Business
Talawakelle crowned Best Corporate Citizen, Hayleys Group sweep many awards
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Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC takes home 11 awards
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Haycarb and HJS Condiments each win Best Sustainability Project Awards
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Hayleys Fentons and Singer (Sri Lanka) top Construction and Retail Sectors respectively
Hayleys Group subsidiary Talawakelle Tea Estates (TTE PLC) won the coveted Best Corporate Citizen Award for 2023 – the inaugural win for a plantation company in the awards programme’s 20-year history, a company news release said.
Hayleys Group subsidiaries Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), Hayleys Fentons Limited, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, Haycarb PLC and HJS Condiments Limited were all winners at the ceremony, showcasing the diversified conglomerate’s remarkable commitment to sustainability and responsible business across its portfolio, it added.
Hayleys PLC Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage expressed his pride in the achievements: “This recognition is more than just an award; it reflects the Group’s legacy and commitment as a pioneer in corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship. We remain steadfast in implementing the Group’s ESG roadmap, the Hayleys Lifecode, across our operations, fostering sustainable, inclusive growth for the Group, its diverse stakeholders, and the nation.
“I extend my appreciation to the dedicated teams at Talawakelle Tea Estates and all Hayleys Group Companies for exemplifying our purpose; to inspire a more inclusive world and a thriving planet.”
Both Hayleys Plantations companies were named among the Top 10 Best Corporate Citizens for 2023. Talawakelle (TTE PLC) was additionally honored with the Best Corporate Sustainability Award in Category B, while Kelani Valley was recognized as the second runner-up.
It’s impressive haul of 11 awards underscores its holistic commitment to excellence, with its comprehensive integration of sustainable practices across operations, decision-making and corporate culture.
All environmental award categories were won by TTE PLC, including the Triple Bottom Line Award for Environmental Sustainability, Corporate Environmental Commitment, Environmental Integration, and Environment Beyond the Business among others, demonstrating the company’s multifaceted approach to sustainability.
Haycarb PLC and HJS Condiments Limited were recognized for their groundbreaking Sustainability Projects which underscore the Group’s commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship. Haycarb PLC’s Haritha Angara initiative, launched in 2014 has introduced eco-friendly charcoaling practices, encouraging local suppliers to convert their traditional open pit charcoaling sites to environment-friendly closed pits using technology, training and expertise developed by the Haycarb team.
HJS Condiments was recognized for its innovative approach and significant impact on environmental sustainability for its groundbreaking project, aimed at controlling the Melon-fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) incidence in the Cucurbitaceae Family.
Hayleys Fentons was honoured as the Winner in the Construction Sector, reaffirming its industry leadership in solar energy initiatives. The company has played a pivotal role in advancing the nation’s sustainability goals by assisting businesses to achieve their CO₂ reduction targets and empowering society by providing affordable, reliable, and uninterrupted access to clean energy.
Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC was recognized as the winner in the Retail Sector, highlighting its dedication to promoting environmentally friendly products, sustainable consumer practices, and its contribution to the economic empowerment of the communities it serves.
Organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the awards shine a spotlight on sustainability champions in the national corporate arena, promoting initiatives that deliver social and environmental benefits while pursuing profits. Hayleys is the only Sri Lankan corporate to win the Best Corporate Citizen award on five different occasions; Talawakelle Tea Estates is now the first Hayleys company to secure the top honour.
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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