Business
St. Xavier’s College, Nuwara Eliya stresses educational excellence and human development
1947- 2022 St. Xavier’s College OBA
The Vespers service of the patron St. Francis Xavier took place last Saturday at the St Xavier’s Church Nuwara Eliya in the presence of the Chief Celebrant Rev. Fr. Roshan Almeida, and the feast was headed by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Kandy, Rt. Rev. Fr. Alvin Fernando. The highlight of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the OBA was the formal gathering and the fellowship dinner at Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya.
Addressing the gathering the Past President RM Nawaz went on to say that the Old Boys’ Association of St Xavier’s College which was founded in 1947 by Rev. Fr. Fareena and a handful of old boys has come a long way and during the last 75 years it has grown from strength to strength, and today one cannot think of the College without thinking of the Old Boys’ Association. The construction of the up-stair building was a major effort initiated by Rev. Fr.D.M.Xavier with the assistance of the Old boys in 1958; conducting the Annual inter-house sports meet, organizing the feast of St Francis Xavier; educational and religious activities and several extra-curricular activities have been spearheaded by the OBA over the years.
Joint Secretary Benjamin Jeganathan unfolded the OBA plans for 2023/24. At the outset, he mentioned that the stakeholders, the education and Ecclesiastical authorities , parents, present students, teachers, and old boys share equal responsibility in maintaining the standards while developing the institutions. Initiating the construction of a modern school building on the site where the Hundred-year-old Rev. Fr. Siriwardene block stands today, organizing fundraisers, introducing scholarships to facilitate promising students in their educational pursuits. Upgrading of the library, continuation of the online non-fee levying English course for adults were some of the main proposals welcomed by the house with an applaud. The secretary reiterated the fact that the generosity of a few old boys enabled them to raise over 1 million Rupees that was donated towards the renovation of the main church building. Dr Savitri Ravi Warma who was the first Xaverian entrant to the medical faculty of the university of Peradeniya in 1981 urged that the A/L classes at SXC be recommenced.
Old Xaverian Senior Advisor Suren Swaminathan, Chairman Sri Lanka Business Council who was awarded “Special Global Sri Lankan of the year 2022” at the WIM Top 50 Global Awards Ceremony held in Dubai this year, and Old Xaverian Travis Boulton for being awarded by the Sri Lanka Football Federation for his outstanding services to Football in Nuwara Eliya were congratulated.
Members mentioned that they are certain that St Xavier’s Parish that comprises over 150 families along with the residents of Nuwara Eliya of all ethnic groups and creeds will be ever grateful to the authorities if this noble institution could be put on its feet again as the humble and sincere desire of the parents is to see their children blossom forth as men of good moral standards with a good education. This augurs well for all parents, and the revival of the College will be a forerunner for peace and goodwill among all communities as a well-knit Sri Lankan community.
Mohan Samarakoon, the well-known rugby player of Up-Country, one of the trustees of CPRFU and the main benefactor of the Kandy Cancer Society delivered the keynote address. He mentioned that reunion of Old boys is important in focusing on productive projects and he went on to mention that the Roman Catholic church and other denominations have done yeomen service towards education in Sri Lanka. He spoke about the importance of quality in education and urged that the neglected institutions should be revived for the benefit of the next generation and congratulated the St Xavier’s OBA for its longstanding service to the College and the area.
The 75th Anniversary toast was proposed by Suren Swaminathan who added his nostalgic memories and urged all the old boys to join the OBA to revive this noble institution that has nurtured inclusiveness irrespective of differences. The St Xavier’s Old Boys’ Association Official website was launched by the Mayor of Nuwara Eliya along with Senior Advisor Paul Perera. Many Old Xaverians were felicitated at this event. The Dinner dance was led by the band Temptations with Paul Perera of the celebrated band Rubicons, Ajith Silva, Peter Arsakularatne of Peter Combo and Dilan Dominic.
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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