Business
Cargills backs agricultural households on educating their children
‘Sarubima Fund’ to complete awarding 774 scholarships worth Rs.25 million this year
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Cargills agri value chain which has established itself as one of the most successful networks in the country, continues to pay tribute to its farmer partners by supporting and empowering their children to achieve academic excellence.In 2008, Cargills established a farmer welfare fund ‘Sarubima’ in Thanamalwila, by contributing 50 cents for every kilogram of produce purchased from farmers to launch an educational scholarship program for farmers’ children who excel in Grade 5, Ordinary Level and University Entrance exams. This contribution has continued to date. Furthermore, a part of the fund was allocated for community development projects including, providing access to safe drinking water and building children’s playgrounds in rural schools to name a few.
This year, the Cargills’ Sarubima fund will be awarding 774 scholarships worth Rs.25 million to farmer children who have excelled in academics. The awardees include 194 students at Grade 5, 375 at Advanced Level, 158 at university and 47 for vocational training. In addition, 32 community development projects have been planned which include health camps and eye camps for farmers, and water supply and sanitary facility projects urgently required by selected rural schools and hospitals.
Since the inception of the fund, over 2,500 scholarships have been awarded to farmer children and over 100 community projects have been undertaken which include water purification projects, school libraries and upgrading sanitary facilities in rural schools. In 2014, the Sarubima Fund was extended to all Cargills vegetable, fruit, and milk collection centers, benefiting over 20,000 agri and dairy farmers across the country. In 2018, Cargills Sarubima took a step towards national agriculture development with the start of the Agriculture Modernization Project. This project is a model for climate-smart, profitable, and environment-friendly production of a range of GAP certified fresh produce.
‘Sarubima’ is an epitome of Cargills’ commitment to empowering rural agri and dairy farmers in Sri Lanka.
The Company’s investments in collection centers, refrigerated trucks and improved logistics have enabled direct collection of fresh produce from the farmer, giving them the peace of mind of having a strong, trusted partner to connect them with the end-consumer in a hassle-free manner.
Some of its key achievements include minimizing post-harvest loss of fruit and vegetables and eliminating middlemen from the supply chain which ensure a lower price to consumers while ensuring higher prices for farmers. In addition to purchasing milk and agri produce at a guaranteed price, Cargills has improved the productivity, quality and sustainability of farmers’ production, thereby enhancing rural livelihoods and transforming traditional farmers to agri-entrepreneurs.
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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