Business
HIP hands over completed HOPE village project
The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) officially handed over the recently completed “Hope Village” to the villagers of Kandagasmankada in Lunugamwehera of the Hambantota district. The flagship community sustainability project which includes 4 centres for community, health, agriculture and sports was inaugurated by the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, with Miao Jianmin, Chairman of China Merchants Group (CMG), China’s largest business enterprise in attendance.
The Hope Village initiated to uplift the well-being of villagers and develop their livelihoods and employability, will benefit approximately 2,170 residents of Kandagasmankada.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman Miao Jianmin said that CMG, as one of the largest multinational conglomerates in the world committed to sustainable development, did not attribute their outstanding achievements to business success alone, but also social responsibility, a vital part of the group’s corporate mission.
“The pursuit of the mission to ‘promote social progress through commercial success’ of China Merchants Group continues to enrich its connotation. We will work diligently, steadily, step by step, and solidly to contribute to building a modern society that coexists harmoniously with nature while promoting global sustainable development,” the chairman said.
CMG’s public welfare footprint covers 34 countries on five continents. The Group’s poverty alleviation work in China which began in 2003, spans an engagement of 20 years. The group has extended support to impoverished sections of society through its various poverty alleviation models, such as ‘poverty alleviation and development,’ ‘industry-based poverty alleviation,’ and ‘social poverty alleviation.’ As at the end of 2022, the group has invested nearly $1.7 billion RMB in poverty alleviation funds, over a period of ten years. Multiple industry-based poverty alleviation and public welfare projects have been developed in impoverished areas, helping more than 1 million people overcome poverty. CMG’s extensive experience in this field covers project management, industrial development and social services.
The ‘Hope Village’ concept, a development model village that will benefit marginalised communities, is a collaboration between China Merchants Foundation (CMF) the CSR arm of China Merchants Group, and the Nirmala Foundation, a non-profit organisation and monitored by the Divisional Secretariat of Lunugamwehera. HIPG and CICT teams are the facilitators of the project. The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has also been an active partner in this endeavour and has been closely monitoring the progress of this program.
150 school-going children in Kandagasmankada Primary School received a book donation, including a bag each, to mark the opening of the ‘Hope Village.’ The giveaways were funded by the “Sammawayama,” the Social Welfare Foundation of the Galwila Temple. HIPG donated dry ration packs to 100 villagers who were most in need.
Nirmala Foundation Chairman, Indika Abeywardhana; District Secretary, H. P. Sumanasekera; Chief Incumbent of the Kandagasmankada Rajamaha Viharaya, Galapitagala Premarathana Thero; Raymond Mu, CFO HIPG and Tissa Wickramasinghe, COO HIPG were also present at the opening ceremony.
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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