Business
Cargills inaugurates centralised distribution centre to strengthen economic activity
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC opened its new centralized distribution centre on 8th February 2023, marking yet another milestone. Over the past 40 years Cargills has evolved to become Sri Lanka’s largest food company with its main focus on building markets and supporting the farming community as well as the local entrepreneurs. Cargills philosophy has always been focused on community development and contributing towards a better Sri Lanka.
Located at Katana, the facility has been built with an investment of Rs. 4 billion and spans a 28- acre expanse – a symbol of the company’s continuous commitment to enhance supply chain logistics and improve productivity and efficiency to drive economic activity at the grassroots. This facility has the capacity to distribute 50 000 CBF per day on average.
Deploying the latest in technology across 325,000 sq. this space is dedicated to developing local businesses, from demand planning to cost reduction, the benefit of which will be directly passed on to the consumers. The distribution centre will also enable Cargills to serve small and medium scale entrepreneurs better and offer them easy access to markets while delivering affordable nutrition across the nation. Cargills also has an extensive fleet which covers approximately 45 rounds across Sri Lanka every day, linking all its suppliers across the Island.
Commenting on the opening, Arjuna Kumarasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Cargills Group, said, “Our newest investment is more than a landmark of excellence in operations and technology, it reaffirms our commitment towards developing the nation while uplifting small and medium entrepreneurs and farmers across our island nation through greater integration of our supply chain. This is located centrally, in proximity to the airport and the port to ensure smooth logistics. We believe that our distribution centre will become yet another building block of our journey towards building a sustainable business whilst contributing towards the progress of our nation.”
Reaffirming its commitment to the environment this facility is equipped with one megawatt solar power and a rainwater harvesting system. Furthermore, this facility’s car park has been paved with Plastic Modified Asphalt Concrete (PMAC), wherein 4600 kg of non-recyclable waste plastic has been used for this purpose.
This distribution centre will implement Cargills’ commitment to develop small and medium entrepreneurs, while allowing Sri Lanka to focus on home grown products without relying on imports. Cargills believes that the value created for entrepreneurs and consumers through the centre will reduce the burden at a time when food inflation has reached its highest in the country. At present Cargills has more than 900 suppliers out of which around 320 are small and medium entrepreneurs.
The company has a base of 20,000 farmers who will also benefit from the enhanced infrastructure as the distribution centre has been designed with the intention of expanding in the future to help local food producers and create export opportunities.
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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