Business
Toastmasters Division H Conference turns into a ‘hub of eloquence’
The Faculty Auditorium of Agricultural and Plantation Management transformed into a hub of eloquence and inspiration on March 30, as it hosted the Division H year-end conference of Toastmasters International for the 2023/2024 season.
The conference rolled out the red carpet for a distinguished lineup of Toastmasters, including DTM Lawrance Madapatha, Executive Director of All Free Trade Zones, TM Padmajith Jinadasa Past Div Director retired senior engineer attached to Bank of Ceylon, DTM Kapila Mithrarathne, CFO at Alpha Apparels, DTM Chethiya Subasinghe, Manager Admin at Omega Lines Toastmasters and DTM Tharaka Amarasena Manager of CSE Anuradhapura branch among others.
The keynote address, delivered by Saliya Pieris, President’s Counsel, delved into the essence of leadership through turbulent times. Drawing lessons from historical titans like Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and President Abraham Lincoln, Peris illuminated their ability to rise above personal agendas for the greater good.
DTM Niroshan Nadarajah, Club Growth Director of District 82 of Toastmasters International and Senior Brand Manager at Renuka Group was the chief guest. His reflections on the transformative power of Toastmasters on communication styles struck a chord, underscoring the impact of Toastmasters beyond the club environment into the corporate sphere.
The conference also hosted two riveting competitions: the International Speech Competition and the Table Topics Contest. Emerging victorious in the speech competition was TM Sudath Fernando, Finance Director at ATG Group of Companies. His prowess earned him a spot in the national semifinals scheduled for April 28th, 2024, with sights set on the international stage in Anaheim, California.
The impromptu speech contest saw TM Dilani Kasundara Hettiarachchi, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, clinching the win, promising another thrilling showdown at the national semifinals.
The invaluable support from Gavel Club members of the Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, under the guidance of Prof. Jagath Edirisinghe, Dean of the Faculty, played a crucial role in the event’s resounding success.
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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