Business
SLT-MOBITEL ‘Entrepreneurship Studio’ gaining momentum
SLT-MOBITEL, the National ICT Solutions Provider, focused on purpose-driven innovation has announced the shortlisting of 20 startups for its pioneering ‘Entrepreneurship Studio’ 2021-2022 cohort and the commencement of an intensive mentoring and coaching programme targeting the participants.
The ‘Entrepreneurship Studio’ programme was launched with the aim of strengthening the country’s digital ecosystem by nurturing and supporting tech startups involved in driving innovative and disruptive technologies. The competition is designed to challenge the most promising early-stage startups to develop, test and market groundbreaking new products and solutions revolutionizing the tech industry. At the culmination of ‘Entrepreneurship Studio’, selected winners will receive up to LKR One million in funding to scale up their businesses.
The ‘Entrepreneurship Studio’ programme is spearheaded by ‘The Embryo’, SLT Group’s new pioneering Research and Development initiative which seeks to drive a multi-channel innovation pipeline to build cutting-edge digital solutions.
The selected entrepreneurs will undergo 14 weeks of mentoring comprising of a series of preparatory activities including training sessions, mentorship, coaching, workshops and boot-camps from carefully selected experts who will provide support and valuable advice to the entrepreneurs. These sessions include strategies on Vision Setting, Customer & Product Development and Go to Market, Legal & IP, Infrastructure & Technology, and Revenue Development.
The programme which was launched in May has now progressed in shortlisting 20 startups. Supporting these startups in their long-term success, the ‘Entrepreneurship Studio’ programme is a comprehensive mentoring programme for the shortlisted candidates.
The program offers participants mentoring through experience sharing, technical know-how and coaching by a high-powered panel of SLT-MOBITEL experts. Inaugurating the mentoring and coaching sessions was held recently through an orientation event held with the participation of Mr. Rohan Fernando (Group Chairman SLT), Lalith Seneviratne (Group CEO SLT), Kiththi Perera (CEO SLT), Priyantha Fernandez (COO SLT), Chandika Vitharana (CEO Mobitel) and several other senior management of SLT-MOBITEL.
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.”
