Business
‘Maia’ Artisanal Cheese opens flagship store at Cinnamon Lakeside
Handmade artisanal cheese brand, Maia Cheese, recently opened its flagship store in Cinnamon Lakeside to make their products more accessible to their loyal clientele. Maia Cheese is the brainchild of Georgian master cheesemaker Maia Donadze who started the brand in 2005 in Goa, India and later moved to Sri Lanka in 2015. Maia Cheese is based in Madipola, Matale.
Commenting on the landmark event, founder Maia Donadze said: “I am very thankful to the wonderful people of Sri Lanka for embracing both me & my cheese. The journey so far has been a challenging yet fulfilling one. We intend to keep experimenting & expanding our catalogue as we aspire to be the one-stop-shop for handmade European cheese both locally & regionally.”
Donadze thanked co-founder Sheriozha Anthony Wijekoon for all the support and guidance offered in elevating Maia Cheese to its current position as a household name within a short period of time.
Recently, Maia Cheese partnered with Barista Cafes, the John Keells Group and Jetwing Hotels & Resorts as a supplier. Maia Cheese’s other partners include Softlogic Glomark, Good Market, Saaraketha Organics & Aitken Spence PLC GPD (Global Parcel Delivery).
Maia Cheese currently offers the widest range of artisanal cheese in Sri Lanka that includes the following: Cheddar – contains no artificial flavors or preservatives; eaten cold or melted, Fresh Mozzarella – refreshing & supple, Smoked mozzarella – smoked to enhance milky flavor, Grated mozzarella – ideal as topping for Italian cuisine, Queen Blue – a specialty cheese characterized by white color and fine blue veins, Brie – a white, soft & ripened cheese, Goat Cream –a healthier alternative, Goat Feta Cheese – for salads, Halloumi – a local twist on the cheese variety originating from Cyprus, Dumplings –made from fresh ricotta, Caciocavallo –a type of stretched curd cheese etc. Maia also has three types of delectable gourmet butter: salted, unsalted and garlic-infused. All products can be purchased via the flagship store, partner outlets island wide or online at https://www.maiacheese.lk/
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.”