Business
Cargills PLC’s continued investments directed at hopeful young people: Ranjit Page
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Success comes with dedication, sweat and passion for work
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There are no overnight rewards like ‘Shanida Wasanawa’
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Cargills wants to project itself as a right model for the nation
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Ranjit Page, Deputy Chairman & CEO at Cargills Ceylon PLC said Saturday that the new and ongoing investments made by his conglomerate are mainly aimed at increasing the confidence of the young people about a positive future for them.
“I am sad to see when young people are leaving the country and as a corporate, we feel it’s our duty by the nation to make investments that support the young people to think about Sri Lanka as a country where a good future lies ahead for them. If we don’t do that we will be failing in our duty. Our trusted Cargills Brand is now 178-years-old and Sri Lanka offered us the opportunity to grow it to the position where it is today, and therefore, we have to take ownership of the responsibility to help the country move forward with a hopeful young people,” he said.
Ranjit Page
Page made these remarks to The Island Financial Review at an event where he opened the fourth Cargills Square in Katubedda, a destination complex where visitors can shop, dine and watch a movie; all under one roof. The three Cargills Squares previously opened are operating in Jaffna, Gampaha and Dematagoda.
The deputy chairman said that plans are afoot to build the fourth Cargills Square in Bandarawela in two months.
Responding to a query he said,” “The Square at Katubedda alone has cost Rs. 1.5 billion. I think that we have to make investments of this nature and create an environment conducive to youth aspirations. This Square is not designed for old people like me,” he said laughing.
On a more serious note he said,” Individually as a corporate if we don’t take ownership of the challenges and don’t invest, then we are failing in our duty. That way we can’t project ourselves as a right model for the nation. If we don’t build an environment to create confidence in the youth, who would? If we don’t pick up the tab and plow money into projects like this, who would? We are not asking for tax relief when we invest. We pay taxes, provide jobs and strive to create space for the youth to feel optimistic about their future.”
“People, conveniences and entertainment should be centralized in the provinces across the country and not just in Colombo. Cargills Squares are built on that concept. We continue to believe in the future of Sri Lanka. Cargills commenced its journey in 1983 after July riots. And when the country faced other turbulent events, Cargills PLC navigated through them with determination. We never looked back.”
“As a company we have to fulfill our role for the youth of this country and facilitate and empower them to do their bit to make Sri Lanka a better place to live. Sri Lanka will always be there although we won’t be in it. As long as Sri Lanka is there, Cargills brand will continue its journey together with Sri Lanka. It’s a journey of Sri Lanka and not of Cargills. But Cargills will continue to serve as a right model for the nation. Our collaboration with the farmers and the dairy sector is a good case in point in this regard,”
Responding to a query on the policy framework on doing business in the country, he said,” The policy framework is changing slowly. There is much more to be done. I think as a nation we have understood that we can’t live on free things. Corporates and individuals who have to pay taxes have to pay taxes. However, I am sad to see that taxes are having an impact on the daily wage earners and low-income individuals. So they must be looked after through appropriate mechanisms”, he noted.
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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