Business
JKH Group Revenue and EBITDA, excluding Leisure, up by 5 per cent
Summary of key operational and financial highlights of JKH performance during the quarter under review:
• Despite the isolation measures adopted by the authorities due to the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in early October 2020, which caused a slowdown in business activity and dampened consumer sentiment, the subsequent gradual easing of restrictions enabled the businesses across the Group to recover to near normal levels by December, with the exception of Leisure.
• Group EBITDA excluding the Leisure industry group stood at Rs.5.22 billion during the third quarter of the year under review, which is a 5 per cent increase against the previous year [2019/20 Q3: Rs.4.99 billion].
• The Certificates of Conformity (COC) for the Cinnamon Life office tower and ‘The Suites’ residential tower have been obtained, which will enable hand-over of the residential apartments and office tower to commence, on a staggered basis, from the fourth quarter of 2020/21 onwards.
• The supermarket business continued its positive momentum with overall revenue and EBITDA recording growth over the previous year driven by the contribution from new outlets, despite the closure or limited operations of outlets in certain isolated areas.
• The Insurance business continued its recovery momentum recording encouraging growth in all its channels of distribution, amidst a challenging environment.
• The year-on-year comparison of the Transportation industry group is distorted, primarily since the comparative quarter of the previous year had above-average profitability in the Bunkering business on account of a transition to low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO), well ahead of competition.
• The pace of construction at ‘Cinnamon Life’ continued to gain momentum during the latter part of the quarter despite the disruptions due to the second wave. The business continues to closely monitor the evolving ground situation and resultant impacts on the overall timelines of the hotel and the shopping mall.
• The overall performance and volumes in the Frozen Confectionery, Beverage and Convenience Foods businesses demonstrated a pick-up towards December once activity in the country returned to more normalised levels, although the performance for the quarter was hampered due to the onset of the second wave of COVID-19.
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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