Business
EY Webinar on Personal Data Protection examines why companies need to be prepared for the Sri Lanka Data Protection Act
Manil Jayasinghe – Country Manager, Ernst & Young, and Hiranthi Fonseka – Partner- Financial Accounting and Advisory Services of Ernst & Young together with Manjula Sirimane – Partner D.L.F De Saram, and Kareena Teh – Partner | Solicitor Advocate LC lawyers LLP (Hong Kong Law Firm member of the Global EY network) will host the webinar “Are you ready for the Personal Data Protection Act?” to deliberate how companies can make the fundamental changes proposed by the Act. The session will discuss the salient features of the Bill, the regulatory expectations, and what it means for businesses on a local and international scale.
Speaking on the PDP Act, Manil Jayesinghe comments that Personal Data Privacy should not be looked at in isolation, or as the sole responsibility of Information Officers. He reiterates that this is an organization wide project, involving operations, IT, legal and business processes. As the volume of personal data collected increases, so does the responsibility of protecting it. This responsibility becomes a legal obligation once the PDP Act is passed.
Hiranthi Fonseka adds that the Bill is a much welcome regulation to Sri Lanka’s digital economy, allowing the country to be placed alongside countries following GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) for example. Drawing in from her experience in digital transformation, Hiranthi emphasizes the need for early adoption of compliance measures, that will require a multi-disciplinary transformational approach. She notes that while the Act may seem prohibitive in that it forces companies to reassess and realign the way in which it collects, processes, and uses personal data, it is in essence an opportunity for companies to strengthen their risk and governance framework, overall Data Privacy and cyber-security.
Published on 25 November 2021, the Sri Lanka Personal Data Protection Bill explicitly defines ‘Personal Data’ with identifiers such as genetics, mental, cultural, economic, social identity as well as criminal proceedings, children, and biometrics being covered. Once enacted the bill gives certain rights to data subjects and makes clear the responsibilities of the data controllers and processes, while also vesting power in a Data Protection Authority to oversee compliance issues, among other tasks. The Act goes on to stipulate the appointment and role of the Data Protection officer in companies processing high volumes of personal data, and mandates Data flow mapping and Data Protection Impact Assessments, while listing the penalties enforceable for non-compliance.
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
