Business
Green Energy Innovation at Demo Day 2022
The fourth edition of the Green Energy Champion (GEC) competition has moved into its final phase with the launch of the ‘Demo Day’ where the winning five green energy innovators – namely Ecosteem, Sanota, Rhoda, Route Sonar and Eco Tech Base – presented their solutions to an audience comprising local and international industry leaders, investors, business executives, and several other dignitaries.
The Green Energy Champion competition is set to identify the most promising ideas and innovations from the thriving Sri Lankan start-ups and small and medium enterprises. The winning innovations ranged from smart mobility solutions like route optimization and the first Sri-Lankan e-bike, affordable solar powered rooftiles and hot water systems to a household-based organic fertilizer and biogas solution.
GEC’s Demo Day was livestreamed on 3rd February 2022. After the welcome by Country Director of GIZ Sri Lanka, Christiane Einfeldt, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Holger Seubert, and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Ranjith Sepala, addressed the gathering as guests of honour.
In his keynote address, Sepala, highlighted the ambitious goals Sri Lanka has set: “Sri Lanka has begun an important journey towards completing carbon neutrality by 2050. In this journey, we have set a goal to realize 70% of electricity generated by renewable energy sources by 2030. We are delighted that the Federal Foreign Office of Germany joined hands with us by commissioning the Green Energy Champions initiative which is certainly a timely landmark project for Sri Lanka. I congratulate the five green energy startup innovators and their renewable energy ideas and solutions towards a greener Sri Lanka.”
Ambassador Seubert in his address pointed out that the new German government has put climate change action at the forefront of their agenda. Congratulating the five winners, he added: “Green Energy Champion shows us every year that there is huge, untapped potential for creative ideas in the renewable energy sector here in Sri Lanka. Entrepreneurs and private sector are vital in the shift towards a greener economy. It is the innovations driven by companies which – enabled by the right policy frameworks – can scale sustainable solutions within very short timeframes.”
The founders of Ecosteem, Sanota, Rhoda, Route Sonar and Eco Tech Base pitched their business solutions to the investor and partner network gathered at the event, concluding Demo Day with a networking session aimed at facilitating alliances and partnerships among key green energy stakeholders.
During 2021, the five local green energy innovators had participated in a six-month accelerator programme with Hatch and Good Life X (GLX), which helped them fine-tune their business model, develop their products and build strong local and international business relationships in the Green Energy ecosystem.
After intensive capacity building and mentoring by renowned industry experts, the five teams are equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop their businesses further while simultaneously creating a positive impact on the environment, the community, as well as the economy.
The ‘Green Energy Champion’ is a programme that supports innovators who are driven to lead the Green Energy revolution. The project is commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH together with the State Ministry of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka.
For more information, please visit www.greenenergychampion.lk & follow us on facebook.com/greenenergychampion and instagram.com/greenenergychampion
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
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
