Business
Dhammika Perera launches DP Kids free online learning platform
To support education excellence among children, philanthropist Dhammika Perera and his wife Priscilla Perera have launched another initiative.
The platform, DP Kids, aims to provide free access to pre-school education to a minimum of 264,000 children between the ages of 2 and 7 years old, which amounts to 20% of the 1.32 million children in Sri Lanka.
The launch of DP Kids represents the latest in a series of initiatives as part of the Foundation’s groundbreaking efforts to leverage platforms like DP Education and DP Digital University to deliver free education and empower a new generation of Sri Lankan school and university students.
“A child’s early years are the foundation for his or her future development, providing a strong foundation for lifelong education and learning abilities, including cognitive and social development. Well-established research continues to emphasize the importance of early childhood education as an essential building block of a child’s future success. With this thought we hope that children from different backgrounds in Sri Lanka will be able to access world class resources in a safe and secure online educational environment cost-free,” a spokesperson for Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation said.
Developed in collaboration with leading education technology innovator Age of Learning, Inc, USA – creator of award winning platforms like ABCmouse.com – DP Kids is built to an international standard and features a curriculum and presentation that is designed by early childhood education experts and professionals who have studied and analysed child psychology and behaviour to craft content that will be especially engaging for kids.
DP Kids has also collaborated with USP Studios, home to over 50 animated characters designed for making learning a fun activity. USP Studios is one of the top three ‘kids video content’ producers worldwide.
Notably, DP Kids has also made a concerted effort to localise its content, utilizing the unique skills of famous and acclaimed Sri Lankan singers, writers, illustrators and animators in order to ensure that lessons are relatable and aligned to Sri Lankan tradition, culture and values.
Among those who contributed to the DP Kids platform was the beloved doyen of Sri Lankan children’s literature and art, the late Mrs. Sybil Wettasinghe, whose final work was in contributing traditional songs and illustrations to the platform.
In order to honour her memory and life-changing legacy, her illustrations were completed by family members while the music she had composed for DP Kids was recorded by artists at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Company (SLBC) and will be made freely available through the platform in the form of two digital songbooks.
DP Kids has also worked closely with leading local animators who provided 7 localised animated characters specially designed for DP Kids and 3D animated videos for nursery rhymes that reflect local cultures and traditions of Sri Lanka.
A well-known media company was also enlisted for producing art and craft videos specially designed for DP Kids, which will further support kids to improve their cognitive abilities.
For further inquiries or details please visit our official DP Kids website at www.dpkids.lk or email us at info@dpfoundation.org.lk
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.”