Business
Wild Glamping Gal Oya wins highest eco-friendly rating for its green concept
Thema Collection’s second green building award
Wild Glamping Gal Oya, yet another luxury experience by Thema Collection was introduced in 2021 amidst the Covid pandemic. It was recently awarded the Platinum Award by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka at a ceremony held on 18th December in Kandy.
This prestigious award bestowed the highest eco-friendly rating on Wild Glamping Gal Oya in order to highlight its green concept and green building practices – putting it on par with some of the world’s most sought-after trendy hotels and resorts, known for exclusive service and offering impeccable quality. It is worth noting that Aliya Resorts won the same award (Gold) 9 years ago, and this is Thema Collection’s second Green Building Award.
The luxury tented chalets were declared open by Eric Lavertu, the former Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and Maldives on the 20th of December 2021 during a simple ceremony. The property boasts 10 spacious luxurious tents, a restaurant and an infinity pool surrounded by spectacular views and is situated in a 30-acre good practice agricultural farm in Gal Oya Valley at Rathugala.
The property was built with the intention of fostering sustainable tourism development, and as a result, it was immediately recognized for the award due to its numerous green and sustainable initiatives; including good practice organic agriculture with drip irrigation systems, the use of earth bricks, clay, illuk grass, cajan, and other materials sourced from the locality for the property’s construction, direct current generation through the use of individual solar panels for chalets and public areas, and recycling of grey water generated from the property and reusing it for water closet flushing.
The eco-friendly Wild Glamping Gal Oya is nestled in a rural underprivileged area home to Sri Lanka’s indigenous community and the property has employed 95% of the required staff from these neighboring communities in efforts to develop people and promote the Rathugala Aadivasi community culture.
The Founder and Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe stated that “We are honored and humbled to be awarded the Platinum Award by Green Building Council of Sri Lanka.When Gal Oya was established in 2021, we had a vision for not only the brand and offering but also one that truly made a worthwhile impact on Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry with the intention of reducing the carbon footprint through green practices. This award was made possible by the company’s shared vision, from management to operations and across the Thema Collection family. We look forward to pushing the boundaries of what Sri Lanka’s sustainable hospitality industry has to offer its local and global clientele.”
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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