Business
Ceylinco Life’s Toastmasters Club marches on to 9th year
Ceylinco Life hosted the ninth installation ceremony of its Toastmasters Club recently, during which a new executive committee was appointed, new members were welcomed, and awards and accolades were bestowed upon outstanding members of the past year.
Ms Ruvini de Silva, Senior Assistant Manager Customer Service was appointed the new President of the Club to lead the executive committee comprising of Ravi De Mel as Vice President Education, Ms Izzath Ramlan as Vice President Membership, Mohammadhu Riham as Vice President Public Relations, Ms Thilini Kularathne as Secretary, Ms Keshani Samarakoon as Treasurer and Ms. Anshila Perera as Sergeant-at-Arms.
Five Toastmasters were honoured for completing Level Five of the Educational Programme during the year. Gayan Lakmal Alwis and Ms Ruvini de Silva were honoured for the completion of Level Five of the ‘Dynamic Leadership’ Path (DL5) which included focusing on leadership and recognising the need to adapt styles based on the situation and the people they lead, among others. Samitha Hemachandra , Chulaka Kumarasinghe, and Milinda Peiris were honoured for completing the fifth level of the ‘Presentation Mastery’ Path (PM5) which included a project designed to demonstrate expertise in preparing to speak professionally.
The ‘Triple Crown Award,’ one of the most prestigious educational awards in Toastmasters, presented to members who have achieved three or more educational and leadership awards within a programme year was presented to Mr Samitha Hemachandra, Mr Gayan Lakmal Alwis, Mr Chulaka Kumarasinghe, Ms Ruvini de Silva, Mr Milinda Peiris, and Mr Ravi De Mel.
Additionally, four members who demonstrated exceptional skills to bring recognition to the club and the Ceylinco Life brand among the Toastmasters fraternity were inducted to the Ceylinco Life Toastmasters Club – Hall of Fame of 2022. This honour was bestowed upon Mr Chulaka Kumarasinghe, for his leadership in the division, Mr Gayan Lakmal Alwis for winning the Table Topics Division contest, Mr Milinda Peiris for his achievement as first runner-up in the Humorous Speech contest in the area level, and Mr Kamal Rupasiri for demonstrating leadership through the Club Quality Awards.
The Club honored Mr Chulaka Kumarasinghe, Distinguished Toastmaster, with the Honorary Lifetime Award for his new appointment as the Assistant Division Director in the Division and his achievements in the education and leadership roles during the year.
During the event, six new members were inducted to the Ceylinco Life Toastmasters Club which had 24 registered members. As a testament to its prowess in communication and leadership of its members, the club has been accorded ‘Distinguished’ status every year since it came into being.
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development with a membership of more than 280,000. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 14,700 clubs in 144 countries that make up the global network of meeting locations.
Adjudged the ‘Most Valuable Life Insurance Brand in Sri Lanka’ by Brand Finance and certified a ‘Great Workplace’ in Sri Lanka for the third consecutive year in 2022, Ceylinco Life was declared Sri Lanka’s Service Brand of the Year by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) in 2021 and won the SLIM Kantar Peoples Award as the Most Popular Life Insurance Company in Sri Lanka for the 16th consecutive year, also in 2021. Ceylinco Life has been the country’s leading life insurer for more than half of the 34 years it has been in existence. Other accolades won in respect of 2021 include the ‘Most Popular Service Provider’ in Sri Lanka’s Life Insurance industry from LMD, the ‘Most Valuable Life Insurance Brand’ in Sri Lanka from Brand Finance, one of the 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka from the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and one of the 10 Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka’s Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector from Great Place to Work.
Ceylinco Life has close to a million lives covered by active policies and provides innovative life insurance solutions which offer protection while de-risking the goals and ambitions of the Company’s policyholders.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”