Business
Having defied the odds and opening its doors in April 2022
Granbell Hotel Colombo marks its first anniversary
Granbell Hotel Colombo, a Japanese-owned hotel in the heart of Sri Lanka’s bustling capital city, recently celebrated its first anniversary in style. The hotel’s management shared insights into their successful journey, highlighting the dedication of their exceptional team and the hotel’s commitment to providing unforgettable experiences to every guest. The hotel also announced an exciting social media giveaway to their loyal patrons of an exclusive overnight stay, a themed dinner week at The All Day Dining Restaurant, and special entertainment at The Bar On the Top.
Esteemed guests and dignitaries, including the President of Belluna Co. Ltd, Kiyoshi Yasuno, and Director, Hiroshi Yasuno, attended Granbell Hotel Colombo’s anniversary celebration, along with Ms. Junko Kato, Director of Belluna Japan, Nishantha Perera, Partner Belluna Lanka and Shirantha Pieris, Chairman – SLITHM.
Shirantha Pieris, Chairman – SLITHM hailed President of Belluna Co. Ltd, Kiyoshi Yasuno and his team for opening Granbell Hotel Colombo defying the odds and opening its doors in April 2022.
The hotel maintained a strong occupancy rate of over 40% from November onwards, thanks to the unwavering support of the government, Sri Lanka Tourism, travel agents, corporate partners, and overseas tour operators. Granbell Hotel Colombo also participated in the prestigious SATTE 2023 travel fair in Delhi and the Arab Travel Mart in Dubai, where it showcased its world-class facilities and exceptional service. The hotel is looking forward to attending the World Travel Mart and more travel fairs in the coming year to further promote Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
With 292 rooms across four categories, half of which offer breathtaking ocean views, Granbell Hotel Colombo is the perfect seaside retreat for a quick getaway. Guests can indulge in sea-view terraces overlooking the Indian Ocean to a bathtub with unbeatable ocean views in the highest-category room. The iconic rooftop infinity pool and bar offer stunning panoramic views of the city and sea, while the Japanese restaurant tantalizes your taste buds with tempura and teppanyaki delicacies.
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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