Business
Chathuri Munaweera appointed new CEO of AIA Insurance, making her the company’s first female CEO
AIA Insurance Lanka announced the appointment of Chathuri Munaweera as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The appointment will be effective 01 May 2022 subject to approval of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. Notably, she will be the company’s first female CEO. The outgoing CEO, Nikhil Advani is relocating within the AIA Group as CEO of AIA Thailand.
Chathuri is a highly experienced executive with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry in Sri Lanka. She is the Director Legal & Operations of AIA Insurance Lanka (AIA Sri Lanka) responsible for Life Operations, Corporate Law, Company Secretarial and External Relations and has previously been the Company’s Chief HR Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. Chathuri has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Company since 2006, playing a lead role in strategic planning and business achievements.
Chathuri led the complex corporate restructuring of AIA Sri Lanka to ultimately become a wholly owned subsidiary of AIA Group. She has been responsible for the digital and process transformation of AIA Sri Lanka’s end- to -end customer journey, aligning to customer and advisor support which was recognised with a number of ‘Most Improved’ Country Awards within AIA Group (2021). She led the operational changes which saw premium collections grow via digital and bank-led non-cash collection methods and customer conservations, thus improving both new business sales efficiency and the quality of the in-force business.
Chathuri concluded her studies at Visakha Vidyalaya and is a lawyer by training (Sri Lanka Law College) with a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in law from the University of Colombo. She is a Chartered Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, UK and holds an International Diploma in Compliance (Graduate), ICA, (Manchester Business School, University of Manchester) UK.
She was recognised as one of the 16 trailblazers who are driving gender equality across Sri Lanka, at the launch of the #TogetherWeCan campaign by the IFC-DFAT SheWorks Sri Lanka Partnership, a campaign intended to pave the way for the private sector to enhance employment opportunities for women.
Outgoing CEO Nikhil has been a part of AIA Insurance Lanka since 2016 and was responsible for the Company’s new life insurance product portfolio and expanded its footprint in the health market. Having taken over as CEO in 2019, under his leadership, AIA Sri Lanka achieved strong growth in its topline and outperformance in VONB, OPAT and other financial KPIs, demonstrating resilience during some of the most challenging economic times in Sri Lanka’s history. He joined AIA Group in 2011 as Group Head of Channel Marketing and AIA Sri Lanka in 2016 as Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Customer Strategy and Transformation. Nikhil has over 26 years’ experience in insurance and financial industries.
Bill Lisle, Regional Chief Executive AIA Group and Chairman AIA Insurance Lanka, said: “I am delighted that Chathuri is set to become CEO of AIA Insurance Lanka. She brings a proven track record and considerable experience to the CEO role and is well-positioned for continued success. I wish her all the best and am confident she will accelerate the company’s positive momentum in its next phase of growth in Sri Lanka. I also want to congratulate Nikhil on his outstanding performance and invaluable leadership and wish him every success as he assumes the position as CEO of AIA Thailand.”
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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