Business
National forum on SDGs discusses opportunities to fast track action to achieve targets
As a national effort to reenergize commitment and action of key stakeholders to achieve the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a forum on ‘Sri Lanka’s Sustainable Development Trajectories and Pathways’ was convened by the Sustainable Development Council on August 29 under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
2023 marks the mid-point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Although Sri Lanka has made great strides to move the country on a sustainable path amidst a myriad of challenges, taking stock of progress made so far as a nation and identifying critical challenges, enablers and pathways to fast-track progress on the SDGs in the changing context remain important.
The forum saw the launching of the Sri Lanka National SDG Dashboard and the Integrated SDG insights analysis conducted for Sri Lanka offering insights and analysis on Sri Lanka’s progress in achieving the SDGs and highlighting essential trends, scenarios, and strategies to accelerate progress. It also facilitated expert reflections on key areas that could have a catalytic impact on driving transformational change.
The National SDG Dashboard highlighted the considerable progress Sri Lanka has made on SDG data availability such that Sri Lanka has been able to secure the 13th place among 58 countries in the region on data availability on SDG indictors. The SDG Dashboard revealed that while Sri Lanka has made considerable progress in eradicating extreme poverty, reducing undernourishment and malnutrition and enabling access to basic services such as drinking water, sanitation, electricity, health care, education, etc, it is important to step up efforts to diversify the economy to achieve higher levels of growth and the need to address multidimensional poverty, issues related to food security including stabilization of food prices.
The integrated SDG insights analysis showed specific accelerator pathways that hold the promise of driving Sri Lanka’s progress towards SDGs. It was shown that if actions are directed towards ensuring equal rights to ownership of economic resources and access to basic services and technology, sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices, enhancing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all, strengthening effective, accountable, and transparent institutions and mobilizing financial resources from multiple sources, the country could have multiplier effects on accelerating progress on number of SDGs.
Delivering the keynote address, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed confidence in Sri Lanka’s potential to develop independently and underscored the importance of diversifying financial resources beyond traditional channels and engaging the private sector as a critical stakeholder to drive the country’s sustainable development initiatives. In a bid to foster competitiveness and navigate economic challenges, President Wickremesinghe highlighted Sri Lanka’s proactive efforts to overhaul its economy and its efforts to attract foreign investments and capitalize on emerging markets drawing inspiration from successful models such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The President further conveyed an unwavering commitment to self-reliance, economic transformation, and sustainable growth positioning Sri Lanka on a trajectory of progress and resilience.
The forum was attended by cabinet ministers, state ministers, secretaries to ministries, heads of key government institutions, international development partners, selected members of the private sector, civil society, and the academia.
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
