Business
Hayleys Plantations to hold International Sustainability Summit
Event takes place at BMICH Colombo on 21st July
Most prominent speakers to share insights
Buyers across the world to join online
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Hayleys Plantations, a leader in progressive plantations management in Sri Lanka, is convening an International Sustainability Summit on 21 July 2023 at BMICH Colombo.
The forum will be bringing together local and global experts to share their expertise and explore innovations to enhance the sustainability practices of the plantations industry. The full-day event will see active participation of academia, government / non-government authorities and research institutes.
Organised under the theme: ‘Towards Sustainable Plantations – Reimagined | Redesigned | Resilient’, the summit aims to forge new pathways for collaboration and integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into modern plantation management strategies.
Commenting on the initiative, Hayleys Plantations Managing Director, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said: “We are proud to unveil the International Sustainability Summit, as it is a unique opportunity to bring together stakeholders across the industry to share best practices and drive long-term change towards sustainable management. The initiative will serve as a platform for meaningful conversation and collaboration while driving positive change and innovation across the industry.”
“We have a responsibility as a leading group in the plantation sector to get the collaboration of other plantation companies that have a stake in the sector to create a sustainable plantation eco-system. Dr. Rajadurai said.
Responding to a question from The Island Financial Review whether the Summit also aims at attracting climate financing from global funding agencies, he said,” Yes, exactly. We are aiming at a public, private and the State’s partnership in this context. Ceylon Tea is a globally recognized brand as it is most sustainably and ethically produced. So we want to convey the message across the globe that Ceylon tea is unique. And when the industry does well, all the stakeholders will get the benefit from that effort.”
Hayleys Plantations further noted that a large number of overseas buyers will be logging in to follow the entire proceedings of the Summit and that will give them a broader awareness about the sustainability practices adopted by the plantation sector in Sri Lanka, which will help increase the volumes of exports from Sri Lanka.
The Summit will focus on the integration of BIO (Biosphere), GEO (Geosphere), SOCIO (Social), and ECONO (Economy) towards sustainable, ethical, and equitable value sharing in Plantations Management Models. The objectives of the summit include identifying unique sustainable factors that define the long-term stability of business processes, proposing potential long-term solutions for current challenges, building a platform for multi-sector collaboration for common challenges, and driving long-term best practices to further encourage sustainable multi-stakeholder choices.
Comprising of the three top-rated Regional Plantation Companies, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL) and Horana Plantations PLC (HPL), the Hayleys Plantations sector owns 60 tea and rubber estates covering approximately 26,137 hectares of land spanning three distinctive agro-climatic regions.
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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