Business
DFCC Bank celebrates 25 years of pioneering renewables in Sri Lanka
The Bank for Everyone, DFCC Bank, one of Sri Lanka’s leading banks, celebrates 25 years of pioneering renewable energy in Sri Lanka. Having the vision and understanding the emerging needs of the nation whilst also being cognizant of the shifts in the global energy sector, the Bank has been promoting renewable energy in Sri Lanka for the past 25 years.
DFCC Bank is the pioneering bank in Sri Lanka for renewables, having financed the country’s first ever private-sector wind, solar and waste to energy development projects, commencing in 1996. The Bank is also the pioneer in the introduction of Standardized Power Purchasing Agreements in Sri Lanka in 1997, the cornerstone of facilitating private investment in the renewable energy sector.
Discussing the achievements of DFCC Bank in the renewable energy sector, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Banking, Sohantha Wijesingha said, “While we count our involvement in the sector as beginning in 1996 when we backed the Hydro-tech Lanka Dick Oya project, our first involvement with the renewable energy sector goes way back to 1988, when we funded a solar PV module assembly plant. Driven by our sustainability strategy, which positions us as the ‘bank for green finance’, we have taken it upon ourselves to do our part to protect the planet and its people. We do this by by backing the renewable energy sector, relying on the synergies we have created through our relationships with global financiers such as the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank and others. Thus, our journey has been incredible and we are excited about working together with all stakeholders to create a greener, brighter and energy independent Sri Lanka.”
DFCC Bank’s other notable achievements in the renewable energy sector over the past 25 years include the financing of the Senok Wind Power Project (2010), the Saga Solar Project (2017), the Western Power Company’s municipal waste to energy project (2021), Suryadhanavi Limited –the first distributed grid-connected solar power project (2017), and Sri Lanka’s first ever biomass-based Combined Heat and Power project (2017).
Always looking to support Sri Lanka’s economy and create new economic opportunities, DFCC Bank has also backed the strengthening of Sri Lanka’s renewable energy value chain, by financing the successful Sri Lankan-German collaboration, VS Turbo (Private) Limited – Sri Lanka’s first hydropower turbine manufacturing plant (2007); a company that has not only manufactured electromechanical equipment for hydropower projects in Sri Lanka, but which has also exported such equipment to other international markets in Africa. DFCC Bank also co-managed the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Valibel Power Erathna PLC, the first IPO and listing of a renewable energy producer in Sri Lanka (2006). The Bank has also been involved with numerous smaller renewable energy projects including microfinance for home solar power systems over the past 25 years.
Looking to the future, DFCC Bank has identified Renewable Energy as a key sector for Sri Lanka. To further the industry, the Bank has played host to several research and study teams from various countries including Cambodia, Ghana, India, Mozambique, Nepal, the Philippines and Uganda for knowledge and experience sharing. The Bank’s employees have been invited to make presentations at international forums and share their experience in renewable energy development and have also been handpicked for renewable energy consultancy assignments abroad including in Uganda and Nepal.
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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