Business
Keeri Samba cultivation proving successful in Hambantota district
By Ifham Nizam
Keeri Samba, cultivated for the first time in the Hambantota district’s Matigathwela area, has been very successful, said a senior official of the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry.
The official said that growing Keeri Samba paddy for the first time on 100 acres at Agunakolapalassa in the Matigathwala area had given a boost to similar initiatives countrywide.
Keeri Samba cultivation was surveyed earlier this week by Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.
“At present, Samba and Nadu rice and paddy have exceeded the national requirement in our country, but there is a shortage of Keeri Samba rice. The reason is that farmers were not motivated to grow Keeri Samba rice in the 2022 season. Due to this, there was a huge shortage of Keeri Samba in the country, the minister said.
The minister added: “Because of this, the government took steps to import some other rice variety as an alternative to Keeri Samba.
“Keeri Samba is an entirely indigenous paddy variety. Keeri Samba produced by Batalegoda Rice Research Institute, called BG-360, is currently the most popular type of rice in Sri Lanka.
“At present, among the rice verities here, the type of rice with the highest demand is Keeri Samba. That’s why the Department of Agriculture says that 80,000 hectares of Keeri Samba have been planted this Maha season. A paddy harvest of at least 350,000 metric tons is expected from that cultivation.
“Keeri Samba has a high demand and at present there is plenty of Samba and Nadu rice as well as paddy in the country.
“We will get a big paddy harvest this Maha season. A large quantity of Keeri Samba has been cultivated this year. But in order to provide a supply that matches the demand, we need to further expand the cultivation of Keeri Samba. By the next Maha season, we will expand Keeri Samba cultivation in about 500 hectares of paddy fields in the Hambantota district.
“Keeri Samba was not grown during any season before in the Hambantota district. For the first time, 100 acres were cultivated this time. It is very successful. These farmers are very happy. They can get a yield of more than 110 bushels of paddy per acre.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and the government will provide all possible support to the farmers for the further expansion of Keeri Samba cultivation.
“In the Hambantota district, the most cultivated variety was At 362, which has the highest paddy yield. It is a local rice variety introduced by the Ambalantota Rice Research Institute.”
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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