Business
First Lady Chair of Colombo Club
The Colombo Club was inaugurated more than 150 years ago by the British for English and Scottish gentlemen resident in Sri Lanka to meet, relax and recuperate. For close to a 125 years it remained the exclusive habitat for Gentlemen as ladies were precluded from becoming members. In 1995 the first lady member was admitted followed over the years by other ladies.
At the last Annual General Meeting of the Club, history was made as the Club elected a lady member to the Chair for the first time.
In proposing her name to take over the Chair, Immediate Past Chairman Kumar Jayasuriya stated that ‘the Colombo Club is now poised to create history. In our 150 plus year history, members of the fairer sex were not admitted to membership in the first 125 years of our existence. This injustice was corrected in 1995. We have thereafter steadily progressed on the path of gender neutrality and within a matter of 25 years have reached the pinnacle of that endeavour which is the election of our first Chairperson. It is my great privilege to be associated with this historical event by proposing from the Chair the name of Ms. Anushya Coomaraswamy as the Chairperson of the Colombo Club for the ensuing year, having been nominated to this office unanimously by the General Committee of the Club.’
Anushya has served on the Committee since 2006 and has held the offices of Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary and Vice Chairperson respectively over the last six years and is eminently suited to hold this office. I am sure that the fortunes of the Colombo Club are in very safe hands.’
Anushya Coomaraswamy is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants of the UK. She has been the Group Finance Director of John Keells Holdings PLC – at the time the first woman to be appointed to the Board of a blue chip company in Sri Lanka. Thereafter she joined the Ministry of Finance as an Advisor, primarily on Fiscal Policy for a short period, during which time she also served as the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission and as a member of the Public Enterprise Reforms Commission.
She currently serves as an Independent Non Executive Director on the Board of Printcare PLC.
Having served on the Boards of Transparency International (Sri Lanka) and the Centre for Policy Alternatives, she is currently on the Boards of the Law and Society Trust and the Women and Media Collective.
In accepting the position, Miss Coomaraswamy said that ‘In a world where women are still to be fully recognized and given their rightful place, the Colombo Club has been progressive and that must be acknowledged, appreciated and commended. And for me personally I thank you for your confidence.’
The premises of the Club having been recently refurbished she looks to maintain the high standards set by her immediate predecessors Nigel Austin and Kumar Jayasuriya to involve greater participation of its membership while providing a service to members that is of the highest standard. She would also look to promote increased participation of women, who still seem to perceive the Club as being an institution that is predominantly for gentlemen!
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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