Business
National Foundation Day celebrations of Republic of Korea held in Colombo
On 5th October 2022, the Korean Embassy led by Korean Ambassador, Santhush Woonjin Jeong hosted the National Foundation Day Celebrations of the Republic of Korea, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. It is a monumental year to commemorate the 4354th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean nation, against the backdrop of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sri Lanka celebrated this year, The National Foundation Day reception was celebrated with the participation of many Korean nationals, Sri Lankans and friends of Korea.
Among the dignitaries, the gracious presence of the Chief Guest, the Minister of Education, Dr. Susil Premajantha, Speaker of the Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Chief of Defence Staff, Attorney General, IGP, Governors, Secretaries, Ambassadors and diplomats further contributed to strengthening the bilateral cooperation of Korea and Sri Lanka. Members of the business community with ties to Korea, Sports and cultural dignitaries, Korean ODA directors and media organizations were also present at the event to felicitate this occasion. Korean residents including Um Kyung-Ho PUAC President also took part in the celebrations.
The Korean National Foundation day ‘Gaecheonjeol,’ marks the origin of the first Korean Nation by the legendary founding father Dangun in 2333 BCE on October 3rd of every year. It is a special occasion for Korean nationals living worldwide. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the National Foundation Day Reception was not held in the last two years. The grand celebration held this year on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations has served as an opportunity for the two Asian friends to develop the bilateral cooperation to new heights.
The official ceremony started with the National Anthems of both Sri Lanka and Korea performed by the Sri Lankan Navy Band.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong stated that, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all Korean nationals, Sri Lankans and friends of Korea in Sri Lanka for attending today’s event. It is my great honour to host this wonderful occasion after a hiatus of two years. The Republic of Korea was once known as an aid-recipient nation in the past. We started from nothing, from ruins, devastated by the Korean War. Today, Korea has risen to the 10th largest economy and the 7th biggest exporter in the world. This year we celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two countries. At this juncture, I remind you that the relations between our two countries have continued to evolve and develop in a whole spectrum of fields of mutual interest. Now is the time to realize the potential of this beautiful country and achieve our common goals together. It is an opportune moment for Korea and Sri Lanka to deepen and widen exchanges, learn from each other’s experiences and intensify mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Hon. Dr. Susil Premajantha Minister of Education congratulated H.E. Santhush Woonjin JEONG for the National Foundation Day of Korea. He stated, “Korea has emerged as a peaceful country with a vibrant democracy and a rich cultural heritage. We are proud as an Asian country to say that Korea has progressed in her journey as a developing country to a developed nation through the economic miracle, popularly known as ‘Miracle of Han River.’ Sri Lanka too wishes to draw from be guided and to emulate the economic miracle of the Republic of Korea, towards achieving our goal of socio-economic development. Korea has remained consistently as an invaluable development partner of Sri Lanka contributing to the development priorities of the Sri Lankan government especially in the fields of education, transportation, water management and rural development.” Hon. Minister further highlighted the Sri Lankan government’s initiative to adopt Korean language for advanced level classes and introduction of the Korean language for the university entrance examination from 2023. The Minister commended the paper donations by the Korean community in Sri Lanka to the Department of Examinations during the difficult times. Furthermore, the Minister expressed the deep appreciation to the government of Korea for providing much needed employment opportunities to Sri Lanka and looking after their welfare.
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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