Business
Minimizing single use plastic is vital for a sustainable future
Single use plastic is considered one of the greatest challenges in managing environment pollution in the world today; single use plastic is said to last well over a century whilst polluting water sources and causing long term environmental hazards.
Experts believe that over 50% of the plastic produced in the world belong to the single use category and will cause damage to landfills, oceans and the entire environment over time.
It is estimated that in Sri Lanka, where single use plastic items such as straws, yoghurt spoons and sachet packs are widely used, 10 % of municipal waste consists of isopolyethylene plastic which belong to the single use category. That’s not all; Sri Lanka was ranked 05th in a list of countries that release plastic and polythene waste to the ocean in 2017.
Plastic waste generation in Sri Lanka is estimated at 1.59 MMT/year while mismanaged plastic is estimated at 5% ; the burden of this is already on the country and the people as we will continue to see a greater impact on the environment primarily from single use plastic which are already choking waterways and the oceans.
As more and more organizations express their commitment to minimizing the usage of single use plastic, Sri Lanka’s leading direct selling company, Global Lifestyle Lanka believes that a firm committed towards not using single use plastic throughout their operations is a vital one to follow and adhere to.
The Company believes that choosing the use of sustainable products in place of single use plastic is critical in managing our environmental damage.
Sri Lanka has also started re-processing of plastic to mitigate the damage; processing of plastic is already taking place with over 400 companies active in the space with Rs 13 billion invested in re-processing of plastic in the island.
Single use plastic consists of polymers that are HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP, PS and EPS and have the capacity to be absorbed easily into the ocean, rivers and earth fills, causing silent but lethal damage that will outlast entire generations.
Single use plastic also includes various plastic streams such as imported raw material, imported products, plastic components, semi-finished products, packaging, waste generated by airlines, ports, shipping etc and free flowing marine debris.
With industrial activity widely present in the Western Province, sources point out that single use plastic wastage is greater in the Western Province. The Western Province Waste Management Authority is entrusted with managing the plastic waste generated in the province.
Although Sri Lanka has taken steps to ban many kinds of single use plastic items, the commitment towards minimizing single use plastics must come from the people themselves.
Unless as a nation we take steps to ensure an individual commitment towards reducing and over time totally phase out single use plastics, our future generations will be impacted by the pollution the single use plastics cause in the environment.
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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