Business
First and only local company to receive SLS certification for fire rated cables
Creating history and proving its dominance in the cable industry once again, ACL Cables PLC announced it had been awarded the SLS 1504-3-31 certificate under the product marking scheme for its fire rated – Low smoke Halogen Free (LSHF) non – sheathed single core cables by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) recently.
SLSI is the highest local authority that awards quality standardizations for products sold locally. Upon complying with the requisite standards ACL Cables PLC has become the first company in the country to obtain this certification. The equivalent British Standard (BS) for the above local certification is BS EN 50525-3-31.
Moreover, ACL Cables is currently the largest and pioneering company that manufactures a wide range of LSHF cables locally. The certification was awarded for cables with voltage up to 450/750 volts. The tests were conducted at ACL in-house laboratories located at their factory premises under the supervision of the SLS audit committee. ACL cables is the only company in Sri Lanka that has a comprehensive lab facility for testing fire rated cables.
Currently ACL cables markets three brands under the category of fire rated cables, namely; ACL Fireguard, ACL Firezero and ACL fire survivor. ACL Fireguard is the core brand out of all three that has reached the masses island wide and is manufactured with a specially insulated PVC compound. The latter two falls to the category of LSHF cables and vastly marketed for high-end construction projects.
As the No. 1 Cable Company in Sri Lanka ACL Cables has always placed itself at the forefront of the local cable industry, which has earned them a strong following in the market.
Up on receiving this certification it proves the reliability of the range of fire rated cables ACL produces. This accreditation makes ACL the only company in Sri Lanka that produces fire rated cables as per appropriate local standards and regulations that has the genuine properties of fire prevention. ACL has also gained international certification from PSB Singapore for the same range prior to receiving this.
Fire related accidents in buildings can occur as a result of electrical short circuits. Thus, the main objective of fire rated cables is to prevent the spread of fire whilst extinguishing within a very short period of time. Designed with fire retardant qualities by the use of special material and compounds, ACL fire rated cables is the perfect, trusted solution to safeguard all buildings.
In order to receive the SLS 1504-3-31 standard ACL Cables was required to complete the following additional three quality tests stated in the standard: Test under fire conditions for vertical flame spread of vertically mounted bunched wires in accordance with BS EN 60332-3-24 (Category C), Measurement of smoke density of cables burning under defined conditions in accordance with BS EN 61034-2 and Assessment of halogens (acid gas) for all non-metallic materials in accordance with BS EN 50525-1(Annex B).
Commenting on this landmark award, Suren Madanayake, Managing Director said, “We have constantly placed great importance and responsibility in the quality and authenticity of our products assuring customers of the highest levels of reliability and safety specifications. I am very proud that ACL Cables has achieved this prestigious local status. We have once again demonstrated to the market our quality and dominance. I appreciate the effort of my technical and quality assurance teams for their untiring efforts to ensure this Product certification process was a success.”
Madanayake added, “Since our inception in 1962, ACL Cables has always been the trendsetter in introducing new products and receiving proper certification. This is one such milestone. Currently we are processing a considerable number of orders for LSHF cables and this is the main reason to push ourselves towards gaining this certification. The certification enables customers to have more confidence when they purchase LSHF cables from us. I am convinced that as the recipient of the SLS standard, we will be able to grow our market share further with this product and strengthen our top and bottom lines.”
Based on the process, ACL had to initially study and follow the respective British Standard that complies with the above criteria. Following which presentations were made to the SLSI, who then awarded the equivalent Product certification as per local regulations and standards.
ACL Cables PLC own 70% of the market share recording annual revenue over Rs. 18 billion as a group.
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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