Business
Planting of sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Bai Dinh temple in Vietnam
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Vietnam, in close coordination with the Embassy of Vietnam in Colombo, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, was gifted a sacred Sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura to be planted at the Bai Dinh Pagoda (Temple) in Vietnam.
The Bai Dinh Pagoda is one of the most sacred and revered temples in Viet Nam spreading over 700 hectares and possesses the largest gold plated statue of Buddha in Asia as well as the tallest Buddha relics tower in Asia. Most Venerable Pallegama Hemerathana Thero, Chief Monk of North Central Province, handled over the aforementioned Bodhi Tree Sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the Chief Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda, Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang and Mr Nguyen Van Truong, Chairman of Bai Dinh Pagoda. Further, Most Venerable Eeethalawatunawawe Ganathilaka, the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanwelisaya Stupa also participated at the aforementioned event. Nearly 40 Buddhist Monks and Officials including the Chief Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda from Vietnam visited Anuradhapura to receive the sacred Bodhi Tree Sapling. Once the sacred Bo Tree Sapling was handed over, ceremoniously, the 40 Monks and Officials from Bai Dinh along with the Chief Monk of North Central Province and the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, along with Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks, visited Bai Dinh Pagoda for the sacred ceremony of planting the Sapling at the premises of Bai Dinh Pagoda.
In Sri Lanka, Madam Ho Thi Thanh Truc, Ambassador of Vietnam to Colombo too was present at the handing over ceremony in Anuradhapura.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, Prof A. Saj U. Mendis and Minister Counsellor, Mahesh Premathalake, and other Officials of the Embassy participated along with a large number of Sri Lankan expatriate community in Viet Nam as well as well over 5000 Budhhist devotees in Vietnam participated in the most sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Sapling planting ceremony.
During the four-day stay in Sri Lanka, the delegation from Bai Dinh Pagoda visited Temple of Tooth Relic in Kandy, Asgiriya Temple and several other locations of significance. The Chairman of Bai Dinh Pagoda gifted USD 20,000 to Lady Ridgeway Children Hospital as a symbolic gesture of their visit.
Tharaka Balasooriya, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, met with the Vietnamese delegation in Colombo and expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Buddhist delegation from Bai Dinh Pagoda. This initiative would further deepen and elevate the religious bilateral relations in the context of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions and ethos.
Mr Somarathna Vidanapathirana, Secretary of Ministry of Buddhasasana and Mr Prasanna Gamage, former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, also participated at the events and ceremonies organized by the embassy of Viet Nam in Colombo. Former Ambassador, Mr Prasanna Gamage, was instrumental in initiating the aforementioned most sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Sapling to be planted at Bai Dinh Pagoda.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Viet Nam, Prof A. Saj U. Mendis and Minister Counsellor, Mr Mahesh Premathalake, and other Officials of the Embassy participated along with a large number of Sri Lankan expatriate community in Viet Nam as well as well over 5000 Budhhist devotees in Viet Nam participated at the most sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Sapling planting ceremony.
It is strongly anticipated since many Vietnamese devotees visit the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the most sacred Sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which is planted at the Bai Dinh Temple, would encourage and would be an impetus for Vietnamese devotees to visit Sri Lanka as they know that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Buddha Gaya in India.
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
