Business
Sri Lanka Barometer 2021 Survey and 2022 Survey launched
Providing evidence-based information on public opinion among Sri Lankans on Reconciliation and Social Cohesion
Two national reports were launched by the Sri Lanka Barometer (SLB) on 08 May in Colombo, providing public opinion survey data on how Sri Lankans across all provinces view reconciliation and social cohesion.
The SLB is supported by the programme Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE), co-financed by the European Union and German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms.
At the event themed ‘Understanding Social Change – Survey Data and Public Opinion in Sri Lanka’, the SLB Public Opinion Survey 2021 and the SLB Snapshot Survey 2022 were officially presented to the public in the presence of the Minister of Justice, (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe at the inauguration ceremony at the Taj Samudra.
Attended by a cross section of leading policy makers, researchers, university representatives, media practitioners, clergy and civil society members, the event was hosted by the Sri Lanka Barometer Consortium of partners who implement and steer the SLB, including the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) in South Africa, the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) and SCOPE.
The international dignitaries who graced the occasion included Mario Ronconi, Head of Unit for South and South East Asia, Directorate General for International Partnerships of the European Commission; Olaf Malchow, German Deputy Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; and Sandile Edwin Schalk, South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The Sri Lanka Barometer is a research initiative aimed at deepening the understanding of how Sri Lankans perceive reconciliation and its most salient dimensions. It consists of three main components: a nationally representative public opinion survey, complimentary qualitative research, and outreach events.
It was initiated in Sri Lanka in 2018 on the invitation of the Sri Lankan government and formally launched with the support of the Ministry of Justice. Understanding public opinion on key issues pertaining to unity, harmony and social cohesion has been a key priority for the Government of Sri Lanka. In addition to institutional efforts taken toward public consultations on key reforms, tracking public opinion has also been recommended as important for policymaking, such as in the Diyawanna Declaration of 2019 by the Parliament Select Committee for National and Religious Harmony.
Speaking at the event as its chief guest, Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Hon. (Dr.) Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC, M.P. said: “We are delighted to see that the design of the initiative has been inspired by expertise from South Africa, who we are working with closely and have recently visited to gain the experience of the South African government to formally and successfully take forward truth and reconciliation initiatives.”
In his special address, Mario Ronconi, Head of Unit for South and South East Asia at the Directorate General for International Partnerships of the European Commission, emphasised the need for such an initiative for all stakeholders: “As the European Union, we have supported the Sri Lanka Barometer initiative from the start together with the German Federal Foreign Office. Increasing our understanding of each other is a key element, which provides the potential to drive broader societal progress. Reconciliation and Social Cohesion are key priorities of the European Union’s strategy in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Barometer is a concrete example of how Team Europe can support its partner countries in strengthening their resilience. In the case of Sri Lanka, this support is all the more important since it will not only contribute to improving policymaking, but it will also help safeguard a peaceful society”
The German Deputy Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Olaf Malchow in his official address at the event said: “It gives me great pleasure that Germany is supporting an independent and unique initiative like the Sri Lanka Barometer.”
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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