Business
Rythm Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs in partnership with Sarvodaya
Over 400 young women from vulnerable communities in Jaffna and Kilinochchi are being empowered with entrepreneurial skills to enable them to overcome poverty and build sustainable livelihoods under a unique initiative undertaken by Sarvodaya and RYTHM Foundation.
RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of the QI Group, focuses its efforts in the areas of education for all, gender equality and sustainable community development, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the foundation operates in several countries to make a difference around the world, which includes a strong presence in Sri Lanka.
Since 2018, the foundation has collaborated with various local organisations around the country to facilitate sustainable development in underserved communities. This includes creating employment opportunities through a social enterprise project in the northern province, as well as promoting the social inclusion of persons with special needs in the Kandy district.
Sri Lanka holds a special place in the heart of the foundation as the birthplace of its chairperson, Umayal Eswaran. Having grown up in Colombo with altruistic parents who had an open-door policy of extending help to anyone who required it, Umayal has always had an innate sense of philanthropy that fuels her passion to uplift others. Thus, the principle the foundation was built upon – Raise Yourself To Help Mankind – and its ongoing quest to lend support to the most vulnerable segments of communities around the world.
“I believe it should be a second nature for humanity to reach out and help those who are in need, weak or vulnerable. When we have the capacity and resources to uplift struggling communities, we must do everything in our power to do so. It is our duty as citizens of the world. I am particularly grateful to be able to give back to the nation that raised and nourished me in my youth with the work that we have been doing through RYTHM Foundation,” said Umayal.
The current project with one of RYTHM’s earliest on-the-ground partners, Sarvodaya, kicked off in 2019 and despite COVID-19 related snags, hopes to continue until its completion this year. Courses in tailoring, beauty culture, mobile repairing, motor mechanics, craft, baking, cake decorating, food processing and many more are offered to young women from economically challenged circumstances to build their life skills under the programme.
It also addresses a lack of access to markets, technology and financial resources and provides training in leadership, entrepreneurship and small business management skills including workshops on engaging with microfinance institutions and banks.
Young women who have consistently faced challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of skills in communities that are mostly made up of female-headed households, are often exposed to gender-based violence and often have to give up their higher education aspirations. Yet, the project has given them confidence and the ability to rise above their circumstances.
Courageous and talented participants such as Siyanuka from Thellipala who learnt business skills in manufacturing leather goods under the initiative, are thriving with their self-employment ventures.
“My family was not very supportive at the start but with the aid from Sarvodaya & RYTHM, I was able to start my leather products business and build a network of clients with my father’s support too” she says.
K. Sayanthini from Visuvamadu East is yet another young woman who was trained as a beautician under the programme. Today, she has built a successful beauty business and provides her services to her community.
These women and many others have had their livelihood potential enhanced while entire communities have benefitted from the project. RYTHM Foundation & Sarvodaya are pleased to have empowered these women economically to transform their lives through this partnership. The foundation hopes to continue working with vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka through collaboration with other grass root level partners such as Sarvodaya.
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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