Business
Jayantha Rangamuwa to lead Pan Asia bank as new chairman; Aravinda Perera appointed deputy chairman
Jayantha S B Rangamuwa, has been elevated to the post of chairman of Pan Asia Bank with effect from May 2, 2021. He is the natural choice to lead the bank’s aggressive growth journey to the forefront of the industry.
Jayantha Rangamuwa is an experienced professional with expertise in management, finance, credit and marketing with over 30 years of senior management exposure having held key positions at strategic and operational levels. He will take over the reins of the Bank from the outgoing chairman, G A R D Prasanna, who announced his retirement with effect from May 1, 2021 from the Board of Pan Asia Bank after completing his term as a director.
He was appointed to the Board of Pan Asia Bank as director in August 2014 and as deputy chairman in January 2018. Rangamuwa has been the Managing Director of Vallibel Finance since its re-launch and Managing director of Vallibel Properties (Pvt) Ltd. He is credited with driving the exponential growth of Vallibel Finance. He is a former Director of Mercantile Investments PLC and also had stints at Central Finance and Ernst & Young.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK), he is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (Australia) and has an MBA from the University of Southern Queensland. He is also a Fellow of the Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance Administration from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Certificate in Foundation studies (Sports) from Unitec, New Zealand.
In yet another significant appointment, veteran banker, Aravinda Perera will be taking over as the Deputy Chairman from May 2, 2021. Appointed to the Pan Asia Bank Board in August 2017, he counts over 37 years in the banking sector and functioned as the Managing Director of Sampath Bank PLC from January 1, 2012, until his retirement in September 2016.
Presently he is the Managing Director of Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC and chairman of Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC. He is a director of Hayleys PLC, Hayleys Aventura (Private) Ltd., Fentons Ltd. and Hayleys Advantis Ltd. He is also a former Governing Board Member of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka and Past President of Association of Professional Bankers, Sri Lanka.
Perera was honoured with the ‘CEO Leadership Achievement Award 2016’ by the Asian Banker and was also the recipient of the prestigious ‘Platinum Honours – 2014’ award by the Postgraduate Institute of Management Alumni (PIMA) of Sri Jayewardenapura University. He was also honoured with the ‘Award for the Outstanding Contribution to the Banking Industry – 2015’ by the Association of Professional Bankers and was also awarded an Honorary Life Membership by the Association of Professional Bankers in October 2018.
He is a Member of the Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka (MIESL) and a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng.). He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) (FCMA) and a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers – Sri Lanka (FIB). He also holds an MBA from the Post Graduate Institute of Management.
Going from strength to strength, Pan Asia Bank is positioned firmly as the ‘Truly Sri Lankan Bank’.
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.”