Business
John Keells introduces an equal 100 days of maternity and paternity leave as parental leave
In another significant step towards strengthening Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), the John Keells Group introduced equal maternity and paternity leave days as Parental Leave commencing August 2022.
While the Group will continue to offer 100 days of maternity leave on the birth or adoption of a child, the 5-days of paternity leave will be enhanced to 100 days, ensuring equity, and recognising the importance of both parents’ roles in early childcare. Further, as the Group understands that each family may have circumstances unique to them, during the birth of their child or children, there is flexibility built into how an employee can avail of the 100 days of Parental Leave.
Speaking on the initiative Krishan Balendra, Chairperson John Keells Group said “one of the key objectives of offering equal number of maternity and paternity leave days is to eliminate discrimination associated with recruiting women, due to potential instances of maternity leave. With the Group’s 5-year goal of achieving 40% women in the workforce, it is imperative that we address gender biases at every stage of a person’s career within the John Keells Group.”
With the enhancement of the number of paternity leave to 100 days at the birth or adoption of a child, the Group aims to provide support to partners in the workforce outside of John Keells. This flexible arrangement will enable working women to return to their respective workplaces after their maternity
leave, thereby truly strengthening our commitments on DE&I to the wider society. The Group drives DE&I under the brand ONE JKH and works towards achieving gender parity by increasing female participation in the workforce and empowering women in the supply chain and communities, increasing career opportunities for persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusivity of the LGBTIQ+ community.
John Keells Holdings PLC is Sri Lanka’s premier diversified company on the Colombo Stock Exchange operating over 70 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors, providing employment to over 14,000 persons. The company has been ranked as Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected Entity’ for 16 Years by LMD Magazine and ranked first in the Transparency in Corporate Reporting Assessment by Transparency International Sri Lanka for 2 consecutive years. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a Participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of
“Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through the John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
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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