Business
SME businesses in Puttalam enriched by Seylan Bank and CCC workshop
Seylan Bank, the Bank with a Heart, in partnership with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Centre for SMEs and CIMA, conducted a workshop in Puttalam for owners of SME businesses from the area. Over the years, Seylan Bank has taken up the role of mentor towards the SME sector in Sri Lanka, with the strong belief that it is the backbone of the country’s economy, and that the sector should be empowered through relevant financial solutions and knowledge sharing. It is under this vision that the Bank conducts a series of workshops across the country with the aim of developing the regional SME industry.
The workshop was facilitated by Channa Gunawardana, CEO of Dankotuwa Porcelain, covering key areas of Appropriate customer segmentation, Branding and its importance, Marketing and its challenges, Technology and the need for digitalization, Plan setting and acting on the plan, and Financial solutions. SMEs representing sectors including agriculture, trading, IT, salt manufacturing, spice exports, garments, dry fish manufacturing and construction took part in the workshop. This was the third workshop in the series, preceded by similar workshops in Ratnapura and Anuradhapura.
“Through initiatives such as this workshop, Seylan Bank aims at opening avenues for further business opportunities to SMEs and thereby help unlock their potential. We believe that those with the right mindset to learn, adapt and challenge the status quo, will pave the way for the country’s development during these turbulent times. We saw how important the SME sector is, especially during the past few years, and therefore, have kept it as one of our core areas of focus. It’s a published fact that Seylan was the third largest contributor amongst private banks in funding SME sector activity in 2020 – and we have continued to support this sector. We are honoured to partner with the CCC and CIMA for such a project where we can create financial literacy on products and solutions that can help regional SMEs. The growth of SMEs is crucial to the national economy and Seylan Bank has always opened avenues that will enrich this backbone of the economy,” stated Ranil Dissanayake, Assistant General Manager, Branch Credit at Seylan Bank.
The regional workshops are organized by the CCC in collaboration with CIMA under the initiative ‘Forward Together’, with the objective of bridging the knowledge, skills, and financial and technological awareness gaps amongst the local SMEs. 45% of employment in Sri Lanka rely on the effective functioning of SMEs. ‘Forward Together’ was launched to assure the sustainable impact on SMEs that largely impacts the national economy.
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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