Business
New MD at Kia Motors
Kia Motors (Lanka) Limited has announced the appointment of Mr Andrew Perera, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) as Managing Director.
A company news release said “he will provide continuing leadership to the Company’s and the Kia brand’s next phase of growth in Sri Lanka.”
Perera who joined Kia Motors as COO in January 2013 and has played a pivotal role in the development and expansion of Kia’s aftersales service infrastructure and regional presence in Sri Lanka over nearly nine years. He was appointed an Executive Director of the Company in 2015 in recognition of his contributions and his value to the Board, the release added.
Announcing the appointment, Kia Motors (Lanka) Chairman Mr Mahen Thambiah said: “Andrew’s expertise, commitment, drive and energy have been an asset to Kia Motors during good as well as challenging times. With his support we have persevered with our expansion and restructuring plans even through the period marred by the global pandemic and local restrictions, and we look forward to his continuing leadership in the exciting years ahead of us.”
Commenting on his new role Perera said: “On the international stage, Kia is undergoing a transformation and reinvention that is designed to propel the brand to a leading position in the global car market. This is focused on developing more class-leading electric vehicles like the EV6, and introducing a broad range of sustainable mobility services tailored to meet the needs and tastes of individuals and local markets. I believe that the best of Kia is ahead of us, and I am delighted to take up the challenge of driving the brand’s next phase of growth in Sri Lanka.”
A management professional and an accomplished sportsman at the schools, clubs and national levels, Andrew Perera has more than 12 years of experience in the automobile sector. At Kia Motors his tenure as Chief Operating Officer has seen many milestone developments, including awards such as Distributor of Distinction 2013, Most Improved Distributor 2014 and Testimonial Award for Best Sales 2017 for the Company from Kia; the completion of the Rs 800 million Kia Logistics Centre in Malabe in 2018 and the development of a network of owned subsidiaries and franchised satellite sales, service and spare parts (3S) outlets that has significantly expanded the brand’s regional presence.
Perera serves the automobile industry as an Executive Committee Member of the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) which is affiliated with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
A past Head Prefect of Royal College, Colombo, and an ardent Royalist to this day, he has a B.Sc. (Hons) in Business Management from the University of Wales and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester. He received his executive education from the National University of Singapore (NUS) focused on Strategic Management and followed the Program on Leadership at MDA Associates International, USA. He has also attained the rank of ‘Green Belt Sensei’ granted by the TSD Consultants, USA, for meeting the training and project implementation requirements in ‘Lean Operations for process excellence.’
Before his move to Kia in 2013, Mr Perera was responsible for overall operations for two automotive brands, Jaguar and Porsche, as Group General Manager at IWS Holdings. Prior to joining the automotive industry, he held several key positions at MAS Holdings Pvt Ltd. , working for global brands such as Victoria’s Secret in the areas of Design, Merchandising and as a Business Analyst.
As a sportsman, he has represented Sri Lanka in Under 17 cricket, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) at U-23 Level and in the Premier Cricket League and was Vice Captain of the Royal College first XI. Continuing his association with sports, Mr Perera serves as an Executive Member of the Royal College Cricket Advisory Committee and the Games Council of Royal College.
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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