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Envoy discusses promotion of culture, sports and tourism with vice minister of Republic of Korea

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Vice Minister Kim Jeongbae with Dr. Mendis exchanging gifts after the formal meeting at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Ambassador Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis had a meeting with the Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, Kim Jeongbae, who is the second highest political personality in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. During the meeting, both the Vice Minister and the Ambassador discussed a multitude of issues ranging from sports such as Taekwondo, Cricket, Soccer, Athletics, Horse Racing and Motor Racing; tourism from the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka and vice-a-versa and cultural heritage of the two countries, amongst others. The meeting was arranged by the Ambassador of the RoK in Colombo, Santhush Jeong Woonjin.

Dr. Mendis, whilst thanking the Vice Minister, stated that Taekwondo in particular as well as K-Pop, K-food, K-dance and K-dramas are becoming increasingly popular amongst the Sri Lankan populace. Both the Vice Minister and Ambassador agreed that K-Pop and K-movies could be telecast on electronic media of Sri Lanka whilst Sri Lankan movies and tele dramas could be telecast on the electronic media of the RoK, thus further enriching and evolving the cultural relations between the two countries. Dr. Mendis added that both the countries are culturally and historically very well endowed with very long documented histories with majority of the peoples being Buddhists in both the countries.

Ambassador broached that in May of 2021, the famous Korean actress Ms. Lee Young-ae and her company signed an MoU with Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation to telecast the Korean tele drama titled “Saimdang” (Memoir of Colors). Both the Vice Minister and Ambassador added that the actress Ms. Lee Young-ae is very popular not only in Korea but in Sri Lanka as well.

Dr. Mendis highlighted that tourism is one of the largest employers and industries in Sri Lanka as well as one of the highest foreign exchange earners of the country. Due to COVID pandemic, the tourism world over has been affected. In 2019, over 28 million Korean nationals have travelled out of the country but only 13,500 Korean nationals have travelled to Sri Lanka. Dr. Mendis added that the endeavor of the Government of Sri Lanka as well as the Sri Lanka Tourism and the Embassy is to attract not 1% of the Korean tourists but at least 0.5%. This number would translate to 140,000 Korean tourists to Sri Lanka or over 10-fold increase of the number of Korean tourists who visited Sri Lanka in 2019. In this context, Ambassador stated that Sri Lanka has been chosen in 2017 and 2018 as amongst the most desired and most sought after touristic destinations in the world by the “Lonely Planet”, “National Geographics”, ‘CNN’ and “BBC Good Foods” amongst others, thus making the country a “Mecca for Tourism”. Dr. Mendis accentuated that Sri Lanka has some of the finest and most pristine beaches, tea gardens, scenic mountains and hill tops, fauna and flora, world class cuisine, outdoor sports activities and natural beauty as no other country as well as a number of UNESCO designated sites, amongst others. Both the Minister and Ambassador agreed that with greater connectivity, tourism and cultural relations could be enhanced and aggrandized, thus mutually benefitting both the countries.



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AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024

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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.

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Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness

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Kotaro Katsuki, Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan

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.

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HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024

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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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