Business
Airtel continues investments with BOI to upgrade Sri Lankan telco infrastructure
The nation’s fastest growing telco, Airtel Sri Lanka, announced another landmark agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) that will channel foreign currency investments towards the development of national telecommunications infrastructure, with emphasis on expansion and optimization of networks and IT systems.
Accordingly, over the next two years, Airtel will be channeling its latest round of investments towards additional enhancements to its network, in addition to introducing significant software upgrades, in order to strengthen 2G and 4G services island-wide.
“Since our entry into Sri Lanka in 2007, Airtel has continuously invested to develop a world class network. Today, these efforts are empowering more than 3 million Sri Lankans to stay connected, in addition to providing more than 2,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and generating income for a further 65,000 Sri Lankans through our extensive distribution network.
“Particularly at a time when every foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka has become vital, our investment demonstrates Airtel’s continuing confidence in the resilience and vast potential of the Sri Lankan people, and recommit ourselves to the nation-wide efforts to help revive the Sri Lankan economy,” Airtel Sri Lanka MD/CEO, Ashish Chandra stated.
Airtel will also be replacing or upgrading existing network infrastructure including but not limited to its core network, as well as introducing significant software upgrades.
Moving forward, Ashish also stated that Airtel Sri Lanka will continue to pursue every opportunity to support the development of the Sri Lankan telco sector. In particular he noted that the company would leverage on Airtel’s unique strength as one of the top 3 largest telco’s in the world in order to create cross-border synergies and facilitate strategic investments towards the creation of vibrant 5G ecosystems in Sri Lanka.
“We are grateful to Airtel Sri Lanka for stepping forward at a crucial moment for the nation, and with such a substantial foreign direct investment. This major contribution towards the enhancement of Sri Lanka’s ICT infrastructure will also create new opportunities across all sectors of the economy, and stands as an ideal example of the kind of FDI inflows we are working to generate,” stated Chairman, BOI, Raja Edirisuriya stated.
The recent agreement marks the latest in a series of foreign direct investments made by Airtel Sri Lanka into enhancing mobile telco experiences for the average Sri Lankan. These measures follow on upgrades made by Airtel to its presence, capacity and capabilities in the Sri Lankan market. Most recently, these included the launch of Airtel’s revolutionary 4G Freedom Unlimited packages, and its record-breaking 5G trials.
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
