Business
‘More than 500,000 jobs in local vehicle industry at stake’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The vehicle industry in Sri Lanka is now going through a major crisis due to import restrictions. As a result, more than 500,000 direct and indirect local jobs are at risk, Director, Sterling Automobiles Lanka Renuka Wijesiriwardane said.
“Our company’s main business being vehicle after sales services, all stakeholders have been noticed that our business has dropped by more than 50 percent up to now, Wijesiriwardane said at the recent launch of the SterlingCars.lk website by Sterling Automobiles Lanka Pvt Ltd – one of Sri Lanka’s prominent automobile service providers.
SterlingCars.lk is a web platform which aims to provide a marketplace for buying and selling automobiles. The website offers a comprehensive range of vehicles, covering numerous makes and models. The event was held at Taj Samudra Hotel.
Wijesiriwardene said that all vehicle importers must completely convince the decision makers of the country and avail of some relief because people in this sector cannot switch for any other job.
The design of SterlingCars.lk aims to provide a free of charge, simple, fast and reliable buying and selling experience to consumers. Through this website Sterling Automobiles aims to drive online sales for cars of all makes and models and hopes that it will be an ideal platform for potential vehicle buyers and sellers to get the right value for a product.
Moreover, vehicle sellers who opt to sell through SterlingCars.lk have the option of obtaining a Multipoint Inspection Certificate from the Sterling Aftercare Centre. The site will distinguish those vehicles that have received the Multipoint Inspection Certificate – meaning that the vehicle on sale has been inspected and its condition is certified by the expert technicians at Sterling Aftercare. Not only will this concept add value to the vehicles on sale, it will also provide an assurance to buyers about the quality of the vehicle. Furthermore, automobiles that are sold via the website will be entitled to a labour free full services from Sterling Aftercare Centre for one year from the date of sale.
In addition, upon receiving automobile services and repairs from Sterling Aftercare Centre, customers who have purchased their vehicles via SterlingCars.lk will also be entitled to join Sterling Aftercare Centre’s Sterling Steorra Loyalty Programme. The Steorra Loyalty programme will enable customers to opt for a Sterling-HNB co-branded Visa debit card and turn the loyalty points they earn into cash; and use it anywhere in the world.
The website allows users to seamlessly upload ads onto the site and have them displayed within 2-3 hours of posting. All ads will be subjected to a verification and approval process to ensure that they follow the site’s terms of use and the information published is correct and is as genuine as possible.
Sterling Automobiles is the sole authorized franchisee service provider for reconditioned Japanese and European vehicles that are exported to Sri Lanka by Sterling Japan under the Sterling Aftercare Guarantee. The company operates six state-of-the-art facilities known as Sterling Aftercare Centres to provide after sales services to vehicles with the Sterling Aftercare Guarantee. Located in Mahara, Udahamulla, Ratmalana, Dunagaha, Narahenpita and Galle, Sterling Aftercare Centres are fully fledged facilities that are geared to provide any automobile related service to discerning vehicle owners.
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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