Business
Hayleys Plantations sets regional benchmark with GPTW certification for KVPL & TTEL
Hayleys Plantations set yet another benchmark in the local and regional industry when another subsidiary Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), was ranked as a Great Place to Work (GPTW) in Asia and Sri Lanka, in addition to being recognised as one of the Best Workplaces for Women.
Notably, Hayleys Plantations subsidiary Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL) became the first Regional Plantations Company (RPC) locally and globally to be certified as a Great Place to Work last year. The company was also ranked as the 2nd Great Place to Work in Asia and the Great Place to Work in Sri Lanka. TTEL was also among the 10 Best Workplaces for Women.
“A great place to work certification is unique as it draws on the lived experiences of employees in the organisation. Having scored well on the key criteria surveyed for the certification for the second year running is a testament to the unique policies and processes we have created in collaboration with our employees over generations. Most importantly, we are delighted to have been recognised as a great workplace for women, given that they account for 58% of our workforce. This is a significant milestone for our organisation and the plantations industry,” Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said.
Effectively, KVPL became the second RPC to be GPTW certified locally and globally and has been ranked among the Top 50 Workplaces in SL and Asia. The RPC is also ranked among Asia’s 30 Best Workplaces and the 15 Best Workplaces for Women for 2022.
TTEL achieved similar recognition the previous year and was ranked among the 10 Best Workplaces in the Manufacturing and Production sector in Sri Lanka. The RPC also won the Best Public Limited Company Award and the Gold Award for the extra-large enterprise category.
The certification is based on a comprehensive evaluation of HR protocols and an anonymous employee survey across the entire workforce – from tea harvesters to middle and senior managers. This year’s survey revealed that 98% of KVPL employees found the company a Great Place to Work.
Over the past few years, Hayleys Plantations has rolled out unique industry-first employee-centred initiatives such as digitalising its records to create a centralised system to streamline rewards, recognition and incentives in real-time.
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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