Business
Eswaran Brothers – A Board poised for governance and growth
COLOMBO; Top regional financial services expert Aruni Goonetilleke has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Eswaran Brothers, further strengthening an eminent team at the helm of affairs at the company. Eswaran Brothers which has been a leader in the value added tea industry for over sixty years, is at the forefront of innovation in the industry.
The Board of Directors of Eswaran Brothers lead by Non-Executive Chairman and well known corporate strategy expert, Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya, boasts of a power packed team that includes Yudhistran Kanagasabai, Independent Non-Executive Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee of Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC and Chairman, Ambeon Capital PLC , Gabriel D’Arcy, Independent Non-Executive Director, Senior VP at Stratagem Partners – a leading European Corporate Strategy and Brexit Advisory Service Provider and Mr. Hanif Janoo a well-known global Tea industry stalwart from Pakistan and Kenya.
To this stellar team a recent addition was top regional financial services expert Aruni Goonetilleke who joined the board back in June 2021. Aruni Goonetilleke, subsequently appointed as Chairperson of Hatton National Bank PLC, is also a Director at Sunshine Holdings PLC. Further, she holds the position of Non-Executive Director at several other listed companies.
Speaking on her appointment, Ms. Goonetilleke said, “I’m happy to be part of the Board of Eswaran Brothers – one of the leading value-added tea exporting companies in Sri Lanka. At a time when the world navigates many challenges, Eswaran Brothers is embarking on an impressive programme of diversification and growth. I look forward to being a part of the leadership of the company as it steps forward in new directions.”
Ms. Goonetilleke who did her Bachelors in Law at the University of Colombo, completed her Masters in Law at Harvard Law School, USA. She was previously the Head of Corporate Banking at People’s Bank. In her 25-years as a financial services professional she has worked in banks in Sri Lanka and Singapore. She was the Chief Risk Officer of Standard Chartered Bank, Sri Lanka and played a key role at the time of the merger of ANZ Grindlays and Standard Chartered Bank in Sri Lanka. She was also the Head of Credit, SME and Commercial Banking and held Global Audit Roles in Wholesale and Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore.
As one of the premier marketers of Ceylon Tea, Eswaran Brothers works with some of the world’s leading tea brands, helping them meet their customer needs with the supply of high-quality Ceylon Tea. With over six decades of experience, this combination of versatility and customer satisfaction has made Eswaran Brothers Tea the choice source for fine teas and wellness beverages.
“Corporate governance and growth oriented independent directors have been part of the Eswaran Brothers board for nearly a decade. Following the directions set by our Past Chairman, the late Mr. D Eassuwaren, Eswaran Brothers became the first Carbon Neutral Certified tea company in the world and we are now ready to make some big moves as a corporate entity,” said Executive Chairman, Ganesh Deivanayagam. “With Aruni joining the Board, we intend to strengthen our financial oversight to further drive the company’s diversification and consolidation.”
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”