Business
SL turning blind eye on lead poisoning in occupational environments – CEJ
By Ifham Nizam
Lead poisoning in the occupational environment is glaringly ignored in Sri Lanka. The authorities should take immediate steps to introduce health screen facilities for informal sector workers, especially those engaged in occupations with a high exposure risk, for, prevention is better than cure, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) yesterday warned while welcoming International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action – 2023.
CEJ Executive Director, Dilena Pathragoda said, however, that compared to many countries Sri Lanka has a good position on lead content in paint by having most paints in the market recording below 90 ppm, the standard recommended by the WHO.
Pathragoda added; “This was a result of long-term research, advocacy, and awareness carried out by the Centre for Environmental Justice. But, on the other hand, there are several paint types in the market today that are not necessarily included in the legal categorization of paints, such as, board paint, fabric paint, wood paint and roofing paint. Therefore, we recommend their recognition in the law.
“However, those engaged in battery manufacturing and recycling, scrap collectors and those who handle electronic waste and dismantle them for resource recovery, personnel involved in demolition, renovation, automobile/ radiator repair, plastic/ glass manufacturing, iron/ steel works, welding/soldering, road construction, lead smelting, propeller engine, aircraft maintenance, are vulnerable to lead exposure.
“To reduce lead poisoning there should be legal provisions and systematic implementation processes in place for these workplaces.
“Lead is a heavy metal as well as a known toxic. According to the WHO, lead exposure is estimated to account for 21.7 million years lost due to disability and death (disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs) worldwide. Around 1 million people die from lead poisoning while millions more, including children, are exposed to various diseases resulting from lead poisoning. According to UNICEF at least 1 out of 3 children contains blood lead exceeding 5 µg/dl (micrograms per deciliter), which could potentially lead to neurological impacts, such as lowered IQ, impaired learning ability, and other health issues, such as, anemia, hypertension, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs.
“The WHO, along with the United Nations Environment Programme, has announced the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, to be held in the last week of October every year. In 2023, it falls between 22nd and 28th October, marking the 11th year of this annual endeavor, which was launched in 2013. It was initiated with the aim of raising awareness among the public, governments, businesses and all stakeholders related to sources of lead exposure and for the purpose of taking preventive measures.
“Within the Sri Lankan context, sources of lead exposure could be lead in solvent-based paints, plastic or rubber toys contaminated with lead or toys painted with lead-contaminated paint, porcelain products, school equipment, beauty products and recycling of lead-acid batteries or car batteries as well as other electronic waste (E-Waste).”
“According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead is 50 µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) of lead over an eight-hour time-weighted-average for all employees. But, does Sri Lanka maintain this standard?” asks Chalani Rubesinghe, Project Planning and Management Officer, CEJ.
“No data is to be found in the Sri Lankan context of the average blood lead level of our informal sector workers. The occupational exposure creates pathways for exposure in children as lead-contaminated clothes and soil lead to secondary exposure. Therefore, it is important that we pay attention to both occupational and environmental exposure pathways of lead, she added.
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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