Business
Mission launched to raise USD 1.5 million in 90 days to secure the futures of 100,000 children in need
In Sri Lanka today, many families are struggling to provide the basic needs of their children and committing their limited resources for educational expenses is becoming increasingly difficult. According to a recent needs assessment by Save the Children, 50% of Sri Lankan families are currently struggling to support their children’s education and some children are already dropping out of school.
Statistics and insights from around the world show that dropping out of school not only affects the child’s socio-economic development, but when compounded, can also lead to the deceleration of economic progress and stunted social development of communities and countries.
Sarvodaya, Sri Lanka’s largest Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with a broadly entrenched community-based development network, has identified one of the immediate obstacles faced by parents from vulnerable communities regarding their children’s continued education – the difficulty in securing essential school supplies.
To address this immediate need and mitigate the long-term negative impact on Sri Lanka’s future, Sarvodaya is launching the ‘Light a Future’ initiative, in partnership with Atlas, Sri Lanka’s leading education brand. The initiative will provide the necessary learning tools to 100,000 children who are most in danger of dropping out of school, giving them the gift of education in the hope of securing theirs and the country’s future.
In its mission to impact the lives of these 100,000 children in need, the Light a Future initiative has set itself the bold target of raising USD 1.5 million in the next 90 days to ensure all 100,000 children receive their essential learning tools packs in time for the 2023 school year. The support of influential corporates and individuals will be critical in reaching and mobilising charitable global communities and Sri Lankans living abroad to secure the necessary funds and create the desired impact.
As the main collaborative partner, Atlas is contributing the necessary funds for 2,500 children and will also be providing subsidised products for the Light a Future initiative. The company has also set up a dedicated team of volunteer Atlas staff who will devote 10,000+ of their work hours for the duration of the project. Together with this dedicated team, the company is funding the setting up of the initiative infrastructure and will be working to reach 3+ million global citizens including global Sri Lankans to ensure the success of the initiative.
Globally renowned Ernst & Young (EY) is onboard the project as the auditing partner and will be auditing the end-to-end process of the initiative to ensure accountability and transparency. Donors will also have the ability to view the status of their contribution via the Light a Future website, which will carry live updates on the progress of their contribution.
With the aim of ensuring the most vulnerable children benefit from the Light a Future initiative, Sarvodaya will select beneficiaries based on specific criteria including families under the poverty line and vulnerable due to disturbed livelihoods, female-led families, persons with disabilities, Samurdhi recipients, daily wage earners, families of affected SMEs and entrepreneurs and children of those institutionalised or in care homes.
All donations will be channelled to Sarvodaya through a secure payment gateway set up specifically for the initiative, and Sarvodaya will procure the learning tools packs in batches of 1,000 as and when donations are collected. For more information visit the Light a Future website at www.lightafuture.com
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
