Business
SriLankan Airlines introduces neighbour-free travel on Economy Class
SriLankan Airlines, the National Carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld alliance, has unveiled neighbour-free seats. This feature allows passengers to purchase an empty seat or row beside them on a flight, at a nominal price set by the airline, ensuring the seat or row remains vacant on Economy Class, giving passengers the option to physically distance themselves inflight and fly in comfort with more space and privacy. Neighbour-free seats provide customers with generous legroom and more space to relax during the flight. Also, it benefits concerned travellers by enabling passengers to block seats around them, providing an effective solution for social distancing onboard.These seats will be offered to all Economy Class passengers holding a confirmed booking on SriLankan Airlines. Passengers will be able to pre-book empty seats, as these are subject to availability. This feature is available on srilankan.com/en_uk/plan-and-book/neighbour-free-seats. SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Vipula Gunatilleka said: “This innovative product helps to improve the experience of passengers flying in economy class. Giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy an extra bit of space when travelling, thereby heightening their travel experience onboard. We are also looking at making this a permanent product on our ancillary product portfolio.” Before the lead-up to the flight, passengers are notified of the availability of this facility via email. Passengers can select their desired blocked seats directly from the seat map on www.srilankan.com, based on load factor and available inventory. The option to block seats on SriLankan Airlines flights is available between 48 to four hours before departure.Neighbour-Free Seats provide every travel party type from solo travellers, couples, and families with their ideal journey. As couples who travel have the entire row to themselves, parents travelling with infants have the extra assurance of more space while traveling during pandemic times. This platform enables social distancing across a variety of seat configurations, on both narrow and wide-body aircraft.”The main objective of the project was to offer a more comfortable and premium experience to our Economy Class passengers onboard all of our flights while staying true to our vision of being the most customer centric airline in Asia. This is just one of the many upcoming new features we are working on to enhance the passenger journey. I would like to thank all the teams involved in bringing this project to fruition,” stated Sri Lankan Airlines Manager – IT Projects and Systems Integrations Conrad Reshantha.
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
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
