Business
CEAT breaks new ground with locally made high-performance 17-inch tyre
CEAT Kelani Holdings has taken its radial tyre manufacture to a new paradigm with the launch of the first of a range of high-performance 17-inch tyres for medium-sized SUVs like the Honda Vezel, a popular vehicle on Sri Lankan roads.
Designed, engineered and built for Sri Lankan conditions at the CEAT Kelani manufacturing complex in Kelaniya, the CEAT Secura Drive SUV 215/55 R17 tyre takes Sri Lanka’s highest-selling tyre brand up the value chain and responds to the national effort to conserve foreign exchange by providing a locally-manufactured product that matches leading international brands.
Designed for better grip, precise steering control, wet handling and enhanced drive comfort, the new tyre is the first 17-inch tyre to be manufactured in Sri Lanka by CEAT, and is benchmarked against the 17-inch tyres sourced from CEAT India and introduced to the market in 2017, the Company said.
“Two decades of knowledge of local conditions and driver expectations and the vast technological expertise of CEAT India are represented in this new radial tyre which will be the first of many locally-manufactured variants and sizes for SUVs and larger European and Japanese cars,” CEAT Kelani Managing Director Mr Ravi Dadlani said. “The investments we continue to make in quality upgrades and range expansion demonstrate our deep commitment to the needs of the market and our industry.”
The new tyre has connected shoulder blocks, high block stiffness patterns and draws from low-strain cavity technology and high-pressure resin technology-based new cap compounding that provide cornering stability and grip. Its straight centre rib with z-stroke sipes, fine-edged sipes with variable depth and high-pressure tread base compound combine to deliver fluid manoeuvrability.
CEAT Secura Drive SUV is resistant to aquaplaning, thanks to its fluidic sipe design, super-blended high performance-silane technology, 3D groove-wall technology and straight circumferential groove channels with long and narrow shoulder grooves, the Company said.
The tyre’s variable block stiffness in the shoulder and intermediate ribs, broad tread contact, easy flex cavity design and Dura-Core Cap-strip technology construction for better impact absorption ensure a comfortable drive.
The tyre’s CACTUS algorithm used for tread pitch design and long and narrow grooves result in reduced in-cabin noise. Additionally, the sidewall and tread pattern complement the looks of the vehicles the tyres are fitted to.
The manufacturer of half of the country’s pneumatic tyre requirements, CEAT Kelani Holdings is considered one of the most successful India – Sri Lanka joint ventures. The joint venture’s cumulative investment in Sri Lanka to date exceeds Rs 8 billion, and another Rs 3.2 billion has been committed in 2022 for expansion of volumes, technology upgrades and new product development. The company’s manufacturing operations in Sri Lanka encompass tyres in the radial (passenger cars, vans and SUVs), commercial (nylon and radial), motorcycle, three-wheeler and agricultural vehicle segments.
The CEAT brand accounts for market shares in Sri Lanka of 48 per cent in the Radial segment, 80 per cent in the Truck category, 84 per cent Light Truck tyre category, 51 per cent in the Three-Wheeler tyre segment, 36 per cent in the Motorcycle tyre segment and 72 per cent in the Agricultural vehicle tyre category. CEAT Kelani exports about 20 per cent of its production to 16 countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.
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
