Business
ComBank returns to No 1 ranking in Business Today Top 30
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has moved to the top of the ‘Business Today Top 30’ ranking of the country’s best-performing companies in 2019-20, leading a veritable pantheon of the who’s who of corporate Sri Lanka.
Commercial Bank’s return to the No 1 position in this prestigious ranking follows 12 consecutive years of being ranked among the top five, most of them as the second placed corporate entity.
Business Today assigned Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC total score of 27.6 on a scorecard that ranged from 4.4 for the 30th ranked company to 26.95 for the company placed second on this latest edition of the ranking, released in November 2020.
“We are naturally elated to be back at the top of the Business Today ranking in a year that threw up a fair share of challenges, even before the start of the global pandemic,” Commercial Bank Managing Director S. Renganathan said. “Adversity is the best test of corporate mettle, and we dedicate this achievement to the entire Commercial Bank team, which continues to rise to unprecedented challenges this year, as the impact of the pandemic makes itself felt.”
Commenting on the ranking, Business Today said: “Business Today TOP 30 2019-2020 sees movements in the ranking with seasoned players securing a position in the ranking as well as the entrance of companies for the first time into the list. In a challenging environment such as today, it is indeed encouraging to see new players making their mark in the corporate world.”
The magazine said Commercial Bank of Ceylon has continuously been in the Business Today top corporate ranking at various positions over the years maintaining its consistency in performance as the largest private sector bank in Sri Lanka. “The strength, aptitude and experience of Dharma Dheerasinghe, chairman and the astute and forward thinking leadership of S. Renganathan, CEO have driven Commercial Bank of Ceylon to greater heights with considerable growth,” it said.
The Business Today TOP 30 is based on published information of companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and social considerations. The companies have been selected on the basis of their performance recorded during the financial year ending December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 with the assistance of KPMG Sri Lanka.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”