Business
INSEE Cement spearheads innovation and growth in Sri Lanka’s construction sector
INSEE Cement is powering the local construction industry’s steady recovery with a portfolio of value added services, offering performance-based design solutions, technical capabilities and industry expertise to contractors and construction companies, enabling industry stakeholders to expedite projects and meet construction schedules impacted by the pandemic.
“Our foresight enabled us to focus on developing highly innovative and sustainable-performing construction solutions that create value for stakeholders who invest in our cements and concrete solutions portfolio,” Dr. Moussa Baalbaki, Head of Products and Solutions Portfolio at INSEE Cement commented.
“Now, as we recover as an industry, we must focus on existing capabilities and capacities that can expedite the recovery process. INSEE Cement is happy to invite our industry stakeholders to leverage our expertise and collaborate to gain the momentum and confidence our industry lost during the pandemic.”
A strong advocate of open collaboration and knowledge sharing, INSEE Cement established the INSEE i2i Innovation to Industry Collaboration Space as a dedicated state-of-the-art centre to engage industry stakeholders in collaboration driven by openness, speed and connectivity. The centre focuses on creating shared value and collaboratively developing innovative and efficient sustainable construction solutions for Sri Lanka.
Located in Peliyagoda, the i2i Collaboration Space is a knowledge exchange hub and idea incubator for engineers, researchers, innovators, architects, construction companies, contractors and also competitors looking to collaborate on industry transforming construction solutions. Equipped with over 50 testing and measurement tools including 15 tests that are new to the Sri Lankan construction sector, the INSEE i2i Collaboration Space enables contractors, builders and construction companies meet stringent economical, structural and performance criteria for construction projects.
When it comes to optimizing concrete mixes, INSEE i2i offers comprehensive solutions using simulations, advanced technologies, testing equipment and expertise to evaluate numerous parameters for concrete mix designs. The Space offers pre-project mix design evaluations during planning stages, consulting site engineers, architects and contractors to develop the mix design that will best meet their construction needs. INSEE’s i2i team of expert consultants also offer recommendations for improvements of on-going constructions, based on modelling, testing and result evaluations, achieving the perfect balance between performance and cost-optimization.
INSEE’s i2i trademarked INSEE ConTemp™ thermal modelling simulation software creates thermal mock-ups of mass pouring projects prior to the mixing, benefiting contractors by enabling critical decision making that greatly cuts down on budget and construction times. Contractors and construction companies are also offered personalized workshops to address project-specific construction challenges, ranging from basic technical presentations to tailored concrete mix design trainings.
Stakeholders are also set to benefit from INSEE’s environmental investments and commitment to reduce emission levels and lower the collective industry carbon footprint. From acres of quarry rehabilitation and reforestation, to producing Sri Lanka’s first superior blended composite cement that is currently one of the most environmentally friendly cement products in the market, INSEE Cement’s eco-friendly initiatives guarantee contractors, builders and construction companies resulting high-performing sustainable structures with lower carbon footprints.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”