Business
Dialog, SLT-Mobitel, Airtel and Hutchison band together to spark Sri Lanka’s digital economy
Sri Lanka’s mobile operator community has announced the commercial launch of new industry-wide network APIs, as part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. In doing so, they will help developers and businesses accelerate the growth of digital services and apps, by ensuring they work seamlessly with all the country’s mobile networks and hundreds of others around the world.
All four of the countries mobile operators – Bharti Airtel Lanka (Private) Limited, Dialog Axiata PLC, Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka Ltd, and SLT-Mobitel have prioritized and launched three value creating APIs: One Time Password (OTP) Validation, Device Location and Carrier Billing, giving developers and enterprises a standard way to technically and commercially reach over 21 million Sri Lankans regardless of their network operator.
As part of the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, these APIs will be locally and globally federated, meaning developers can reach new subscribers outside of Sri Lanka as Open Gateway coverage grows. The initial set of APIs are set to revolutionize the digital adoption by Sri Lankan enterprises and developers by providing a single integration that works across all four operators in the country.
GSMA Open Gateway empowers developers worldwide to create innovative services by accessing network resources. Developed in collaboration with mobile operators worldwide, the framework ensures consistent, interoperable access to mobile networks through the standards-based CAMARA repository, a Linux Foundation project. The initiative fosters collaborations among operators, industry associations, developers, and content creators while adhering to all relevant technical standards, regulations and user privacy standards. More than 36 mobile operator groups, representing 214 mobile networks and 60% of mobile connections worldwide, are now part of the initiative.
Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, said: “Sri Lanka’s launch of commercial network APIs marks a great moment for the global GSMA Open Gateway initiative, and we welcome the progress and collaboration the country’s four operators have demonstrated. Asia-Pacific represents the largest mobile market in the world and this announcement shows how, together, the industry can create, enhance and bring new digital services and immersive technologies to market faster and to a wider global customer base.”
Commenting on the initiative MD/CEO of Airtel, Ashish Chandra said, “The dedication of Airtel Lanka in joining the GSMA Open Gateway initiative is commendable, and it’s great to see the industry moving in unison. While competition refines us, it’s shared visions like this that will shape the digital destiny of Sri Lanka”.
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “Building on Axiata Group Berhad’s successful deployment of the GSMA Open Gateway in March 2023, Dialog Axiata is proud to be a participant in the GSMA Open Gateway initiative through our Ideamart platform capability, alongside all the other operators in Sri Lanka. This signifies a momentous leap for the industry, ushering in a new era of unparalleled digital innovation and connectivity for the nation”.
Commenting on the initiative Saumitra Gupta – CEO (Actg) of HUTCH stated “We are excited to be part of this GSMA global initiative of Open Gateway. We foresee this will indeed open up a new ecosystem for much broader opportunities and collaborations between network operators, developers and enterprises, and at far greater scale accelerate digital service innovations and experiences in the respective markets.”
Commenting on the occasion, Sudharshana Geeganage, Chief Operating Officer of Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd. said, “At SLT-Mobitel, we are delighted to be part of the GSMA Open Gateway global initiative. We believe this a significant step in promoting open standards and enabling the operators to interconnect and collaborate in the API economy. This will further strengthen the developer community, which is an integral part of the API economy, by facilitating various trusted network services and thereby unlocking opportunities in the global app markets propelling digital economy forward.”
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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