Business
Lankan private sector women employees more productive working from home amid COVID-19
Almost two-thirds of 140,000 employees in Sri Lanka’s leading companies are struggling to meet personal and family financial obligations due to the impact of COVID-19, reveals a new report from IFC, a World Bank affiliate.
The report, Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 on Employment in the Private Sector, by Women in Work, a partnership between IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—and the Australian government, highlights that almost three quarters of the companies surveyed experienced a negative impact on revenue as a result of the pandemic.
The report is based on a survey conducted among 15 leading Sri Lankan companies across a range of sectors—banking and finance, fast moving consumer goods, information technology, garments and manufacturing. The companies surveyed employ more than 140,000 employees, including almost 85,000 women.
According to the study, female employees were more likely to have experienced increased hours, remote working, a change in job role or to have been re-allocated to a different business unit or work location. Moreover, female employees faced the greatest stress in terms of meeting increased electricity and other utility bills, compared to their male counterparts.
“COVID-19 has changed workplace dynamics radically. Among many other things, ‘working from home’ has become the new normal. Our research shows that despite household responsibilities and additional hours of work, women have reported an increased level of productivity during this period as compared to men,” said Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives. “We think that this new set up has allowed more women to better manage work and home fronts. This also presents an opportunity for employers to reassess certain company policies to best suit the needs of their employees.”
The report also finds that one in five respondents reported to be concerned about possible job loss, and one in ten said they may need to find new employment. Two out of five employees surveyed said they may need to supplement their income, while one-third of them believed they would need to up-skill or retrain in a new area.
In addition, almost one-third of employees surveyed experienced a salary reduction and almost 40 percent of them had their benefits reduced due to the pandemic.
The latest IFC-DFAT findings also offer recommendations to better support working men and women in the private sector. These include developing meaningful flexible work policies, supporting staff—particularly women—with access to technology, introducing safe transportation, and providing mental health and wellness support.
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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