Business
Sithumina Jayasundara elected President of SLII
Sithumina Jayasundara, Chief Operating Officer of HNB General Insurance Limited has been elected as the 19th President of the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII). The appointment of Jayasundara was pronounced at the Annual General Meeting held on the 22nd of July, 2021.
An old boy of St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, Jayasundara is the current Chief Operating Officer, Specified Officer and Principal Officer of HNB General Insurance Limited and counts over 25 years of experience in the Insurance Industry. Prior to joining HNB General Insurance Limited, he has led many teams and has held several key positions related to Non-Life at Asian Alliance Insurance PLC, MBSL Insurance Company Limited, Janashakthi Insurance Co. Limited and Eagle Insurance PLC. Jayasundara has obtained foreign exposure through different training programmes and conferences related to General Insurance and specializes in the field of Reinsurance.
Jayasundara is a founding Council Member of The Association of Chartered Insurance Professionals (ACIP) in Sri Lanka. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, an Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII – UK) and holds the status of a Chartered Insurer and the Senior Associateship of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
The Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII) is the premier insurance educational body in Sri Lanka and is in existence for over 40 years. SLII’s main objectives are to instill and maintain the professionalism in the industry whilst encouraging and assisting studies in insurance and to create a social forum for its members.
Driven by an enduring commitment to enhance the scope of insurance in Sri Lanka, SLII has forged several affiliations over the years with recognized international bodies, including The Chartered Insurance Institute of London and the Insurance Institute of India to offer a broad range of recognized qualifications at Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels.
In partnering with distinguished educational entities and conduct examinations on behalf of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) UK, Insurance Institute of India and the qualifying examination for the insurance advisors on behalf of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. The SLII also offers Diplomas and Certificate courses relating to insurance. The Diploma of SLII has been recognized as one of the best Insurance Diplomas in the South Asian Region and the institute has continued its international operations in Maldives as well.
The new council elected for the year 2021/2022
Sithumina Jayasundara – President, Mahendra Weligoda – Vice President, Anushka Jayasinghe – Secretary, Sameera Dharmasena – Assistant Secretary, Kushmalee Amaradiwakara – Treasurer, Chandima Sumanathunga – Council Member, Romesh Modarage – Council Member, Lachini Chithrasena – Council Member, Kusum Thenuwara – Council Member, Saman Kumara – Council Member and Manura Perera – Council Member
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.”
