Business
KVPL wins Gold for Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness at Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2023
Leading Sri Lankan Regional Plantation Company (RPC) Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL), a subsidiary of Hayleys Plantations, clinched the Gold Award in the Social Responsibility and Environmental Awareness category at the Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards 2023, a company news release said.
The awards also recognised KVPL’s General Manager/HR & Corporate Sustainability Anuruddha Gamage’s efforts to drive impactful, sustainable change across the organisation with the ‘Catalyst for Change in Organisational Knowledge Management into Business Excellence’ Award, it added.
Organised by the Commonwealth Partnership Summit and hosted at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore, the event recognises the vital social and environmental contributions of organisations that raise the bar in service excellence, their commitment to customers, philanthropic ideals, ethical behaviours and environmental sustainability.
Commenting on the win, Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai stated, “As industry leaders in the Sri Lankan Plantations Sector, our pursuit of excellence and our holistic commitment to ESG drives us to enhance our sustainability efforts. We believe that safeguarding the environment in all aspects of our operations is vital for a sustainable future.
“From our fields to our facilities, Hayleys Plantations is devoted to building a sustainable future for the tea industry. We recognise the substantial untapped potential in this Sector, and we’re driving this transformation through collaborative efforts like the inaugural International Plantations Sustainability Summit held in July 2023.”
The Awards process evaluated KVPL’s annual report and submission, cementing them as the Category Winner for their sharp focus on sustainability.
“Our focus and efforts on aligning our company with a socially responsible strategy came into fruition after we embarked on a multitude of bold initiatives, including our biodiversity assessment, water management, energy management, sustainable forestry and carbon emission quantification, to name a few. In essence, we set local and global benchmarks in our pursuit to ensure we met our social and environmental commitments,” KVPL Director and CEO Anura Weerakoon noted.
“Following the footsteps of its parent company, the Hayleys Group, KVPL launched its own ESG-driven roadmap, KVPL’s Corporate DNA, making its commitment to social and environmental responsibilities through tangible on-ground actions evident,” the release said.
“Making significant strides in environmental stewardship in its pursuit of predetermined, science-based targets, KVPL stands out as the first RPC in the country to embrace the UN CEO Water Mandate, taking responsibility for preserving water bodies within its boundaries. The Kelani Valley Protectors initiative, launched to undertake tree planting and water conservation initiatives, further aligns with the company’s strong commitment to climate neutrality. At the Halgolla Estate, KVPL reported a remarkable 39% increase in biodiversity richness compared to the assessment conducted five years ago. “
KVPL was also the first Sri Lankan company to obtain the Rainforest Alliance certification across all tea estates and FSC certifications for its low-country rubber estates securing the global organic latex certification.
The RPC was the first local plantations company to commit to the United Nations Global Compact’s (UNGC) 10 Principles. Moreover, KVPL also became the first RPC globally to be ranked as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years.
The Hayleys Plantation Sector’s community development initiatives have also been a significant component in KVPL’s social responsibility and corporate sustainability journey, with a key focus on the first of its kind ‘A Home for Every Plantation Worker’ campaign launched in 2006.
The initiative has ensured that 8,750 plantation workers and their families have been provided with housing facilities uplifting the lives of the community since its inception. The project encompasses the overall quality of life of the community by focusing on four key pillars: Living Environment, Health & Nutrition, Community and Capacity Building, and Empowerment of the Community.
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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