he said.
CEAT Kelani Managing Director Ravi Dadlani emphasised that “As we look towards the future, I am excited to share that we have ambitious plans in the pipeline. We are deeply committed to quality improvement, ensuring that every tyre that comes out of our production line is of the highest standard. Furthermore, we are gearing up for expansion, aiming to reach even more corners of our nation and ensuring that every Sri Lankan has access to the best tyres in the market.”
Top dealers honoured at the event received cash awards, gift vouchers, trophies and certificates in recognition of their performances in each of the product categories that CEAT manufactures, as well for overall excellence. CEAT’s overall best dealer was U&H Wheels of Colombo 2, while the runner-up was Padalangala Rajapaksha Tyre House, Padalangala.
In the Category awards, Paramount Tyre Traders Colombo 14, won the Radial category, U & H Wheel Service Colombo 02 the Truck category, Sumith Marketing Company Ambalangoda the Light Truck category and Tharaka Tyre House Mawathagama the Three-wheeler category.
The CEAT brand originated in Italy and is now backed by German manufacturing technology and extensive research and testing facilities in India and Europe, enabling the tyres to meet the exacting standards for export to countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.
A Rs 8 billion investment in state-of-the-art tyre manufacture, the CEAT Sri Lanka manufacturing operations in Kelaniya and Kalutara encompass tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (nylon and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.
Widely considered a model for a successful privatisation of a state-owned enterprise, CEAT Kelani Holdings now manufactures half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements, exports about 20 per cent of its production to 16 countries and plays a significant role in helping the national economy conserve foreign exchange by reducing dependence on imported tyres.
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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