Business
Dilmah owners establish 830 acres of cinnamon on Kahawatte estates
Kahawatte Plantations PLC, a member of the Merrill J. Fernando group, has emerged as the country’s biggest cinnamon grower with 830 acres (336.05 ha.) of the spice, unique to this country, already established in several estates within its portfolio.
Ekerella, a Kahawatte plantation boasts the largest contiguous cinnamon plantation (90 ha.) in the country, Dilhan, C. Fernando, younger son of the late Merrill. J. Fernando said last week after Dilmah had launched a landmark ‘Renaissance of Finest Ceylon Cinnamon’ event at the Galle Face Hotel with President Ranil Wickremesinghe as chief guest.
“Our involvement with cinnamon began in 2001 with my father’s investment in Kahawatte Plantations. While expanding the area under cultivation and further investing in downstream value addition with Ceylon Spice Company, a state of the art low temperature steam sterilization facility with milling capability, the tragedy that led to the launch of Dilmah Finest Ceylon Cinnamon is the unrealized value of our precious spice,” Fernando said explaining his company’s entry into cinnamon growing, processing and exporting.
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- Cinnamon peeling
“While expanding the area under cultivation and further investing in downstream value addition with Ceylon Spice Company, a state of the art low temperature steam sterilization facility with milling capability, the tragedy that led to the launch of Dilmah Finest Ceylon Cinnamon is the unrealized value of our precious spice.”
Several Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and other plantation owners have in recent years diversified into small blocks of cinnamon plantation but none on the scale of Kahawatte.
Merrill J. Fernando devoted his life to promoting the uniqueness of pure Ceylon Tea and establishing the global Dilmah brand which is now globally reputed. His company has now stepped into growing and adding value to another unique Ceylon product globally acknowledged as the best with its new thrust into cinnamon.
Cinnamon has largely been a smallholder product and its peeling one of the most labour intensive among crops grown in Sri Lanka. Kahawatte’s entry into this field has among others led to training of cinnamon peelers, substantially improving their working conditions and much more.
“Most Ceylon cinnamon is exported in bulk with minimum value addition, for milling, packing and effective value addition overseas by foreign brands. Like tea, there is no reason for that since the product is effectively ready to use when produced in Sri Lanka and the technology required for safe sterilization, milling, packing, branding and value addition also available locally,” Fernando said.
“However, the difference in terms of economic benefit for Sri Lanka and the onward social benefit for workers involved in the industry as well as the future of Ceylon cinnamon could be phenomenal if we realized that value.”
Fernando said that in addition to Ekarella where 90 ha. of contiguous cinnamon has been established, Kahawatte has cinnamon on Rilhena Estate (47.7 ha), Pelmadulla (39.53 ha), Poronuwa (11.85 ha), Opata (16.18 ha), Hunuwella (66.10 ha), Houpe (28.12 ha) and, Endana (14 ha).
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
