Business
Expolanka Holdings partners Sarvodaya to launch ‘Sabrina Yusoof Women’s Empowerment Initiative’
In an effort to facilitate opportunities for Sri Lankan female-led entrepreneurship, globally diversified conglomerate Expolanka partnered with Sarvodaya to launch the ‘Sabrina Yusoof Women’s Empowerment Initiative.
The project primarily aims to fund low-income female entrepreneurs to establish and enhance their own business ventures, enabling more Sri Lankan women to gain financial independence, by generating their own stable, sustainable incomes.
The initiative will aim to offer selected MSMEs in the Colombo district with access to a grant in order to empower their businesses, and help them adapt to the emerging ‘new normal’. A total of Rs. 24 million has been allocated for the project.
The official launch of the project took place during a special ceremony attended by senior representatives from both organizations including Expolanka Group CEO, Hanif Yusoof accompanied with several board members together with Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement President, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne.
“The development of our nation can only truly start to take place when our nation’s women are fully empowered. With Sabrina Yusoof Women’s Empowerment Initiative, we aim to carefully target financial assistance, advice and technical support to women-led MSMEs that have the potential to grow, and create a positive ripple effect across society. In turn, these businesses can create more opportunities for Sri Lankan women to grow, and achieve their own financial independence. We believe this is the path to enriching our nation, and we are excited to be working with a partner as impactful as Sarvodaya, in order to help Project Empower reach its fullest potential,” Expolanka Group CEO, Hanif Yusoof stated.
The engagement will also see to the appointment of a joint committee, consisting of members from Exploanka and Sarvodaya to track the progress of these businesses and allocate additional funding as they progress.
The first batch of business partners were selected based on their Business Enterprise / Idea, the challenges they faced and the financial requirements thereon. The partners were operating in a range of industries from food, handicraft, garments, tailoring, footwear, stationary to beauty care and ornamental fish.
Commenting on the program, Sarvodaya President, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne said: “Our engagement with Expolanka aims to provide holistic support that will create an enabling environment for female-led enterprises to revive and thrive. This will be accomplished through the delivery of financial resources, as well as technical support that will help these ventures to adapt and build resilience in a post-COVID environment. Our vast infrastructure and competencies will be well augmented by Expolanka’s support, and passion for delivering success on this project.”
The launch of the project will be the first in a series of engagements that will be commissioned by the ‘Sabrina Yusoof Women’s Empowerment Initiative’ in order to catalyze opportunities for female entrepreneurs.
Project Empower was first initiated by the late Sabrina Yusoof, Head of Sustainability at Expolanka, who worked with tireless commitment, love and passion towards creating a more prosperous and inclusive Sri Lanka. These initiatives are dedicated in her memory, in honour and celebration of her life and in accordance with her vision.
Expolanka as an organization has always been in the forefront in supporting important socially driven, sustainable, entrepreneurship programs which is at the core of its Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
