Business
‘Let us refuse to call it refuse’
by Arjuna Senarathna
When a country is in crisis, every little saving, every small opportunity, every tiny chance must be seized with alacrity. If a single person refuses to buy foreign made goods because they are automatically subsidized by the defence of the rupee against the dollar that is indeed an opportunity taken to save something not only for the family but for the nation as well. If the entire nation stops purchasing them, then the saving will be massive. What is needed is an increase in knowledge, a deepening of awareness and the bravery to break a bad habit and take on a better and more meaningful one. It is not easy because the chance is hidden by habit that must first be stripped off for the potency of a small act to be revealed.
It is the same with the massive amounts of material we bring into our homes only to discard them by giving it the derogatory names “garbage”, “waste” and “refuse”. The issue here is that a chance is hidden at the point of its acquisition. When a person buys say… butter, that person has trained him or herself to think “I bought 500g of butter”. However, the reality is that the person has bought a plastic bag, a cardboard pack, a cellophane wrapper whose costs have been added to the butter. Well, we can consume the butter but can we consume the unasked for other “purchases” that we paid for? What do we do? We are mad enough to throw something we bought out the window. We feel we cannot deal with it. Having admitted to incompetence, we let the garbage collector and the municipal council or urban council have a go at solving the problem. Do they? No. They cannot solve it either. That is why they too try to get rid of it either in a hole in the ground or piled up into a mountain that subsequently proceeds to poison thousands and kill a few dozen on April 14th of this year or that.
In a nation in crisis, to continue with that bad practice is the worst thing imaginable when every bit and piece becomes precious and wasting anything for any reason whatsoever is a sacrilege.
Suppose a household or a workplace were to gather all of these inadvertently purchased materials and sell it? In an instant, the refuse has turned into a resource. For a typical family, it means that there is at least a few kilograms of material to sell a day. For a nation of 21 million people? If done right, it can only be called one word: “wealth”.
What is needed is increased knowledge of the potency of something that has hitherto been discarded. What is needed is a heightened awareness that with every bit of such material that is thrown away, a family is actually losing money. What is needed is a painless system through which they can get the material to a buyer who will pay cash on the barrelhead.
With World Vision’s PHILA project, such a system is indeed in place. With resource banks (not collection centres or garbage point since it is a resource of significant economic value), placed at strategic locations in three locales where the method was pilot tested, resounding success was seen as outlined in the diagram.
They will now proceed to make this a whole-of-nation effort with all local government officials getting involved when they hold their national forum to upscale its success to the entire island.
In a time of crisis, it is indeed a fantastic opportunity for each and every one of us to execute our responsibility as citizens, break bad habits and take on the challenge of reimagining our country as a clean island without actually trying too hard.
It only requires people to change their mind set. It only requires them to refuse to call it refuse. It only requires them to call it a resource. It only requires them to call it cash.
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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