Business
Allianz Lanka’s new head office at One Galle Face: A hub of innovation and collaboration
Allianz Lanka, one of Sri Lanka’s leading insurers, recently unveiled its new Head Office at One Galle Face tower, in the heart of Colombo’s business district. A formal opening ceremony was held, on the 23rd of February 2023, to mark this milestone, which was attended by esteemed guests, including Gany Subramaniam, Chairperson, Allianz Lanka; Alan Smee, CEO, Country Manager, Allianz Lanka; Jayalal Hewawasam, CEO, Allianz Life Insurance Lanka Ltd; and Shiromal Cooray and Deepthi Lokuarachchi, representing the Board of Directors, along with members of the Leadership Teams, the Project Team and employees.
This relocation of its Head Office to One Galle Face is in line with Allianz Lanka’s strategy to adopt a new work model in a bid to reap the benefits of the post-pandemic paradigm shift in work lifestyles. Accordingly, Allianz Lanka’s Head Office has been set up as a hybrid model workspace. It has facilities that allow for improved productivity, efficiency, and satisfaction for its people. This strategy revolves around an activity-based office design that features agile workspaces, , elements that improve mental health, and the implementation of sustainable practices to deliver the best services to customers, business partners, and employees.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gany Subramaniam, Chairman at Allianz Lanka, said, “We are excited to reap the benefits of our new location. Our success is the result of a combined effort from colleagues across the company, who have contributed to the successful completion of the project. Our new Head Office follows the workspace aesthetics, dynamics and philosophy that is central to Allianz’s locations globally. Our new offices are equipped with advanced technologies, have more meeting rooms, collaborative spaces, lounge areas, larger training rooms, a gaming room, wellness centre, multifaith room, and a multifunctional Café as well, all to promote an exceptional work experience. “
“This hybrid model has proven to have a significant positive impact on employee satisfaction, across our global locations, and enables employees to utilize their time more effectively and maintain a “work-life” balance,” added Alan Smee, CEO and Country Manager at Allianz Lanka, “Our new Head Office is a significant milestone in terms of providing our people with the best possible working environment, enabling greater productivity, efficiency, and satisfaction. We are confident that this new workspace, will help inspire creative, effective and innovative solutions in the future.”
Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd. and Allianz Life Insurance Lanka Ltd., known together as Allianz Lanka, are fully-owned subsidiaries of Allianz SE, a global financial services provider with services predominantly in the insurance and asset management businesses, headquartered in Munich, Germany. The global strength and solid capitalization of the Allianz Group, coupled with local expertise and business know-how, are key contributors to Allianz Lanka’s success.
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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