Business
CL Synergy announces new board ahead of IPO
Leading digitally-enabled freight forwarding solutions provider with a global footprint, CL Synergy, has announced the appointment of six members to its Board of Directors.
The announcement comes as the Company completes its transition from a Private Limited Liability company into a Public Limited Liability company, in preparation for an expansion plan, which will include an Initial Public Offering (IPO) and listing of its shares, once the necessary approvals are obtained. The new Directors will add value by bringing in a wealth of experience and expertise to guide the Company, as it embarks on the next phase of its growth journey, a CLS news release said.
The new additions to the Board of Directors of CL Synergy Limited include Mr. Dharma Dheerasinghe, who will serve as Chairman, Messrs. Nirosh De Silva, Thilan Wijesinghe and Sanjaya Bandara, who will serve as Independent/Non-Executive Directors and Udara Widanagamage and Anuradha Sooriyaarachchi, who will serve as Executive Directors.
“All of these individuals are veterans and leaders in their respective fields,” the release said.
The new appointments complete CL Synergy’s Board of Directors, which also includes its Managing Director/Co-Founder Roshan Silva, Director – Finance/Co-Founder Janaka Udamulla and Director Shehani Kulatunga, all of whom have been with the Company since its inception 17 years ago.
Mr. Dharma Dheerasinghe, having built a banking career in both in the public and private sectors was Chairman of Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, while also having previously served as the Deputy Governor and Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka having also functioned as an Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He holds both a Master’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Leeds and the University of Colombo, respectively.
Mr. Nirosh De Silva is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a BA in Economics and Business Management from Franklin and Marshall College, and is presently the Managing Partner at Horizon Partners Limited. Previously, he has served as a Senior Manager at Ayojana Fund Management, and at Hatton National Bank PLC. Mr. De Silva has a wealth of experience in private equity and corporate finance.
Mr. Thilan Wijesinghe is a prominent investment banker, a specialist in public-private partnerships (PPP) and an entrepreneur. A well-known figure in the world of business, Mr. Wijesinghe holds three bachelor’s degrees, in Industrial Engineering, Economics and Business Administration. He is a specialist in investment banking and real estate. He is presently the Chairman and CEO of TWCorp (Private) Limited, the Chairman of Sapphirus Lanka (Private) Limited, and a Director at both Ceylon Tea Trails (Private) Limited and MJF Leisure (Private) Limited.
Mr. Sanjaya Bandara holds a BSc in Accountancy & Financial Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Colombo. He is presently the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, a Director at Prime Land Residencies PLC, a Partner at B R De Silva and Co. and serves as a Board Member of both the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants and the Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board.
Mr. Udara Widanagamage is a marketer and Logistics & supply chain expert. He has also served as a Director of CL Synergy (Private) Limited, a role which he is now continuing in his new capacity at CL Synergy Limited. Mr. Widanagamage holds an MBA from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and is Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Australia (CMA), qualified.
Mr. Anuradha Sooriyaarachchi has served as Director – Procurement & Business Development at CL Synergy (Private) Limited, a role which he is now extending in his new capacity at CL Synergy Limited. Mr. Sooriyaarachchi has also served as General Manager and Deputy General Manager at CL Synergy (Private) Limited. He has also functioned in roles such as Manager Sales (Sri Lanka/Maldives) at APL Lanka (Private) Limited and Senior Executive at Maersk Logistics Lanka (Private) Limited. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers. Anuradha’s contributions towards the development of the industry saw him being appointed as a member of the Logistics Advisory Committee to the Export Development Board (EDB) by the Minister of Trade, with effect from July 2021.
CL Synergy Limited was incorporated as CL Synergy (Private) Limited in 2004 as a fully-fledged freight forwarding company. The Company’s objective is to provide professional, reliable and high-quality services. The Company prides itself on providing customers with a personalized atmosphere, flexibility, highly competitive pricing and efficient servicing. CL Synergy has diversified its activities under a set of Associate companies which include fleet management, software solutions and Investments, along with other innovative ventures in the pipeline.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”