Business
Merrill J. Fernando Foundation & Karan Foundation donate new wing to Point Pedro Base Hospital
The Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation and Ian & Barbara Karan Foundation have together funded and constructed a 90 bed Ward Block to modernize and expand services at the Point Pedro Base hospital.
The Rs. 110 million project serves the people of the Jaffna District, and all Sri Lankans with the construction of a three-storeyed wing housing Psychiatric, Medical & Surgical wards and consultation rooms.
The previous wards were over a century old, and in dilapidated condition, severely limiting the ward capacity for the 150,000 persons the hospital serves. This extension to Point Pedro Base Hospital, is jointly funded by Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando through his MJF Foundation and close friends Ian & Barbara Karan.
The facility was declared open on Feb. 26 by Ian & Barbara Karan, and on behalf of Merrill J. Fernando – the Trustees of the MJF Foundation, Messrs Rajan Asirwatham, K. Ravindran and Dilhan C. Fernando. The expansion of Base Hospital Point Pedro will address capacity constraints and assure better provision of public medical and healthcare for local communities with better and increased bed strength of 392 beds.
The MJF Charitable Foundation was established by Merrill J. Fernando in fulfilment of his wish to serve humanity through his family tea business. Acknowledging that success is a blessing that must be shared, he has embedded kindness to people and nature at the heart of Dilmah Tea. The MJF Foundation has extensive scholarship, nutrition, vocational training, disability care, entrepreneurship development, mental health, and gender equality initiatives.
The Ian and Barbara Karan Foundation supports youth development, particularly in Sri Lanka. Through the nationwide promotion of charitable initiatives, institutions and projects, the foundation aims to improve education, and support disadvantaged children and young people in the areas of education and sports.
Sri Lankan family tea company Dilmah was founded in 1985 by Merrill J. Fernando who is today the world’s most experienced teamaker. He championed quality and integrity in tea. When Dilmah offered tea grown, picked, and ethically made at source, it was the first time a tea grower anywhere in the world had brought their produce to market. That pioneering philosophy continues in the uncompromising commitment the family company maintains to Taste, natural Goodness and ethical Purpose. A minimum 15% of the pretax profits from Dilmah Tea fund the work of the MJF Charitable Foundation.
In 2016 the MJF Foundation made a significant contribution to the healthcare system in the North of the island with the construction of an OPD block with an expense of Rs 60 million to ensure that the catchment area of 41,000 people from Kayts and its surrounding seven islands, thereby reducing travel distance to a hospital for the people of the area, eliminating the travel distance of 16km to the next hospital in Jaffna.
In August 2021, The Merrill J. Fernando High Dependency Care Facility was inaugurated at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital. This Rs. 25 mn. project provides specialised medical care for the predominantly tea estate workers in Nawalapitiya, and the Central Province. District General Hospital Nawalapitiya (DGHN) provided healthcare services for 500,000 people from the surrounding tea estates, and adjacent Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. The hospital capacity was not sufficient to accommodate demand, especially pandemic related patient surges.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
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