Business
Pan Asia Bank bestowed with ‘Employee ESG Program of the Year Sri Lanka 2022’ at the Global Banking and Finance Awards
The nation’s Truly Sri Lankan Bank, Pan Asia Bank was bestowed with the ‘Employee ESG Program of the Year Sri Lanka 2022’ accolade by the Global Banking and Finance Awards, which reflects the Bank’s unique workplace culture. Pan Asia Bank operates a well-knit Human Resource (HR) framework called ‘CARE’ which encompasses four pillars – Connect, Awareness, Reward, and Engagement – to engage and support the employee to the greatest extent possible.
Commenting on the prestigious accolade, Sampath Alwis, the Assistant General Manager/ Head – Human Resources at Pan Asia Bank said, “We are delighted to be bestowed with the Employee ESG Program of the Year Sri Lanka 2022’ award at the sought-after Global Banking and Finance awards. The HR function is becoming increasingly critical in times of uncertainty that the world is seeing today. At Pan Asia Bank, our most valuable asset – our people – are managed through effective training, strong engagement, constant evaluation, appreciation and encouragement. Our employee engagement, welfare, development, career progress and employee friendly and transparent policies have allowed us to be recognized with this prestigious award.”
Sampath Alwis adds further, “The banking sector is vital for the economy and hence it was a challenge to manage smooth operations during the pandemic. Nevertheless, we continued business as usual HR operations while managing the needs of our people along with the business needs and adhering to the set health and safety guidelines. I am proud to say that our bank recorded a minimum number of COVID-19 positive cases amongst the Sri Lankan banking community due to these stringent efforts of safeguarding our staff and their families. The Bank’s HR team will always be there as a stepping stone to support our employees through any professional or personal matter.”
The Bank’s employees receive extensive training in industry specific technical and trending soft skills to deliver the highest quality of customer service across all branches. Even during the lockdown period, the bank utilized online training platforms to extensively train the staff in an attempt to keep them abreast with the necessary knowledge and skills to operate effectively as soon as the economy recovers. As a Truly Sri Lankan Bank, Pan Asia Bank has established welfare programmes that boost camaraderie and fellowship amongst different segments of employees which return loyalty and higher productivity.
Pan Asia Bank Managing Director/CEO Nimal Tillekeratne elaborated, “Our human capital remains the driving force of our success and we remain committed to investing in our people, to make them feel valued and respected.”
Pan Asia Bank continues to inspire and spread joy amongst its employees through various initiatives as one of the most motivated and professional teams in the banking industry.
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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