Business
Cargills supports SMEs in Jaffna with new markets and technical assistance
Cargills has extended its Village to Home program to Jaffna to support SMEs in the region. The program commenced in January 2023 as the company leveraged its vast infrastructure and expertise to provide small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the Northern Province with a unique opportunity to access its large customer base and secure a consistent income stream.
Cargills worked closely with the Divisional Secretariats of Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Kilinochchi to identify deserving SMEs from the region, who were featured every weekend at the Cargills Square mall in Jaffna. The District Secretariat of Jaffna has commended Cargills for strengthening over 40 SMEs from the locality, during the first 05 months of the year. The company has plans to expand this program to include more budding local entrepreneurs in the area, with the support of the District Secretariat.
Known for its pioneering spirit, Cargills was one of the first corporates to invest in the Northern Province. Since establishing the first Cargills FoodCity in Vavuniya back in 2004, the company has made numerous investments in the North with the objective of expediting the post-war recovery and resuscitating economic and employment security in the region. These investments include produce collection centers in Alaveddy and Kilinochchi, milk collection centers in Meesalai and Poonagary, and a primary processing facility in Kilinochchi. The expansion of the Village to Home initiative to Jaffna is a continuation of the company’s commitment to building sustainable livelihoods for communities across the country and bridging regional disparities.
The Village to Home program was initiated by Cargills in 2020, with the aim of supporting local entrepreneurs who at the time were left without market access due to the impact of the pandemic. Though the pandemic is now behind us, Cargills has continued the program, supporting over 800 SMEs along the way. Cargills provides technical assistance to help SMEs bring their products to market and Cargills Bank extends necessary financial support to empower these entrepreneurs on their journey to success. Moreover, SMEs participating in the program also have the opportunity to become registered suppliers at Cargills Retail stores across the island.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
