Business
Dialog hosts Google I/O Extended in the Metaverse for the 1st time in South Asia
Dialog Axiata PLC, Ideamart, and Innovation Foundry, in collaboration with the Google Developer Group Sri Lanka, recently hosted the highly anticipated tech event ‘Google I/O Extended Sri Lanka 2022’ in the Metaverse for the first time in South Asia on May 28, as a part of the global Google I/O 2022 event which was held on May 11.
Drawing in over 200,000 viewers, the event empowered tech enthusiasts from across the country with an immersive and interactive Google I/O Extended Sri Lanka 2022 experience falling in line with Dialog’s brand ethos of delivering ‘The Future.Today’. Attendees were enabled to interact with the event proceedings in the Metaverse from the comfort of their homes by simply logging into the event via their mobiles, laptops, or tablets as the event was livestreamed across Dialog’s official Facebook page & YouTube channel, and Channel One on Dialog Television (Ch. 1).
The Metaverse event, a first of its kind in the South Asian region, was hosted by local tech influencer Chanux Bro and Ajmal Hussain and featured Google’s latest innovations and developer products while also bringing together developers from around the world for insightful tech talks and hands-on learning with Google experts. Dialog showcased its 5G-ready advanced tech solutions including Digital Twin, Robot Arm, 360-Video, and Hologram, and the ground-breaking work conducted at its ‘5G Innovation Centres’. The event also featured Dialog’s unparalleled Intelligent Video Content Analysis (IVCA) product portfolio and many more core innovations. Throughout the event, participants received the opportunity of winning exciting prizes including 777 NFTs, a range of Smart devices, Star Points rewards & limited edition Google I/O Extended Sri Lanka 2022 T-shirts.
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC stated, “As Champions of Innovation, we were excited to witness the scalability and the endless possibilities the Metaverse delivered to local audiences on May 28. As a key driver of Sri Lanka’s digital economy and in our 5th year hosting the Google I/O Extended event in Sri Lanka, we aspired to bridge the gap between local tech talent and global experiences while also providing participants with unlimited opportunities to engage with new ideas, observe the latest technologies, and network with a wider circle of tech-entrepreneurs and developers.”
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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