Business
SHMA brings Swiss hospitality to Sri Lanka with vocational education training programme
The Swiss Hotel Management Academy (SHMA) launched VET by EHL, a Vocational Education Training programme by Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Switzerland on the 25th of March 2021 at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. The event was graced by its chief guest Hon Minister of Education Prof G L Peiris and saw the participation of many industry professionals and dignitaries.
EHL is the world’s first and number one hospitality management school with over 25,000 alumni worldwide boasting a 96pct employment rate among recent graduates. Based on one of the best education models in the world – the Swiss Competency Framework, the VET by EHL programme is characterized by a strong learning outcomes approach and a competence-oriented structure of training.
SHMA is the first hospitality management institute in Sri Lanka to offer an apprenticeship model through the VET by EHL programmes, heralding a revolutionary change to the hospitality industry. Rolf Blaser, Managing Director/CEO at A Baur & Company Pvt Ltd, stated ‘We are proud to breakthrough traditional thinking and embrace more innovative and ground-breaking ways that will enable students to have the required practical experience and industry relations upon completion of their study. We are challenging the status quo together with VET by EHL and taking this bold initiative for the greater good of our hospitality sector and the country as a whole.’
All certificates and diplomas are signed and issued through VET by EHL and all trainers and lecturers at SHMA comprise renowned top industry professionals. Jens-Henning Peters, Head of VET by EHL said ‘The team at SHMA has tirelessly worked to reach to where we are today. We had the great pleasure to connect and work closely in workshops, trainings and visits with the team and we have full confidence in this collaboration.’
Aman Aditya Sachdev, Director and Regional Head- EHL Advisory Services said ‘We are very pleased to have partnered with A Baur & Company Pvt Ltd for the VET by EHL programmes under its SHMA umbrella. Sri Lanka is a key global tourism destination and despite the ongoing challenges I’m very convinced that Sri Lanka tourism will bounce back much sooner and stronger. This launch is a landmark initiative for the hospitality and tourism industry in Sri Lanka and we are excited to be a part of it.’
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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