Business
Hayleys Advantis honours employees for innovation excellence
Hayleys Advantis Limited, the transportation and logistics arm of the Hayleys Group, recently held Advantis Ideastorm Champions League, to recognise the successful implementation of the ingenious ideas which were presented at ‘Advantis Ideastorm’, the ideation programme introduced in 2020.
‘Advantis Ideastorm’ is a platform that encourages employees to generate innovative ideas to enrich existing businesses and introduce new business verticals adjacent to the core businesses under two categories: revenue generation and service optimisation. Under ‘Advantis Ideastorm Champions League’, teams who successfully progressed in implementing their ideas that were submitted during phase one were rewarded based on the level of progress, the value realised, and future potential – both financial and non-financial.
“Advantis Ideastorm serves the dual purpose of driving business excellence through innovation, and rewarding the disruptive thinking of our employees,” said Hayleys Advantis Managing Director Ruwan Waidyaratne said. “It has been exciting to see our teams work together and bring their ideas to life, and the outcomes have been highly encouraging. The Judges were impressed with the quality of the proposals and the strong commitment and enthusiasm displayed in the implementation phase.”
The Board of Directors of Hayleys Advantis, with Dr. Nirmal De Silva, an external consultant of Advantis Ideastorm, who played a vital role in formulating the programme, evaluated the 13 teams who emerged as the finalists of ‘Advantis Ideastorm Champions League’.
“As the leader in the transportation and logistics industry, we strive to maintain excellence through a culture of continuous innovation, which requires us to be disruptive in our thinking,” Hayleys Advantis Chief Strategy Officer and Member of the Group Management Committee Virendra Perera said. He further added, “We encourage innovation and make concerted efforts to incentivise and reward such efforts.”
The Gold Award was won by a team from Advantis 3PL Plus comprising Isuru Jayasooriya, Dharshana Wijemanne, Dayal Sandanayake, Chamika Chathuranga, Chandana Samaraweera, Supun Ranaweera and Sagara Perera. The initiative, which focused on further enhancing the efficiency and reducing customer lead times of one of the Strategic Business Units of the Group, resulted in a substantial reduction of the overall carbon footprint of the operation.
“We take great pleasure and pride in being selected as the overall winners of Advantis Ideastorm Champions League,” said one of the members of the Gold Award winning team. “Our project will be a stepping stone in transitioning from the traditional warehousing model to a future fit fulfilment centre, aligning with the purpose of Advantis; Inspire, Connect and Enrich. This achievement was only possible due to Advantis Ideastorm, which has been proven to be an effective platform to incubate and implement innovative ideas.”
The Silver Award was also won by a team from Advantis 3PL Plus, comprising Gayan Rajapaksha, Malaka Yattigala, Lahiru Udawatta and Kasun Bandara. The Bronze Award was presented to a team from Advantis Ships, comprising Marzook Maazud, Asanka Bodhirathna, Roshan Medonza, Andrew Tan and Lilip Sanjeewa.
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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