Business
Women In Need with financial support from USAID launches WIN AGAINST VIOLENCE
For over 30 years, Women In Need (WIN) has spearheaded the fight to stop violence against women and girls in Sri Lanka, giving a voice to the countless number of victims whose stories of abuse have been silenced. In October 2021, WIN secured support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to continue its work through a five-year project titled “WIN AGAINST VIOLENCE” (WAV) in six districts – Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Colombo, Jaffna and Matara. WIN launched the activity in Colombo on 26 September 2022. The State Minister of Women and Child Affairs and Social Empowerment, Ms. Geetha Kumarasinge, and a host of other dignitaries including representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka, USAID, civil society, police, and healthcare attended the event.
WAV aims to ensure concerted and cohesive action to address and prevent sex and gender-based violence (SGBV), through strategic interventions, advocacy efforts, and strengthened partnerships with WIN’s network of stakeholders. Activities will include the continued provision of essential services to survivors of SGBV such as counseling, legal and emergency shelter support; and strengthening of divisional level forums to address SGBV. Under the project, WIN will also establish safe cities for women and girls in selected areas, and a summit on gender equality to mobilize stakeholders on issues related to women’s rights and gender.
Speaking at the event, State Minister Ms. Geetha Kumarasinghe stated, “In this unprecedented economic climate, most women are presented with a unique set of issues that have handicapped them and their families; and made them more vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence. We often hear of instances when mothers are forced to make heartbreaking decisions to ease their troubles. It is in times like these that we are reminded of how important it is to empower women to stand on their own feet and become financially independent. We need a complete change in attitudes towards women and gender-related issues. I am honoured to be a part of this event organized by WIN. The organization has been supporting survivors of violence and empowering them to reclaim their lives for the past three decades.”
Kevin Dean, Office Director – USAID,
Governance and Vulnerable Populations
addresses the participants
Executive Director of WIN, Ms. Savithri Wijesekera added, “The WAV project takes a holistic approach to address sexual and gender-based violence. The project will ensure the relevant state officials, NGOs, and CSOs are working collaboratively towards addressing gender-based violence. The safe cities will be places that women and girls can navigate comfortably and safely whether they are accessing public transport or whether they are in the comfort of their homes. We will also raise awareness on gender-related issues among youth and open a new center in Ratnapura.”
Kevin Dean, Office Director – USAID, Governance and Vulnerable Population said, “Regardless of the form that GBV takes, it is a human rights abuse, a public health challenge, and a barrier to civic, social, political, and economic participation and development. We are excited to collaborate with WIN which is committed to empowering Sri Lankan women through providing counseling, legal advice, shelter assistance, and care packages.”
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
