Business
Mahindra Ideal Welipenna plant to add 805 Kilowatt solar power to national grid
Marking Founder’s day
Mahindra Ideal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd in Welipenna, a subsidiary of the IDEAL Group is set to add 805 Kilowatt (kW) solar power to the national grid, on 5 September, coinciding the Founder’s Day – the birthday of Nalin Welgama, the company’s Founder and Chairman.
Notably, this groundbreaking event marks the first time-ever that a company engaged in Sri Lanka’s automotive industry will be adding such immense capacity to the national grid and supporting the country’s renewable energy drive.
Contributing to a greener planet and saving the nation’s resources, the Ideal Group’s subsidiaries including Ideal Motors, Ideal Choice and Ideal First Choice have previously established solar power units at its business locations and already benefit from renewable energy and earth-friendly solutions.
Marking significant progress in the use of renewable energy, the following Ideal locations have installed solar power and contribute to the national grid;
* The Ideal Choice Premium Vehicle Workshop in Ratmalana generates 407 KW with a capital of Rs. 55 Mn.,
* Ideal Holdings, Ratmalana office generates 333 KW solar power having invested Rs. 45 Mn.,
* Ideal Motors Main Mahindra workshop at Ratmalana is equipped with a 105 KW from an investment of Rs. 15 Mn.,
* The Yakkala Ideal Motors showroom and Ideal First Choice workshop operates through a 102 KW solar system having invested Rs. 14 Mn,
* The Ideal Motors and Ideal First Choice Showroom workshop at Puttalam have installed a 43 KW system investing Rs. 6 Mn.,
* The Ratmalana Pre Delivery Inspection and Vehicle Yard workshop generates 40 KW through a capital of Rs. 5 Mn., and
* The main Ideal showroom in Wellawatte generates 33 KW solar power through an investment of Rs. 5 Mn.
All these installations have been completed by Ideal Greentech (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Ideal Group, at a cost of Rs. 260 Mn contributing a monumental over 2 Megawatts to the national grid.
Commenting on its sustainability journey, Nalin Welgama stated, “The whole world is now focusing on renewable energy. As Sri Lanka too embraces the potential of renewable energy sources, we at Ideal Group believe it is our national responsibility to focus and contribute towards this national endeavour. Our showrooms and workshops throughout the island generate and use renewable energy and we are extremely proud of achieving a new milestone at our Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipenna which is set to generate 805 KW.”
He further noted, “At Ideal, sustainability is a way of life and a key measure of our success. Not even the rainwater collected at this factory is wasted. We have installed a waste water treatment plant ensuring all water used in our bays are cleaned and reused. Additionally, through the practice of adapting dynamic green concepts we have activated the planting of seedlings throughout the factory.”
Celebrating 5th September, the Ideal Group will also mark another momentous milestone for the nation and the automotive industry with the launch of the second phase at its Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipenna. The foundation stone for the new factory catering to Mahindra Truck assembling will be laid by Mr. Welgama. Upon competition of the factory, which is scheduled for December 2021, the installation of a massive 500 KW solar power system is also slated to take place.
The Mahindra Ideal Lanka plant in Welipeena, Kalutara was commissioned in 2019 through a partnership between India’s diversified global conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra and the Ideal Group. The state-of-the-art production facility built to global standards assembles the Mahindra KUV 100.
Today, the Mahindra KUV 100 has gained immense popularity in the country and become the preferred choice for customers. The plant is also set to assemble Mahindra trucks in the future demonstrating the strength of local manufacturing capabilities.
“At present, across the world, due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, including in Sri Lanka we as a country face grave challenges. However, despite the nation in lockdown and our workplaces not fully operating to their normal capacities, the required electricity for consumption is generate through our solar power systems and being supplied to the national grid. As Sri Lankan businessman, I take great pride in this contribution and urge other companies and individuals to play a larger role in solar power generation for the country, supporting our nation’s future,” he said.
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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