Business
HNB honoured as the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka for 13th year
HNB PLC was once again recognized as the undisputed leader in retail banking, when it was awarded the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka Award for the 13th consecutive occasion at the Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2023.
HNB Deputy General Manager – Retail Banking Group, Sanjay Wijemanne accepted the award on behalf of the bank at the ceremony held at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok Thailand.
HNB prevailed through stiff competition to be crowned winners in an event renowned as one of the most rigorous, prestigious and transparent programmes for retail financial services anywhere in the world today. The Awarding programme showcases regional institutions that set new benchmarks in stability, innovation, digital enablement and process re-engineering which have led to unleashing rapid and sustainable growth.
Receiving the award, HNB DGM – Retail Banking Group, Sanjay Wijemanne said, “Being acknowledged as Sri Lanka’s Best Retail Bank for the 13th year by the Asian Banker Magazine is a testament to the dedicated efforts of our team and our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional banking experiences to our customers. As we look towards the future, we remain dedicated to leveraging our strengths and unique capabilities to drive growth and prosperity across Sri Lanka.”
Notably, the bank consolidated its legacy of true leadership in sustainability, good governance and corporate excellence with a resounding victory at the prestigious Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2022 (CCC BCCSA).
Having been declared the overall winner, HNB further secured additional four accolades including Governance category winner, second runner-up for Demonstrated Resilient Practices for COVID-19 category, and ranked among the Top 10 Best Corporate Citizens, a position which HNB has achieved for 13 years.
Moreover, the bank was also crowned Sustainability Champion for The Finance Sector in recognition of its systemic national contributions in supporting Sri Lanka’s transition towards renewable energy, grassroots-led economic development, and the multi-pronged environmental and social campaigns by the HNB Sustainability Foundation.
Furthermore, HNB was ranked among the Top 1,000 Banks in the world for the sixth consecutive year by the acclaimed UK based ‘The Banker Magazine’ while being adjudged the ‘Best Service Bank’ and the ‘Market Leader’ in the Euromoney Trade Finance Survey 2023.
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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