Business
Lanka Coffee Association Hosts Inaugural LCA Barista Championship
The LCA Barista Championship, hosted by the Lanka Coffee Association (LCA) in partnership with Jetwing Hotels and The Market Development Facility (MDF) provided an opportunity for local baristas to showcase their coffee brewing skills. The winners of the three regional rounds will go into the finals – to be held at the Sri Lanka Coffee Festival on May 19.
The Sri Lankan specialty coffee sector has been growing progressively over the past decade. To recognise the comeback of the industry, in 2022, MDF and LCA brought together representatives from the local coffee sector for the first-ever ‘Sri Lanka Coffee Festival.’ Following the success of the event, this year the LCA will host the festival in partnership with MDF and Jetwing Hotels Group on May 19, 2023.
In the lead-up to the festival three regional rounds of the LCA Barista Championship were held across Sri Lanka. The first round was at Jetwing Lake, Dambulla, on April 4, with 12 participants competitively showcasing their coffee brewing skills. The champion was R. Praveen Jawager from Buono Café (Kandy), with P.H. Maneesha from Iora Coffee (Habarana) and R. Vidushan from Buono Café coming in as first and second runners-up, respectively.
The second regional event was held at Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle, on April 6, with 23 participants. Johann Paiva from Black Honey Café (Ahangama) emerged winner, with Chandu Bhagya from Double Tree by Hilton (Weerawila) and A.P. Asitha Madushanka from Moochies Café (Weligama) as first and second runners-up.
The final regional championship took place in Negombo on April 26 at Jetwing Blue hotel with a total of 28 participants. The champion was Uvindu Karunarathna a medical doctor by profession with a passion for coffee, Sheno Milan from Seed Café (Colombo) coming in as the first runner-up and Suraj Nipunasiri from Butter Boutique (Colombo) as the second runner-up. The final championship will take place at the coffee festival.
Secretary of the Lanka Coffee Association Kushan Samararatne stated that, “The LCA was established two years ago with the intention of bringing together a variety of stakeholders in the coffee industry to fulfil the single goal of developing the speciality coffee sector in Sri-Lanka.”
The winning barista will receive a cash prize as well as the opportunity to participate in a coveted international certification (‘Barista Skills’) by the Speciality Coffee Association. This certification will upgrade the theoretical and practical knowledge of the winning barista to compete in regional and international barista competitions and become a brand ambassador for Sri Lankan specialty coffee.
Chairman of Jetwing Hotels, Symphony PLC and The Lighthouse Hotel PLC Hiran Cooray added, “We are delighted to partner with Lanka Coffee Association and MDF on this project to revive the coffee culture in Sri Lanka. There is a lot of potential in our country for great coffee, both in terms of producing top quality beans and mastering the art of roasting and making a world-class cup of coffee. I am confident we will be able to position our coffee globally for its quality and brand it as Sri Lankan coffee instead of Ceylon Coffee.”
The global specialty coffee sector is expected to grow to USD 80 billion by 2025. Investments in specialty coffee in Sri Lanka stand to benefit from this positive trend. Events like the LCA Barista Championship give local baristas a platform to showcase their skills and the opportunity to take Sri Lankan coffee to the next level. This year’s coffee festival will continue to celebrate the increased interest in the coffee industry and the unique qualities of Sri Lankan coffee.
“MDF’s work in the specialty coffee sector is gaining traction, with new investments, opportunities and linkages with international markets. This barista championship is a great opportunity to build on the sector’s potential to position Sri Lankan coffee internationally,” adds Maryam Piracha, MDF Sri Lanka Country Director.
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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