Business
Brandix reaffirms commitment to provide and preserve water
World Water Day 2022
This ‘World Water Day’ which falls on 22nd March, Brandix recognises the importance of providing resources for clean water and sanitation to uplift the living standards of those in the community, and also the preservation of water to face the complex challenges of global climate change.
Over a decade and a half ago, Brandix committed to providing its employees and their families with access to clean water, under its Manusathkara initiative. With the completion of over 4,200 ‘Care for Our Own’ projects spanning across the country from Batticaloa to Koggala, the Brandix Group has ensured that all employees have access to clean water, for drinking and for household needs. In Sri Lanka and much of the developing world, the benefits of such programmes most significantly impact women and girls who would otherwise spend valuable time collecting water, thus preventing them from pursuing educational and economic opportunities.
Furthering its efforts beyond employees of Brandix, the ‘Model Village’ programme aims to resolve water-related issues faced by people living in close proximity to a Brandix factory. The Group supports both individuals and institutions such as schools, hospitals, community centres and places of worship, which are key to the wellbeing of society. Today, over a quarter of a million people benefit from the Model Village programme.
Both the Care for Our Own and Model Village programmes have been appreciated by the beneficiaries, especially in the pandemic situation, where the attention to hygiene plays a significant role in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
In celebration of World Water Day this year, Brandix will hand over a further 87 completed ‘Care for Our Own’ water projects to employees and their families. The Group has also partnered with the Department of National Community Water Supply and has initiated a wall art initiative at Model Village Schools. Themed ‘Water is Life’, this initiative aims to create awareness amongst the future generations on the importance of safeguarding water resources through a creative and engaging platform.
For truly transformative change, Brandix understands the equal importance of water in the light of care for community and sustainable initiatives to conserve this scarce resource in response to climate change. The Group’s environmental sustainability framework is anchored to the pillars of Air, Water and Earth, and at its core is the aim to become a truly sustainable manufacturer leading the efforts to address the complex challenges that face the planet today.
A multi-pronged approach for resource optimisation is currently implemented and continuously enhanced, with the Group’s goal of achieving Zero Water Wastage by 2023. Recent highlights include several factories being added to the initiative of channeling condensed water recovery towards more effective use for the cooling towers of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. As already implemented in the Batticaloa and Rambukkana manufacturing facilities, Brandix is also taking steps to roll out the Zero Liquid Discharge initiative to other locations, whilst rainwater harvesting infrastructure across the Group has also been further enhanced. Through these composite efforts, the Group has achieved a 19% reduction in water intensity for the financial year 2020/21.
As Brandix continues these efforts, the Group hopes to inspire more individuals and organisations to join hands and stitch care for the community and sustainability, into the very fabric of daily living and businesses.
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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