Business
Namal to revive Hambantota Convention Center
With the opening of the Southern Expressway extension to Hambantota, Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Centre (MRICC) has now become an attraction for conventions, exhibitions and events, which the government would like to pursue immediately.
According to Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Sports & Youth, this property which was built in 2013, has become a significant piece of infrastructure especially with the extension of the Southern Expressway to Hambantota. With this facility the travel time to Hambantota has been reduced to one & a half hours. This enables anyone to travel to work from Colombo to Hambantota or Hambantota to Colombo and get back home within one & a half hours.
Hambantota is the only city in Sri Lanka which has a port, an airport and a convention center all together other than the capital Colombo. This makes Hambantota the second most important commercial region in Sri Lanka. All these 3 major infrastructure facilities are of international standards. Especially the convention center which is on par with any major convention & exhibition center in the world. The Hambantota Center was partly funded by the Korean government and designed with the expertise of the Koreans while it was built by the UDA.
Today the facility which is almost 8 years old, is maintained by the security forces and the UDA. The facility which was underutilized to date is now poised to attract many trade and consumer events. Namal Rajapaksa is inviting trade fair organizers and conference organizers to use this facility to promote the MICE industry in Sri Lanka.
The Managing Director of CDC Events & Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Imran Hassan carried out a site inspection in order to draw a Floor Plan for trade fair organizers to conduct many fairs at the center. CDC Events, one of the main trade fair organizing companies in Sri Lanka, has planned to conduct the first major international trade fair and conference in the facility early next year.
The chairman of CDC Events and veteran businessmen Chandra Wickramasinghe said the event will be called “Hambantota International Trade & Agri-Export Fair 2021 (HITAF)” for which Namal Rajapaksa has pledged his fullest support, said the convener of this project Kris Balthazaar. He also said that the government expected other trade fair organisers in the country to follow. He also added that exhibitors and visitors can drive down from Colombo in a matter of one & a half hours or fly down direct to Mattala. The location has all facilities and activities awaiting them from star class accommodation, world’s best National Parks to sacred religious sites. Namal Rajapaksa who was elected with a record number of preferential votes in the district, added that he will ensure that Hambantota will become the most preferred destination for events of the this nature in the coming years in Sri Lanka.
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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