Business
London Stock Exchange Group empowers female founders
The current women’s economic empowerment interventions around the world have proven that there are many obstacles faced by female entrepreneurs. The emerging evidence from psychology and experimental economics on agency, mindset, and leadership show that for successful interventions to be transformative, they need to move beyond basic access to financial and human capital and also tackle central psychological, social, and skill-constraints on women entrepreneurs.
Seeing this need, London Stock Exchange Group Sri Lanka (LSEG) chose to partner and drive Hatch’s KICKASS Series 4, which is geared towards empowering women entrepreneurs.
Having first started in March, Hatch; the hub for all things startup, completed three cohorts of its programme tailored to nurturing female founders and is now ready to launch the fourth iteration of its incubation programme to support and empower a whole new group of women in business, together with LSEG. As a dedicated space for growth and collaboration with the goal of supporting innovators and entrepreneurs, Hatch and the Kickass Bootcamp series complements LSEG’s goal of championing gender equality and empowering entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The programme is specially designed for women and addresses gender-specific concerns faced by women in business while encouraging networking, knowledge-sharing and mentorship from peers and industry experts. LSEG understands that this is an integral part of creating a foundation for female-led businesses to thrive.
As a leading global business with an expansive footprint in Sri Lanka, LSEG strongly believes in contributing to the communities in which the organization operates in. As such and as a part of their CSR and sustainability mandate, the organisation is committed to supporting gender equality and entrepreneurship as a means of contributing to the country’s long-term social and economic development. Furthermore, LSEG’s company-wide flagship initiative – the Women Inspired Network (WIN) – embodies these ideals and focuses on nurturing talent at all levels, both internally and externally.
Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at LSEG SL, Bani Chandrasena said “We believe that some of the main challenges female entrepreneurs face is the lack of access to funding channels and to the right know-how in order to grow their businesses. As such, LSEG finds it important to channel our efforts towards addressing these issues via targeted funding and programmes such as the Hatch Kickass Bootcamp, with the inclusion and support of other corporates.”
Throughout the years, LSEG has continued to work with local and global charity partners to conduct numerous initiatives that support their long-term CSR objectives. In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020, they partnered with Apeksha, a female-led organisation that provides sustainable employment for visually impaired women to raise LKR 400,000 by staff locally and in the APAC region with all proceeds going to the charity. They continue to work with the Sri Lanka Welfare Society of the Blind Women in order to support its self-employment fund, along with partnering local universities for multiple programmes promoting women in IT, and forums such as The Diversity Collective LK that are committed to increasing female engagement in the ICT and service industries.
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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