Business
Sri Lanka Resorts of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts mark Earth Day with impactful eco-initiatives
In celebration of Earth Day, Sri Lanka Resorts of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts conducted a series of impactful initiatives conducted across its eight properties in Sri Lanka, under this year’s global theme of ‘Plastic Vs Planet’.
The beach properties of Sri Lanka Resorts, including Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, and Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, organized beach clean-up drives in their designated regions with the support of the surrounding community. These proactive endeavours not only facilitated the removal of polythene, litter, and debris from the shorelines but also acted as a rallying cry for individuals to embrace their role in safeguarding coastal ecosystems. Collectively, all resorts gathered over 200 kilograms of plastic waste during the clean-up activities. In addition to beach clean-up efforts, Cinnamon Bentota Beach contributed to environmental conservation by planting trees along the Bentara Riverbed. Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon also conducted a thorough cleaning of the ocean strainer at the Mawakada Canal in Hikkaduwa, to prevent further environmental degradation in the surrounding area.
Meanwhile, Cinnamon Wild Yala organized a beach clean-up at Palatupana beach, reaffirming the brand’s dedication to preserving the natural habitats of Sri Lanka’s diverse wildlife. Cinnamon Citadel Kandy also took action to protect the Mahaweli river by leading a clean-up project along its banks and surrounding areas, by engaging with local communities and mobilizing resources.
Recognizing the importance of waste management and sustainable living, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana and Habarana Village by Cinnamon collaborated with the Palugaswewa Divisional Secretariat to host a workshop for women in Habarana under the name ‘Empowerment through Sustainability’. The workshop focused on empowering the participants to generate income through upcycling used plastic and waste materials into creative home decor items. The Resorts plan to continue this initiative, making a lasting impact on both the community and the environment.
Commenting on these initiatives, Johan Aschan, Area Vice President of Sri Lanka Resorts & General Manager of Cinnamon Bentota Beach stated, “At Cinnamon, we firmly believe in the power of collective action to drive positive change. Polythene, a common material in everyday life, poses grave environmental challenges due to its non-biodegradable nature. Our Earth Day initiatives reflect our commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism practices, in line with our ESG policies. By fostering partnerships with local communities, we aim to cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship, combatting plastic pollution, and promoting sustainable practices. Together, we strive to mitigate the harmful impacts of polythene on our planet’s delicate ecosystems, ensuring a healthier environment for current and future generations to enjoy.”
As a leading hospitality brand in Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts remains dedicated to driving sustainable tourism practices and fostering a deeper connection between the community and the natural beauty of the island. Through ongoing efforts like these, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard for environmentally conscious hospitality in Sri Lanka.
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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