Business
Ideal Motors unveils Sri Lanka’s first home-grown electric car
Ideal Motors unveiled the ‘Ideal Moksha,’ Sri Lanka’s first home-grown fully-electric car at the JAIC Hilton yesterday. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Austin Mini Moke that took the world by storm, the Ideal Moksha is geared to be a game changer for the Sri Lankan market and the most practical solution in the current technology transition phase towards a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.
As the name depicts, ‘Moksha’ is intended to provide a blissful driving experience with advanced technology and design principles embedded in every detail – a new solution for Sri Lanka’s roads that offers style, space, comfort, and connectivity.
Classified as a four-wheeled electric quadricycle, the Ideal Moksha is fitted with a 22.46 kWh Lithium battery that provides a range of up to 200 kilometers on a single charge by plugging into a 15-amp domestic charger overnight. With a weight of just 870 kg, the powertrain provides a speed of 1080 rpm. The interior of the car packs a spacious cabin offering comfortable seating to the driver and 3 passengers.
The car is offered in matching 2-tone exterior colours. The customer can access information, favourite music, and maps using the 7-inch multimedia touchscreen display that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The fully air-conditioned car includes, push start, and alloy wheels. Furthermore, Ideal Moksha offers complete peace of mind with a 2-year warranty on the electric motor as a standard benefit to the customer. The warranty available on the battery will be 5 years from the date of car purchase. Our island-wide aftermarket network will ensure an unmatched level of service.
The Ideal Moksha is expected to offer affordable electric mobility to every segment of society. It is the ideal car for every household in Sri Lanka, especially for the 1.5 million three-wheelers and 4.5 million two-wheelers registered on the island, driving holistic change by empowering drivers with a cost-effective solution to upgrade to a safe and smarter vehicle. The fully automatic car offers 100% torque from start with no gear changes, facilitating ease of learning and a relaxed driving experience. The electric battery means no petrol stations, thereby removing the stress and complications from travel. With these innovations, the Ideal Moksha is set to transform the very nature of commuting and travel in Sri Lanka; it is the ideal vehicle for everyone and anyone, from the corporate executive looking to conserve and the two-wheeler owner looking to upgrade.
Speaking at the occasion, Nalin Welgama, the Founder and Chairman of the Ideal Group said, “My dream of manufacturing a homegrown electric car in Sri Lanka realised today, with the unveiling of our “Ideal Moksha”. This entry-level car has the options and sophistication of cars built by the world’s best auto majors! It gives me immense pleasure to declare that my 35 years of experience in the automobile business has contributed to the making of this car on my home soil. I fervently hope that this signals a beginning of a new era in the manufacture of EVs in Sri Lanka.”
This is just the beginning of this next step for Ideal Motors. Building on the momentum, the Company also unveiled a fully electric moped and a retrofit kit that will enable the migration of a combustion engine to an electric engine. But the Ideal Moksha and other EVs are only one piece of the puzzle; the Ideal Group’s goal is to not simply pass off the energy deficit and costs from fuel to electricity, especially if the sources of electricity are non-renewable. With this in mind, the Ideal Group offers customers a package for a total green solution along with their purchase of the Ideal Moksha to completely power the car using renewable energy. This package is particularly aimed at 5.5 million households that use less than 100 and 200 kilowatts of electricity units per month. The package includes the installation of up to 4 kilowatts of rooftop solar energy, where an average household will be able to meet their daily requirements of energy and completely do away with paying electricity bills.
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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