Business
‘Navigating Dire Straits’: The National HR Conference 2023
The highly awaited National Human Resource Conference (NHRC) 2023, which is the nation’s premier event for human resource management, organized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Sri Lanka, was held on the 21st and 22nd of June 2023 at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura. This flagship conference marked its return after a three-year hiatus, attracting a global gathering of esteemed HR professionals and industry representatives,
The event encompassed six technical sessions, including three-panel discussions, the Great HR Debate, the National HR Exhibition, and the prestigious CIPM Lifetime Gold Award. The conference boasted an impressive lineup of speakers, with Rolf Blaser, Managing Director/CEO, A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., delivering the keynote speech. Giving the keynote address, Rolf Blaser said, “We need to critically evaluate the reasons for our current situation, isolate the factors we can influence, and work hard on them to come out of these ‘Dire Straits’ in a reasonable time.”
Renowned resource personnel from around the world, including representatives from the Bangladesh Society for Human Resource Management and Maldives Association of Human Resource Professionals, participated in the conference, showcasing the interest and enthusiasm of the global and regional HR community in the activities organized by CIPM Sri Lanka.
The NHRC 2023, hosted by CIPM, served as a platform to discuss and address pressing people management challenges faced by companies today on very critical topics such as How People Management Practices Support Businesses in Navigating Dire Strait; The Impact of the Economic Downturn on People’s Practices; Mass Skilled Migration and its impact on Socio-Economic Development; Lessons from Covid 19 that People professionals should take into the future; Sustainable People Practices and Green Initiatives; and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) – is it a fad or an essential survival tool in an economic crisis?
“We are delighted to host the NHRC after a lapse of three years. The NHRC is the only dedicated event that brings the entire HR fraternity from all over the country under one roof to discuss people management challenges and arrives at efficient, workable solutions,” stated Ken Vijaykumar, the president of CIPM Sri Lanka. The expert lineup of speakers and panelists at the technical sessions and panel discussions shared valuable insights that helped raise the bar for the HR fraternity in navigating these dire straits.
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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