Business
A lifetime of ceaseless commitment gets international recognition
In recognition of her contribution to the cause of women entrepreneurship not just in her country, but across South Asia. Sri Lanka’s Rezani Aziz was presented with the prestigious ‘Priyadarshini Lifetime Achievement Award’.
It was presented at the conclusion of the 6th International Conference organized jointly by the Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs, Ministry of MSME, Government of India and Institute of Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), last week in Delhi.
The award was in recognition of Aziz’s efforts and contribution toward regional participation and collaboration of women entrepreneurs through regional organizations of SAARC. She is founding Secretary and member of SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneur Council (SCWEC) and country president of the global Association of Business Women of Commerce and Industry (ABWCI).
Her contributions have been manifold; Aziz led the founding of SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneur Council in 2001 for the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka, under the aegis of SAARC and created an umbrella organization for South Asian women business associations. She is the founding Chief Executive and Director of Adfactors Public Relations Lanka, a leading PR firm with an impressive client roster. Recently, the firm introduced an all-new Strategic Communications practice, involving policy advocacy campaigns towards public reform.
In 2012, she was appointed a steering committee member of South Asian Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium, a programme supported by the US Department of State to accelerate US Government’s ‘New Silk Road’ goals of enhanced regional and economic integration of women across South Asia. She is a member of the US Vital Voices Global Partnership.
The Priyadarshini Award was established in 1995 under the chairmanship of Small Industries Corporation, MSME Ministry of the government of India, Small Industries Development Bank of India, Department of Women and Child Welfare and the Federation of Indian Women Entrepreneurs. The prestigious award is given to outstanding women achievers in promoting women entrepreneurship in India as well as SAARC.
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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