Business
Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship and K-Pop World Festival
The Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka held ‘2023 Korea Week (K-Culture Festival),’ on Saturday July 8, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with great support from hallyu fans in Sri Lanka. The Korea Week, composed of the Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship and K-Pop World Festival, showcased a stunning blend of athleticism and cultural extravaganza.
Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship
The Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship jointly hosted by the Korean Embassy and the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation presented an opportunity for competitors from all across Sri Lanka to display their mastery of the traditional Korean martial art.
The final rounds of the championship were held with the participation of the Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Miyon LEE and Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, K. Mahesan as chief guests. Sri Lanka Army and Navy taekwondo teams competed for the final rounds of the sparring competition that garnered much attention from the audience. Several regional Taekwondo clubs in Sri Lanka and the Korean TPC (Taekwondo Peace Corps) team also conducted celebratory performances.
Delivering the welcoming remarks, Korean Ambassador H.E. Miyon Lee appreciated the efforts to promote taekwondo in Sri Lanka and deepen the bilateral cooperation between Korea and Sri Lanka. She said, ’It is inspiring that Taekwondo has been adopted as a daily sport in Sri Lanka especially in schools, army and police, to name a few. Athletes of all ages present today are symbolic of strong cooperation between our two countries. ‘
The Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. K Mahesan emphasised the longstanding close ties enjoyed by Korea and Sri Lanka since 1977 and complimented Korea’s commitment to collaborate with Sri Lanka to develop sports cooperation. In particular, the secretary extended his gratitude to the opportunities and grants given by the Korean government to enhance athletic skills of Sri Lankans.
President of the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation Mr. Chaminda Punchihewa, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation Mr. Kanchana Jayarathna and Kukkiwon Dispatch Taekwondo Master Mr. Kisu Lee were also present on this important occasion.
K-Pop World Festival
In an attempt to foster cultural cooperation and deepen the understanding of Korean music and dance, the Korean Embassy successfully hosted the K-Pop World Festival with the participation of over 1200 K-pop fans in Sri Lanka. This event was a celebration of Korea’s globally acclaimed music industry, stunning choreography and charismatic performances of K-pop fans in Sri Lanka. Among many groups that contested for the preliminary round, the K-pop festival featured fourteen performers from Sri Lanka, who paid tribute to their favourite K-pop bands through their iconic singing and dance performances.
Korean Ambassador H.E. Lee Miyon and Minister of Cultural Affairs Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake attended the festival as chief guests. H.E. Lee Miyon, welcoming the enthusiastic audience at the festival stated that, ‘it is very encouraging to witness the appreciation by Sri Lankans for Korea and the Korean culture. Hallyu fan communities in Sri Lanka are a testimony to the love shared for K-pop. The Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka hopes to intensify cultural exchanges between our two countries and enhance the promotion of creative contents of Korean culture in Sri Lanka and vice versa.’
On this wonderful occasion, Minister of Cultural Affairs Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake delivered his congratulations and commended the efforts of the Korean Embassy, in bridging cultural gaps and strengthening bonds for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Renowned Sri Lankan performers Mr. Kevin Nugara, Ms. Falan Andrea, Mr.Piyath Rajapakse and Ms. Boa Lim attended the festival as judges. The Korean community leaders, diplomats and alumni of Korean scholarship programmes were also among the attendees.
Korea Week in Sri Lanka is a testament to the expanding cultural ties between Korea and Sri Lanka. The Korean Embassy congratulates all the winners and participants of the Korea Week, and extends appreciation to all the supporters and volunteers who contributed to the success of this event.
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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