Business
Winners of the ‘2022 Quiz on Korea’ felicitated at embassy
Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong greeted the winners of the ‘2022 Quiz on Korea’ at the Korean Embassy. The 1st place winner Ms. Fathima Ahra Imthiaz Latiff, the 2nd Place winner Ms. Pallage Umanga Sanathani Perera and 3rd Place winners Ms. Ukwaththa Arachchige Gayani Milanika and Ms. Fathima Sahlah Mohamed Imthiaz were warmly received by the Korean Envoy. Their parents also graced this special occasion.
The Quiz-on Korea was a survival quiz competition held every year, where the questions were based on topics of Korea, including Korean lifestyle, traditional culture, history and language. Around one hundred competitors from Sri Lanka took part in this quiz. In September 2022, The first-place winner of the quiz competition will take part in the final quiz competition in Korea.
Korean Ambassador Santhush commended all the winners for their remarkable fluency in the Korean language. Commenting on their skills, he said ‘In order to win the Quiz on Korea, I must admit that your Korean language skills were helpful, however what impressed me the most was your knowledge on Korea.
‘You are very important to bridge our two countries’ relations and I consider you as precious assets to our bilateral friendship. I hope you play a key role in bringing our countries closer together by expanding your network of friends in Korea. There are many common factors of Korea and Sri Lanka and I hope you promote favourable interests of both countries in the future as ‘civilian diplomats. I must mention the contribution of the parents of the winners for creating a positive environment for children to pursue Korean language education. Today, their achievements should bring great pride to all of you.’
In response to the massive interest in learning the Korean language among Sri Lankans, the Korean Embassy has made many efforts to expand Korean language education in Sri Lanka. Together with Sri Lankan authorities including the Education Ministry and the National Institute of Education, Korean language was adopted as a foreign language for advanced level classes from 2021 and from 2023 Korean language will be a subject for advanced level examinations as well. The Korean Embassy further initiated an online capacity building programme for Korean language teachers. These initiatives were implemented to successfully address the growing demand for Korean language in the island.
The winners were thankful for this opportunity to showcase their Korean skills. The first place winner was very happy to go to Korea and participate in the final competition this year. They said that they learnt Korean language due to their close affinity to the Korean culture especially K-dramas and K-music. They expressed interest in pursuing further studies in Korean language education and hoped that more opportunities will be available in the job market as well. Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG pledged to expand more opportunities for the Korean language education in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Santhush and winners of the quiz competition carried out the “END Violence” campaign, the global SNS campaign to help protect children from all forms of violence including armed conflicts and natural disasters.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
