Business
Pathfinder- Centennial launched to provide strategic advisory services to foreign and local investors
The MMBL-Pathfinder Group and the Washington DC based Centennial Group Holdings LLC., have launched a joint venture company for providing strategic advisory and project management services to policymakers as well as prospective foreign and local investors, with a view to attracting foreign investment and establishing new business ventures in the island.
The Agreement was signed on December 22nd, 2020 on a virtual platform in the presence of signatories from both sides. The Board of Pathfinder-Centennial will comprise of Harinder Kohli, President & CEO of Centennial Group International and Director and Chief Executive of Emerging Markets Forum (a nonprofit arm), both based in Washington D.C., who held several senior positions at the World Bank; Dr. Rajat Nag, former Managing Director General of the Asian Development Bank and Distinguished Fellow of National Council of Applied Economic Research, Delhi and Emerging Markets Forum, Washington DC (2006-2013) and Mohamed V. Muhsin, Strategic Management Consultant, Corporate Director and former Vice President & CIO of the World Bank. Board members representing MMBL-Pathfinder Group will be former Ambassador and Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation Bernard Goonetilleke; K. Balasundaram, CEO of MMBL-Pathfinder Group and senior corporate executive and Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.Bernard Goonetilleke will function as Chairman, while Mohamed V. Muhsin will be the Managing Director/ CEO of the joint venture company, Pathfinder-Centennial (Pvt.) Ltd.Centennial Group International. headquartered in Washington DC, is a strategic and policy advisory firm with branches and operations globally.
Centennial partners with local ‘Think Tanks’, Universities, executive training institutions and other counterparts. It provides advice across economic sectors in the public and private sectors, state owned enterprises and small and medium enterprises. Economic transformation is a major focus of Centennial, including reorganization and transformation of enterprises, implementation of program and projects, monitoring and evaluation, advising on mergers and acqusitions and leveraging digital opportunities. Centennial works with sovereign and non-sovereign clients as well as with a full range of multilateral and bilateral development institutions. The Group has the benefit of a unique blend of senior staff, having experience in high-level policy and strategy formulation and implementation by serving in senior most positions in multilateral institutions including UN agencies, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the IMF, IFAD, AfDB and the Islamic Development Bank.
It has released a number of major publications through its non-profit arm, the Emerging Markets Forum.MMBL-Pathfinder Group has been engaged in investing and promoting investments by local and foreign investors for a considerable period of time. The ‘Pathfinder Foundation’, which is a non-profit organization established by the Group, has been active since 2003 in multifaceted fields such as economic reform, security and strategic studies etc. by conducting public seminars, workshops, conferences etc. for the local and international audience.
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
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