Business
USD 30mn invested in Softlogic Life’s growth by Finnfund, NorFund and Munich Re
Softlogic Life Insurance PLC announced the inking of landmark deals with Development Financial Institutions; Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd – Finnfund and The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries. Norfund and financial have collectively signed a USD 15Mn Tier II Subordinated Debt transaction with the Company on August 24, that will provide funding to further develop the business objectives of the company.
Norfund and Finnfund are impact investors funded by the governments of Norway and Finland and private capital markets whose objectives are to fund sustainable development through responsible and profitable businesses across the globe. What makes the transactions even more significant are that they are being executed amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted the entire world.
Softlogic Life also concluded a Financial Reinsurance transaction in March 2020 of USD 15Mn with Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft – MunichRe, one of the top providers of reinsurance, primary insurance, and insurance-related risk solutions in the world based on the top quality portfolio of the company. This arrangement is viewed as an innovative market leading transaction in the South Asian Life and Health Reinsurance arena.
Softlogic Life, Sri Lanka’s third-largest life insurance entity is on a growth trajectory and these milestones transactions will further amplify the excellent prospects available for the life insurance industry in Sri Lanka. The Company’s fast paced growth has brought a share of 16.2% of the market as at March 31, 2020, doubling market share within the past five years and covering more than a million lives. In 2019 Softlogic Life Insurance grew by 25% versus an industry growth of 11% issuing 247,755 policies and selling the highest number of policies accounting for 33% of the market.
“These investments by NorFund, Finnfund and MunichRe are a testament to the solid work we have put into building Softlogic Life into a formidable business in Sri Lanka’s insurance industry. We like to think of it as an endorsement that we have done something special,” said Ashok Pathirage, chairman of Softlogic Life Insurance PLC, “We are always keen to develop our operations by utilizing international expertise and together with Leapfrog Investments who are shareholders of the company we are continuously assessing possibilities to improve our capabilities even further. We remain fully confident of Sri Lanka’s growth prospects and see the low penetration in the life insurance industry as a great opportunity for future growth. We are proud to state that during 2019 one in every three life insurance policies sold in the market was from Softlogic Life, which is a great testament to the customer segments that we cover and the extent of our product diversification.”
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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