Business
Lakmal Ferdinandez, one among top three Mortgage Advisors for Bank of Montreal
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Sri Lankan- born Lakmal Ferdinandez has emerged one among top three Mortgage Advisors for Canada’s oldest bank, Bank of Montreal (BMO) .
Ferdinandez, hailing from Moratuwa, began his career at HSBC Colombo, handling personal loans and high- end corporate commercial accounts for nearly six years.
Later he migrated to Canada and found employment at HSBC Toronto as a premier relationship manager. “I worked for HSBC for nearly three years in the personal banking and Housing market sales segment, he said.
“My job was basically to link customers with real estate builders and ensure that clients go through HSBC when obtaining credit to purchase property, Ferdinandez said.
He recalled that due to his perseverance he soon became the bank’s number one business volume generator in this segment each year.
Ferdinandez then joined Bank of Montreal doing the same job and was given a sales target of CAD 20 million. “However, I bettered this each year and in the third year after joining the bank I managed to bring over CAD 55 million, he explained.
Fernandez added: ‘Today I account for a CAD 500 million business to the bank selling over 1,500 housing units within the past 6 years. Due to my success, the BMO bank, which is a Canadian multinational investment bank and financial services company, has also allowed me to be an independent mortgage advisor to bring my own clients.
“My background has given me hands -on experience in all areas of Building Relationships. Exceptional communication with strong negotiation skills and presentation skills have helped me to achieve this target.
“Whenever a project is planned, top real estate companies as well as builders contact me, requesting my assistance to make pre-sales. I find clients and arrange credit to them through BMO bank.
“Whenever a Canadian citizen or a family wants to settle in Toronto by purchasing their ‘next home’, or ‘first home’, choosing the right mortgage is an important undertaking for them. These clients come to me and I help them to find the right financing to suit their needs and make their mortgage experience as uncomplicated as possible. As a service-focused, home financing specialist, I have the experience and expertise to provide them with sound advice starting from applying for a pre-approved mortgage, financing their first or next home and any renovations, transferring their mortgage to BMO Bank of Montreal and also refinancing a mortgage loan or tapping into the equity in their current home.
“I have helped many foreign nationals in this process, including Sri Lankans, who come to Canada to settle down, with permanent housing. Last year due to its turnover, BMO placed me among the top three Mortgage Advisors in Canada, a proud feat for a Sri Lankan.”
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
