Business
HNB celebrates 135-year legacy of partnerships and progress with commemorative stamp launch
Consolidating its legacy as a cornerstone of the nation’s banking system, Sri Lanka’s premier private sector bank HNB PLC, celebrated its 135th year of supporting customers and businesses to achieve their financial goals with the release of a commemorative stamp.
Commenting on the historic occasion HNB’s Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Alles said, “Since our inception, HNB has recognized that our true strength lies not only in our financial prowess but also in the people we serve – from budding savers to thriving SMEs. Initiatives like ‘Gami Pubuduwa’ exemplify our commitment to embedding ourselves within communities, fostering relationships based on continuous progress and shared prosperity. Throughout, HNB has served as a beacon of hope, guiding micro-businesses to international success, and showcasing the resolute spirit of Sri Lankan entrepreneurship. Together, we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, as we draw inspiration from our past achievements and embrace the opportunities of tomorrow.”
HNB has served as a partner in progress to generations of Sri Lankans, standing out as a symbol of resilience and innovation. The bank, and the brand have continued to evolve and adapt to an increasingly volatile, fast-paced economic landscape. As the nation’s largest private Commercial bank, HNB has emerged as a pillar of stability and a driver of change.
Over the past decade, the bank underwent an ambitious transformation, leveraging technology and digitalisation to drive sweeping upgrades to its infrastructure with a view to enable greater speed, agility, and accuracy across its back-end systems. This in turn resulted in radical improvements in service delivery and customer experience. Particularly in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, HNB’s unmatched strengths in digital banking also helped drive the nation’s digital adoption to new heights.
Amidst these trials, HNB focused on providing uninterrupted service, ensuring stability for its customers leveraging streamlined administrative systems, redesigned product portfolios, to establish a thriving digital payment ecosystem accessible to all Sri Lankans.
The journey of brand HNB is a testament to its ability to adapt, innovate, and grow in the face of adversity. The bank’s commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences, coupled with its focus on sustainability and technological innovation, has cemented its position as a trusted and forward-thinking financial institution in Sri Lanka. (HNB)
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
