Business
Essential to integrate tobacco control measures into poverty alleviation policies and programmes – IPS
IPS’ ongoing study on the ‘Impact of Tobacco Control on National Income’ shows that on average, a tobacco-user household spends nearly Rs. 2000 per month on tobacco, constituting 4% of the household budget. “Spending on tobacco can drive out other critical expenditures, including basic needs. This crowd-out effect would be significant for poor families, affecting not only the smoker but the rest of the family as well. Smoking, therefore, is not only unhealthy but costly,” says IPS Research Economist Priyanka Jayawardena.
“Although Sri Lanka has made progress over the years, in reducing the prevalence of tobacco use to 28.4% of males above 15 years, further action is needed to target the ‘Last Mile’ of tobacco users. In addition, tobacco users are at much higher risk of falling sick and dying prematurely due to tobacco-related disease. This can cause severe financial strains – pushing families into poverty,” Jayawardena explains.
The IPS study shows that reduction of tobacco products will have a positive rather than negative impact on the national income and reveals intra-household budget allocation is negatively affected by tobacco expenditures especially among the poor.
= Tobacco user households spend a greater share of their budget allocation for tobacco (4.0%) than education (3.2%) and health (2.7%) spending.
= Among the bottom 20%, tobacco user households spend less on basic necessities than same the economic group – non-tobacco using households.
= This suggests that if tobacco users were to stop smoking, they would spend more money on food, health and education.
The study reveals a 20% reduction in tobacco expenditure will lead to 30% net benefit to the economy through increased consumption of non-tobacco goods and services. Thus the IPS study offers evidence that reduced tobacco consumption will yield net positive gains for Sri Lanka’s economy, as evidenced in other countries like Vietnam.
IPS Research Economist Priyanka Jayawardena’s article on ‘Tobacco Economics: How reduced consumption benefits the household and the national economy’ is available at: ‘Talking Economics’, the blog of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Sri Lanka’s apex socio-economic policy think tank.
Link to blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2020/11/05/tobacco-economics-how-reduced-consumption-benefits-the-household-and-the-national-economy/
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
