Business
Velaris welcomes Udara Wijeratna as Country Head (SL) & Vice President of Engineering
Velaris – An emerging startup that’s making a big impact on the Customer Success space appoints the SaaS industry specialist, Udara Wijeratna as the Country Head of Sri Lanka & Vice President of Engineering, the copany announced.
“This unique team of problem solvers, designers, engineers, and developers, living and working across the globe, is empowering businesses to put customers front and center. Velaris pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, united by the singular aim to change the world of Customer Success,” a news release said.
Wijeratna joins Velaris after a dedicated career at SyscoLABS spearheading Corporate Technology and International engineering divisions. Specializing in enterprise application design, he guided over 120 engineers to excel in the delivery of quality products to Sysco USA.
“Udara surged through the ranks with technical expertise and a focus on enterprise with industry leaders like Pearson and Virtusa. An AWS Certified Solutions Architect he is now an instrumental consultant in the acceleration of SaaS product engineering and cloud enablement start-ups,” the release said.
Educated at Nalanda College, Colombo, Udara went on to graduate from the University of Colombo and the University of Kelaniya where he holds a BSc. (Hons) in Information Technology and a BSc. (Hons) in Physical Science. He acquired a distinction for MSc in Enterprise Application Development from Sheffield Hallam University.
“A strategic problem-solver, Udara will collaborate with team members to ensure design requirements are met and plan, direct, coordinate, and oversee activities in the Engineering department. By ensuring the development and implementation of efficient operations and cost-effective systems to meet the current and future needs of the company, he’ll be responsible for keeping everyone’s eyes on the prize. His primary role will be to ensure that all processes run smoothly while creating a culture that rewards motivation and cooperation,” the release said..
“We are thrilled to welcome Udara as our new VP of Engineering and Country Head to help take Velaris to the next level. Having led high-performing cross-functional teams for the last 10+ years, Udara brings a wealth of technical and managerial experience to the team. We are very excited about all the innovation and the great culture that will come under his leadership.” says José Fernández-Castaño, Co-founder / COO welcoming Udara to the helm.
A similar greeting was given by Dilanka Kalutota – Co-founder/CEO who considered it an honour to have Udara on board. “Udara was the missing piece of our remarkably talented team in Sri Lanka. The wealth of expertise he brings on board will enable us to scale at a higher velocity whilst maintaining stability.”
About Velaris
Velaris, a UK-based tech startup with routes to Sri Lanka and Spain is co-founded by Dilanka Kalutota and José Fernández-Castaño. The product, a pioneering customer success platform named Velaris for B2B tech companies has disrupted the customer success market by filling a specific market gap. With a €4.7M investment by venture capital firm Octopus, followed by Zaka and Fintech 365, customer-centricity is not a process at Velaris – it’s a mindset that is part of the company’s DNA.
Their mission is to build state-of-the-art products for B2B companies, enabling them to make their customers successful. The focus is on helping B2B tech companies to better understand their customers, strengthen relationships, and retain and expand their business through data-driven decisions. Velaris aims to develop R&D and boost expansion in London, Madrid, and Sri Lanka.
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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