Business
Dialog & Ministry of Education Continue to Facilitate Equitable Access to Education in Sri Lanka
Furthering their shared mission of providing equitable access to education for all students across the country, Dialog Axiata PLC and the Ministry of Education revised their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the operations of the Nenasa initiative.
In line with the Ministry’s vision for a digitally enabled education landscape in Sri Lanka, under the revised MOU, the integration of the eight Nenasa TV channels and the Nenasa Educational App with the Ministry’s National Learning Content Management System (LCMS) e-Thaksalawa will create a comprehensive smart education ecosystem. This ecosystem will comprise TV channels, a web-based LCMS, and an Education App compatible with mainstream operating systems. Going a step further, Dialog has facilitated free access on its network for the native content hosted on Nenasa, e-Thaksalawa and the LEARN (Lanka Education And Research Network) online platforms. The Nenasa Smart School programme will play a vital role in empowering competent smart Digital Educators and fostering the development of quality educational content at both national and school levels. In addition, the MoU will further facilitate the VAAYU project, an IoT-based air quality monitoring initiative, with selected Nenasa Smart Schools serving as air quality monitoring hubs.
Speaking about the initiative, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education said, “Dialog and the Ministry of Education have revised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the Nenasa initiative. This initiative encompasses eight Television Channels, specifically designed for students from grades 1 to 13. The updated MoU not only includes these channels but also establishes a comprehensive ecosystem consisting of educational apps as well as projects intended to foster the development of skilled digital educators. Moreover, the Ministry of Education has established a dedicated control centre to oversee this operation. It is important to highlight that Dialog offers all these services completely free of charge, with the aim of enhancing the local education landscape.”
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “Dialog is committed to providing equitable access to education for all students across Sri Lanka and this revised MOU with the Ministry of Education is a significant step towards this goal. The consolidation of these platforms will create a comprehensive smart education ecosystem, providing students with access to high-quality educational content, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Education to make this vision a reality.”
Dialog has invested over Rs. 600 million in the Nenasa TV operation, demonstrating its commitment to inclusive and accessible education. Over 2,500 schools nationwide have received television sets, accompanied by a tailor-made satellite television package from Dialog Television, ensuring free access to the eight Nenasa TV channels. These channels offer educational and edutainment content aligned with the local syllabus and are available to over 1.7 million Dialog Television subscribers at no cost. Complementary projects including the Nenasa Smart School and the Nenasa Educational App were launched, focusing on upskilling digital educators and providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children.
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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