Business
John Keells and George Keyt Foundation continue to empower local artists through Kala Pola Online
Kala Pola went online for the second time in 2021 ahead of Christmas as a month-long event held from 28th November to 28th December. Captioned `Kala Pola Online Christmas Edition’, the event was hosted by John Keells Foundation within its digital gallery www.srilankanartgallery.com which provides exposure and sustainable market linkages for artists all throughout the year.
Kala Pola, which was conceptualized and launched as an open art fair by The George Keyt Foundation, has enjoyed a 27-year partnership with John Keells Holdings PLC as the event sponsor and manager. Kala Pola is a flagship project under John Keells Foundation’s focus area of Arts & Culture, as a sustained CSR initiative aimed at empowering the livelihoods of Sri Lankan artists while promoting appreciation and support of the arts among wider audiences within and outside Sri Lanka.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kala Pola first went online in February/March of 2021 ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival and, following its success, in November/December as a Christmas edition. The event attracted enthusiastic participation with 273 artists showcasing 5,034
works of art, drawing 64,700 unique visitors and reporting the sale of 422 artworks and LKR 12.6 million in estimated sales revenue during the event and over 63 commissioned works, a testament to the ever-increasing interest in art transcending pandemic limitations.
The virtual event included two side events, namely the `Spotlight on Artist’ series hosted by Arun Dias Bandaranaike featuring Sri Lankan artists Pala Pothupitiye, Anoli Perera and Sanjeewee Senevirathna whose art has reached global audiences, and a Children’s Christmas Workshop conducted by the Shyamala School of Art.
“We are delighted at the tremendous response received from both artists and visitors to Kala Pola
Christmas Edition at a time when Sri Lankan artists continue to be challenged by the pandemic”, said John Keells’ Head of CSR, Carmeline Jayasuriya. “The John Keells Group together with our partner organizations remain committed to support and promote Sri Lankan art and artists through our various initiatives within the Group’s wider roadmap for Arts and Culture.”
Nation’s Trust Bank (NTB) – Private Banking was the banking partner of Kala Pola Online for the second consecutive time, enabling an exclusive virtual premier for its Private Banking clientele ahead of the public launch. NTB’s partnership also facilitated the inclusion of a LankaQR code payment option through FriMi, enhancing market access for registered artists with buyers.
Arts & Culture is one of the six focus areas of John Keells Foundation – the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate in the Colombo Stock Exchange operating over 70 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 150 years, John Keells Group provides employment to over 14,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected Entity’ for the last 16 Years by LMD Magazine. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a Participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
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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