Business
Dialog Axiata inaugurates “First Tower of the Gamata Sanniwedanaya” Initiative in Kachchigala
Oshada Senanayake, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC inaugurating the first tower of the ‘Gamata Sanniwedanaya’ initiative in Kachchigala.
Remaining committed to further expanding coverage to deep rural communities across the nation, Dialog Axiata PLC, the widest network in Sri Lanka, inaugurated the Gamata Sanniwedanaya initiative by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) in Kachchigala, Ratnapura.
Dialog aims to enhance coverage to deep rural communities through 450 additional towers, including TRCSL’s “Gamata Sanniwedanaya” project, in the next 6 months, targeting 100% population coverage. With the successful launch of the first tower under this initiative in the Ratnapura District, plans are underway to expand coverage in Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Matara, Anuradhapura and Badulla Districts as the next phase of the Gamata Sanniwedanaya programme.
In its continued efforts to expand coverage and support customers during these unprecedented times, Dialog has already added 515 new towers to the network during the pandemic period, surpassing 4000 mobile 4G sites in its network, the highest ever tower count recorded in Sri Lanka.
While Dialog continues to enhance coverage for the deep rural communities through TRCSL’s Gamata Sanniwedanaya initiative, the company is also facilitating 100,000 schoolchildren in need with Data Scholarships through its ‘NanaDiri Data Scholarship’ programme to support their online learning endeavours. Dialog is the nation’s largest foreign direct investor with a total investment of USD 2.8 Billion to date and infrastructure investments of USD 207 Million planned for 2021. The ongoing investments are part of the USD 254.1 Million investment committed with the Board of Investments in February 2020.
Speaking at the occasion, Oshada Senanayake, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka said, “We set out to establish the necessary connectivity infrastructure to provide coverage to the deep rural areas of the country through this Gamata Sanniwedanaya initiative, and we are grateful to Dialog Axiata for swiftly making this vision a reality. Today, we are that much closer to bridging the digital divide for rural communities. We are pleased to support the eLearning endeavours of students and create immense growth potential for the Kachchigala communities through this initiative.”
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We are pleased to present this network site to the communities in the Kachchigala area covering 7 Grama Niladari divisions providing access to reliable connectivity in furthering their education and work aspirations. We are thankful to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka for facilitating this endeavour and look forward to collaborating further in the months to come to realise our shared vision of enabling a fully connected and digital Sri Lanka. In addition to this initiative, Dialog as the largest investor in Sri Lanka has invested over Rs. 50 Billion since the start of the Pandemic in 2020 to expand Mobile and Fixed coverage footprint across the country and remains committed to supporting our valued customers during this unprecedented time.”
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.”