Business
Aitken Spence, the only Sri Lankan company in the Top 100 Global Companies for Sustainability 2022
Aitken Spence PLC has been recognised in the global ranking of Top 100 Companies in Sustainability 2022, in an independent assessment carried out by the ‘Sustainability’ magazine which is an established international publication. Aitken Spence is the only Sri Lankan company to have been included in this ranking of global industry leaders such as Nissan, Lenovo, Novo Nordisk, Accenture, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, PWC, Ernst & Young and KPMG to name a few with Schneider Electric taking the highest position in the ranking. The DPD Group, who operates in Sri Lanka with Aitken Spence as its network partner, is also listed in this ranking.
The ‘Sustainability’ magazine is a trusted, leading voice on sustainability with a global platform, with a targeted audience of global executives. It is a digital community for the global sustainability space that connects the world’s largest sustainability brands and their most senior executives with the latest trends, industry insight, and influential projects as the world embraces technology and digital transformation. This is a matter of pride for Aitken Spence as well as the private sector in Sri Lanka for illustrating leadership in sustainability.
Commenting on this recognition, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayaka – Deputy Chairman & Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC said “At Aitken Spence, we manage the triple bottom line by controlling the fourth P – the processes we use to run our operations. This recognition is an appreciation to every single Spensonian who has passionately embraced the Group’s commitments to sustainability. It is their effort coupled with the unwavering support of the senior management of the company that has put our sustainability strategy on the global map. It is what kept us going as we worked through some of the toughest times, we have faced in the last couple of years without compromising on our commitments to sustainability. We are truly humbled by this recognition at a global platform.”
Aitken Spence took an integrated, systemic approach to sustainability more than a decade ago, well ahead of their peers. The company focused on institutionalising policies and procedures to ensure social and environmental governance and sustainability. The company’s comprehensive policy framework was developed in-house by the Group’s core sustainability team taking in the nature and scale of environmental and social impacts, stakeholder needs, lessons learnt, and experience gained across the Group’s diversified operations in 8 different countries. Despite the challenges of diversified operations with a plethora of diverse priorities, this policy ensured replicability across all their operations with its unique framework. It is no surprise that this policy framework has been classified as ‘Best in Class for Policy Coverage’ in local indices for corporate accountability as well. Aitken Spence is also the only company in Sri Lanka to have been ranked among the Top Ten Best Corporate Citizens of Sri Lanka by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for an unparalleled 16 consecutive years, showing their consistent commitment to create sustainable value.
Aitken Spence is credited for introducing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified architecture to the hospitality industry with Heritance Kandalama, the world’s first LEED certified hotel. More recently, the company introduced LEED architecture to the Maldives with Heritance Aarah. The company also owns and operates the first LEED certified, carbon neutral, green printing facility in South Asia which connects global brands to local printing and packaging solutions. Aitken Spence also marks 1 year since they launched Sri Lanka’s first waste to energy power plant amidst a global pandemic. This year, Aitken Spence will mark 20 years as one of the first signatories to the United Nations Global Compact in Sri Lanka. An active member of its steering committee, the company also leads the Working Group on Human Rights at the Workplace while participating in the Working Groups on Gender and Climate Action. Aitken Spence was also one of the first companies in the world to become signatory to the Women’s Empowerment Principles.
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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