Business
From Silence to Supported – the journey of a hearing-impaired entrepreneur
A chance encounter with a stranger during a doctor’s appointment when he was three years old changed the course of Isuru Lakhshan Weerasooriya’s life for the better. Isuru was diagnosed with a hearing impairment after his mother, Pathma Kumari, noticed anomalies in his behaviour. Isuru was spotted by a staff member of Women’s Development Centre (WDC) who knew he needed a different kind of support, which WDC could provide.
WDC empowers women, children, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups and offers therapy, formal sign language classes and other personalized treatment through its Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme. This includes home-based therapeutic intervention offered through 11 centres in the Kandy District. Under this programme, Isuru, a fast learner, was ready to be integrated into a special school for the hearing impaired by the age of five.
“I joined WDC when I was very young, and I learned sign language. I made new friends. It was a chance for me to develop my social skills,” Isuru says.
His mother added, “WDC supported us and helped us enrol Isuru in a special school where he studied until O/L. He then attended a state owned special vocational training school, where he trained in crafting leather products.”
Isuru began making and selling leather products such as drums, key tags and his mother enrolled them both in a shoe-making workshop. They took part in a shoe-making workshop led by Mr. M.K.G. Saman Leelarathne, a leather product consultant from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The training focused on designing and creating shoes without using moulds, which is a method used by only a few shoe manufacturers in Sri Lanka and was held at one of WDC’s rehabilitation centres.
The workshop was one of many initiatives funded by RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of the Hong Kong headquartered QI Group of Companies, in collaboration with WDC as a capacity building programme for the community trainers, teachers, parents and people with disabilities. The Foundation aims to empower lives and transform communities around the world through strategic partnerships and human development programmes that equip communities to build sustainable livelihoods.
Six months after taking part in the shoe making workshop, Isuru produced and sold several pairs of shoes and sandals. Isuru and his mother are grateful for the opportunity that helps them earn a livelihood.
RYTHM Foundation has been working closely with WDC on creating awareness for disability rights, prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation for persons with disabilities to ensure them opportunities to lead fulfilled lives.
“I believe my son can live a life with dignity because of WDC and we truly appreciate their contribution to my son’s development” said Pathma.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
