Business
HNB’s rapid tech innovation wins four awards at LankaPay Technovation Awards
Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience and Bank of the Year for Financial Inclusivity are two of the four prestigious titles won
Sri Lanka’s premier private sector bank HNB PLC recently bagged four awards at the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2022.
HNB was awarded the prestigious Bank of the Year for Financial Inclusivity and Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience titles. Hosted by LankaClear to recognize and reward flag bearers and promoters of innovative digital payment solutions, the awarding night was held at Shangri-La Hotel Colombo, with the participation of State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development Namal Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest, Secretary to the Ministry of Technology Jayantha De Silva as the Guest of Honour, Chairman Panel of Judges Oshada Senanayake and LankaClear Chairman Dr. Kenneth De Zilwa, together with representatives from financial institutions across the island.
Commenting on the wins, HNB Deputy General Manager- Retail and SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne said: “We would firstly like to congratulate all the winners and nominees who have taken remarkable strides to make Sri Lanka a digitally empowered nation. We are also thrilled to have our initiatives towards supporting innovative digital payment solutions be recognized at such a prestigious gathering.
“Since the pandemic, we have worked tirelessly towards digitally empowering customers to access a cashless and contactless ecosystem. Given that LankaPay, a notable body that has supported and encouraged the digital expansion of payment solutions throughout the nation, has recognized our efforts further solidifies HNB’s mission to bring about a digitally empowered nation.”
In addition to being presented with the Gold awards for the Bank of the Year for Excellence in Customer Convenience and Bank of the Year for Financial Inclusivity categories. HNB also won the Silver award for ‘Financial Institution of the Year for Best Digital Payment Strategy’, and Bronze for ‘Overall Award – Excellence in Interbank Digital Payments’ (Banking Institutions) this year.
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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