Business
INSEE Cement, a major cement supplier to the Uma Oya project
INSEE Cement is Sri Lanka’s leading manufacturer of cement and is the company behind renowned cement brands such as Sanstha and Mahaweli cement. Presently, INSEE Cement is the suppliers of cement to the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project in the Uva Province. The project includes the commissioning of a new hydropower station and irrigation infrastructure for thousands of acres of farmland in the Hambantota and Monaragala Districts. The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project is an initiative by the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management in coordination with the Ministry of Power and Energy, and the Ceylon Electricity Board. The projected has been contracted to FARAB Company, an Iranian contractor, and INSEE cement has already supplied the project with over 85,000 metric tons of its proprietary Rapid Flow and Sanstha (RCW) Cements.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of the project, Gustavo Navarro, Chief Executive Officer at INSEE Cement said, “The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project is an important project that will have positive nation-wide implications. It will create a renewable source of electricity, while also providing much needed irrigation to vast tracts of agricultural land. Together, this will help to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s food and energy security, which is particularly important in the post-pandemic environment. At INSEE, we believe in building for life. Thus, being the largest suppliers of cement to this project is a deep source of pride for us, and allows us to deploy our resources to support the development of our nation. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the project, until its completion, and take this opportunity to commend the government on its foresight with regard to this strategic national development initiative.”
The Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP), also known as the Uma Oya Hydropower Complex, includes the construction of two dams across the Uma Oya and a tributary at Welimada, along with a trans-basin diversion tunnel and an underground hydro power plant with a 120MW capacity. Once completed, the project is expected to divert 145MCM of water to irrigate approximately 5000 hectares of land in the Hambantota and Monaragala Districts and to meet other downstream requirements. The expected annual energy production is 290 GWh and the power plant will be connected, via a 22.7km, 132kV transmission line, to the Badulla Grid Substation. The estimated cost of the project is 529 million USD and 85% of the total project cost is provided by the Government of Iran through the Export and Development Bank as a loan.
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
