Business
Hayleys honours talented stars at 10th annual Chairman’s Awards
Celebrates employees for enduring legacy of winning amid adversity
Celebrating a decade of excellence in innovation, Hayleys PLC hosted its 10th annual Chairman’s Awards to recognise the inspiring achievements and initiatives of its teams across 16 diverse business sectors, a company news release said.A total of 205 employees from 25 project teams were felicitated at the diversified conglomerate’s apex recognition platform. Projects included value-added export innovations that continued to drive foreign exchange earnings, cutting-edge digital transformations from raw material supply chains to robotic process automation, and ground-breaking, unique solutions to diverse industry challenges.
“The Hayleys Chairman’s Awards began in 2012 with the intention of building a culture of excellence and recognition across our diversified conglomerate, and is today a highly anticipated hallmark of our corporate culture.
“As a Sri Lankan corporate with 145 years of heritage, we are no stranger to periods of immense challenge. It has been the enduring passion of our people – our greatest asset – that has helped us successfully navigate through the ages to overcome tremendous adversity. This year’s award-winning projects demonstrate the resilience and relentless spirit of our talented employees to create value for our diverse stakeholders,” Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive, Mohan Pandithage said.
Talawakelle Tea Estates’ Green Leaf Zip Line – Elevating Work Life and Reducing Emissions
A new series of Category Awards recognised top initiatives across Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Innovation, Quality and Lean Management and Service Excellence. Dipped Products PLC (DPL) received the flagship Overall Winner Award for launching patented hand-protection solutions designed with five unique technological platforms for six export markets. Backed by deep customer insights from clients all over the world, DPL delivered a superior solution to differentiate its value propositions in the competitive, global nitrile glove market. The team’s in-house engineering team was also recognised with the Innovation Category Award for their ground-breaking ‘fully integrated robot dipping automation’, created within a limited space.
Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL) was acknowledged as the Quality and Lean Management Category Award-winner for its ‘Eco-friendly green zip line’ project. The novel idea was implemented during fuel shortages and escalating prices, to transport fresh leaves to the factory. The initiative resulted in a decrease in emissions anchored to a significant decrease in transportation costs, and has supported a better work-life balance for the team on-ground.
The Group’s leading consumer brand, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, won the Service Excellence Category Award for meeting the surge in consumer demand for ‘work-play-and-study-from-home’ solutions during the pandemic. Singer not only successfully met the demands from the work-from-home front but captured the hearts of gamers in Sri Lanka with the biggest and most watched gaming tournament – the Singer Esports Premier League as well.
Hayleys Fabric was recognised as the ESG Award-winner for its efforts to restore the Lagenandra Kalugalaensis, a critically endangered plant species, endemic to a single location on the periphery of the Kalugala Forest Reserve. The collaborative initiative with the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the Universities of Peradeniya and Wayamba seeks to conserve the rare aquatic plant from extinction through field research and seed germination.
On this night, employees also had the chance to showcase their hidden talents on stage through four entertaining segments. These included a live instrumental band, group and solo singing, and a fashion show exclusively designed by Hayleys Fabric, featuring garments made out of ocean waste (recycled nylon) and PET bottles (recycled polyester).
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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