Business
HCL Technologies to host ScienIT competition for Sri Lankan students
HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company, announced a collaborative program for students – “ScienIT – Science in Information Technology” – to crowdsource technology and innovation in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Sri Lanka.
HCL Technologies Corporate Vice President Srimathi Shivashankar launched the program at the Cinnamon Lakeside in Colombo with representatives of higher education, vice chancellors and deans from leading private and public institutions.
The program has two central tenets – annual innovation competitions and monthly discussion forums led by teachers, subject matter experts and sustainability enthusiasts.
The innovation competitions aim to attract, identify and nurture ideas from bright students across Sri Lanka. HCL will select, nurture and seed-fund the best ideas from students from ideation to execution and invite colleges across Sri Lanka to register their students online to submit their ideas. Each of the ideas submitted will be evaluated based on originality, innovation and application of technology, impact and sustainability.
The winning team in the innovation contests will receive LKR 600,000 and will be invited to join a dedicated webinar as panelists while the runner-up team will receive LKR 400,000. Members of both teams will be offered internship opportunities at HCL Sri Lanka. Applications for the first innovation competition will open Dec. 15, 2021.
The monthly discussion forums will provide participants with a regular exchange of thoughts, ideas and deliberations on the latest developments in science and technology. They will also offer youth opportunities for mentoring, networking and collaborating with students, academicians and industry veterans.
“ScienIT is a collaborative program that encourages the youth of Sri Lanka to seek impactful solutions in ESG,” Srimathi said. “We urge students to participate to resolve issues that matter to their communities and to envision sustainable steps for a better tomorrow. We are committed to providing programs and platforms that encourage youth to take on leadership opportunities that contribute to the greater ecosystem. We believe ScienIT will unleash the potential of many aspiring thinkers and leaders among the youth of Sri Lanka today.”
HCL Technologies began business operations in Sri Lanka in June 2020. A key part of HCL’s business and development strategy is to provide the right skilling and platforms to train the local talent, including school graduates, for career opportunities in high-tech domains and provide them with the requisite exposure of working on global assignments.
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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