Business
HNB Finance acquires Prime Finance
Further extending its dominant position in the financial industry, leading integrated financial services institution HNB FINANCE PLC entered into a contractual agreement with Prime Lands and Prime Finance yesterday, acquiring a controlling stake of 87.27% from Prime Lands (Pvt) Ltd, a pioneering force in Sri Lanka’s real estate landscape. This marks a first under CBSL’s recent consolidation plan for the sector, where two key players in the country’s financial industry partner to give rise to a powerful synergy providing impetus to a diverse product and service offering.
“This merger brings together an exciting combination that will create value for our stakeholders, our employees, our customers and communities. This partnership will strengthen HNB FINANCE’s relationship with Prime Group and expedite its foray into real estate financing. We are enthused by the prospects for synergies not only in terms of product and reach but also the opportunity to bring a talented and dynamic team into our fold which will no doubt accelerate our plans for national expansion” commented HNB FINANCE PLC Chairman Dilshan Rodrigo.
HNB FINANCE’s existing and future customers can expect to benefit from an enhanced portfolio, efficient and easily accessible services through a combined branch network, a strengthened balance sheet and better distribution of risk with the addition of Prime Finance’s 93% asset-backed loan portfolio.
“We are pleased to invite the experienced and passionate Prime Finance team into our midst and are excited by the enhanced potential to create value for customers in new ways, by leveraging the synergy arising from this union. Building on our significant market share, momentum, and the business strength of our powerful parent company HNB PLC, this new found partnership with Prime Finance reinforces our position as an industry leader and creates a robust foundation for efficiency, growth and improved financial performance.
Prime Finance’s expertise and indelible reputation within the sector combined with our strengths, positions us well to further our vision of adding value to the lives of all Sri Lankans,” HNB FINANCE PLC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chaminda Prabhath said.
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.”
