Business
South Asia’s first AC testing facility to be set up in Ja-Ela
For the first time in South Asia, a ‘Room Air Conditioner Test facility’ would be set up in Sri Lanka jointly by the Korea Energy Agency (KRIC) of and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority.The Korea Energy Agency will fund this project with an investment of USD 200,000. Director, Korea Research Institute (KRIC) Um Gi Jeung said that globally over 70% of the electricity bill in houses and large hotels are for air conditioning. He said that that was as a result of high energy consumption, due to a result of faulty and high energy consumption by air conditioners.
“Our effort is to reduce this by testing current air conditioners that are installed and also check them at Customs.”
He said the first batch of equipment towards the setting up of this laboratory has been already imported. Deputy Director General Sustainable Energy Authority, Dr. Harsha Wickramasinghe said, “We will be setting up this lab at the LECO facility in Ja-Ela and it will be functional by the end of 2023.”
He also said that in Sri Lanka over 3% of households and 99% of hotels have air conditions and they have high energy consumption. “We will then test any air conditioner free of charge under a new ‘appliance labeling programme’. However from 2025 all importers would have to obtain the clearance of this laboratory before distributing AC in Sri Lanka.”
The Energy Label is introduced for energy efficient appliances which helps the customer to identify energy efficient appliances. This is similarly important to those suppliers who sell energy efficient products because the energy label becomes a promotional tool for their products. Energy labeling programms for CFLs, Ceiling fans and LED Lamps are already in operation effectively and these efforts are conserving more than 700GWh of electrical energy every year.
Dr. Wickramasinghe said that necessary legislature in this regard would be drawn up next year making new imported AC’s a pre certified product similar to a mobile phone that has Telecom Regulatory commission approval. The Sustainable Energy Authority will then be introducing energy performance labels for imported AC’s in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. Energy Labelling standard SLS 1586:2018 for room air conditioners is already published and other appliances such as Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, Electric Motors, Water Pumps, Rice Cookers and Gas Stoves are in the pipeline for future labelling programmes.
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
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
