Business
Dialog champions eliminating avoidable blindness and access to education
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, pledged its commitment to provide school children in need with spectacles, in celebration of World Sight Day, and as part of the Company’s Nethsuwaya programme conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health’s V2030 initiative.
The announcement follows the company’s continued support of the national Vision 2020 programme that was launched in 2007 via Nethsuwaya. A joint venture between the World Health Organisation and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and spearheaded locally by the Ministry of Health, the programme aimed to reduce avoidable blindness through the implementation of a sustainable national programme as part of the National Health System. The College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, has launched Vision 2030 in order to continue the work of the project.
Dialog’s latest pledge will provide school children in-need with spectacles, as identified by the national School Medical Inspection programme which conducts eye clinics for school children on a regular basis. This year’s World Sight Day beneficiaries were chosen in line with the organisation’s commitment to supporting Sustainable Development Goal 4 i.e. Quality Education, on the basis that affected children now have access to overcoming a major obstacle in reaching their full potential. Over the years, Dialog has consistently led the way in supporting the education sector with initiatives including, Dialog Merit Scholarships, Nenasa TV, and Nenasa Smarts Schools. The company has invested over Rs. 1 Billion for these endeavours to date.
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We are pleased to join forces with the Ministry of Health’s V2030 initiative through our Nethsuwaya programme, to ensure that every child gains the clarity to envision a brighter future. Aligned with our vision of empowering and enriching Sri Lankan lives, this initiative embodies our belief in fostering an inclusive society where potential knows no bounds.”
Since 2016, Dialog has conducted many eye camps, screened 27,363 patients and distributed 19,823 customised spectacles to those in need, particularly in rural areas, helping to reduce avoidable blindness and improve the quality of life for thousands of Sri Lankans.
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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