Business
A Brick at a Time: How RYTHM Foundation is supporting low-income, conflict-affected Sri Lankans
RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of the global QI Group, embarked on a Sustainable Community Project (SCP) in Sri Lanka in 2019 to rebuild the lives of 500 low-income families in one of the country’s poorest districts post the Sri Lankan Civil War.
A legacy of the project is a brick manufacturing facility that has contributed to gradually rebuilding the lives of residents in Mullaitivu district, where more than 70% of households live below the poverty line.
The project is a collaboration between RYTHM, LEADS Sri Lanka, and Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka. The NGOs LEADS and Habitat are actively involved in transforming lives and building homes for low-income families across Sri Lanka.
The facility is far from a conventional brick factory. Instead, the plant produces compressed stabilised earth bricks (CSEB) – an eco-friendly alternative to cement blocks. Raw materials used in the production of CSEBs are responsibly sourced. In addition, the bricks are cured naturally with solar power instead of wood-fired furnaces that contribute to deforestation and air pollution.
The plant has changed innumerable lives in the district – and naturally for the better.
Although he was rehabilitated and reintegrated into society after the 26-year confrontation ended, Thevathason faced extreme difficulty landing a job – until he was employed as a labourer in the factory. As a result, he is finally earning a decent wage to sustain his family.
Another inspiring narrative involves Radeesh, a young man who struggled to repay his debts as he desperately tried to rebuild his family home after the conflict. Today, he is employed as a driver in the factory and hopes to save enough money to provide a decent life for his family and provide a permanent roof over their heads.
Sivakumari is another beneficiary of the community sustainability project. She has the manufacturer to thank for her project office job and a stable income after being displaced by the war and abandoned by her husband.
Yet another poignant story is that of Paraman and his family. They lived in numerous camps during the war before returning home with a sick child. Again, the factory played a significant role in helping the family reconstruct their property.
RYTHM has supported several initiatives that encourage and empower communities throughout Sri Lanka. The country is especially close to the heart of its Founder, Umayal Eswaran, who was born and raised in Colombo.
Nonetheless, Umayal is as passionate about uplifting vulnerable communities elsewhere in the world.
“Projects that encourage livelihood generation and self-sustenance are needed among all affected communities no matter where they are,” Umayal says. “RYTHM Foundation believes in contributing towards making such efforts a reality.”
RYTHM’s SCP initiatives help transform economically affected populations worldwide into self-sufficient communities in the long term. The programme has helped innumerable beneficiaries – from children to women, urban poor to rural communities, to social and micro-enterprises.
Local partners are provided grants to establish and facilitate programmes that promote and strengthen the Foundation’s three primary focus areas: Education, Gender Equality, and Sustainable Human Development. The initiative also embraces a fundamental RYTHM goal: empowering lives and transforming communities.
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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