Business
Medical equipment and other vital assistance from the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka
President Moon Yong-Jo of IIDA, Dr. Mendis and other senior most officials of the IIDA, with samples of the sanitary products, at the briefing session of the ceremony
With the intervention and coordination of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Seoul, the Sri Lankan community and well-wishers in the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the KEB Hana Bank, one of the largest money center banks, have gifted new 32 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds to Sri Lanka at the height of the COVID pandemic.
These state-of-the-art ICU beds, which were handed over to Ambassador Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis and Head of Chancery Ms. Nilanthi Pelawaththage, would be air lifted to Sri Lanka, courtesy of SriLankan Airlines, this week to reach Colombo at the earliest. These ICU beds are valued at over USD 12,000 (SLRs. 2.4 million). It may further be noted that the E9-PAY Company Ltd. in the Republic of Korea facilitated the sourcing of the aforementioned ICU beds in close coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Further, the Embassy has raised funds, primarily from the Sri Lankan community and migrants in the RoK, in excess of SLRs. 2 million, which would be used to purchase 50 Oxygen Cylinders with the capacity of 10.2L. These would be air lifted to Colombo at the earliest.
The Embassy successfully negotiated and interceded with International Interchange Development Association, known as IIDA, headed by Mr. Moon Yong-Jo in order to receive a gift of Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine and a large quantum of sanitary products such as shampoos, tooth brushes, toothpaste and soaps, amongst others, to the peoples of Sri Lanka. This initiative was effectuated by the Commercial Division of the Embassy along with Ambassador Dr. Mendis. The listed price of the Cancer Machine is USD 365,000 and total cost of sanitary products is USD 318,000 thus making the total gift amounting to USD 683,000 or SLRs. 135 million respectively. Since this consignment is very large, it would be shipped to Sri Lanka as soon as IIDA and the Embassy source a competitively priced freight forwarding agent.
This Agreement was signed by Dr. Mendis and the Commercial Division of the Embassy with the President of the IIDA to receive the Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine and other sanitary products to be shipped to Sri Lanka. “The Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine, which is one of the most state-of-the-art machines used in the world, would be of immense usage and utility to patients suffering from cancer and cancer related sicknesses in Sri Lanka”, added Dr. Mendis during the gifting ceremony. Ambassador Dr. Mendis further stated “according to the WHO and Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, cancer is one of the primary causes of untimely deaths of peoples in developed and developing countries including in Sri Lanka. On any given day, approximately 30,000 people in the world die due to cancer, which is far higher than any other cause of death except of heart diseases”.
Some of the deadliest and most difficult cancers to be medically treated are prostate, pancreatic, breast and lung cancer, amongst others, and in Sri Lanka, Dr. Mendis added that a substantial number of people die each year due to cancer. President Mr. Moon of IIDA had visited Sri Lanka in the past and the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) conducts altruistic and philanthropic functionaries in a number of developing countries around the world. The President of IIDA stated that in due course once the COVID pandemic is over, the IIDA would dispatch a couple of experts and technicians to Sri Lanka to familiarize the operational aspect of the aforementioned Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine.
The Embassy on close coordination with Sri Lanka Air Force, intervened and negotiated with the International Fire Safety Association of the RoK, a reputed INGO, which has gifted a Water Tank Vehicle and two Fire Pump Trucks to the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Agreement on the gift of fire engines was signed by the Chairperson of International Fire Safety Association and Dr. Mendis and the fire engines, which were scarcely used and are in very good condition. These highly advanced fire engines would be shipped to Sri Lanka in the immediate future. During the recent past, the aforementioned Association has gifted fire engines and ambulances to a number of countries and the Chair assured to the Embassy and to Dr. Mendis that in the future, the Association would gift more fire engines and ambulances to 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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