Business
Deepak Senthil succeeds outgoing managing director of Coca-Cola Sri Lanka
Coca-Cola Beverages Sri Lanka (CCBSL) recently bade farewell to outgoing Managing Director Mayank Arora, who will be proceeding as General Manager to Coca-Cola’s Bangladesh office with effect from 1st July 2022. During his successful stint in Sri Lanka for the past five-and-a-half years, Mayank was able to establish and strengthen partnerships effectively and efficiently navigating through the highly complex landscape in the region. Under Mayank’s leadership, CCBSL received various accolades and recognitions within and beyond the system, including ‘Coca-Cola South West Asia (SWA) Bottler of the Year 2020’.
One of Mayank’s key challenges during his tenure here was managing the impact of the pandemic on the company whilst reaching out to help local communities in need. As Sri Lanka grappled with COVID-19, CCBSL swiftly adapted to the changing situation, prioritizing the health, safety and job security of its employees and partners, whilst complying with all national health and safety guidelines with zero job losses and no reduction in salaries, while extending annual increments and incentives. Disinfection programmes and distribution of essential packs were conducted in the local community by the company to limit the spread of the pandemic.
Coca-Cola’s Sri Lanka operation has consistently gained value market share each year for the past five years under his leadership, underscored by a strong culture of continuous improvement in efficiency and productivity, successfully positioning Sri Lanka as one of the best performing markets in the Coca-Cola Bottling Investments Group (BIG).
Consolidating the success achieved by the company thus far, Deepak Senthil will take CCBSL through to its next phase of operational growth and sustainability milestones. He counts a 20-year career at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) across Sales, RGM, Trade Marketing, Category Management and Zonal leadership. Prior to this, he was Vice President for Winning at Point of Sale (W@POS) at HCCB and a key leader in driving business turnaround strategies and projects. He has also helped to design commercial strategies, including the redesign and rollout of commercial execution based on new ways of working across the network. His sound professional experience will have a positive impact on the company’s progress going forward.
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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