Business
SLID organizes timely webinar on cyber security for Board members
The Innovation and Technology Committee of The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) organized a timely webinar titled “Cybersecurity: What Company Boards Should Know” for its members recently to enhance their knowledge on cybersecurity, a threat that is targeting businesses in an increasingly online world. Nuwan Perera – Chairman of the SLID Committee for Innovation and Technology introduced the keynote speaker Madu Ratnayake – Chairman & Co-Founder of Scybers, a global cybersecurity consulting & managed services company, Board member of SLCert, formerly at Virtusa, Independent Director of HNB, and former Chairman of SLASSCOM as a top professional with deep expertise in digital transformation, cybersecurity and building high performing global teams in high tech and financial services companies.
In his keynote, Madu Ratnayake said that digital adoption is accelerating due to COVID and that there is a significant number of digital services in the market since most companies are taking their companies digital which are accessed by more and more people. “If one looks at the threat landscape in the data breach space, there is a significant increase in cyberattacks. It is not unique to a few companies it is happening across the board in various forms. Cybercriminals are getting more advanced using tools such as AI to carry out their attacks, and hacking has become an industry or business by itself with companies providing various attack services including Ransomware-as-a-Service with increasing rewards. Add to this a severe shortage of skills in cybersecurity and technology estimated at 1.8 m vacancies, it’s a perfect storm into which you are launching in a paper boat. It is in this context that you as a Board member and business leader should look at this situation and make sure you navigate the storm and safeguard your business with what is available”.
He said “It takes on average 287 days to identify and contain a data breach with almost 90% of the attacks happening due to lapses in basic cyber hygiene and companies become victims of “keeping their backdoor open” by not patching their infrastructure, fixing vulnerabilities etc. In relation to targeted attacks, which can be organized crime or nation-state, nothing much can be done to defend. In such a situation, your strategy should be to limit the impact. A data breach or attack will occur at some point in time”.
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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