Business
Estate welfare officers at Elpitiya Plantations first to receive HRM education
Elpitiya Plantations PLC organised a customised certificate course in Human Resource Management for their plantation welfare officers that was recently completed. The main objective of this was to transform the traditional plantation welfare officer’s role into a HR professional with higher expectations and responsibilities. Elpitiya Plantations PLC is the first Regional Plantations Company (RPC) in Sri Lanka to have implemented a learning programme of this nature.To recognise these employees, an awarding ceremony was held with the participation of the Managing Director, CEO, senior management members of Elpitiya Plantations PLC and the Chief Human Resources Officer of Aitken Spence PLC.
This will be an ongoing programme, intended to build the relevant skills for capable teams at Elpitiya Plantations estates, of which the first phase was completed. The learning programme was conducted over six months and covered many topics from human resources, organisational planning to information technology (IT). These were identified as crucial focus areas to upskill and inculcate the values of the organisation and moreover to uplift the livelihoods of the plantations’ community.There were 58 participants and more than 80% of them were female welfare officers. All participants demonstrated determination and passion during the learning module and essentially on learning the outcomes and how it would benefit them in their career. All modules were conducted by an internal or external professional. The programme also covered attitudinal and behavioural competencies to help participants recognise and value the true meaning of their learning and career progression as majority have not progressed beyond basic educational qualification. At the end of each module, all participants faced an evaluation through an examination and a final project on completion of the entire programme.
16 participants received Distinction among the 58 and two participants that scored the highest results were selected based on their presentations made at the end of the training from each region (up and low country regions). They are Ms. P Abilashini from Fernlands Estate (up country) – 90 and Ms. GLP Sanjeewani from Gulugahakanda Estate (low country) – 92 marks.The upskilled HR teams are appointed at the estate level to carry out new and distinctive HR initiatives with the knowledge and experience they have gained from the programme. Elpitiya Plantations PLC will further evaluate their performance to identify gaps in skills and other proficiencies across their talented teams to ensure they meet the demands of the changing environment.
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
