Business
Standard Chartered Sri Lanka named one of the 10 ‘Best Workplaces™ for Women in Sri Lanka’
Standard Chartered Sri Lanka was recently recognised by Great Place to Work® as one of the 10 ‘Best Workplaces™ for Women in Sri Lanka’ in 2021, the Bank announced. The Bank was evaluated in areas related to non-discrimination and fairness with respect to gender, opportunities for career growth, professional development and recognition, involvement in decision-making, regard for both physical and mental health in the workplace, and work-life balance.
Commenting on the Bank’s efforts to ensure gender equity at the workplace was Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka. “Our unique diversity is a powerful asset and we’ve managed to unlock its potential by implementing the necessary policies and practices to motivate more females to be part of Sri Lanka’s workforce. We are proud to champion women in the workplace with 33% of the Country Management Team and 37% of the Country Leadership Team being comprised of female employees. It’s a humbling experience to be able to set an example as one of the top 10 women-friendly organisations in Sri Lanka and we hope that more local organisations will adapt practices to make their workplaces more inclusive for women.”
“The representation of women in the workplace is crucial when creating an inclusive work environment. Our Diversity and Inclusion Standards have enabled us to create a platform that drives all forms of diversity as a collective organisational purpose, enabling progression in the full employee cycle, where women too enter, grow and reach the maximum potential in their career through family-friendly and respectful workplace policies that promote equal opportunities underpinned by performance, free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation,” stated Ransi Dharmasiriwardhana, Head of Human Resources & Country Chair, Diversity & Inclusion, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka.
Last year, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka achieved a gender balance milestone of 50:50 as a result of the Bank’s initiatives under its People and Diversity & Inclusion strategy. One of the key programmes to support the advancement of women is a unique empowerment network, ‘W3’ – Women Win at Work. The W3 provides a platform for women to focus on their health and well-being, professional growth and the inclusion of females in the Bank as well as in the local community.
“We offer our employees flexible working arrangements, paid maternity leave over and above the statutory requirements, near-site childcare options and also have a support system for returning mothers, where a mom-buddy is assigned. It supports female colleagues, post maternity to assimilate back to work and as a result, we saw a 100% maternity return rate in the last financial year. This achievement, along with the recognition as one of the 10 ‘Best Workplaces™ for Women in Sri Lanka’, is a validation of our efforts to create a safe and inclusive work culture at Standard Chartered,” she added.
Amongst some of the initiatives implemented by the Bank to facilitate education, professional development, and career progression of women employees is a study incentive scheme that provides financial assistance to cover costs of a study programme, paid honorarium for banking studies conducted by the Institute of Bankers in the UK or Sri Lanka and access to mentoring and sponsorship programmes driven by the Standard Chartered Group.
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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