Business
HSBC opens up a world of opportunity with the latest international education corridor – Canada
The panel included Anne Rose, Associate Director, University Students Recruitment, University of Toronto, Daniel Zaretzky, CEO Canadian University Application Centre and Sandip Chaudhury – Head of Customer Growth and International Banking for HSBC Canada, together with Nadeesha Senaratne, Country Head of Wealth & Personal Banking for HSBC Sri Lanka. The webinar was moderated by Tharanga Gunasekera, Head of Marketing and Communications from HSBC Sri Lanka, with a record number of over 700 customers and their children from over 1500 registrations.
According to UNESCO research, over 21,000 students go overseas on higher education, to traditionally five key corridors such as Australia, US, UK, Malaysia and India. Most recent data revealed that Canada has become an emerging corridor for students that builds a profile as a great destination based on many aspects such as post study working visa facilities and healthcare. The corridor has recorded a 95% growth over the last five years and 1600 students moved to Canada from Sri Lanka in 2020 alone.
The live discussion enabled participants to gain insightful information on the opportunities for local students who plan to pursue their education in Canada, with information on the application process and courses available, approximate costs and living conditions. The webinar also touched on the financial aspect of moving and settling in Canada and the assistance provided to parents/students through HSBC Canada, that makes the journey extremely comfortable right from the very beginning of planning for higher education to the time the student lands in the destination and continues till the very end.
Nadeesha Senaratne, Country Head of Wealth and Personal Banking mentioned “At HSBC we want to open up a world of opportunity for our customers and support their ambitions. We understand our customers lead international lives and what we have understood is that they really value international education for their children, and that has become a bigger part of their personal economy. What we’ve seen over the last 12-18 months is that Canada has become an emerging corridor and we thought it would be very topical to have both education experts to share their knowledge as well on the financial assistance that HSBC can provide, to help parents/students make informed decisions and help make the fund flow journey easier for our customers.”
With HSBC’s international student proposition, getting students ready for overseas education has never been easier. HSBC supports by providing all the essential banking services such as opening student files, facilitating payments, opening an overseas account and arranging for a debit card prior to departure of the student.
Like HSBC Sri Lanka, HSBC Canada is the largest international bank and operates as a full service bank with a widespread network of 130 branches, and a strong digital footprint. HSBC Canada is committed to supporting the ambitions of Sri Lankans moving to Canada with a host of international banking services where especially pre-departure account opening will be facilitated within 2-3 working days which can be done digitally.
HSBC will continue to hold these webinars on a regular basis to provide knowledge and global insights to prepare prospective students for their higher education in key education corridors where HSBC is present, given the rapidly evolving landscape and uncertainties around the world.
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
