Business
KVPL wins prestigious UNV Award for service to plantations communities
In celebration of its remarkable positive impacts on estate workers and communities, Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), a member of the Hayleys Plantations Sector, was honoured with a United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Award in the Corporate Sector category at the 50th United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Golden Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations.
The United Nations Volunteers Sri Lanka presented 50 awards to individuals and organisations that have contributed to the country’s development efforts through volunteerism. This honour marks the first occasion in the Sri Lankan Plantations Sector’s rich 150+ year history that a Regional Plantations Company (RPC) has won a UNV Award, bolstering efforts taken at the source of one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic export industries.
“We are honoured by the recognition we have been given and the global visibility this provides our ethically-sourced tea exports. We are grateful for the active participation and unique engagement of our Plantations’ Management to support and care for these communities 24/7, 365 days a year. As a pioneer in sustainable and ethical plantations management, KVPL will continue to make the development of the sector, and all who are connected to it our utmost priority.
“This overall commitment exemplifies the values of the Hayleys Group and is representative of our pioneering HRM model, which transcends traditional approaches to continuously raise the quality of life of our direct workforce and dependents, in collaboration with local and international bodies,” Hayleys Plantations Managing Director, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said.
The RPC was recognised for multiple environment protection projects with thousands of volunteers, such as tree planting, organic rubber, and municipal waste compost projects, in addition to conducting awareness programmes on child protection, and developing universal tools for sustainable business practices.
KVPL’s flagship ‘A Home for Every Plantation Worker’ programme is a voluntary holistic commitment across the management, staff and estate workers, supporting the well-being of a 60,000+ strong plantations community. From medical camps to awareness programmes, child and maternal care activities, development work on living facilities, drinking water schemes and other community capacity development initiatives, Kelani Valley Plantations has adopted a relentless multi-pronged approach to safeguarding the interests of its workforce and the broader estate community.
Notably, the company was the first RPC in Sri Lanka to adopt a comprehensive “Child Protection Policy” in partnership with the Save the Children Fund, including establishing child protection focal points and child protection committees.
The past year saw the establishment of voluntary community efforts headed by KVPL Estate Managers to protect lives and overcome the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the potential vulnerability of its workforce and their families to the pandemic, Hayleys Plantations mobilized its entire workforce to raise awareness on measures to prevent COVID-19. As a result, the team was able to complete a 100% vaccination drive in partnership with local health authorities, in turn ensuring zero casualties amongst its estate workers.
“The prolonged lockdowns necessitated by the pandemic threat posed difficulties to estate communities in accessing food and other essentials. Across estates, our team never hesitated to put themselves at the frontline, making a concerted effort to purchase, pack and deliver essential provisions in addition to implementing the required safety and hygiene measures beyond the workforce to the surrounding communities as well. Recognising that income streams would be affected, the team also visited our estate workers’ homes and engaged them in the fields to actively promote the outgrower model,” Kelani Valley Plantations General Manager – HR and Corporate Sustainability, Anuruddha Gamage said.
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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