Business
Amana Bank Toastmasters Club wins Golden Gavel Award
TM Gihan Kehelella and TM Shabir Dole receiving the Golden Gavel Award from former District Director DTM Sarma Mahalingam
Amana Bank Toastmasters Club, identified to be among the flourishing clubs of the Toastmasters District 82, further strengthened its stake when it was awarded the prestigious Golden Gavel Award for the year 2019/2020.
The Golden Gavel Award, the highest honour for clubs in Toastmasters, is awarded in recognition of a club’s outstanding achievements in communication and leadership, having fulfilled stipulated goals set by Toastmasters International and District 82. In addition to the Golden Gavel Award, the club was also recognized with the Emerging Club Gold Award as well as the Smedely and Talk-Up Toastmasters Membership Development Awards for the year 2019/2020. Established in 2014, Amãna Bank Toastmasters Club has been at the forefront in the Toastmaster fraternity with many club and individual achievements since inception. The Club has been accredited with the President’s Distinguished Award for three consecutive years in 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.
Commenting on the progress thus far, TM Gihan Kehelella (Manager – Operations Department), the Immediate Past President of the Club said, “It gives me great pleasure to have been able to lead a club as diverse as Amana Bank Toastmasters Club. I have to note that Amana Bank Toastmasters Club has been able to deliver great insights and productive outputs in terms of communication, leadership, integrity and punctuality that seem to be key values expected from a banker. I believe that the club would help nurture skills of the whole Amana Bank fraternity.”
The District Director of Toastmasters District 82, DTM Sarma Mahalingam commenting on the contribution made by Amana Bank said, “It is quite commendable to note the growth of Amana Bank Toastmasters Club throughout the years. I am pleased to have been able to witness the education, training and programming efforts of the Club. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the current club officers and the past committee for their work for bringing up the Club to where it is today. I would also like to acknowledge the support rendered by management of Amana Bank for establishing and fostering this Toastmasters club. I’m sure that the club will enable its members to improve their communication and leadership skills, thereby positively contributing towards Amana Bank.”
At individual level some of the key achievements from Amãna Bank Toastmasters Club members include DTM Shazuli Raheem (Manager – Service & Quality Assurance) and DTM Muhammed Humaidh (Customer Relationship Officer) been awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster Award, which is the pinnacle of educational achievements in Toastmasters. At an international level, TM Dilan Joseph (Manager – Digital Customer Experience) represented Division F at the Humorous Speech Competition of District 82 at Ovation 2019 held in India. In addition to these accolades, members have contributed in undertaking exemplary leadership roles in the district; DTM Shazuli Raheem as the Division Director 2020/2021, TM Shamil Aniff (Executive – Administration) as the Area F2 Director 2020/2021, DTM Muhammed Humaidh as the Area F5 Director 2020/2021 and TM Shabbir Dole (Relationship Executive) as the District 82 PR Creative Co-Chair, while TM Nuwan Fernando (Manager – Finance) served as Area F2 Director during 2019/2020.
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
