Business
Big names in the retail industry seek relief measures, PM wants no layoffs
Sri Lanka Retailers Association (SLRA), the apex body of Sri Lanka’s Organised Retail Sector (ORS) consisting of last mile retailers, met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa recently to address the issues and difficulties they are faced with due to COVID pressures in the country.
Representatives of SLRA requested Prime Minister to institute relief measures through the Ministry of Finance for their sector’s smooth functioning in the COVID environment.
During this meeting which was also attended by the representatives from Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA), the Prime Minister requested all Lankan industrialists and business enterprises not to retrench their workers and staff but to safeguard them.
Representatives of SLRA and SLABA apprised the Prime Minister of the various issues the sectors are faced with including obtaining of bank loans, opening letters of credit, vaccination of apparel and retail workers, and difficulties they face with EPF and ETF payments. SLRA members also requested permission to re-open FMCG vendors, supermarkets, clothing, fashion, jewellery, footwear and accessories outlets, household and consumer durable shops, e-commerce vendors, healthcare, wellness, entertainment, food, restaurants and fast food outlets, and shelter housing providers’ outlets, with COVID control measures.
Sectoral representatives informed the Prime Minister that they have faced various business setbacks in the 24 months since the Easter bombings and the COVID outbreak, and therefore, called for relief measures for their sectors from the Ministry of Finance.
The Prime Minister was joined at the meeting by Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Labour Affairs Nimal Siripala De Silva, State Minister of Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products Dayasiri Jayasekara, State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena and officials from the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance.
“We had a very fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. We thank him for giving us an opportunity to discuss these concerns and we appreciate his openness in listening to our grievances. We were also informed that moratoriums on bank loans will be granted to the business community which we are a part of and for which we extend our highest appreciation,” SLRA said.
“We appealed to reduce or postpone utility payments which would reduce our cost burdens as they constitute a significant expenditure for us. Sri Lanka’s organised retail sector is a critical ecosystem in the wellbeing of Lankan customers, families, and livelihoods. It accounts for around one-third of the GDP and over 15% of employment in the country. The FMCG and fashion sub sectors have become key channels of employment for the country’s youth and the entry point for them in modern trade. We are confident of relief measures so that a consumer crisis won’t take place”, Hussain Sadique stated.
Among members of SLRA are FMCG vendors, supermarkets, clothing, fashion and jewelry, household & consumer durables, footwear and accessories, e-commerce, healthcare and wellness, entertainment, restaurants and fast food sellers, and shelter and housing providers.
Members of SLRA include; Keells Super, Cargills Foods, Dilmah, Abans, Singer, Softlogic, Damro, Bata, Di, DSI, Fashion Bug, Cool Planet, Cotton Collection, Vogue Jewellers, Hameedia, Dankotuwa, P&S, No Limit among others.
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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