Business
SL being promoted as wedding destination venue among US and Canadian citizens
Plans in place to hold Hippie Festival next year in Arugam Bay
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
US- based and Sri Lankan owned AJ Events & Productions and Ceylon Creative Studios have taken the initiative to promote Sri Lanka as a wedding destination venue for US and Canadian citizens, which would bring a considerable amount of foreign reserves into the country, their Founding Director, Global Operations Keith Bates said.
“Sri Lanka is an ideal summer wedding destination for Americans and Canadians, especially for Sri Lankan expatriates in the USA and Canada. Above US $ 100,000 could be earned from a wedding, which is a three- night pack that includes airfare, accommodation, reception and other related matters. So far we have received several inquiries, including some from US citizens, Bates told The Island Financial Review.
Bates added: “We will be launching our US office for that purpose in New York and we are already being supported by Sri Lanka Tourism and other related entities.
“We are moving to a new stage of promoting Sri Lanka as a Destination Wedding Venue for USA and Canada. Ceylon Creative Studios’ wedding brand is growing in New York, Los Angeles, the Mid-West and Canada. We are also experienced in Destination Wedding video productions.
“Our team comprises Oshi Perera – Director Admin & Finance / Business Partner AJ Events & Productions, Reshan Hangiligedara – Founder / Cinematographer / Photographer / Retouch-Artist Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA, Eshani Santiago – Makeup Artist / Operations & Creative Producer Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA and Georgio Malouf – Ceylon Creative Studios NYC, USA.
“Apart from that, for the first time in South Asia, a Hippie Festival will be organized in Arugam Bay next year and such an event would generate a huge amount of foreign reserves for the country.
“The Hippie concept is increasing in popularity throughout the world and per year more than 1000 Hippies visit Sri Lanka. These Hippies also bring considerable sums of foreign currency into Sri Lanka and for this event we are expecting more than 3000 Hippies, including their spouses.
“This event would attract the European region as well and we are preparing to add value and more glamour to this event by arranging to provide maximum enjoyment for our guests.
“At present we are in the process of collecting data on the number of rooms available and other requirements and the government, especially Sri Lanka Tourism, is also assisting us.
“Ceylon Creative Studios is a premium creative production studio headquartered in the USA, that specializes in crafting cinematic visuals that tell captivating stories.
“The company’s expertise lies in our adaptability and our pursuit of quality, using cutting-edge technology, like Synthasia and Chat GPT, for brainstorming, scripting, and ideation.
“At Ceylon Creative Studios, we pride ourselves on our strong team leadership and quality control measures. Ensuring every project meets our exacting standards, we provide rich, immersive experiences that resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression.”
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.”
