Business
Seafarer Manning Industry eyeing to bring US$ 1 billion in forex earnings
Standing : Prashantha Karunanayake – UNK Sagacious (Pvt) Ltd, Himantha Devendra – Dev Marine Agencies (Pvt) Ltd. Jagath Perera – Win – Stone Shipping (Pvt) Ltd, Capt. Hemantha Madanayake – CMA Ships Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Kalinga De Silva – Centrum Marine Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd. Seated: Ms. Dharshana Senanayake – SeaMate Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Chairman – Capt. Ajith Peiris – Ceyline Group, Capt. Rohan Codipilly – Mercantile Marine Management Ltd.
* Sri Lanka at present earns about US$ 300 million from employment of seafarers on foreign ships
* There are only 16,000 active seafarers in the country now
* Govt aims to increase it to 50,000 in the next five years
The Association of Seafarer Recruiting Agents (ASRA) is encouraging its members to explore and increase employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youths on foreign ships to create a positive growth impact on its stakeholders, prospective young seafarers and the overall economy of the country.
The media was informed of this after the recent inaugural meeting of the Executive Committee of ASRA, headed by Executive Chairman of Ceyline Group and Chairman of CINEC Campus Capt. Ajith Peiris.
ASRA is an initiative adopted by the duo as Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena has decided to lead a Public/Private Project (PPP) to embark on a task to increase employment of Sri Lankan youths on ocean going vessels.
“The purpose of forming ASRA is to encourage our members to explore and increase employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youths on foreign ships and to be the voice of the Seafarer Manning Industry as well as to represent matters related to the Seafarer Recruiting Industry)to the relevant Authorities,” ASRA said in a press statement.
ASRA aim to promote the seafaring profession among the youth in all provinces of the country for them to be gainfully employed on ocean going vessels
The statement further said: “Though Sri Lanka is an island, the number of people engaged in the maritime sector especially the seafaring segment is very low compared to the population. Out of 21.5 million people in Sri Lanka, only 16,000 are active seafarers, which is less than 0.1% of the population”.
“The government’s aim is to increase this number to 50,000 in the next five years with the help of the Seafarer Manning Industry. The foreign exchange Sri Lanka earns from the employment of seafarers on foreign ships is approximately US$ 300 million per annum. With the government’s planned project, the expected earnings will increase to USD 1 billion per annum”.
“ASRA and our members will be contributing and helping the above project through which not only will its members benefit but also the Sri Lankan youths seeking lucrative jobs and the country as a whole in terms of foreign exchange earnings”.
“We invite all the companies that are involved in seafarer recruitment to join ASRA and strengthen our position as a maritime nation which can man ocean going vessels with skilled seafarers”.
“Our aim is to promote the seafaring profession among the youth in all provinces and regions to help them achieve a better standards of living and thereby add tangible value to the economy in general”, ASRA said.
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
