Business
Kapruka to play a dominant role in B2B e-commerce marketplace
Kapruka Holdings Limited, the pioneering e-commerce platform that has evolved into Sri Lanka’s largest locally owned e-com platform, announced plans for the launch of Kapruka B2B; a dedicated B2B platform for bulk purchases. The platform which combines the convenience, value and reliability of Kapruka’s high quality order fulfilment with other value-added features, is aimed at helping businesses streamline their purchasing operations. Kapruka B2B is one of the several new initiatives the Company wishes to fund through its upcoming IPO.
Discussing plans for the launch of Kapruka B2B, Dulith Herath – Founder and CEO said, “The demand for B2B ecommerce solutions is growing exponentially, worldwide, and this trend is catching on here too. The time is now ripe for a locally grown, world class B2B ecommerce solution. Thus, Kapruka B2B, backed by Kapruka’s expertise, reputation and quality of order fulfilment, will help lead the way to creating a vibrant B2B ecommerce marketplace in Sri Lanka. Global giants like Amazon and Alibaba have led the way in this and created huge B2B marketplaces worth trillions of dollars. Our own research also indicates that many businesses in Sri Lanka, big and small, are looking to do their purchasing online. Thus, we see immense potential in this new initiative, which will be partly financed by the capital we intend to raise through our IPO.”
Kapruka B2B will be operated by Kapruka E-commerce (Private) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kapruka Holdings Limited. The B2B marketplace will launch with a focus on grocery items and will later expand to include other categories of wholesale goods including fruits, vegetables and other products. The Company expects to channel 55.5 million rupees from the IPO proceeds towards the Kapruka B2B platform, with development and implementation scheduled to be completed in phases across 2023 and 2024.
The Company plans to use the IPO proceeds to fund its expansion and growth plans, which include upgrading existing technology and infrastructure, alongside launching Kapruka Platform Services, which will carry several new initiatives such as Kapruka B2B.
Founded in 2002, Kapruka is Sri Lanka’s first and largest locally owned e-commerce enterprise. The company, through its website, facilitates online purchases of goods for its Sri Lankan and expatriate customer base. The Company has a well-integrated supply chain and sells its own-label products, predominantly, Kapruka cakes, flowers and value-added fruits and vegetables.
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
