Business
ComBank wins its 16th Gold for Best Annual Report in Banking sector
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon won four awards for its 2020 Annual Report at the CA Sri Lanka awards, including two Gold Awards – the Bank’s 16th Edmund J. Cooray Memorial Trophy for the Best Annual Report among Banking Institutions since 2001, and the Gold for Corporate Governance Disclosure.
Reaffirming the Bank’s consistency in financial reporting excellence, the report – themed ‘A century of experience. A year of reinvention’– was also recognised for ‘Overall Excellence in Annual Financial Reporting’ with a Bronze award and won the Bronze for ‘Integrated Reporting: Best Disclosure on Capital Management.’ Incidentally, this is also the 16th occasion that Commercial Bank has been ranked among the top three companies overall for financial reporting since 2001.
Commenting on this latest series of accolades, Commercial Bank`s Managing Director /Group CEO S Renganathan said: “The Annual Report is the single most important tool in the corporate communications arsenal. Pressures brought about by the unprecedented operating environment coupled with the increasing demands and expectations of stakeholders including society and the environment, continue to increase its importance. In the circumstances, guidance about the future with disclosures that demonstrate the robustness of the business model and the ability to continue to create value with the best interests of all the stakeholders at heart in the short, medium and long term is essential. We are therefore delighted to once again be recognised as the best in our sector for the 16th time.”
The CA Sri Lanka awards recognise effectiveness in communication of financial and non-financial information to stakeholders and strict compliance with legislative requirements and accepted accounting best practices. The awards programme evaluates the organisation’s ability to effectively communicate organisational objectives, highlights, performance, personnel and management to an intended audience, and is considered a platform which encourages excellence in the presentation of information covering transparency, social accountability and good governance among diverse Sri Lankan business entities.
Commercial Bank’s award-winning 2020 Annual Report is a carbon neutral document and is also available on the Bank’s website to promote digital usage. Notably, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon neutral bank, a status it achieved earlier this year.
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
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