Business
Dilmah Tea: A Most Admired Company in Sri Lanka – 2021
Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC has been named one of the 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka for the fourt successive year.
Family Tea company Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC, has been selected – for the fourth consecutive year – as one of the 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka, for performance beyond convention and creating value for shareholders, customers, employees and the wider community, a Dilmah news release said.
The award is jointly made by the International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (ICCSL), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the Daily FT and assurance partner – KPMG.Selection follows comprehensive, independent evaluation by a panel of judges chaired by Ravi Abeysuriya, consisted of Hajar Alafifi, Rolf Blaser, Sunil Dissanayake, Varuni Amunugama Fernando, Santosh Menon, Faizal Salieh, Dr. Sulochana Sigera, and Deepal Sooriyaarachchi.
Following initial financial evaluation by CIMA, a shortlist of the best performing 20 organisations was considered by the judges for their performance across multiple parameters including human relationships, teamwork, innovation, product integrity & value, ethics & sustainability as well as a progressive attitude, the release said.
Dilmah Tea was formed by Merrill J. Fernando with the pledge to serve humanity through business. The fulfillment of that philosophy is underpinned by a commitment to sharing earnings from Dilmah Tea with the less fortunate. With over Rs. 5 billion already spent by the Merrill J. Fernando Foundation, on disability, gender equality, nutrition, education, entrepreneurship development, vocational training, Dilmah additionally funds Dilmah Conservation to promote conservation, restoration and environmental education, it added.
Amidst the pandemic related challenges in the past year the company has maintained its commitment to its people and purpose, with enhanced welfare, medical, nutrition and education initiatives amongst the tea plantation community and a stronger commitment to environmental sustainability. The emphasis the company maintains on sincerely fulfilling its commitment to serving humanity was lauded by the judges, the release said.
Dilmah CEO, Dilhan C. Fernando explained, “Our faith determines our values and our values determine our actions … it was important for us therefore to protect our people and escalate our welfare and health initiatives in the community. The scale of the humanitarian and environmental challenges is unprecedented. Recognizing that the purpose of business is unequivocally changed by these circumstances, we make every effort to honour my father’s commitment to make our business a matter of human service.” Dilmah has been voted ‘Most Trusted Brand’ by consumers in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The company was also selected as one of Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion in 2020. A minimum 15% of the company’s pretax profits is used to support direct humanitarian and environmental initiatives through the work of the MJF Foundation and Dilmah Conservation.
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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