Business
Trade Finance Association of Bankers celebrates 25th anniversary
Trade Finance Association of Bankers (TFAB) held their 25th Anniversary Celebrations along with the Annual Inter-Bank Trade Quiz and Social at the Grand Ball Room, Hilton Hotel Colombo in grandeur on the 3rd of December 2022 with Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka as the Chief Guest. Several Chief Executive Officers and members of the corporate management of Commercial banks, senior bankers attached to trade departments of banks, members of TFAB along with the senior Government Officers connected to import and export trade graced the occasion.
Consequent to the inaugural address by Lawrian Somanader, President TFAB, the Guest of Honour for the evening, Matthieu Andrieu, Head of Corporate Banking of M/s. Finastra who were the Chief Sponsors for the celebrations, addressed the audience. In his speech he shared valuable insights, market trends and Covid 19 impact on the global economy. He also reiterated the importance of embracing Fintech solutions to Trade Finance banking needs and being delighted in partnering the TFAB celebration.
Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe delivered the Keynote speech where he emphasized that the most important part in International Trade for bankers is to give proper advice to their customers and our ability to provide professional advice depends on our ability to predict, forecast and read the situation and render the correct advise to the client.
As part of the anniversary celebrations the Association re-launched its web site www.tfab.lk with a better look and feel with additional resources. The association also launched its Anniversary volume titled “Navigating International Trade Through Economic Turbulence” First copy of the volume was presented by Eranda Weerakoon, Chairman of the Editorial Committee to the chief guest. Thereafter the Chief Guest presented copies of the volume to each of the writers who contributed articles to the Anniversary volume.
The Chief Guest, Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka presented mementoes to the Past Presidents in recognition of their contribution to the Association and to the international trade finance community at large.
The 25th Anniversary Celebrations were flagged off with the annual Inter-Bank Trade Quiz which has been the premier event of the Association and is designed to test and share the knowledge in International Trade Finance among the trade practitioners. The Quiz competition consisted of five rounds, with topics ranging from sports and current affairs to trade finance. Following the completion of each round, the respective winner for that round was also announced. To entertain the rest of the audience, they were also quizzed on a few questions whilst the competition took place.
This year too the Quiz was keenly contested with 27 teams competing for the coveted Trophy was won by Seylan Bank, while Peoples Bank and the Commercial Bank of Ceylon won the 1st and 2nd Runners-up titles respectively. The Trade round was won by Bank of Ceylon.
The organizing committee for the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of the association wishes to convey a special thank you to their sponsors for their generosity and contribution especially during difficult times.
The Association wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the commercial banks operating in Sri Lanka who have always extended their fullest support to the Association for playing a major role in the development of trade practitioners, their staff members and addressing issues affecting trade business.
The Fellowship, Dinner and Social which followed saw the bankers handling trade across commercial banks in Sri Lanka networking to improve connectivity among them. The evening was widely regarded as a success, with over 300 trade professionals attending the event on a Saturday night, to enjoy good music and helped to make the night memorable.
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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