Business
Sustainable Energy Authority discourages energy-wasting refrigerators from entering the market
Appliance energy labeling (MEP) is a key programme conducted by SLSEA
Damro, Singer, Abans now facilitating customers to purchase MEP refrigerators
About 30% reduction of electricity bills expected for a participating household
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The single largest expense item in the residential electricity bill is the refrigerator unless the particular house is air-conditioned. The effect is more pronounced when the refrigerator is ageing – typically past ten years of service. In this context, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) launched a pilot refrigerator replacement project on 17th February 2023 at the BMICH. Simultaneously, a Minimum Energy Performance (MEP) label was introduced to 15 models of refrigerators offered by three major appliance Vendors; namely, Damro, Singer and Abans), allowing the customers to choose an efficient model in their next purchase.
The launch was held to encourage the refrigerator suppliers to join the voluntary energy labeling programme and create awareness of the MEP label for refrigerators among the general public.Appliance energy labelling programme is one of the key programmes conducted by SLSEA. The objective of this programme is to progressively reduce the energy consumption of appliances by encouraging energy efficient products to flourish in the market, while discouraging energy wasting products from entering the market. This is achieved by letting the buyers identify energy efficient products at the point of sale through a label carrying important energy usage information.
Once the scheme is elevated to a mandatory programme through regulation, it will be possible to prohibit the manufacturing, importation and sales of inefficient products in the country.Energy labels with star ratings will be gradually introduced to these appliances after the market adapts to MEP labels and stabilises. Display of the MEP label on refrigerators will be on a voluntary basis at present and it will be made mandatory within this year.
Residential electricity users are encouraged to purchase efficient refrigerators with MEP energy labels as a key measure helping to reduce their electricity bills as well as the cost of fuel imports to the country.
The pilot project aims to replace 1,000 old refrigerators with new MEP compliant and energy efficient refrigerators in the Western Province, saving 480,000 kWh of electricity per year. This translates to an approximately 30% reduction of electricity bills of a typical participating household.
The pilot project will be used to measure and document the actual savings and to test an elaborate network of disposal for the discarded refrigerators and related hazardous material. The pilot project is expected to be enlarged to cover the whole country, removing 500,000 units within five years, saving 500GWh of electricity (approximately 3% of national electricity use), SLSEA said.
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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