Business
Upul Wijesinghe appointed to the AIA Sri Lanka Board of Directors
AIA Sri Lanka has announced the appointment of Upul Wijesinghe as an Executive Director of the Board of Directors (BOD) with effect from 30th January 2023 subject to the approval of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka. Upul is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Distribution Officer of AIA Sri Lanka. He is a highly respected insurance professional in the industry with over 30 years of experience.
Upul started his journey with the Company as a Graduate Management Trainee and climbed up the corporate ladder through his career with the Company. He has gained extensive exposure in general management, all aspects of life and general insurance including sales, technical covering also underwriting, reinsurance and multiple distribution channels at various levels and also received both local and international training opportunities with the Company. He has previously held the statutory positions of Specified Officer and the Principal Officer of the Company as well.
Upul is an Associate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of UK and a Chartered Insurer. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Colombo and a Post Graduate Diploma in Actuarial Science from Uva Wellassa University.
Upul was the President of the Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII) from 2001 to 2003. He was instrumental in establishing SLII’s Insurance Agency qualification examination for Sri Lanka and the National Insurance Congress. In an ultimate honour, he was inducted to the Hall of Fame of SLII in 2015.
Upul was instrumental in setting up AIA’s highly successful life agency sales force and its best-in-class operational model island wide with over 100 branches, over 4000 agents and 350 Agency leaders. He has received many accolades locally and internationally including AIA Group’s ‘Best Growth CAO Award 2021’ and ‘2H Rebound CAO Challenge Category 2020’. This new appointment to the AIA Sri Lanka’s BOD is yet another outstanding milestone in Upul’s professional journey.
Tan Hak Leh, Chairman of AIA Sri Lanka, welcoming Upul to the Board noted that Upul will be adding much value to the Board with his vast experience in the local insurance industry and his leadership contribution in steering the business forwards in a challenging environment. He further stated that this appointment is another apt demonstration of AIA Group’s trust in and appreciation of the local talent in Sri Lanka.
Chathuri Munaweera, CEO / Executive Director of AIA Sri Lanka congratulating the appointment, added that the appointment of Upul Wijesinghe to the Board of Directors is a testament of his commitment, dedication, and capacity to support the Company in the long term, in pursuing its ambitious aspirations and providing much needed insurance protection to Sri Lankans.
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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