Business
Sri Lanka should say goodbye to fossil fuel-based cars to attract tourists serious about reducing their carbon footprint: CTGLA
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Chauffeur Tourist Guide Lecturers Association (CTGLA) of Sri Lanka seeks the support of the President, Minister of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to help them replace their old fleet of vehicles with new hybrid and electric vehicles in order to attract environmentally conscious visitors to Sri Lanka.They request the government to solicit financial support from institutions such as JAICA, USAID, Australian Aid, ADB, World Bank and IMF, and also to explore the possibility of facilitating soft loans from commercial banks to its members to initiate green travel in Tourism.
“Our Association which began 30 years ago represents about 1,500 chauffeur tourist guide lecturers who are trained and licensed by the SLTDA, and this profession has been recognized by a Parliamentary Act. Some of our guides speak a number of foreign languages and all our members provide a very important service to the industry and bring in foreign exchange to the country”, Ranjith Sudasinghe, vice president, CTGLA told The Island.
“While we appreciate the effective measures the government has taken to take the country out of its crisis. However, since we lost our livelihoods due to Easter Sunday incident and Covid 19 Pandemic, we have had to wait a long period of time to recover unlike other tourism destinations in the world. In addition, our earnings were further affected due to strikes, protests and agitations, and earnings in the winter season are not encouraging as anticipated. Such long, lean periods have affected our members greatly. We are going through the difficulty of maintaining tourist vehicles with little or no income for more than three years now. Our members have invested more than 5 billion rupees on these vehicles and they pay all government taxes. However, at the end of the day, the return on investment is barely enough to maintain the vehicles up to the industry- required standards,” he said.
“In this context, we consider it prudent to replace the existing fleet for the next seasons with cost-effective environment friendly, hybrid and electric vehicles. If the government makes policies for a Green Tourism Transport program, funding assistance could be obtained from above mentioned international institutions as they are keen on promoting such green initiatives”, he pointed out.
“Some tourist vehicles were sold or repossessed by leasing companies due to loan defaults which were beyond our control during the lean period. So the lesser number of available tourist vehicles could pose a threat to the industry in the near future. The Ministry of Ministry and SLTDA have informed the Finance Ministry about this potential risk, therefore, we urge the authorities to also consider giving relief to CTGLA members by way of concessional duty for the importation of vehicles for tourist transportation,” Sudasinhe said.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”