Business
Seylan Bank among the ‘Very Best Sri Lankan Corporates’
Seylan Bank has affirmed its position among the topmost corporates in the country by featuring in the Business Today Top 30 ranking for listed entities. Despite the many challenges posed by unprecedented events during the year, the stability and unwavering commitment to excellence has ensured the presence of the ‘Bank with a Heart’ in this elite ranking, the company announced.
Listed entities made it to the ranking for the financial year 2019-2020, with the companies being evaluated on performance and their focus on sustainable business practices with social consideration. Seylan Bank has been in the forefront of innovation and customer service, ensuring the Bank’s customers got the best service in the limited operating environment afforded by the pandemic and the bank continued to support its clientele in all its financial needs.
“Throughout this financial year, the Bank has operated in a challenging environment with unprecedented upheavals. Despite the negativity that surrounded us, I am grateful for efforts of the Seylan Team in achieving the results we did both in terms of our own financials, but also in assisting our wide network of customers to overcome extremely difficult economic conditions. Our presence in this august ranking is an affirmation that we are on the right path, and that we will come out on top with innovation and a growth mindset.” Kapila Ariyaratne, CEO, Seylan Bank stated, commenting on the recognition.
In ranking Seylan Bank as a top corporate, the listing also considered the Bank’s social responsibility. This year, Seylan developed and implemented an environmental and social management policy to ensure sustainability through reduction of the environmental and social impact from commercial activity. The policy is structured to create economic prosperity while protecting the environment.
“Seylan Bank was endorsed as a financially stable organization with performance excellence across the board by Fitch Ratings earlier this year, with the bank’s national long-term rating revised to ‘A’ (lka). The bank was also ranked second among public listed companies for transparency in corporate reporting by Transparency Global and is now part of the S&P Dow Jones SL 20 Index. These achievements are a testament to Seylan Bank’s financial stability and unwavering dedication to ensuring excellence across all aspects.” Ariyaratne added.
Seylan Bank has always been the growth partner of choice for SME customers, focusing on their needs during the pandemic and also established 13 regional credit hubs to improve the interaction with and speed of delivery to the SME clientele. The Bank is fully committed to engage with this important segment of the nation’s economy and nurture its growth as the economy rallies. The bank upgraded its digital infrastructure to provide better value and convenience to customers through a more user-friendly digital banking environment, a strategy that proved immediate value in the backdrop of the island wide lockdown earlier in the year when Seylan customers received uninterrupted service despite being confined to their homes.
The Business Today TOP 30 is based on published information of companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange and social considerations. The companies have been selected on the basis of their performance recorded during the financial year ending December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 with the assistance of KPMG Sri Lanka.
Seylan Bank, the Bank with a Heart, operates with a vision to offer the ultimate banking experience to its valued customers through cutting-edge technology, innovative products, and best-in-class services. The Bank has a growing clientele of SMEs, Retail and Corporate Customers, and has expanded its footprint with 173 branches, 70 Cash Deposit Machines, 66 Cheque Deposit Machines, and an ATM network of 216 units across the country. For more information on products and services please visit www.seylan.lk
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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