Business
Sri Lanka’s first fashion movie ‘Yaaluwoda Yaaluida’ premieres
The official red-carpet premiere of ‘Yaaluwoda Yaaluida’, Sri Lanka’s first fashion movie written & directed by Dilshara Jayamanna & produced by Rasitha JInasena, was held recently at the Colombo City Centre Scope Cinemas. The movie, a Netflix flavoured Sinhala romantic comedy for the TikTok age, is due to be released in cinemas islandwide on 3rd March 2023.
Starring newcomers Shereen Willis as Steffi and Eraj Gunewardane as Mithun in the two lead roles, Yaaluwoda Yaaluida aims to create a cultural shift in Sri Lankan cinema by exploring several themes that appeal to today’s young audiences such as the ups and downs of falling in love, the difficult bridge between friendship and love, today’s world of high-end fashion, and the almost inevitable impact of social media on young lives. An ensemble of some of Sri Lanka’s most loved actors and actresses including Saranga Disasekara, Yureni Noshika, Dinakshie Priyasad, Danu Innasithamby, Mass Ramli, Romaine Willis, Sarah Illyas and many others, combine to elevate the performances of the young duo on their big screen debut.
The inspiration behind the movie is Director Dilshara Jayamanna’s desire to shine the spotlight on a significant cultural shift in the way today’s young Sri Lankans approach, see and feel part of pop culture be it fashion, music, career choices, and even their attitudes towards the international community. Jayamanna and his creative team have been able to perfectly capture the essence of this cultural shift and bring it to life on the big screen for audiences of all ages to enjoy and appreciate. Aligning to today’s world that increasingly understands and appreciates the immense impact of strong females on every aspect of modern society, the movie changes the game by putting the female as the lead and building the storyline around her dynamic screen presence and performance.
The back-story of the movie is bound to inspire today’s younger generation, notably the female audiences. Lead actress Shereen was discovered on TikTok by Executive Producer Harshini Kithulagoda and provided a platform to reveal her acting prowess which she does so with tremendous success. Lead actor Eraj, who comes from a background of acting in plays, also impresses as the male friend of young Steffi and their on-screen chemistry will leave audiences wondering as to whether they end up remaining friends or become more than friends as the title of the movie suggests.
The movie also lands a couple of firsts in Sri Lanka’s film industry. The song ‘Tharunai’ by DJ Mass and Romaine Willis is the first EDM (Electronic Dance Music) track in a Sinhala movie while the movie is also the first Sinhala movie to have an Anime sequence, created by young designer Sejini Ratnayake.
Produced by veteran producer Rasitha Jinasena, the studio behind Yaaluwoda Yaaluida is Starfish Neuro, a bold new Sri Lankan content studio making premium content for cinemas and online audiences. Other key members of the production team include Rangana S. Bandara and Hasitha Warnasuriya (Directors of Photography), Kavinda Mudalige (Editor), Jude Gayantha (Costumes), and Nuwan Sanuranke (Production Design). The movie has an outstanding soundtrack with music by Nishan Daniel and songs performed by Dinesh Gamage, DJ Mass, and Romaine Willis.
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
