Business
Hunas Holdings becomes Sri Lanka’s newest listed diversified conglomerate
Sets new benchmark in good corporate governance in CSE
Hunas Holdings PLC, previously known as Hunas Falls Hotels PLC, has officially become Sri Lanka’s newest listed diversified conglomerate.
This follows Serenity Lake Leisure (Pvt) Ltd., a fully-owned subsidiary of the TAD Group of Companies, infusing the then Hunas Falls Hotels with Rs. 4.25 billion in capital in January 2022, by transferring its ownership stakes in 11 companies to the latter.
This marked the first time in the country’s history in which such a transaction had been carried out without any dilution of the company’s minority interest, setting a new benchmark in good corporate governance and corporate responsibility in the Sri Lankan stock market. The move greatly benefited the company’s minority shareholders, who currently account for 6.5% of the company’s ownership, who saw vast appreciation in the value of their shareholdings.
Hunas Holdings PLC now holds 11 assets in renewable energy, real estate, tea (plantations, factories and in tea brokering) and hospitality/leisure sectors. In addition to strengthening the company through diversification, which adds multiple new revenue streams, the capital infusion also augments and expands Hunas Holdings PLC’s asset base. Furthermore, the increase in the consolidated asset base will facilitate the company’s future expansions as well, by making it easier to raise funds through borrowings for potential future developments, investments and acquisitions.
“Hunas Holdings PLC envisions becoming a leader in sustainable and ethical business in Sri Lanka,” Hunas Holdings PLC Director, Pravini Wickramanayke said. “Through the manner in which the capital infusion was carried out, by protecting the interests of the minority shareholders, we have demonstrated our strong commitment to ‘walk the talk’ in terms of upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and ethical business.”
“Despite challenges, the Sri Lankan economy has vast untapped potential and Hunas Holdings PLC will help realise these opportunities,” Wickramanayke added. “For this purpose, we will leverage our strong partnerships with reputed foreign investors, to bring in Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country, which can add substantial impetus to Sri Lanka’s growth prospects.”
The companies which form the diversified portfolio of Hunas Holdings PLC are; Hunas Properties (Pvt) Ltd. (100%), Boulder Gardens (Pvt) Ltd. (90%), Rainforest Hotels (Pvt) Ltd. (90%), Suriyakanda Plantations (Pvt) Ltd. (100%), Rainforest Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd. (90%), Amunumulla Suhada Electricity Generation Company (Pvt) Ltd. (100%), Sustainable Energy Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. (100%), Mercantile Produce Brokers (Pvt) Ltd. (20%), Weswin Power Galaha (Pvt) Ltd. (20%), Eratne Power Company (Pvt) Ltd. (30%) and Kuruganga Hydro (Pvt) Ltd. (19%).
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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