Business
DFCC Bank embarks on sustainable journey
As part of its pledge towards contributing towards a resilient Sri Lanka, DFCC Bank, the Bank for Everyone, has proudly announced its all new Sustainability Strategy 2020 to 2030, developed with the vision of becoming the leading sustainable bank in Sri Lanka by 2030.
The Bank’s Sustainability Policy, Strategy, and Plan for the period up to 2030 builds on its historical achievements and stems from a belief the Bank holds that it must contribute towards strengthening resilience among its stakeholders, and resilience in Sri Lanka, given the greater likelihood of uncertainties and challenges across the globe during the next decade. The Bank aims to create long term stakeholder value through sustainability.
The Bank’s new Sustainability Strategy seeks to strengthen sustainable business practices, greater accountability and inclusive value creation in collaboration with all its stakeholders. It incorporates sustainable best practices across all business verticals and processes to lessen any negative environmental and social impact and engages all stakeholders across its value chain in implementing the Strategy.
The Bank adopts a triple-bottom line (TBL) value creation framework –taking care of People, Planet and Profit simultaneously – which entails conducting its business in a responsible and inclusive manner, and ensuring economic, environmental and social value addition to all stakeholders.
DFCC Bank’s Sustainability Strategy has three key pillars. Firstly, ‘Resilient Business’ – contributing to sustainable economic growth involves extending support to Green Financing and Sustainable & Social Entrepreneurs’ including renewable energy projects and also providing SMEs, exporters and selected sectors with customized concessionary financial schemes. This also includes implementation of the Social and Environmental Management System (SEMS) that ensures the projects funded by the Bank meet required local and international environmental and social regulations, and addresses any environmental and social risks. The second pillar, ‘Impact for Resilience,’ is one through which the Bank hopes to significantly increase its own efficiency, while reducing its environmental impacts. The Bank will work to improve resource efficiency, while minimizing waste and improving resource productivity, with the end goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The third pillar revolves around building ‘Resilient Communities’ and developing a sustainable culture to ensure staff and customer-wellbeing.
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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