Business
First Capital books billion rupee profit after tax in record breaking year
Results, helped by monetary policy easing, achieved against negative headwinds
First Capital Holdings PLC (FCH), a Janashakthi company, reported its best ever performance in the year ended Mar. 31, 2020 with its profit after tax topping the billion rupee mark, up from Rs. 8 million the previous year.
The company’s chairman, Mr. Nishan Fernando, said in a statement in the company’s recently published annual report that the record breaking performance was without doubt the best year to date, with the group’s impressive performance achieved against some obviously negative headwinds that saw the country posting what he called “sub-par economic growth” for the third consecutive year.
“Our ability to deliver consistent results even in tough times, is a testament to the group’s robust operating model,” Fernando said. “I am also convinced that the ongoing emphasis placed on strengthening each of our core businesses and firming up their positions within their immediate operating domain, has been a critical success factor for the group.
FCH is a full service investment bank providing a diverse range of advisory services and financial products. Its specialties include Capital Market Advisory, Wealth Management, Fixed Income and Equities serving an array of companies, institutions, government agencies, high net worth individuals and retail clients.
The superior performance enabled the company to pay its shareholders a total dividend of nine rupees per share for the year under review comprising a first interim of four rupees per share in Aug. 1919 and a second interim of five rupees per share in in June 2020 with a total dividend payout of Rs. 911.2 million.
Fernando said the outstanding performance was supported by a demonstrable improvement across all key metrics with revenue up to Rs. 5.22 billion from Rs. 4.17 billion a year earlier.
Operational highlights included channeling Rs. 336 billion worth of government securities to the public; assets under management reaching Rs. 26.4 billion; Rs. 42 billion raised through corporate debt structuring and placement; and Rs. 7.2 billion raised for listed debt IPOs.
He said he was particularly pleased with the performance of their primary dealer operation – First Capital Treasuries PLC, as a result of the Central Bank’s monetary policy easing in the latter part of 2019.
Focusing mainly on the unlisted debt market, their Corporate Advisory Unit leveraged on the opportunity to re-enter the listed debenture space after three years raising approx Rs. 7.25 billion by way of listed debentures.
Their wealth management unit had also made remarkable progress to deliver the best financial results to date. The wealth management clientele had shown a degree of maturity during the year for which he credited their efforts to raise market awareness.
He expected the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to dictate the country’s medium term economic outlook. Based on the assumption that at the very least, the existing monetary policy easing measures will remain in effect, he expected their group “to benefit from a highly conducive environment.”
The company’s Director/CEO Dilshan Fernando said that a continuation of the current monetary policy slant at least for the forthcoming financial year will benefit their group with the low interest rates offering strong growth potential. He also saw the opportunity to expand their corporate advisory services as businesses restructure in the post-Covid era.
“Also, as the equity market bottoms out, there is likely to be renewed interest in investing, especially from foreign investors over the coming months,” he said. “This will no doubt boost the prospects of our stock broking arm.”
The Janashakthi Groups owns over 75% of First Captal.
The company’s directors are Messrs. Nishan Fernando (Chairman – Independent non-executive) Dinesh Schaffter (MD) Dilshan Wirasekera (Director/CEO) Prakash Schaffter and Ramesh Schaffter (Non-independent, non-executive), Eardley Perera, Minette Perera, Chandana de Silva and Nishan de Mel (Independent non-executive directors).
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
