Business
SkyUp launches charter flights from Ukraine to Hambantota
On Dec 28 the Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines made its first flight from Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to Hambantota Airport. The charter flight program will last until March 17, 2022 and will provide only the option of a 10-day round-trip departing from Kyiv. The flight lasts 10 hours 40 minutes and provides a technical stop at Sharjah Airport (UAE). Flights will be operated four times a week – on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, a press release said.
It said: Resort destinations with a warm climate are especially popular among Ukrainian tourists, including Sri Lanka. After a nine-month lockdown in Sri Lanka, Ukrainians became the first tourists to visit the island on a SkyUp flight in late 2020. According to the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine, the number of Ukrainians traveling to Sri Lanka is growing every year: if in 2020 the island was visited by 1.7 thousand Ukrainian tourists, in the first half of 2021 this number was more than 2.5 thousand people, who flew to rest in Sri Lanka. They are attracted by incredible beaches, exotic greenery, and the soothing sound of ocean waves.
SkyUp Airlines is a private Ukrainian airline, the ultimate beneficiaries of which are Tetiana, Yuriy, and Oleksandr Alba. The company works on a hybrid model – operates charter flights and scheduled flights. The flight program includes more than 60 international destinations from Kyiv and the regions – Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Lviv. The network of routes covers Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
SkyUp offers its passengers several fare plans for travel with numerous discounts. The possibility of changing the departure date will add confidence in the planning of the trip: passengers who buy tickets at Standard and Flex fares can change the departure date conveniently and profitably. A special button “Change departure date” works in the personal account of the passenger registered on the skyup.aero website. The departure date in the Standard fare can be changed once with a surcharge, in the Flex fare the change of the departure date is free of charge three times for one flight.
To make each trip even more enjoyable and delicious, SkyUp together with the international catering agency Do & CO have developed a special menu that will make you feel like you’re in a restaurant. SkyBox for all tastes, as well as special menus are available: Muslim, vegetarian, dietary, kosher. And for little passengers, SkyUp has prepared a Kids Box with a delicious main course and a delicious dessert.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”