Business
Aitken Spence’s Chef DK awarded President’s Medal of Honour
Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe was felicitated by the World Association of Chefs Societies with the prestigious President’s Medal at the 39th biennial Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2022. He was among the very few chefs who were presented with the President’s Medal for his outstanding contribution towards the hospitality industry in the world.
Held under the theme of ‘Rise together’, the congress aimed to honour the hospitality sector in 2022.
As part of the event’s proceedings, Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe – President Chef’s Guild of Sri Lanka since 2012 and Aitken Spence Hotels’ Assistant Vice President for Food & Beverage was awarded with the President’s Medal for his contribution towards the tourism industry and his dedicated work towards empowering, inspiring and uplifting the tourism industry throughout the years.
Chef DK as he is affectionately known in the culinary fraternity worldwide attended the event as a judge at the ExpoCulinaire Salon Culinaire 2022, as part of the Worldchefs Congress and Expo 2022 as well.
Held at ADNEC Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 30 May to 2 June, the event took place after four years and hosted a trio of international competitions under one roof for the first time anywhere in the world, with certified free education sessions, an Expo and trade and education event dedicated to food service.
Chef DK is a world record holder at the Culinary World Olympic Championship (2004) and Culinary World Cup (2006). Through his direct participation, he has honoured Sri Lanka through International Culinary Competitions with over 29 Gold, 5 Silver and 12 Bronze medals. He has led more than 77 participants to secure 68 Gold medals along with many Silver and Bronze medals at Culinary Olympic and World Cups.
Kumarasinghe is a jury member for the World Culinary Competitions and a recipient of the Sri Lanka Presidential Award in 2007, 2017 and 2018 for outstanding culinary contribution. He holds honorary distinctions including, Honorary Life Member and Head Coach of the Golden Horseshoe Culinary Team Canada, Vatel Club Luxembourg, South Indian Culinary Association, Saudi Arabian Chef Association, Turkey Chef Association, Emirates Culinary Guild and Ukraine Culinary Union.
Aitken Spence Hotels is part of the Sri Lankan blue-chip conglomerate Aitken Spence PLC. Aitken Spence Hotels owns and operates 20 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman and India. The Company’s owned hotels are reflected under the Heritance, Adaaran and Turyaa brands, popular around the world for its exceptional service and undisputed product and curated lifestyle experiences. The Company’s Sri Lankan portfolio includes ten resorts spread across the island of which five are Heritance properties, whilst the Maldives resorts totals to five (with one Heritance resort), four in Oman and one in India.
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Chef DK during the judging of the ExpoCulinaire Salon Culinaire 2022
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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