Business
At long last pockets of support emerging for wage reforms in RPCs
The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) has commended the government and trade union representatives for voicing preliminary support for long-overdue reforms to the archaic colonial-era daily attendance-based model in favour of a productivity-boosting modern Revenue Share Model.
The PA’s statement came following tentative support for wage reforms expressed by a high-ranking official of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress on social media. The official stated that a meeting was held with the President to propose a new revenue-sharing model, which aims to strike a balance between workers’ livelihoods and the sustainability of companies to address wage disparities.
While certain stakeholders have advocated limiting workers’ pay to a mere Rs. 1,000, over the years, PA has consistently championed and promoted a model that empowers workers to earn beyond this threshold. “For more than a decade, the PA has steadfastly maintained that the only way for Sri Lankan plantations to achieve operational sustainability is through the abolition of the daily attendance-based model in favour of a revenue share, similar to what has been practiced on tea smallholder estates with enormous success,” PA media spokesperson Dr. Roshan Rajadurai stated.
Dr. Roshan Rajadurai
“While Trade Unions have typically been entrenched in their opposition to such reforms, we are encouraged to see the growing realisation among these stakeholders as to the value of this model for workers. Especially since more RPCs have been exposed to this model of working, they too are pushing Trade Unions to support these reforms to move ahead. We maintain that a revenue share model is the only viable way to ensure the feasibility of Sri Lanka’s tea industry without compromising on our obligation to provide our employees with a sustainable and rewarding livelihood.” Dr. Rajdurai added.
Under the revenue share model, workers stand to benefit from flexible working hours, allowing them greater control over their schedules and improved worker mobility. This flexibility enables other family members to contribute to the earning process, fostering a sense of economic empowerment within plantation communities.
According to PA, empirical evidence demonstrates that harvesters have significantly increased their output from 18 kgs to 24 kgs on estates where productivity-linked wages have been trialled, resulting in earnings surpassing Rs. 65,000. “Several RPCs that have already implemented this system have witnessed remarkable progress, with workers earning two to three times the wage they would have otherwise received. The Revenue Share Model’s flexible working hours have unlocked the potential for increased productivity in previously unharvested areas, addressing labour shortages and boosting overall plantation output,” added Dr. Rajadurai.
PA further emphasized that shifting from the daily wage model to the revenue share model also offers a solution to the escalating migration of labour, exacerbated by recent economic challenges. Currently, the workforce within RPCs has reduced from 300,000 to approximately 100,000. This transition can help reverse the alarming trend of labour migration out of the plantation sector, a critical step if Sri Lanka is to meet its state production targets.
PA is steadfast in its commitment to promoting the revenue share model as a progressive and transformative solution for the plantation sector. PA remains dedicated to ensuring that worker productivity is fairly rewarded, setting the stage for a brighter and more sustainable future for every plantation worker.
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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