Business
CIPM re-elects outstanding HR professional Ken Vijayakumar as president 2023/24
CIPM Sri Lanka – the Nation’s leader in human resource management, unanimously re-elected outstanding HR professional and business leader Ken Vijayakumar as President for the year 2023/24 at its Annual General Meeting held on 29th July at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, amidst its distinguished membership representing the HR fraternity in Sri Lanka.
Currently serving as the General Manager -Human Resources, Administration, Purchasing and Sustainability at A. Baur & Company (Pvt) Ltd, Ken counts over 30 years of experience in the field of Human Resources Management and General Management. He is a Chartered Fellow Member and a Senior faculty member of CIPM and was recently awarded the title “Outstanding HR Business Leader of Year” for the year 2022 by the CEO Magazine in recognition of his exemplary leadership skills and contribution to CIPM. Ken was also the recipient of the Aviva Leadership Excellence Award and Aviva Change Manager Award in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Considered as a “Peoples leader”, he has shown exemplary leadership in developing and resolving people’s issues in the state and private sectors, which is evident by the many awards and accolades that he has received during his long-spanning career as a visionary HR and business leader.
Ken started his career as a management trainee in 1985 at the Janatha Estates Development Board, and thereafter he held managerial and senior managerial positions in Lankem (Ceylon) Ltd, Watawala plantations, MAS Holdings, Keels plantations, Lanka Equities, Brandix, WNS/AVIVA, Delmege Forsyth, Waters Edge, and Premium Oils and Fats, Malaysia exposing him to business and HR specifics in a multitude of industries such as plantations, apparel manufacturing, Business Process Outsourcing/Knowledge Process Outsourcing, diversified industries, palm oil refineries and hospitality.
Ken, along with his elite team in the CIPM Council will raise the bar for the Sri Lankan HR community in line with international people practices and processes endorsed by leading people management institutions such as WFPMA (World Federation of People Management Associations), APFHRM (Asia Pacific Federation of Human Resource Management) of which CIPM Sri Lanka is a vibrant constituent.
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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