Business
Award Winning UK-Based SL-Themed “The Coconut Tree” Restaurant Brand Launches in Sri Lanka
A multi-million-pound, award-winning SL-themed restaurant chain started from scratch by Sri Lankans living in the UK, “The Coconut Tree”, officially launched their brand in Sri Lanka on the 17th of February 2023. Having achieved wild success in the UK for showcasing the flavourful and colourful tastes of Sri Lanka, “The Coconut Tree” is now ready to franchise its brand here in Sri Lanka, helping to further invest in the local food service industry and local talent, as part of its global expansion initiative.
The official launch event was held at the Hilton Colombo with the participation of the founders, dignitaries and guests. Many investors and influential stakeholders within Sri Lanka’s food service industry also attended the event.
Discussing the launch, Mithra Fernando – CFO at The Coconut Tree said, “What began as a hobby and a passion for marrying Sri Lankan culinary flare and British pub culture has now grown into a major business that is looking at global expansion, and this is our grand return home to Sri Lanka. We want to bring back what we’ve learned to Sri Lanka, and help to use our success to create further value here. As it is, we work with local producers in Sri Lanka, from brands like Ma’s Kitchen to various small suppliers for our spices and other ingredients. This is providing them with direct access to the UK and an important stream of export revenue. We want to be able to further expand opportunities for local producers. We want to bring our signature “Coconut Tree” experience here to Sri Lanka; exceptionally authentic Sri Lankan food, complemented by the classic British drinking culture and our range of Sri Lankan-inspired cocktails. We want to help Sri Lanka grow with us!”
With a successful track record of building a 10-million-pound business with a team of 300 people, the founders are confident in their ability to create value and establish a unique food experience for both locals and foreign visitors. Through a franchising model of operation, the team is preparing to provide investment opportunities for Sri Lankans interested in joining their venture and supporting the Chain’s ambitions of global expansion.
The Coconut Tree has won multiple awards, solidifying its status as an exceptional culinary establishment, including OX Magazine saying, “It’s youthful and authentic, cool and energetic, outrageously delicious and improbably affordable”. In 2022, the restaurant was a finalist for the Best Restaurant award at both the Bath Life Awards and Cardiff Life Awards and also won the Silver award for Best Casual Dining at the Bristol, Bath & Somerset Tourism Awards. The Bristol Life Awards named The Coconut Tree as the winner of the Best Bar award in both 2021 and 2022, while the restaurant’s VIP catering service impressed at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and the Henley Royal Regatta in 2021.
Other accolades include being named Best Restaurant at the So Glos Awards in 2020 and a finalist for the Best Restaurant award at the Bristol Life Awards in both 2020 and 2021. The restaurant also received recognition for its vegetarian and vegan offerings, with finalist nods in the V-Friendly Restaurant of the Year category at The Vegetarian & Vegan Awards in 2020 and Best Veggie/Vegan Restaurant at the Ox in a Box Awards in the same year.
The Coconut Tree was also a finalist for the Best New Business award at the Cardiff Life Awards in 2020 and a finalist for Best UK Operator at the Restaurant Magazine R200 Awards in the same year. In 2019, the restaurant was a finalist for the International Icon Awards and Bath & Bristol Crumbs Magazine Awards, as well as being named the Best New Business at the Bristol Life Awards.
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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