Business
“Altair; enduring landmark”
Altair is an architectural icon; that will place Sri Lanka in the global architectural digests for many years to come; standing at par with the many other architectural icons around the globe. Moshe Safdie of Marina Bay Sand’s fame has taken a bold step in residential architecture, with a Diagrid structure, with one tower gracefully stepping up to meet a second vertical tower.
The Diagrid structural frame, lends itself to the architecture of the stepped tower facade. The stepped form in turn provides for balconies that are open to the sky so that occupants can enjoy the feeling of being in an open garden.
Altair itself has come a long way from the days when the project was a creative vision in the mind of Architect Moshe Safdie. A complex structure requiring considerable project management skills and new construction techniques, the project has taken shape and is on the verge of completion. The final form is now visible and has captured the interest of several locals and tourists who have stopped to admire and photograph this beautiful building. In the same way that Marina Bay Sands has become a reference for Singapore, Altair will also become a reference for Sri Lanka. Altair’ is in the league of iconic buildings of the world, such as Burj Khalifa at Dubai, Petronas Tower-Malayasiya, Marina Bay Sands at Singapore, Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, The Parc 1 Tower in Seoul – South Korea, ICC Building & Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong to name a few.
“At the commencement of the project Moshe Safdie stated Colombo was “urbanising rapidly” and that it was the best time to create a landmark that could provide a benchmark’ for the coming developments in the capital. True to his words, in the past decade a new downtown Colombo Skyline has emerged with many new high-end developments being initiated. Just as the master Architect had envisioned, Altair has and will continue to be the benchmark for luxury real estate developments in Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo,” stated Ravi Todi, Director Indocean Developers Pvt Ltd, the developer of the landmark project.
Altair is also filled with facilities and features that emphasizes luxurious living, with views of the sapphire blue hues of the Indian Ocean during the day, and the magnificent city lights of the fast developing Colombo Skyline at night. Located at the top is the immersing infinity pool one of-the highest infinity swimming pools in a residential building in the world.
Altair is projected to be completed by the 4th quarter of 2021, the project is estimated to cost over US$ 300 Million.
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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