Business
Dipped Products Firstlight initiative creates prosperity for Kegalle rubber farmers
Firstlight now supports over 5,000 farmers’ livelihoods
Enabled savings of annual foreign outflow of $15m
Kegalle farmer network grown to 2nd highest region for latex collection
Dipped Products PLC (DPL), international gloves exporter and part of the Hayleys Group, has expanded its smallholder network to Kegalle with over 1100 new farmers now connected to its DPL Firstlight farmer empowerment initiative.
DPL Firstlight, the company’s flagship award-winning ethical business initiative was spearheaded in the Monaragala and Kaluthara Districts and today empowers 3,000 farmers to be self-reliant. Since July 2020 the company began to implement the Firstlight programme in Kegalle to help rubber smallholders in the area achieve greater yields and prosperity. After continuous capacity development and provision of key input materials over the last two years, Kegalle has become the company’s second highest region for latex collection.
Having increased the volume of rubber sourced locally, the DPL Firstlight programme has also enabled savings of $15m in annual foreign outflow from Sri Lanka.
“One of our primary responsibilities is to care for the rubber farmers, the first link in our value chain. Our journey in Kegalle started in 2020 with 17 farmers at Thalgahadeniya – Warakapola. After seeing Firstlight in action, interest spiked amongst the farmer community and our network in the region increased to a thousand smallholders in just 500 days,” said Deputy Managing Director, Pushpika Janadheera.
“We are thankful for the support from Thurusawiya and the Rubber Development Department of the Ministry of Plantation Industries for partnering us to engage the rubber farmers in the area and solve these issues together. With the programme’s expansion to Kegalle, Ratnapura, and 5 other districts, Firstlight is now supporting the livelihoods of over 5,000 farmers every day. We will continue our regular education programmes on latex preservation and collection and plan to extend our network to a further 2,000 farmers this year.”
Under Firstlight, training and education workshops, the provision of 85,000 plastic collection cups and 7000 rain guards have all supported farmers to increase productivity and overcome issues around poor quality related to latex coagulation and climate resilience.
Samaranayake Banda, Smallholder Agents said “Now we have around 150 farmers and our income has improved as well. They are genuine in their transactions, where they measure and bill us transparently. The DPL team distributed stationary and school bags for our children. At first, I didn’t understand what Firstlight was all about, but now I understand that it’s a long-term, important journey to prosperity.’’
Rubber smallholders have praised the support provided, welcoming the increase in income and yield. Muttappuliyalage, a Kegalle Cooperative Society Farmer said, “There used to be just a little yield every time we go to remove the rubber since the animals would have eaten it before us, leaving us with a huge loss which threatens our income. Now, thanks to Hayleys and Dipped Products, we are living a better life. With my savings, I was able to buy a computer for my grandchildren, a water tank for the house and even a golden ‘’kothak’’ for the temple.”
Nimal Pushpakumara, a Kegalle Cooperative Society Farmer says, “DPL didn’t just buy latex – they also looked after us, holding frequent workshops to educate us. Even during the pandemic, they helped us a lot.’’
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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