Business
Nalin Karunaratne appointed to Orient Finance Board
Colombo, Sri Lanka – Orient Finance PLC, a member of the Janashakthi Group, announced the appointment of Nalin Karunaratne as an Independent, Non-Executive Director to the Company’s Board of Directors, with effect from 21st December 2021.
A Chartered Global Management Accountant of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK, Nalin is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK and CIMA, UK. He has also completed several executive education programs at the prestigious IMD Business School, Switzerland; Harvard Business School, USA; and Asian Institute of Management, Philippines.
Nalin has had a long and illustrious career with several leadership roles at some of Sri Lanka’s preeminent local and multinational enterprises including Akzo Nobel Paints Lanka (Private) Limited; Darley Butler; ICL; Lafarge Holcim (Lanka) Limited; and Reckitt Benckiser (Lanka) Limited as well as Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Company Limited – the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company.
He currently serves as the Director / Chief Executive Officer of Ceylon Biscuits Limited and CBL Exports (Pvt) Ltd – members of the CBL Group. The Group is one of Sri Lanka’s largest FMCG conglomerates, engaged in both local sales and exports, and home to leading Sri Lankan food brands like Munchee, Ritzbury, Samaposha, Lankasoy and more. He is actively involved in the management of the Company’s overseas ventures, overlooking the operations of CBL West Africa (Ghana) Limited and Plenty Foods India LLP. Nalin also serves as a Director on the Boards of Ceylon Biscuits Limited, CBL Exports (Pvt) Limited, CBL Foods International (Pvt) Limited, and Ceylon Biscuits Bangladesh (Pvt) Limited.
Welcoming Nalin Karunaratne aboard the company, Anil Tittawella, Chairman, Orient Finance PLC, said, “I am delighted to welcome Nalin to the board of Orient Finance. He joins us at a time when we have managed to register strong growth despite challenging market conditions. Given his extensive experience across diverse sectors, with a particular strength in marketing, I am confident that he will be an invaluable addition to our team and help propel us to greater heights.”
“Staying true to the core values of its parent company, the Janashakthi Group, Orient Finance has been delivering great value to its customers and all other stakeholders with great integrity and innovative solutions,” said Nalin Karunaratne, Independent, Non-Executive Director, Orient Finance PLC. He further added, “Joining this enterprising team as they mark 40 years of sustained growth, I look forward to working with them on driving the company forward as it continues its steady rise as a leading provider of unique financial solutions in the market.”
A company with an illustrious 40-year history, Orient Finance PLC has continued to cement its position as one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted financial service providers offering a broad array of innovative solutions to a diverse and growing clientele through a network of 31 branches across the country. Building on the strengths of the Janashakthi Group, the Company has continued to register steady growth despite challenging market conditions. Having registered exponential year-on-year growth in both pre-tax profits and operating income, which grew by 386% and 92%, respectively, in the quarter ending 30th September 2021, Orient Finance is poised to deliver sustained growth and outstanding value in the years ahead.
With this appointment, the Orient Finance PLC Board comprises of Anil Tittawella PC (Chairman), K.M.M Jabir (Chief Executive Officer), Prakash Schaffter, Minette Perera, Indrani Goonesekera, Sriyan Cooray, Darshana Ratnayake and Nalin Karunaratne.
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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