Business
Cruise Ship Visits to Hambantota will triple Next Year
Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) will kick-off a tourism campaign to attract cruise liners to the port for 2023/24 in the coming year. Currently, the number of cruise ships scheduled to arrive at the port in 2023 is expected to triple from 2022 numbers, an HIPG news release said last week.
“Looking at the prevailing global trends, we see an increase in routes kicking-off from the Middle East and concluding in the Far East. Hambantota therefore, is an attractive destination in the chain of ports being marketed on the cruise ship packages as it offers a unique experience.
“The instant you land in HIP, you can see greenery and no built-up area, unlike most other ports. Many visiting crews of vessels have noted that the port is well organized, green and clean, which they find to be a significant advantage. A second attraction is that one can see and experience a lot in just half a day, thanks to organized tours.
“We also intend to set up duty free shopping opportunities for tourists visiting the port. We are well positioned to actively promote HIP as a cruise ship destination,” says Johnson Liu, the CEO of HIPG.
Captain of the Azamara Quest Johannes Tysse, in an interview with NewsFirst, also said the Hambantota International Port was clean, organized, structured and much better than many other ports they’ve been to.
The end of 2022 saw two cruise ships berth at the Hambantota International Port. While the Mein Schiff 5 was on a 46 day cruise from Dubai to Singapore visiting several ports in Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand, the Azamara Quest was on a two week cruise from Dubai to Singapore, and called in Mumbai, Cochin, Colombo, and went on to Aceh in Indonesia. Prudential Shipping are the ship Agents for Azamara Quest.
Thhe release said visitors to Hambantota can experience organized tours to Yala, Bundala, Hambantota Botanical Garden, Ridiyagama Safari, Bird’s Park, Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, City tours of Hambantota, Kataragama, Mulkirigala, Udawalawe wildlife park and historic Buddhist temples. They can also have myriad experiences of beaches in Tangalle, Hambantota and Galle and even go up to Ella. Free individual travellers can experience the south taking in the sights using local tuk-tuks.
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
