Business
John Keells Foundation empowers women towards gender equality
The International Women’s Day on 8th of March, is a day to reflect on the extraordinary achievements of women, who drive change while contributing to the social, economic, and cultural progress of a country.
John Keells Foundation (JKF) – the corporate responsibility entity of the John Keells Group – is dedicated to creating gender empowerment through its many initiatives within 6 focus areas which are aligned with the Group’s CSR vision of ‘Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’. While JKF’s varied programmes target multiple underserved communities, gender empowerment is a crosscutting theme.
Speaking at a Women’s Leadership Forum entitled `BreakTheBias for a Better Tomorrow’ organized by the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce on 15th March 2022, Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of CSR and JKF, said, “When women are empowered to be safe, self-reliant and financially stable, the resultant socio-economic impact benefits not only themselves but their children, family and community as a whole. As such, our programmes focus on promoting skills, livelihoods and market opportunities for women as well as building stronger ecosystems to tackle deeply ingrained and inhibiting issues such as gender stereotyping, discrimination and harassment.”
Under JKF’s livelihood development programmes such as John Keells Praja Shakthi, many Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises – especially women-led enterprises – are supported in improving access to finance, value chains and markets.
Under the Foundation’s Education pillar – supporting women in pursuing higher education and empowering them with skills towards enhancing their career has been a key objective.
‘John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme’ is aimed at enhancing the English communication, ICT and soft skills of selected youth, directly benefitting over 17,700 of which a majority are females.
JKF’s ‘Skill into Progress’ (SKIP) programme is a supply chain management initiative aimed at empowering selected suppliers of the John Keells Group to be competitive in a pandemic-challenged economy.
Under Health, JKF Combats gender-based violence (GBV) and child abuse through awareness creation while reinforcing enabling social structures. “Project WAVE” (Working Against Violence through Education) is a long-term project encompassing sensitization and training for Group employees, police officers, lawyers, teachers, and the public.
As JKF works on uplifting the lives of disadvantaged communities across the country under its vision of ‘Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’, gender empowerment will continue to be an integral and cross-cutting theme of development initiatives undertaken to empower women with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to be socially and economically independent.
Livelihood Development, Education and Health are three of the six focus areas of John Keells Foundation – the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), a company listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange operating over 70 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 150 years, John Keells Group has been ranked as Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Respected Entity’ for the last 16 Years by LMD Magazine. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a Participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.
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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