Business
Combank.lk becomes top ‘Banking and Finance’ website in Sri Lanka
The corporate website of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been recognised as the top ‘Banking and Finance’ website in the country at the BestWeb.lk 2022 competition hosted by the LK Domain Registry.
The Bank won the Silver – the highest award presented in its category – at the 12th edition of the BestWeb.lk annual awards ceremony held recently at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. Commercial Bank was presented the same award in 2020 and won a Bronze at the 2017 BestWeb.lk competition. The Gold award was not presented in the ‘Banking and Finance’ category this year.
The relaunch of www.combank.lk last year with features such as trilingual access to content, ultra-smooth interface with interactive multimedia material, enhanced navigation, experience-customisation, smarter search options and tools, and resources that make it extra user-friendly and informative, contributed towards the Bank winning this award.
Commenting on this achievement, Commercial Bank’s Deputy General Manager – Marketing, Mr Hasrath Munasinghe said: “Websites often provide the first impression of an organisation’s offering as well as image, and the features and navigation options on the site act like support staff and customer assistants. Commercial Bank has been acutely cognisant of the evolving digital space it inhabits and has continued to enhance customer service and access to information through technology, digital tools and its website. This latest award once again reiterates our position as a leader in technology-enabled convenience in the banking sector.”
A panel of judges comprising of ICT Industry experts including academics, professionals and business leaders judged the websites of competing entries on technological expertise, creativity, quality of design, quality and quantity of content, interactivity, community purpose, mobile compatibility, and compliance to standards. During the final phase of the competition, the public was invited to cast votes via the organiser’s official website.
While metrics such as completeness, navigation and performance were included under the Technical criteria, overall quality of website design including site architecture, navigation ease, consistency and user-friendliness, and quality of individual page design based on overall aesthetics and professionalism factored under the Design criteria.
Meanwhile, the interactivity of the websites was judged based on the quality of interaction they incite with users, and privacy and security features. Multilingual websites in Unicode standards qualified under the ‘Community Purpose’ criteria. Further, entries were awarded bonus points for features such as multilingual access, accessibility for disabled persons, use of latest technology, and social media integration, and were penalised for copyright violations. All websites registered under the .lk domain were eligible to enter the competition.
The LK Domain Registry is the national body that registers domain names ending in “.lk.” It is an independent non-profit organisation that helps Sri Lankan organisations and individuals create their unique identities on the web. Launched in 2009, BestWeb.lk is a web-based competition that provides an exclusive opportunity to promote and popularise web presence in Sri Lanka.
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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