Business
Commercial Bank- StrEdge Advisory successfully complete a BPR project
Sri Lanka’s largest private bank- Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC recently completed a three-year Business Process Reengineering (BPR) project with StrEdge Advisory, the business consultancy arm of StrEdge Group of Companies.
Covering the entire branch network of Commercial Bank, comprising 268 branches across the country, the project included reviewing of processes within the branch network, redesigning of job descriptions and implementation of the same. Further, this exercise covered a process review of the import and export departments and included review and redesigning of the Card Centre and credit card recoveries processes, a StrEdge news release said.
“The branch review covered processes related to assets and liability products and pawning. The BPR project also reviewed operations and centralized functions. The implementation of solutions was driven by a steering committee which consisted of both bank and StrEdge team members,” it said.
“With the customer at the heart of the transformation, Commercial Bank-StrEdge collaboration has added value to the quality of deliverables by the BPR project. ‘Right technology is imperative here, as customers want a quality service with least time spent on processes and StrEdge was able to strengthen the platforms of the Bank further,’ Managing Director/Group CEO of Commercial Bank of Ceylon, S. Renganathan remarks.”
Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID pandemic and the lockdown that followed, the release explained, both teams adapted to new norms and implemented identified solutions, which was yet another feat. The active participation within the implementation supported by highly engaging steering committee structures was headed by Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, Sanath Manatunge who played a key role by facilitating the Bank to steer through change management and project management challenges. The support and the inputs provided by the members of the corporate management of the Bank also was a key factor in the success of the project.
As a home-grown consultancy firm catering to multiple industries covering tri-dimensional elements of ‘people-process and technology’, StrEdge was instrumental in creating the required space to identify the imparities in the key functional areas and provide the right solutions to Sri Lanka’s largest private bank.
“Although we are essentially a local consultancy team, we benchmark ourselves with the best global practices to meet local needs. Our high levels of understanding of the banking industry from both Sri Lankan and global perspectives, coupled with strong connections made towards all levels within the Bank enabled us to drive a BPR project of this scale successfully, going beyond an assignment of traditional consultancy. While it is important to have global best practices in place, the ‘cultural-sensitivity’ cannot be undermined,” says the CEO, StrEdge Advisory and Director, StrEdge Group of Companies, Sumedha Wijesekera.
“StrEdge team’s focus was to create value to the end customer to see Commercial Bank as the ‘Best place to bank with’ and for its employees to see the bank as the ‘Best place to work at’. To realize this, it was important that customer-engaging functions, centralized processing functions and closure of the processes were all interconnected. The approach from a ‘people, process and technology’ perspective which is fundamental to all StrEdge-driven ventures, was crucial for the success of the project,” notes Director, StrEdge of Group of Companies Janaka Epasinghe
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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