Business
Brandix strengthens gender equality focus with support from UNFPA
Colombo, October 18, 2021 – Leading Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer Brandix has embarked on a journey to strengthen the company’s gender equality policies and procedures with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to support and provide an inspiring workplace culture for its employees.
In line with this agreement, Brandix together with UNFPA, the lead UN Agency working towards prevention and response to gender-based violence in Sri Lanka, will collaborate to build awareness on the Abuse and Harassment-Free Policy for Brandix. This will entail reviewing the carefully developed policy of Brandix, providing technical assistance for further enhancement and delivery, and conducting sensitization and training sessions for internal stakeholder groups.
Navchaa Suren, Representative a.i. for UNFPA in Sri Lanka, and Ishan Dantanarayana, Group Chief People Officer of Brandix, formally signed the agreement on the collaboration.
As an organization with nearly 90% female representation across its employee base, Brandix’s zero-tolerance Abuse and Harassment-Free Policy and grievance procedure enables employees to report any form of abuse or harassment in the workplace. The Policy extends Brandix’s Code of Conduct and goes into depth on how everyone must be treated with dignity, equality, respect, and ethics – and the importance of personal and organizational accountability in ensuring a safe and inclusive workplace for all.
“As a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), Brandix has always strived to operate in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and this policy is one such significant step towards achieving SDGs 5 and 8, ‘Gender Equality’ and ‘Decent Work & Economic Growth’. Female employees represent the majority of our organization’s workforce and ensuring a respectful and safe work environment is a commitment we consistently strive to deliver on. We greatly value the technical support and guidance from UNFPA to align Brandix’s gender equality policies with global best practices. We will ensure that it is effectively actioned and continue our efforts to provide an inclusive work environment for our team members with their wellbeing as our priority,” stated Ishan Dantanarayana, Group Chief People Officer at Brandix.
Navchaa Suren, Representative a.i. for UNFPA in Sri Lanka stated, “Gender equality is a human right. Women are entitled to live with dignity, and freedom from want and from fear. It is also a precondition for advancing development and the eradication of poverty, as empowered women can contribute more productively to communities and nations. UNFPA is pleased to provide technical support to Brandix to roll out its Abuse and Harassment-Free Policy.”
Over the ensuing months, Brandix will focus on increasing awareness and sensitivity to abuse and harassment in the workplace through focused training programs conducted with the support of UNFPA. With values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence (RITE) ingrained in its DNA, Brandix will continue to work towards an inspiring workplace for all – devoid of any bias or discrimination and committed to inclusivity.
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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