Business
LOLC Divi Saviya – reaches 100 days humanitarian efforts
High inflation, rising commodity prices, power shortages and a fuel crisis has had a crippling effect on the livelihoods of all Sri Lankans. As published by UNICEF, seven out of ten families in Sri Lanka are cutting down their food intake, reducing portion sizes, and eating cheaper but less nutritious food, causing a desperate need for nutrition assistance in the country.
100 days ago, LOLC Holdings was one of the first corporates to understand the need of initiating urgent measures to address the food crisis. Sustaining the efforts over a period of months, LOLC Divi Saviya distributed their unwavering constant support to the local communities for the 100th subsequent date on the 14th of September 2022, with their distributions made within the Galle district.
At a time that inflation hit a record high of 54.6 per cent while food inflation rose to 81 per cent, discussions were mounting on the spike in hunger and malnutrition within the country. United Nations reported that 6.7 million people in Sri Lanka are experiencing food insecurity. Whereas staple foods were unaffordable, Sri Lanka became the country with the highest rate of child malnutrition in South Asia. Particularly, children and pregnant women were forecasted to face a long-term impact of mal-nourishment.
In response to the human-need, LOLC launched ‘Divi Saviya’ an island-wide humanitarian relief programme in partnership with one of Sri Lanka’s premier broadcasting stations, to uplift the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable communities. Divi Saviya programme was curated specifically to assist the locals with emergency food supplies.
The initial stages of LOLC Divi Saviya also revealed the extent to which millions of people across the country were struggling. In succession, the continued humanitarian effort over the past 100 days essentially cushioned the knock-on effects on people’s lives to a certain extent.
The timely project donated ration packages (inclusive of essential staples and dry rations) island-wide. The first phase of the programme covered all 25 districts, within 30 days, covering 224 distribution centres island-wide. Whereas, the next phases of Divi Saviya distributed ration packs to a total number of 125,000 families valued at Rs.500 Million, covering all 25 districts over a period of 03 months in 03 different cycles and continuing. Further, the Divi Saviya phase two concentrated in organising direct provision of food resources to support elders’ homes, children’s facilities and visually impaired units in addition to the selected households. The Island wide journey also focused on the hard-hit urban living within and around the highly populated districts, moving to sub-urban and rural in a strategic sequence.
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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