Business
If elevators could talk: Baurs bids farewell to its 80-year-old Swiss elevator
We often do not think about the significance of an elevator at our workplace except that it provides us with ease and mobility in our day-to-day lives. But when looking back at its story over the many years or decades, we realize the pleasant greetings, invaluable conversations, and new friendships that were made in what we thought was a compact, trivial place.
Sharing a deep emotional connection with elevators is Baurs, one of the leading diversified business groups in the country as it recently bid farewell to its elevator that has been a part of its family for a stunning 80 years.
Mr Shayne Pietersz, the General Manager of Purchasing & Admin took a last ride together with Mr Anomal de Soysa, Jt. Managing Director of Trade Promoters Limited, representatives of Swiss elevator brand Schindler in Sri Lanka for 33 years. A brand-new replacement Schindler elevator was inaugurated at the auspicious time clocking in at 10.18AM on Monday 31st January 2022.
Mr Pietersz, fondly called as the ‘elevator whisperer’ has been taking care of the elevator for the last 24 years. And as Baurs bid farewell to its elevator, it is sheer coincidence that Mr Pietersz also expressed his retirement from the company by end-February. The strong bond between the two goes without saying.
Shayne Pietersz, Baurs GM- Purchasing & Admin (L) taking the last ride together with Trade Promoters Limited Jt. MD Anomal de Soysa
Shayne Pietersz, Baurs GM- Purchasing & Admin (L) taking the last ride together with Trade Promoters Limited Jt. MD Anomal de SoysaBaurs was the first Schindler customer in 1941 when Sri Lanka went by the name Ceylon, and it is believed that this is the oldest Schindler elevator on the island. After 80 years of good service, the elevator could undoubtedly go for another 80 years, but sadly its spare parts for maintenance have been discontinued. Baurs has been running the elevator fully functional in near perfect condition for 80 years.
The long-standing relationship between Baurs and Schindler, the Swiss multinational company moving more than one and a half billion people a day, goes a long way. Both are deeply rooted in its Swiss traditions and values. The new Schindler elevator, equipped with the latest technologies and safety features designed for optimum mobility, also hints the new outlook Baurs is gearing up for, as it celebrates 125 years of revolutionary growth and progress through its values namely Trust, Reliability, Quality, and Innovation being at the heart of everything it does.
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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