Business
Kapruka Investor Forum concludes successfully
Kapruka Holdings Limited, Sri Lanka’s largest locally owned e-commerce enterprise with a global presence, successfully concluded its investor forum, ahead of its IPO, yesterday, 16th December 2021. The hybrid event, held both physically at Cinnamon Grand Colombo and virtually via video conferencing, witnessed broad-based participation across institutional, individual and retail investor categories, along with active participation by respected financial analysts. Subsequent to Kapruka’s corporate management team presenting their value proposition to the participants, an active Q&A session followed, allowing potential stakeholders to engage in in-depth conversations with key decision makers.
Expressing his satisfaction, Founder and CEO of Kapruka said, “I believe we have presented a compelling pitch to investors with great underlying value and fundamentals. We are very gratified by the warm and enthusiastic reception we received. There were some insightful questions also raised, which we were able to respond to, satisfactorily. We now look forward to the opening of the issue on 22nd December 2021, and are confident of receiving active interest from a wide-spectrum of investors. I take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who participated and thank all our future investors in advance.”
With the issue being managed by Acuity Partners, Kapruka Holdings Limited is expected to offer 32,826,000 ordinary voting shares through its IPO, at an offer price of LKR 15.40 per share. The Company plans to use the IPO proceeds to fund its expansion and growth plans, which include upgrading existing technology and infrastructure, alongside launching various Kapruka Platform Services, to carry forward new initiatives.
Founded in 2002, Kapruka is Sri Lanka’s first and largest locally owned e-commerce enterprise. The company, through its website, facilitates online purchases of goods for its Sri Lankan and expatriate customer base. The Company has a well-integrated supply chain and sells its own-label products, predominantly, Kapruka bakery items, flowers and value-added fruits and vegetables. The Company partners with over 500 high-end brands and executes order fulfilment and last mile delivery for its online orders. Kapruka strives to provide a non-marketplace model and a superior online shopping experience to consumers.
The Company caters to over 1.1 Mn expatriate Sri Lankans, predominantly in the USA, who regularly use Kapruka to send gifts to their family and friends in Sri Lanka. Further, the Company offers Sri Lankan brands on global e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy and Walmart, and is the e-distributor/e-commerce retailer for well-established brands such as Dilmah, Akbar Tea, Link Samahan and many more. Kapruka is also one of the few e-commerce companies in Sri Lanka that generates US dollar revenues by serving expatriate Sri Lankans and other global customers. The Company has its central office located in Colombo, along with offices in the USA, the UK and Australia.
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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