Business
Excel World & Island Market unite to uplift women-run businesses
In keeping with the vision of making a difference and empowering local entrepreneurs, Excel World will collaborate with The Island Market on the 25th of March to host its first ever pop-up market. The venue will be provided free of charge to the initiative in keeping with the concept of the power of a business to do good. Founded with the aim of supporting home-grown small-scale businesses, creators and artisans by giving them a platform to showcase and grow their products, one of the core principles of The Island Market is to additionally invest in and equip female-run enterprises. As we celebrate International Women’s Day this month, the pop-up event takes on even more significance in keeping with the idea of women’s empowerment. The Island Market additionally extends its support to those who are differently-abled and wish to participate at no additional cost.
The Island Market works closely with over 50 local artisans and creators to source and promote; food, homeware, clothes, jewelry, art, lighting products, collectibles, charity-related items and more. Infused into the concept is the idea that every purchase makes a difference; ultimately contributing to a house-hold income and most importantly, giving back to the people who crafted the very items. Each vendor is armed with their own unique story along with the inspiration behind their product, making every creation intrinsically one-of-a-kind. With its array of diverse offerings, The Island Market is guaranteed to help one find something to purchase, whether they be 15 or 50.
Past events conducted by The Island Market have been largely attended by a cross-section of residents in Colombo and the initiative expects to attract a walk-in crowd in excess of 300 people. Live entertainment features and a carnival atmosphere will lend to the exuberant nature of the event, making it one for the entire family. Excel World, by collaborating with The Island Market hopes to grow this into a regular happening with community-driven activities, ultimately evolving into a must-attend date in Colombo’s monthly calendar. With the upcoming seasonal festivities around the corner, the Island Market is a great way to kick-start one’s gift shopping!
Excel World, Colombo’s most popular entertainment park for the entire family is owned and managed by Excel Restaurants Ltd. Following its renovations in the recent past, Excel World offers a range of food outlets and restaurants in addition to its popular Darley Road Pub and Brick Lane Coffee House along with its upgraded banquet and conference facilities. Excel Restaurants Ltd., is owned by the Browns Group, which is also a part of LOLC, one of the largest diversified conglomerates in Sri Lanka. The Browns Group manages a fast-growing and valuable portfolio of brands across several key industry sectors, such as power generation; home and office solutions; agriculture and plantation support services; pharmaceuticals; investments; marine and manufacturing as well as leisure and hospitality.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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