Business
CSE Masterminds 2023 concludes on a high note
The Fifth Edition of Sri Lanka’s only capital market quiz, CSE Masterminds 2023 organized by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), was held recently at Shangri-La Colombo with the participation of 77 corporate teams, with ZeroBeta emerging as the winner of the overall competition with a cash prize of Rs 1,000,000 and vouchers from Shangri-La Colombo.
Nithya Partners was placed first runner-up with a cash prize of Rs. 500,000, and Acuity Knowledge Partners secured the second runner-up position with a cash prize of Rs. 300,000 at the competition. The top three winning teams have also been awarded Ambassador Cards and discount vouchers from Barista Coffee Lanka (PVT) Ltd.
The participating teams were segregated into seven categories based on their core area of business and were awarded for excelling in each category. Accordingly, Sampath Bank PLC (Banking and Finance), Nithya Partners (Service), NDB Wealth Management Ltd. (Fund Management), ZeroBeta (PVT) Ltd. (Technology), Acuity Partners (PVT) Ltd. (Stock Brokering), Ansell Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. (Manufacturing), and Amana Takaful Life PLC (Insurance), won special awards for topping their respective categories.
Participants in the Quiz Competition were put through a test on their knowledge in Global Markets, International Business, Sri Lankan Economy and Business, Sri Lankan Stock Market, Listed Companies, Sports & Entertainment and other areas in relation to the management of financial securities.
Three lucky winners from the audience won three return air tickets to Singapore courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines from the raffle draw and another three lucky audience members won dinner vouchers from Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, and two vouchers worth Rs. 10,000 from CIC Holdings PLC after successfully answering the questions posed to the audience.
The Fifth Edition of CSE Masterminds 2023 was supported by First Capital Holdings PLC and Bartleet Religare Securities (Pvt) Ltd as Platinum Sponsors.
The Gold sponsors for the event were AICPA & CIMA Sri Lanka, Capital Trust Holdings Ltd, London Stock Exchange Group Sri Lanka, CT CLSA Securities (Pvt) Ltd, and Senfin Securities Limited.
Lanka Securities (PVT) Ltd, LOLC Holdings PLC, Asha Securities Ltd, Softlogic Stockbrokers (PVT) Ltd, Almas Equities (PVT) Ltd, and Senfin Asset Management (PVT) Ltd have come onboard as the Silver sponsors.
Further, Sri Lankan Airlines has joined CSE Masterminds 2023 as the Official Airline Partner whereas Shangri-La Colombo was the Hospitality Partner for the event and Entertainment Unlimited was the event partner. International Distillers Ltd. (IDL) has come on board as the fellowship event partner. The official Print Media Partner for the event were Daily FT, Daily Mirror and Sunday Times of Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.
Co-sponsors of the event were Vidullanka PLC, Asia Capital Stock Brokers (PVT) Ltd, Millennium IT ESP (PVT) Ltd, CryptoGen (PVT) Ltd, Data Management Systems (PVT) Ltd, Sunshine Holdings PLC, Barista Coffee Lanka (PVT) Ltd, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, Lanka IOC PLC, N-able (PVT) Ltd, E Futures (PVT) Ltd, Hemas Holdings PLC and Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka) PLC.
Commenting on the initiative, CSE CEO, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, said that “The competition has steadily evolved since its inception into one of the foremost quiz competitions in the corporate sector and a flagship event in the CSE calendar.”
“We commenced the quiz competition in 2017 with a few corporate teams at the CSE trading floor, with a prize value of Rs. 100,000 for the winner. And now the CSE Masterminds is a brand that is popular among quiz enthusiasts in the corporate sector, and the prize value of this year’s event was over Rs. 2 million.” Bandaranaike added.
He further said, “The interest in the corporate sector to participate and view the quiz as a fun and engaging learning experience has been vital to the success of the event. We congratulate the winning teams and express our appreciation to all the organizations and brands that have supported the event this year in the capacity of a sponsor or partner.”
The Channa Upuli Performing Arts Foundation added colour to the event and the quiz was followed by a fellowship event backed by the Freeze Music Band, featuring Falan Andrea as the guest artiste.
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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