Business
Virtusa Corporation embarks on journey to bring more work to Sri Lanka from U.S. and Europe
Company announces plans to double down on hiring in Sri Lanka in the next 3 years
The strength of the tech cadre at Virtusa Sri Lanka centre is about 3,000 at present
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Virtusa Corporation that serves Global 2000 companies in the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Communications, Media, Entertainment, Travel, Manufacturing, and Technology industries, is looking to double down on hiring Sri Lankan tech minds in the next three years.
With a workforce exceeding 35,000 across more than 50 offices in over 25 countries, Virtusa stands out in the high-tech industry. The strength of the tech cadre at Virtusa Sri Lanka office is about 3,000 at present.
“We are a trying to bring more work to Sri Lanka from the U.S. and Europe. We have embarked on that journey and hopefully in three years’ time, we shall be able to double our workforce here in Sri Lanka,” Naresha Supramaniam, Business Head (APAC) and Country Head (Sri Lanka) told the media last week,
Supramaniam made this comment at Shangri La Colombo where Virtusa hosted Brian Jochum, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer and a member of the Global CXO team in Sri Lanka recently. The outreach event saw the participation of the local leadership of Virtusa, representatives from partner universities, members of local IT industry bodies which sparked insightful discussions among all present.
Together they highlighted the pillars of transformation across HR, Brand, Technology and Sales which would in turn benefit Sri Lanka’s economy in a more robust manner.
Supramaniam highlighted Virtusa’s dynamic evolution, underscored by the acquisition by private equity firm Baring Private Equity Asia and subsequently, the EQT Group, one of Asia’s largest private equity firms.
Supramaniam emphasized on the enrichment of the company with global management expertise and outlined the multifaceted transformation occurring across its main pillars.
In this context, he noted Sri Lanka’s crucial role in Virtusa’s global workforce and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to growing the technology centre in Sri Lanka over the coming years.
“In just the past month, we’ve seen a large number of new opportunities being allocated to Sri Lanka, showcasing our confidence in the local talent to shine on the global stage,” he said.
He also drew attention to Virtusa’s competitive stature in the global marketplace, competing with industry peers listed among the best in the world.
Supramaniam provided quantitative insights, noting Virtusa’s high Net Promoter Score which places the company in the top percentile of its industry globally. Additionally, it was mentioned that in a recent study, it emerged that most of Virtusa’s clientele regard the company as a top-tier global solutions provider based on the importance and complexity of the work Virtusa undertakes.
Brian Jochum discussed Virtusa’s approach to engineering excellence and its impact on stakeholders in line with the company’s Engineering First approach. Jochum’s insights offered a deeper understanding of the company’s strategic positioning and its commitment to delivering high-value solutions.
“The Engineering First mindset is credited as a unifying philosophy which draws from the company’s rich engineering heritage, its unique approach towards solving problems for some of the world’s largest businesses and the opportunities it creates for the talent at Virtusa to learn and perform at the highest levels,” he said.
Referring to the company’s sustainability engineering processes he said,” We are not just able to calculate the environmental impact of our operations but also how we contribute to our customers’ sustainability targets. We are not only building digital solutions to run businesses more efficiently, but also are helping the companies to reduce their carbon footprint as well.”
Inoka Dias, the incoming Head of HR (Sri Lanka) acknowledged the collective efforts that have shaped Virtusa’s journey. Dias underscored Virtusa’s transformational phase, focusing on commercial, tech, and talent transformation, coupled with its fresh brand perspective. She highlighted the ongoing efforts to upskill and develop the talent at Virtusa, equipping them with the competencies necessary to maintain a competitive edge.
Virtusa helps clients grow their businesses with innovative products and services that create operational efficiency using digital labour, future-proof operational and IT platforms, and rationalization and modernization of IT applications infrastructure.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”