Business
SL’s embassy in Viet Nam promotes religious and cultural diplomacy
In the spirit of implementing the objectives of Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam, Ha Noi in coordination with Most Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero, Secretary General All Island Buddha sasana Council organized an approximately 50 member Vietnamese Buddhist delegation to Sri Lanka. The delegation would be visiting Sri Lanka to commemorate National Vesak Day in Matale in Sri Lanka. The 50-member delegation left to Sri Lanka last week and Ambassador Dr. Mendis and M. Premathilake, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy were present at the airport to wish them a fruitful and productive visit to Sri Lanka.
The Vietnamese Buddhist delegation has also visited the most sacred pilgrim destinations in Sri Lanka including Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya Dambulla and Kandy. The delegation was facilitated and coordinated by the Embassy of Viet Nam in Colombo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs, Central Cultural Fund (CCF) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in Sri Lanka in close cooperation with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Hanoi.
Venerable Thich Hanh Bich, Editor in Chief of Buddhism and Life Newspaper, Standing Member of the Cultural Committee of the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee and the Deputy Head of Information and Communications Division of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha led the five member Viet Nam Buddhist Journalist delegation, who have extended coverage to pilgrim tourism, religious issues and functions and of course National Vesak Day of 2024 in Sri Lanka. It is of firm conviction of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ha Noi that this high-level visit as well as a number of previous visits by Vietnamese religious dignitaries and tourists would markedly boost and enhance tourism from Viet Nam to Sri Lanka.
It may further be stated that in 2023, over 13 million Vietnamese nationals have travelled overseas mostly to ASEAN countries, China, Japan and South Korea and to other countries. Given this vast potential for promotion of tourism, particularly religious and cultural tourism, if Sri Lanka could capture a mere 0.5%, it would translate to around 65,000 Vietnamese nationals who would be traveling to Sri Lanka, thus elevating and aggrandizing the sphere of tourism in Sri Lanka. This particular visit coinciding Vesak Ceremony in Sri Lanka would be extended wide and extensive media coverage in Viet Nam, which would enable Vietnamese nationals to be cognizant of the natural beauty and attributes including fauna and flora as well as significant religious locations in Sri Lanka.
This visit marks one of the significant milestones in recent Sri Lanka – Viet Nam Buddhist and Cultural Relations since the inception of Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. Ambassador Dr. A Saj U Mendis and Mahesh Premathilake Minister Counsellor in cooperation with the Secretary General of All Island Buddhasasana Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Cultural Fund and the Embassy of Viet Nam in Colombo coordinated and facilitated this iconic Viet Nam pilgrims visit to Sri Lanka.
(Sri Lankan embassy in Ha Noi)
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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