Business
CTC retains position as ‘Top Employer’ for 3rd consecutive year
Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) retains its position as a Top Employer as certified by the Top Employer Institute for the third consecutive year, reiterating the company’s commitment towards upholding a culture built on robust People strategies and practices. The company is also significantly one of the 37 countries within British American Tobacco (BAT) to secure this accreditation.
The Top Employer certification is based on a best practice survey where CTC has achieved high scores in categories of Steer & Develop by achieving Business Strategy, Purpose & Values, Ethic & Integrity, Organisation & Change and Employer Branding. This indicates CTC’s continued efforts towards talent development, fostering diversity, and encouraging an inclusive and flexible work environment for its employees.
Commenting on the recognition, Monisha Abraham, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of CTC said, “Securing the Top Employer certification for the 3rd consecutive year is a significant accomplishment for CTC. As an organisation, we strive for excellence in all aspects – to break boundaries and set benchmarks as we deliver on our corporate purpose. Our people are the driving force of our organisation and fostering a positive and conducive culture with effective HR practices is vital. The impact of everything we do as a business is ultimately driven and felt by our people and to this end, we engage our best efforts to align with the most effective HR policies and practices that empower our people to be their very best.”
Aruni Abeysekera, Head of Human Resources of CTC commented on the certification, “For years, CTC’s inclusive culture has empowered our people to excel irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, and culture, among other individualities. A team of diverse individuals in the workplace allows us to challenge the status quo and pursue continuous excellence in HR practices every day. Securing the prestigious Top Employer accreditation for the 3rd consecutive year therefore is a testament to the solid people strategies we have in place and is our winning formula for a great experience for our employees.”
The Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in People practices, conducting a certification programme that enables organisations to assess and improve the workplace. CTC significantly has secured its position as one of the 2,000+ certified organisations from 121 countries/regions that collectively impacts the lives of 9 million employees worldwide through a positive workplace.
CTC is a member of British American Tobacco PLC (BAT) and has been deeply integrated as a local multinational in Sri Lanka for over a century. The company adopts global best practices in talent management, corporate governance, and sustainability, and nurtures a world-class talent pool, propagating best-in-class practices in the Sri Lankan corporate sector.
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.”