Business
First Capital looks to future growth with a Performance First outlook
First Capital Holdings PLC, a Janashakthi Group Company with over 35 years of industry knowledge, recently concluded its Annual General Meeting presenting the Annual Report 2020-21 on the theme of ‘Performance First’ to its shareholders. The group recorded an exceptional year reaching new financial and non-financial performance milestones, recording Rs. 2.09 billion in Profits After Tax for the financial year 2020-21.
The Company attributed its achievements to the ‘Performance First’ brand strategy adopted throughout First Capital (the Group) to align focus on what mattered across the Group’s businesses, ensuring a consistently high performance output.
“During the last year we came together to establish a strategy to deliver ‘Performance First’. We set about digitalising processes, ramped up knowledge development, and enhanced visibility and customer support to enable a performance driven environment for growth. Moreover, we continued to set benchmarks in the non-bank financial services space with the introduction of facilities such as ‘digital onboarding’ to facilitate non-face-to-face Account Opening for Unit Trusts and Government Securities clients, a first in Sri Lanka. This performance focus helped us achieve exceptional results across all our businesses and has set us up for an exciting future trajectory,” stated Dilshan Wirasekara – Director / Chief Executive Officer, First Capital Holdings PLC.
Building on the confidence honed by its years of experience, First Capital consulted and considered stakeholders across the board in formulating the ‘Performance First’ brand promise, focused on exceeding expectations.
“As we look forward to a robust year ahead, we will be delivering on our promises with a solutions mind set, and will continue to go the extra mile for our stakeholders. As one of Sri Lanka’s premier financial solutions providers, we are committed to delivering ‘Performance First’ to our stakeholders and reaching our next phase of growth.” Dilshan Wirasekara added.
First Capital is at the forefront of digital transformation and are committed to developing digital services to provide an enhanced customer experience. The Company will also continue its efforts to educate the public of the different financial solutions accessible through the capital market.
First Capital Treasuries, the primary dealer division accounts for the highest amongst standalone primary dealers raising debt for the government, taking up as much as 9% and 6% of the total issuance of treasury bonds and treasury bills respectively in 2020. The division looks forward to leverage on its expertise to further enhance opportunities from the government securities market. The wealth management division, First Capital Asset Management more than doubled its Assets Under Management (AUM) in 2020 disrupting the financial services industry with a range of alternative financial products and services for corporate and retail customers alike. While First Capital Limited, the corporate finance division played a crucial role redirecting financial resources to corporate clients to tide over the impact of the pandemic by structuring investments and providing robust capital market access to raise funding. The Stock Brokering division, First Capital Equities, is on a drive to expand its online client base, encouraging newcomers to the stock market to benefit from the booming market. Focused on enhancing performance, it adds value to clients through the dissemination of First Capital’s coveted in-house research which enjoys wide acceptance, covering the debt and equity markets.
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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