Business
EMA applauds government’s decision to allocate funds to revive the Event Management industry
The Event Management Association of Sri Lanka applauded the government’s decision to allocate Rs 500 million in the next year’s (2022) budget to compensation for losses incurred during the pandemic. Built painstakingly over 30 years, Sri Lanka’s Event Management industry has been a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings through driving the MICE tourist industry. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the earning potential of the industry due to inevitable mobility restrictions that ensued.
“We thank the Finance Minister Hon. Basil Rajapakse and the Government for recognizing our industry and allocating Rs. 500 million to compensate the losses incurred during the pandemic with our industry being shut for 18 months. EMA being the legally registered body of the Event Industry, we trust and hope that the Finance Ministry will consult and work with the EMA as to how these funds will be disbursed to the professional Event Management Companies,’ Seniya Samarasekera, Secretary – EMA said.
In addition to brining in foreign exchange to boot the economy, the Event Management Industry has provided employment to thousands of people. Over the past 30 years, the event management industry grew organically while industry players invested billions of rupees in developing the industry through upgrading equipment, introducing technology and training people.
‘Over the last 2 years the Event Management Association has been working very hard to get our Industry recognized by the government and we were first recognized when the central bank included us for the moratorium. The EMA is registered with the SLTDA and we are also a member of the FCCISL. The government’s fund allocation to the industry is a welcome respite to industry players in these challenging times. We believe that this monetary compensation will enable us to sustain and plan to revive the industry in the post-pandemic economy” – Roshan Wijeyaratne, President – EMA.
In the year 2018 alone, the global MICE industry was valued at $ 1,100 billion and it is projected to grow to $ 2,300 billion in 2026. Sri Lanka’s Event Management Industry enjoys potential to grow in the post-pandemic economy. As such, it is imperative that all stakeholders strive to sustain the industry and keep investing and developing it to retain the competitive edge, and remain competitive in the region to bring much needed foreign exchange to the country.
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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