Business
Dilmah and Kahawatte Plantations in major bid to increase green cover
By Ifham Nizam
On the occasion of World Environment Day, observed today, with a focus on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, Dilmah, in partnership with Kahawatte Plantations and Dilmah Agricultural Innovation Nucleus, is set to launch an agro-forestry program at Rilhena.
Aligned with Sri Lanka’s commitment to increasing green cover by 32% by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Dilmah’s green restoration initiatives are significant. Globally, the United Nations calls upon nations to honor their pledge to restore 1 billion degraded hectares of land over the next decade, equivalent to the size of China. Beyond enhancing biodiversity, restoring degraded ecosystems holds potential as a public health intervention, fostering overall health and well-being.
The inauguration will feature tree planting, with careful selection of species suited to the local landscape, including those with commercial value for non-timber uses. This initiative stems from the success of Dilmah’s flagship reforestation project, the Endane Biodiversity Corridor, which has become a model for ecosystem restoration across tea estates.
The Endane Biodiversity Corridor has achieved remarkable results in engineering a forest pathway through degraded tea lands, connecting two separate forest reserves to enhance biodiversity. Utilizing GNSS technology, it has georeferenced 188 threatened tree species and 545 other tree species, enabling continuous monitoring. Over 4000 seedlings, including 40 globally threatened species, have been planted, and nearly 50 threatened tree species have been conserved through its nursery. Dilmah plans to extend this reforestation model to other tea lands, starting with an abandoned tea land at its Rilhena Estate.
The selection of the project site followed a feasibility analysis utilizing available maps and plantation data, identifying approximately 1000 hectares of abandoned land within Kahawatte Plantations suitable for agroforestry. Species such as Garcinia, Pepper, Durian, and Rambutan will be planted, integrating tree-based agroforestry into tea cultivation to enhance biodiversity, enrich soil, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and diversify economic opportunities.
Through its sustainability and conservation arm, Dilmah Conservation, the family tea company has undertaken various green restoration initiatives. These include collaborating with the Urban Development Authority to enhance the educational value of Beddagana Wetland Park and restoring mangrove forest patches, including 2.4 acres in the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary and 2.5 acres in the Kappal-Adi Kite Lagoon in Kalpitiya.
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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