Business
Don’t Drive Blind! – A Road Safety Initiative to Curb Distracted Driving in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, a country renowned for its scenic beauty, faces a grim reality on its roads. With over 3,500 road accident deaths annually, 9,000 critical accidents, and 12,000 minor accidents, the need for urgent action to enhance road safety cannot be overstated.
The rampant use of mobile phones while driving, consistently topping the list of traffic offenses in Colombo and Galle districts in both 2019 and 2022, has become a grave concern. It’s high time we addressed this alarming habit that has taken root in our society and adopt global best practices to ensure the safety of all road users.
Enter the Drive in the Moment road safety initiative, a crucial phase in our ongoing efforts to make our roads safer. Don’t Drive Blind! is a research-based, evidence-driven intervention designed to help drivers curb their mobile phone use while behind the wheel. Its approach is rooted in principles proven to break harmful habits, similar to those used to combat smoking or texting addiction. The ultimate goal is to empower drivers to break this dangerous habit for good.
Key Objectives of ‘Don’t Drive Blind!’ :
Raise Awareness: We aim to educate the public about the perils of using mobile phones while driving and create a widespread understanding that distracted driving is akin to ‘the new drink driving’ or a form of negligent driving with far-reaching consequences.
Behavior Change: Through applied research, we intend to provide an evidence-based resource platform aimed at reducing in-vehicle mobile phone use, primarily among young drivers, who are more susceptible to this risky behavior.
Collaboration: We are proud to announce our partnership with the National Road Safety Council and Optimum Q Event & Project Management, demonstrating our commitment to a multi-faceted approach to tackling this issue.
As part of our commitment to road safety, we are grateful to the FIA for their grant funding support, which enables us to spearhead this initiative. Similar to our counterparts in Australia and New Zealand, we are dedicated to making our roads safer by addressing smartphone use in vehicles. Our surveys indicate that many Sri Lankans believe this issue poses one of the greatest risks to road safety today. Using a mobile device while driving places significant cognitive, physical, and visual demands on a driver, and the ever-expanding functionality of smartphones has led to distracted driving being labeled as ‘the new drink driving’ or even the most prevalent form of negligent driving.
Through ‘Don’t Drive Blind!’, we are taking the first steps towards a safer future on our roads. We urge all Sri Lankan drivers to join us in this mission to reduce mobile phone use behind the wheel. Together, we can make a difference and save countless lives.
Learn, grow and be better by simply taking the quiz – https://driveinthemoment.org/lk/
The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) is a leading advocate for road safety in Sri Lanka. With a commitment to promoting safer roads, AAC has been a steadfast partner in numerous initiatives aimed at reducing accidents and making our roads secure for all.
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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