Business
Seylan records Rs. 3bn PAT
In the backdrop of an extremely challenging environment, Seylan Bank recorded a Profit After Tax (PAT) of LKR 3Bn for the year ended 31 December 2020.
Income Statement
Interest Income of the Bank stood at LKR 52.3Bn while interest expenses stood at LKR 32.8Bn reflecting a Net Interest Income (NII) of LKR 19.5Bn with an annual growth of 4.6% in the year under review. The main contributor for NII was the loans and advances portfolio that generated interest income of LKR 41.7Bn during the year whilst the Treasury operations generated LKR 8.5Bn in interest income. Interest expenses on deposits stood at LKR 27.8Bn recording a decline from LKR 30.7Bn from the previous year. Deposits that were re-priced during the year helped the Bank to reduce its funding cost.
Net Interest Margin (NIM) of the Bank declined to 3.95% against 4.20% reported in FY2019, as the loan book repriced at a faster rate than the deposits. This also offset the positive impact from the growth in low cost deposits.
Net Fee & Commission Income reduced to LKR 3.7Bn from LKR 4.2Bn, recording a YoY contraction of 11.89%. The reduction was mainly due to the lower volume of foreign trade related activities and banking operations by businesses retailers etc.
The Total Operating Income growth of 4.36% predominantly aided by treasury trading activities which improved from a loss of LKR 497Mn in 2019 to a gain of LKR 348Mn in FY 2020. Further, net gains reported from de-recognition of financial assets increased to LKR 782Mn from LKR 320Mn from FY2019 sustained the operating income growth and other operating income reduced by LKR 600Mn mainly due to contraction of trade-related activities during the year.
Bank recorded an impairment charge of LKR 6.9Bn against LKR 3.9Bn reported in 2019 with a growth of 80%. Impairment charges for Stage III advances increased from LKR 3.9Bn to LKR 5.7Bn during the year due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on businesses. Further, businesses that were identified as risk elevated industries too contributed to the increase in impairment. Impairment on Stage I & II also grew from LKR 103Mn to LKR 628Mn and reversal of LKR 246Mn to charge of LKR 359Mn respectively.
Simultaneously, Impairment on other financial instruments and assets also went up by LKR 290Mn, mainly due to downgrading of the credit rating attributed to foreign currency bond holdings. The overall impairment improved the provision cover ratio to 43.68% as of 31 December 2020.
(Seylan Bank)
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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