Business
SLIIT team creates history
‘Nana Shilpa’ is the winner of ASIA and will compete with winners of America and EMEA regions
The SLIIT Team ‘Nana Shilpa’ has created a landmark in history as the first-ever Sri Lankan entry to be chosen to represent Asia and advance to the grand finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship 2022.
As the Asian winner, Team ‘Nana Shilpa’ will compete at the highest levels of the 2022 Imagine Cup against a team from America and another from the EMEA region.
The Team Nana Shilpa from the SLIIT Faculty of Computing was crowned the sole winner from Asia at the Imagine Cup 2022 World Finals held on 30th March 2022. Team members include Chamil Diluksha, Kalpani Abeysinghe, Pamodya Maheshani and Prabath Shalitha. Nana Shilpa was supervised by Professor Samantha Thelijjagoda, Co-Supervised by Ms. Jenny Krishara with Dr. W.M.K. Wanigasingha as external supervisor. Nana Shilpa contested against tens of thousands of students from over 160 countries.
Prof. Nimal Rajapakse, Deputy Vice-Chancellor SLIIT, said, “I am delighted to congratulate the team of 2022 SLIIT Computing graduates selected for the final rounds of the Imagine Cup 2022 World Championship in May 2022 in Seattle, USA. This accomplishment resonates well with the ethos of SLIIT and showcases the high quality of our graduates, degrees, learning environment and teaching staff. Together with the high standard of talent that we continue to nurture, I am sure we can build on these successes and reach the next level of excellence to serve the industry and generate wealth for Sri Lanka.”
Winning in the Health category, Nana Shilpa’s project unveiled the first mobile application developed to screen and refine dyscalculia and dysgraphia learning disabilities in primary school students using the Sinhala language. Importantly, this app can be used for children affected globally heightening its potential to create a lasting impact.
An elated Prof. Samantha Thelijjagoda, Dean – SLIIT Business School and Project Supervisor said, “It is a remarkable achievement for SLIIT as this is the first time a Sri Lankan university is competing in the finals of the World Championships of the Microsoft Imagine Cup. Our team was selected for the World Championships after winning the Asia World Finals and they will compete against two more teams from America and EMEA regions in the grand finale at the Microsoft Headquarters in Seattle, Washington. As their supervisor, I am extremely proud. The students worked very hard developing this app specially focused on a learning disability for primary school children not only in Sri Lanka but globally, and that is why the particular product has been highlighted on an international level.”
Imagine Cup is an annual competition hosted by Microsoft Corp., USA, which brings together student developers worldwide to help resolve some of the world’s toughest challenges. It is considered as “Olympics of Technology” by computer science and is considered one of the top competitions and awards related to technology and software design. All Imagine Cup competitors create projects that address the Imagine Cup theme: “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems”.
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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