Business
INSEE Cement builds the next generation of Sustainability Leaders
INSEE Cement, Sri Lanka’s largest and leading construction solutions provider has focused on “long-term impact investments” by engaging and uniting schoolchildren behind the common goal of creating change in their communities.
With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations recognizing children as ‘critical agents of change’, INSEE Cement has nurtured thousands of students in the Southern, North Western and North Central Provinces over the past few years.
“As industry leaders and responsible corporate citizens, it is our duty to support the future generation of this country by laying a strong foundation for them today, in the present, regardless of the challenges that we are facing as a country,” CEO and Chairman of INSEE Cement, Nandana Ekanayake stated.
Ekanayake said by encouraging students through knowledge and awareness on sustainable development, INSEE Cement is equipping them to become positive change agents in their local communities, and is helping them to leverage their knowledge and become the next generation of leaders for a sustainable future.
The company launched a comprehensive, long-term, group-wide strategy titled INSEE Sustainability Ambition 2030 and provided holistic education to students across the fundamental pillars of INSEE’s Sustainability Ambition 2030: i.e. Climate & Energy, Biodiversity & Water, Circular Economy, Community & Stakeholder Engagement, and Occupational Health & Safety.
Balancing environmental, social, and economic impact Under a large-scale tree-planting initiative 6,000 students aged between 5 – 15 from 28 schools in Anuradhapura and Puttalam Districts were educated on environmental best practices. The schools were provided over 10,000 fruit saplings to instill a sense of responsibility and urgency to addressing climate change.
Along with successful reforestation of over 87 hectares of the Aruwakkalu Quarry, the company initiated a monthly environmental mentorship programme in Wanathawilluwa. Each month, 25 young and aspiring environmentalists in six schools gather to understand environmental challenges and opportunities impacting Sri Lanka’s dry zone forests.
To address Municipal Solid Waste Management crisis, INSEE Cement provided several schools in Galle district with solid waste management facilities. Over 3,000 students and 180 teachers were trained on solid waste segregation by waste management experts from INSEE Ecocycle – INSEE Cement’s environmental services and waste management arm. The project was expanded several schools in Puttalam District as well.
For creating awareness on social issues number of sensitive topics and challenges were discussed including drug addiction and abuse among school children. Accordingly, an awareness campaign took place for over 500 school children, teachers and parents from 15 schools in Southern Province. Also, an awareness campaign on preventing child abuses was also held to commemorate Children’s Day, with the participation of 600 female students in 10 schools in Galle District.
INSEE Cement sponsored sports activities in eight Grama Niladhari Divisions in Puttalam District, focusing physical and psychological wellbeing of schoolchildren through sports, helping them develop leadership and social skills, discipline and competitive spirit. Over 400 children in Puttalam District are currently participating in INSEE-sponsored Cricket and Volleyball training activities.
The company partnered with Sri Lanka Police to train and certify 500 school traffic wardens to improve awareness on road safety rules and regulations among students, parents, and the school communities.
INSEE adopts a scientific methodology in conducting community-based sustainability engagements. A plant-level Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) were established to bring together community leaders, District Secretariat authorities, Grama Niladaris and an internal cross-functional INSEE team. CAP identifies and prioritizes projects that can make the most impact “example RO water filtration plant at Eluwankulama Sinhala School. Social Impact Assessments are carried out to measure the success of each project and obtain feedback from the communities.
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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