Business
Prof. S. M. P. Senanayake – ‘He was always a simple and humble man’
by Dr. Rohan M. Fernando
It was on Tuesday the 23rd of August that I received the sad news from Prof Senanayake’s daughter that he had passed away in Melbourne. I learnt that he and his wife had been living in Melbourne with one of his daughters for the last few months. This sad news came as a great shock to me as his daughter called on Professor Senanayake’s phone number which I had with me for many years.
I came to know Professor Senanayake in the late 1980s at the University of Colombo when I was pursuing my Postgraduate studies where he was one of the lecturers in Economics. However, it was in later years that I got to know him better when I had enrolled myself to pursue my Doctoral studies at the University of Colombo. He was appointed as my supervisor for my PhD research from the University together with Dr. Anura Ekanayake who was the external supervisor.
I could confidently say that I owe my PhD to these two eminent personalities who were a tower of strength to me and guided my PhD research over the years until I received my Doctorate in 2004. It was during this time that I got to know Professor Senanayake personally, as I used to meet him often at his office at the University. At that time, he was the Professor of Economics, then Head of the Department of Economics and later the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Colombo.
I met him regularly at his office, both in connection with my research and on matters of mutual interest mainly connected with Agriculture and related areas. I was often enriched by his insight on these subjects. Despite the eminent positions he held, he was a very humble person who had very simple needs and walked in simplicity and humility. He was always soft spoken and very sincere.
Anyone who set his eyes on him would never have realized or known what senior positions he held at the university and the wealth of knowledge that he had, specially in agricultural economics and agricultural marketing. He shared his knowledge very freely with his students and with anybody who sought his advice or ideas.
As far as I knew, several international organizations called on his knowledge and experience and offered him many consultancies and these included the World Bank the Asian Development Bank and USAID.
Unfortunately, my interaction with him after I completed my PhD was not as frequent as I hoped it would be, and that’s one of my great regrets. I last saw him around 3 years ago when I visited him at his home. He was the ever smiling, humble man as always, and on that occasion, I had the pleasure of meeting not only his wife but also his daughter and son-in-law who reside in Melbourne.
He was extremely proud of his two daughters who were as clever as him and had achieved much in their chosen academic fields. He was a contended man and very proud of his family. I know that his wife was a tower of strength to him, specially during times of his sickness and I know that all of them will truly miss this genial human being.
I will always be ever grateful for all the help he gave me to complete my doctorate and for the guidance and advice imparted to me through the years. I will truly miss him. Helping others was one of the key qualities he practised in full measure, without expecting anything in return. Our prayers are with his family in this time of grief.
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
