Business
Local investors are most welcome to invest in East Container Terminal: SLPA chair
A ship berthed at the East Container Terminal, yesterday. The terminal has been developed to its present operating capacity by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Local investors will get the pride of place to invest and operate the East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Port of Colombo, and the most credible proof for that is quite obvious as South Asia Gateway Terminals (SAGT), a Sri Lankan owned company is already operating a terminal single-handedly without any foreign stake in its business. General (Retd) Daya Ratnayake, SLPA chairman said yesterday.
He said so responding to a question posed by the media whether the government is not too keen to hand over the operations of the controversial ECT to a local investor.
“SAGT is a public private partnership container terminal in Sri Lanka, which provides a competitive best in-class service to the shipping community in the world, and any local investor can come forward and do exactly the same thing and gain from it,” he said.
He went on to say that is exactly the thing the government would welcome as the policy of the government is to give lucrative investment opportunities to local investors above anyone else.
“The government doesn’t have any plans to sell the country’s assets to another country. Nothing like that is happening. SLPA has built the ECT to its present capacity. The terminal was designed to be 1,300 meters long. By January 2015, 430 meters had been built and necessary equipment had been ordered. Somehow those approvals were removed by the last government and development of ECT stalled. Yahapalana government signed an MOU with India and Japan to operate the ECT. The current government’s policy is not to sell these assets. Last government had planned to obtain a loan from Japan and build it. The present administration has decided not to obtain any loans or to sell it to another country. The latest situation is; the Cabinet has appointed two committees. One to study, review and report how to raise funds to build the East Terminal and how to start and operate it. The second committee is tasked with discussing with India and our other partner institutes and companies and decide on the best solution to get it off the ground at its fullest capacity. When these two reports come the government will take the next step regarding the development of ECT,” SLPA chairman said.
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
