Business
LCB Finance IPO seeks Rs. 500 mn zero cost cash
Lanka Credit & Business Finance Limited (LCB Finance) has announced plans for a public offering of its shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company plans an October 25 listing to raise Rs 500 million, company sources said.
“LCB Finance, which initially began as a grassroot level financial institution, witnessed exponential growth and expansion across the country over the years,” it Chairman Prof. Abeyratne Bandara said.
Under this IPO the company will issue 1.25 million shares at four rupees each to raise Rs 500 million to strengthen its balance sheet and fund future expansion, he said.
Bandara said that as a financial institution committed to support low income earners with a range of micro finance products, LCB was recognized as the Emerging Finance Company of the Year 2019 and awarded “Fastest Growing Non-Banking Financial Firm in Sri Lanka 2021” at the Global Economics Awards 2021 in UK.
The company’s customer base comprise farmers, fishermen, vendors, labourers and small business owners among others, making it a truly people’s development financial institution, Prof Bandara said.
As at end of the March 31, 2021 Financial Year, LCB’s Core Capital was Rs. 2.16 billion, Profit before tax (PBT) Rs. 100 million, Operational Profit Rs. 122 million, Total Assets Rs. 3,672 million, Capital Adequacy ratio 58%, Credit Portfolio Rs. 2.56 billion, the company’s CEO/Executive Director K.G. Leelananda said.
Over the past three years we have made of collective effort and focused on overall betterment of communities. The signature of that trust is deeply ingrained in the business culture of the firm, he said.
“We cater to the needs of individuals across all categories of the economy, the overall logic of operations is strongly inspired by and flavoured with the idea that challenges are best met collectively and that such an approach adds value to individual effort,” he said.
ICRA had rated LCB at [SL] B+ Stable. Following due consideration of the rapid development of the company, this was revised to [SL]+ Stable.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
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.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
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.”