Business
John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme helps young scholars to reach new horizons
While the pandemic has adversely affected many, the 12 school children who participated in the Finals of the Online Speech Competition conducted under John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme (JKELSP) held on 17th August 2021 impressed their virtual audience with how to remain positive, continue learning and cultivate new skills, even during challenging times.
The 12 were selected from 134 participants in the preliminary rounds from Beruwala, Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Rajawella, Ratmalana, Sooriyawewa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya. The competition demonstrated the scholars’ mastery of language and digital skills amidst the pandemic, in keeping with John Keells Foundation’s objective of the virtual speech competition in the lead up to the International Literacy Day (ILD) 2021.
Speaking on the common topic `My Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic’, the winner, Lasangi Abeysinghe from Neluwa, related “They were enjoyable, happy days. [My sisters and I] played, cooked, and did so many things together. It was the best experience! Online education was interesting, too. I had never participated in online classes before! The classes were good, and my studies went well”.
Carmeline Jayasuriya, John Keells Foundation’s Head of Operations, who was also one of the judges for the Finals, said, “The language skills, creativity and confidence demonstrated by these teenage contestants participating from various parts of the country amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic are truly impressive! It is particularly heartening to find these skills emerging through an online competition, for which they seem to have been well equipped through the ICT component integrated to our `English for Teens’ scholarship programme.”
The ILD 2021 theme of ‘Literacy for a human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide’ is very much in line with JKF’s commitment to empowering youth through language and digital literacy, creating the opportunity for many disadvantaged youth to reimagine their future, within and beyond the context of the pandemic.
JKESLP is a long-term project conducted in collaboration with Gateway Learning Center since 2004, under John Keells Foundation’s focal area of Education. Its flagship initiative `English for Teens’ aims to enhance English language proficiency, improve digital literacy and develop soft skills of pre-O’Level students, to augment youth employability. During the pandemic, in addition to classes conducted mostly online due to travel restrictions, an online speech competition was piloted to incentivize young learners to keep developing their English communication skills.
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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