Business
‘2023, one of Sri Lanka’s best recovery years; tourism will support country re-building’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
‘2023 would be one of the best recovery years for Sri Lanka and tourism will support rebuilding the economy. Aggressively promoting Indian tourism into Sri Lanka will serve that purpose to some extent, Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando said.
“Sri Lanka is looking to its big brother India to support in these ambitious endeavours to help Sri Lankans to save their smiles. Plans are underway to promote Sri Lankan tourism in all big cities in India including Kochi, Chennai and Bengaluru next year, Fernando said last week at the press conference announcing the launch of SiHiTa Cultural Fest 2022 at the Hilton Colombo. The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Tourism and Lands and the Indian High Commission in Colombo. The festival will take place at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo on December 30.
Fernando added: “Sri Lanka needs to stand out, we need tourism. And this Christamas Sri Lanka is going to show the world ‘Sri Lanka Can’ .We are a resilient nation and we always come out of troubles.”
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu said: “We would like to continue this engagement in the future as this would help in terms of clearing Sri Lanka’s image and boosting the Sri Lankan tourism industry in a big way.”
Tourism sector sources added: “SiHiTa is a unique event in which India and Sri Lanka will join hands together to embark on a journey to promote tourism and to attract international markets towards the South Asian region. SiHiTa would also be an ideal platform to create much needed links between the two countries in the economic, cultural and social spheres. The festival will include a wide range of aspects, such as, Indian and Sri Lankan culture, music, travel, food, cinema, dance, fashion and hospitality.”
The event will see multiple award winning Indian artiste Srinivas performing along with well known, young Sri Lankan artistes. Proceeds from the event will be forwarded to the “Educate a Child” project.
Another long -term goal of this project is to build and maintain care centres for autism and Down syndrome children in all nine provinces. Organizers of this event are hopeful that this event would open doors for Indian tourists to experience Sri Lankan hospitality in a big way. Organizers of SiHiTa expect some 5,000 participants from both countries and plans are underway to operate special charter flights and other scheduled airlines from both India and Sri Lanka to bring down Indian fans.
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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