Business
The Korean Film Festival awes crowds in Colombo
On 23rd September, the Korean Film Festival 2022 organised by the Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka together with the Korea Film Council (Kofic) was inaugurated at the BMICH in Colombo. This Festival held annually, was re-launched after a hiatus of two years due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Korean Film Festival 2022 featured four Korean movies for three days from the 23rd to 25th of September 2022.
In conjunction with the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sri Lanka this year, the grand opening of the Film Festival was held on Friday 23rd of September, in the gracious presence of many dignitaries including Speaker of the Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament, Chief of Defence Staff, Governors, Secretaries, Ambassadors and diplomats, cultural dignitaries and media chiefs. Many of Korean residents who live in Sri Lanka also attended the event.
Dr. Bandula Gunawardana Minister of Mass Media and famous film-maker attended the opening ceremony of the Film Festival as the Chief Guest. The Veteran Actress Kala Keerthi Ms. Anoja Weerasinghe graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Cultural icons, media personnel and many friends of Korea were welcomed warmly by the Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG at the grand reception of the Korean Film Festival.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong stated that, “For the last 45 years, Korea and Sri Lanka have shared robust and wonderful bilateral relations. Our ties have been strengthened by the people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation between our two nations. Celebrating the 45th anniversary this year, the Korean Embassy has organised a series of special cultural events like the Korean Lantern Festival, Quiz on Korea, K-pop World festival and Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship. This Korean Film Festival will also be an opportunity to bridge our two peoples together and allow Sri Lankans to enjoy a variety of Korean movies. As you know, the Korean movies and dramas have crossed national borders and received international recognition. The Korean Film Festival 2022 is composed of Korean movies featuring many internationally acclaimed actors and actresses. I hope that Sri Lankan audiences will enjoy the interesting roles played by world-famous Korean movie stars in the films at this Festival.”
Dr. Bandula Gunawardana Minister of Mass Media congratulated Santhush Woonjin JEONG for the impressive launch of the Korean Film Festival and commended Excellency’s efforts to strengthen friendly bilateral relations between Korea and Sri Lanka and boost cultural links between the two countries that dated back to 5th century A.D. with people-to people exchanges. He stated, “I am particularly happy to be present on this occasion of sharing the rich cinema of the Republic of Korea with Sri Lankan fans as a person who is actively involved in the local cinema industry by way of producing several award winning films nationally and internationally.’
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
