Business
Ceylinco Life receives 70,000 creative entries coloured by the dreams of Sri Lankan children
Ceylinco Life has received an overwhelming 70,000 entries for its ‘Sihina Sithuwam’ country-wide children’s art and essay competition, in the form of inspirational words, colourful brushstrokes and pencil shadings that evoke hope for the future despite the bleak situation in the country.
Each unique drawing and essay was submitted under the theme ‘Your dream when you grow up’ via the exclusive ‘Sihina Sithuwam’ web portal or to a Ceylinco Life branch. Although the participant children were mostly confined to their homes during the pandemic and subsequent crises, their imagination and aspirations inspired their creative submissions, the Company said.
Among the works of art were depictions of engineers, teachers, doctors and even a future NASA astronaut, an ambassador representing Sri Lanka, and a Minister of Education for the country. In a similar vein, the essays carried motivational quotes about overcoming obstacles against all odds and achieving dreams that will make the future better.
While Ceylinco Life has presented certificates of participation to every child who has made a submission for the competition, it is currently in the process of finalising the 362 winning entries in three age groups and making arrangements for an awards presentation ceremony that will be held shortly. There will also be a virtual exhibition with the winning drawings on display for the public to view online, the Company said.
Inspired by the aspirational dreams of the contestants, Ceylinco Life has created an animated video montage that combines a number of submissions with the narration that motivates the public to not give up the struggle in order to support these children to achieve their dreams for the future. The video that was published on Ceylinco Life’s social media channels has received over to 870,000 views and continues to reach a wide audience.
‘Sihina Sithuwam’ was open to children between the ages of four and 15, in three groups, and invited participants to submit their drawings or essays written in Sinhala, Tamil or English between the 1st February and 30th April. Each child was entitled to a single entry under one of three age groups: Ages 4-7, Ages 8-11, and Ages 12-15. While the art competition was open to all categories, essay entries were accepted from children in the two older age groups.
The first-place winners of each category, language and age group will be presented Rs 30,000 in cash, while every second and third-placed entry will win Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. In addition, 25 child artists will win district prizes, and consolation prizes will be presented to exceptional essay and art submissions. ‘Sihina Sithuwam’ was an activation under Ceylinco Life’s 2022 edition of Life Insurance Week (LIW) initiative which took place between the 11th and 17th February, during which Ceylinco Life propagated its messaging about the importance of life insurance and its benefits via digital platforms.
Adjudged the ‘Most Valuable Life Insurance Brand in Sri Lanka’ in 2022 by Brand Finance, Sri Lanka’s Service Brand of the Year by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) in 2021 and the winner of the SLIM Kantar Peoples Award as the Most Popular Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka for the 16th consecutive year, Ceylinco Life has been the country’s leading life insurer for more than half of the 34 years it has been in existence. Other accolades won in respect of 2021 include the ‘Most Popular Service Provider’ in Sri Lanka’s Life Insurance industry in 2021 by LMD, the ‘Most Valuable Life Insurance Brand’ in Sri Lanka by Brand Finance, one of the 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka by the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and one of the 10 Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka’s Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector by Great Place to Work.Ceylinco Life has close to a million lives covered by active policies and provides innovative life insurance solutions which offer protection while de-risking the goals and ambitions of the Company’s policyholders.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”