Business
Historic SME IPO expected to take Chrissworld’s success to next level
Christopher Perera, Managing Director Chrisslogix greets Rohan Senewiratne – MD Atarah Capital Partners, after announcing the Chrissworld SME IPO to be issued by CSE’s SME Board on April 27, 2021. Chrissworld Director Suraj Suraweera and Atarah Cpital partners’s Vice President Chandana Wijesundara are also in the picture.
by Sanath Nanayakkare
Clearing the collateral -driven capital raising barriers for Sri Lanka’s dynamic small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are deeply woven into Sri Lanka’’s economic and social fabric, country’s maiden SME IPO is to be issued by warehousing/logistics solutions company Chrissworld Ltd, on April 27, 2021, to raise capital to enhance its operational capacity and profitability.
Chrissworld’s maiden listing on the SME-specific Empower Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has been endorsed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after ‘strenuously’ engaging for seven months with Atarah Capital Partners (Pvt) Limited, – manager to the Issue of the maiden SME IPO.
The Empower SME Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange is a crucial platform designed to help smaller companies attract investment, and also for investors looking to invest in companies that are in their initial growth stages and are governed properly.
Christopher A.M. Perera, MD at Chrissworld said,” SMEs are the backbone of the Sri Lankan economy accounting for a majority of enterprises providing half of national employment and contributing to over 50% of the GDP of the country. The logistics business which we are in, requires a lot of capital for machinery, rental deposits and even for putting up our own fully fledged warehouses. We realized that we were supporting the banks to be on top of the business ratings when we borrow from them. Banks are making so much money from interest payments. And we are contributors to their big profits.. This opportunity that has been given by the SME Empower Board of the CSE for SMEs to go public has been very encouraging as we can raise capital at lower cost. Thus the initial thinking that we will never go public and we will always be a public company has changed. We are confident of the potential and the sustainabilty of the warehousing business. Warehousing segment is very sustainable because clients don’t easily change. The IPO will enable us to take Chrissworld to a different level. We can implement a lot of plans we have in our minds upon the successful conclusion of the IPO.There is a lot of potential in the warehousing side and professional storage solutions.
‘Our parent company Chrisslogix covers international trade, customs clearance, transportation and together with Chrissworld which offers warehousing services, we can offer total solutions to customers across the board. Then we want to look at sustainable business verticles like pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and food and beverage industry. Chrissworld will also invest in advanced technology, high tech solutions to deliver its services at an optimum level. We are a profit making company and we are a making a value proposition to the investors through this IPO,” he said.
Suraj Suraweera , Director- Chrissworld said,.”We not only want to raise capital without paying bank interest, we also want to consolidate our good governance practices in the process because that will help us atttract more customers and increase our business.”
Details of the offer
Offer for Subscription of Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand (7,500,000) Ordinary Voting Shares at LKR 7.50 per Share to raise a total sum of Sri Lankan Rupees Fifty Six Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (LKR 56,250,000)
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
