Business
MAS pays tribute to the courage and excellence of its female changemakers
Recognises 77 female associates at 14th MAS ‘Abhimani – Empowered Woman of the Year Awards’
MAS Holdings paid tribute to the exceptional contributions of its female employees across multiple countries, recognising their inspirational performances in achieving excellence within the organization and in their communities, at the company’s 14th edition of the MAS ‘Abhimani – Empowered Woman of the Year Awards.’
The awards, held under the theme ‘pride of our nation’ at the BMICH on 21st February, 2022, honoured 77 female associates from all work levels of the company, selected from among more than 500 applicants, across 40 locations and 5 countries. The awards recognised and celebrated strength in diverse aspects among these female changemakers, including contributions relating to entrepreneurship, innovation, community service and sustainability, professional competencies and leadership.
Under ‘Empowered Woman of the year’ 44 awards were presented at the event while 6 special awards were also given, relating to exemplary performance in entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability. 13 award winners were recognised under the ‘Frontier Challenge’ while 14 recipients were honoured with ‘Leadership Awards’. Chamari Athapaththu, the Captain of the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team, was the Chief Guest at the ceremony held this year, which recognised winners for 2020 and 2021.
The ‘MAS Abhimani Awards’ presented since 2004, is part of the company’s concerted initiatives to achieve and promote gender equality and empower all women and girls, within and outside the organisation. The awards recognise the importance of celebrating, profiling and sharing the success stories of female changemakers who serve as inspirational role models for all women and men, by breaking stereotypes and achieving the supposedly impossible. The awards are part of MAS’ ‘Women Go Beyond’ programme launched in 2003, which aligns with the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More than 70% of MAS’ 115,000 associates at present across 15 countries are female.
“We take pride in the remarkable achievements of these women who drive forward the apparel industry and in turn our economies; women who are contributing towards positive change for all women in their communities by challenging outdated ideas and norms,” said Thanuja Jayawardene, Head of Women Go Beyond and General Manager of Women’s Empowerment and Advocacy at MAS. “MAS remains fully committed to the long journey towards achieving gender equality.”
The Women Go Beyond programme of MAS seeks to make a difference in the lives of their female associates, while also impacting their families and communities, by empowering women in their workplace and at home. Through the programme, MAS challenged the accepted norm for employment, generating a paradigm shift in a profession that was previously looked down upon. The initiative looks to counter stereotypical attitudes by celebrating the work of the thousands of skilled, intelligent and passionate women who contribute to the nation’s economy, while celebrating their successes in life.
Through the programme, in 2020, MAS created nearly 220,000 ‘opportunities’ that positively impacted the lives of their female associates, through more than 730 programmes, across all geographies that the company operates in. This included more than 45,000 opportunities in career advancement, more than 13,500 in skill development including entrepreneurship development, more than 93,000 in women’s health, more than 11,500 in creating role models and more than 55,000 opportunities in preventing gender-based violence.
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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