Business
Hemas Outreach Foundation conducts its 21st Piyawara Teacher Training Program
The Hemas Outreach Foundation (HOF) together with the National Secretariat of the Early Childhood Care and Development of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs successfully conducted its annual Teacher Training Program for the 21st consecutive year. The three-day residential training program, conducted in Sinhala and Tamil by renowned trainers was attended by over 100 teachers from Piyawara pre-schools across the island.
The Piyawara story began in 2002, when the Hemas Group launched its flagship initiative of its foundation in partnership with the Children’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs with the aim to enrich the lives of underprivileged children by focusing on key aspects within the framework of Early Childhood and Care Development (ECCD). Piyawara signifies the initial steps taken by a child at the beginning of the journey through life. Its vision was to nurture children with good care and provide a solid foundation for life.
Pre-schools, which are the foundation of education are constructed under the initiative and handed over to the local government authorities which appoint qualified teachers and pay their salaries. While the general maintenance of the schools is handled by the local government authorities, Hemas Outreach Foundation conducts regular teacher training programmes to ensure a consistent quality of education.
Speaking on this milestone, Shiromi Masakorala, Executive Director – Hemas Outreach Foundation / AYATI Trust Sri Lanka said, “For 21 years, the Hemas Outreach Foundation has continued to educate and inspire countless preschool teachers under the Piyawara initiative. With the objective of touching the lives of thousands of children from all parts of Sri Lanka, Piyawara stands today as a project which demonstrates the success of government – private sector partnerships in addressing national issues and going beyond the geographical divide, ultimately leading to a better quality of education for the capable young minds of Sri Lanka.”
The Hemas Outreach Foundation is a charitable trust which focuses on laying a solid foundation for Early Childhood Development by providing world-class preschool education to children in areas under poverty stricken conditions. The Foundation is also committed to improving the lives of children with disabilities by providing highest quality therapeutic intervention and eradicating stigma. So far, it has impacted the lives of over 700,000 children and families of all ethnicities across the country.
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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