Business
Hemas remains resilient
Hemas Holdings PLC (HHL) posted a Group revenue of Rs.17.4 billion for the quarter ended 30 September 2020, an increase of 11 per cent over corresponding period last year. Group operating profit for the quarter under review at Rs.2.0 billion is a growth of 188 per cent over Rs.0.7 billion recorded last year. Year on year increase in earnings amounted to Rs.1.1 billion to reach Rs.1.3 billion for the quarter.
Cumulative revenue of Rs.30.4 billion recorded during the first half of financial year 2020/21 is a growth of 5 per cent against the same period last year. Similarly, the Group operating profit of Rs.2.4 billion for the first six-month period is a notable year on year increase over Rs.0.7 billion recorded last year.
Growth in profitability during the quarter and first six months under review against the corresponding periods last year is reflective of the strong rebound in key sectors, Consumer and Healthcare which were impacted in the aftermath of Easter Sunday attacks. Robust year on year performance was also driven by the realization of margin improvements, and cost savings resulting from lean and efficiency initiatives across the Group.
Quarter under review also witnessed a strong recovery from the subdued performance of the preceding quarter with a revenue growth of 34 per cent and an operating profit growth of Rs.1.6 billion, indicating the resumption of business activities to near normal levels for most of the businesses in the Group which were affected by the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
During the period under review, Group managed to surpass the performance of the corresponding period of financial year 2018/19 where no anomalies were experienced, reassuring our resilience and faster than anticipated recovery from Easter Sunday attacks and the first wave of COVID-19. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all teams across Hemas Group for this noteworthy achievement under trying circumstances.
We achieved an important milestone in our journey as a Group, with the launch of our Group purpose, ‘Make Healthful Living Happen’, in the month of September 2020. Going forward, this will be the ‘North Star’ in what we do and all core sectors of the Group would anchor growth around our purpose, and ensure the goods and services we supply foster wellbeing of individuals and families we serve.
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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