Business
‘Sri Lankan websites could compete easily with top global counterparts’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Sri Lankan websites maintain very high standards and could compete with top global websites, LK Domain Registry CEO/ Registrar Prof. Gihan Dias said.
‘BestWeb.LK is a unique annual competition conducted by the LK Domain Registry since 2009. The current competition is the thirteenth in the series of such events which recognize the high quality web presence of organizations in a diverse range of categories. Over 600 websites vie for awards that will bring them prestige and recognition, Dias said at the awards ceremony, which was held at Imperial Monarch Hotel, Thalawathugoda recently.
At the event, Commercial Bank of Ceylon won twin Golds as the Overall Winner and the Best Banking & Finance website in Sri Lanka for 2023.
The extensive criteria used to grade websites for the BestWeb.lk awards cover a wide array of technical aspects as well as quality aspects that encompass functionality, ease of use, conformance and compliance with industry standards and protocols, performance efficiency, security and privacy, design aesthetics, content quality and the quality of interaction with users.
Commenting on the Bank’s milestone achievement of being adjudged the best website in Sri Lanka across all categories, Commercial Bank’s Deputy General Manager – Retail Banking & Marketing, Hasrath Munasinghe said: “It is exhilarating to see the extremely valuable role our website now plays in promoting inclusivity in addition to convenience. There was a time when websites were used by an exclusive group of tech-savvy customers. Today, with trilingual access, enhanced user-friendliness and wide-spectrum functionality, our website has become an indispensable resource for millions of people. The endorsement of the LK Domain Registry with the overall Gold award is therefore particularly significant.”
“The Commercial Bank website annually averages 6.8 million visits, 2.6 million users, 11 million page views and organic search traffic of 4.8 million. It was re-launched in 2021 with features, such as, trilingual access to content, ultra-smooth interface with interactive multimedia material, enhanced navigation, experience-customization, smarter search options and tools, and resources that make a website extra user-friendly and informative, informed sources said.
“The LK Domain Registry is the national body that registers domain names ending in “.lk.” It is an independent non-profit organization that helps Sri Lankan organizations and individuals to create their unique identities on the web. Launched in 2009, BestWeb.lk is a web-based competition that provides an exclusive opportunity to promote and popularize web presences in Sri Lanka.
“Meanwhile, the interactivity of the websites was judged based on the quality of interaction they incite with users, and privacy and security features. Multilingual websites in Unicode standards qualified under the ‘Community Purpose’ criteria. Further, entries were awarded bonus points for features, such as, multilingual access, accessibility for disabled persons, use of latest technology and social media integration. All websites registered under the .lk domain were eligible to enter the competition.”
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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