Business
Suneth Silva of WIS recognized at Global CEO ‘45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence Awards’
WIS Director Suneth Silva has been recognized as one of the winners in the “45 Under 45 Leadership Excellence and Emerging Leaders Awards 2024” organized by the Global CEO Forum in Sri Lanka. Suneth Silva’s award underscores his outstanding leadership qualities, commitment to excellence, and innovative approach to work, all of which have helped to elevate WIS’ performance at every level.
The Under 45 Leadership Excellence Platinum Awards is an esteemed programme that recognizes and honours the country’s brightest talents and forward-thinking individuals across various domains. The event is dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements of CEOs, entrepreneurs, exporters, SMEs, and other promising professionals who are under 45 years old.
Suneth Silva, together with Wijay Kanagasundaram, and Ifthikar Mohamed, co-founded WIS in 2009 as an accountancy firm that primarily served clients in the UK. Prior to co-founding WIS, Suneth obtained extensive international work experience at HSBC, Morgan Stanley and Dresdner Kleinwort. He possesses an MSc in International Securities and Investment Banking from the University of Reading as well as ACMA and CGMA qualifications from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Having identified that its clients had several other financial needs including mortgages, insurances and wealth management, WIS eventually diversified into these services focusing on client convenience and retention. This resulted in it growing to become a one-stop finance shop and thereby became the WIS Group of companies comprising WIS Accountancy, WIS Umbrella, WIS Mortgages and Insurance and WIS Wealth.
WIS has several offices in the UK and an office in Sri Lanka which was established in 2013. The WIS Sri Lanka office is the offshoring arm of its UK Head Office and also provides BPO services to leading businesses in UK. Earlier this year, WIS expanded its Sri Lanka office by adding a new wing recently, laying the platform for the company to increase its capacity in the coming months. The expansion of the office is part of the WIS’ plan to boost its operations and grow its staff in Colombo during 2024 to keep up with increasing demand for new outsourcing opportunities and an uptick in UK-based companies wanting to establish their support teams in Colombo.
WIS’ latest collaboration is unveiling a new wing this year with a UK lender that is seeking to set up back- office functions such as underwriting, file checking, and mortgage processing in Colombo. The company plans to recruit up to 200 new staff members over the next five years to keep up with the demands of this partnership.
This venture is timely for Sri Lanka as it helps bring in much-needed foreign exchange to the country while enhancing its reputation as an ideal location for KPO/BPO services. Currently, WIS employs over 50 young, talented individuals supporting day-to-day business operations both in Sri Lanka and the UK. Building on its industry links, WIS has also been recognized as a quality training partner with both ACCA and CIMA in Colombo.
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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