Business
MY Kalizma – first Superyacht to berth at Port City Colombo Marina
The Port City Colombo Marina welcomed the MY Kalizma – The Classic Superyacht, once owned by Hollywood screen idols Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The first Superyacht to sail into the Port City Colombo Marina, established Colombo as a calling port in the Indian Ocean with facilities for berthing luxury Superyachts.
Pierre Pringiers, Chairman of the Sail Lanka Yachting Group which manages the Port City Colombo Marina said, “The 145’ Kalizma – built in 1906 by GL Watson in Scotland – arrived from the Maldives on Sunday, marking a milestone in the development of Colombo as a Superyacht destination. To see this historic Superyacht berthed at the marina is the fulfilment of a dream for me, and is a fitting tribute to our staff who have efficiently handled the logistics and administrative details. I also want to express my sincere thanks to the officials of the Port City Colombo and the Customs, Immigration, and all the agencies involved. I’m hoping that the arrival of Kalizma will augur well for the success of visiting Superyachts and the opening up of Sri Lanka for cruising and yacht charters – one of the new pillars of the tourism industry.”
MY Kalizma has served in both world wars as part of the British Royal Navy. It was in 1967 that two of Hollywood’s most famous actors, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor chartered the yacht for a cruise on the Mediterranean. They fell in love with the yacht and Burton bought it and gifted it to Taylor. They named the yacht Kalizma, after their three daughters, Kate, Liza and Maria.
Aashim Mongia, Managing Director of West Coast Marine Yacht Services in India who manage the yacht said, “MY Kalizma has been cruising the Indian Ocean region through the last season. The opening of the Port City Colombo Marina is a boon for Superyachts that visit the region, and hopefully we will see more Superyachts coming into the Indian Ocean Region for nautical tourism. We are thankful to the Sri Lankan authorities, the Sail Lanka Yachting Group and the management of Port City Colombo, for their assistance in making MY Kalizma’s visit a success. With this first visit we are hoping to bring more yachts to Sri Lanka to explore the untapped potential that the island nation has to offer.”
The Port City Colombo Marina is expected to be one of the region’s most modern and largest international yacht marinas. When it is fully operational, it is expected to have the facility to anchor 200 yachts and become one of the largest such venues in the region. It is also expected to have a mini yacht repair facility, duty-free terminal, customs and facilities for several other maritime related businesses.
Sail Lanka Yachting Group, founded in 2014 by Mr. Pierre Pringiers, operates a fleet of 10 luxury catamarans around the island (www.sail-lanka-charter.com) and has been designing manufacturing boats and developing marine infrastructure and boats for export since 2008. Sail Lanka Yachting Group is also now managing the Port City Colombo Marina operations.
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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