Business
PickMe invests Rs. 50 million over 18 months to keep driver partners and customers safe
PickMe, Sri Lanka’s Number One ride hailing company, said last week that in the last one and a half years, the company has invested over Rs. 50 million in new innovations and safety measures to keep their driver partners and customers safe through the raging pandemic.
“The latest feature introduced is especially for their passengers who can now identify the vaccinated status of the driver they hail via an indicator icon appearing on the app.,” a news release said.
“With the start of the vaccination drive in the country, we encouraged all our driver partners to get the vaccine, by giving them a cash incentive. We will continue to provide our drivers this incentive until 80% of our fleet is vaccinated.
“Currently we have more than 3,000 vaccinated driver partners and we are working towards reaching 60% before September 16,” says Gowshik Sathiyasiva, Head of Marketing & Communications of PickMe.
PickMe’s vaccination drive also extended to their passengers when they launched a special promotion, offering a discount of Rs.150/- to passengers travelling to the nearest center for their COVID-19 jab.
The promotion was live for three weeks, and 5,000 customers used the discount to travel back and forth to get their vaccine. This promotion has now been re-initiated with the recent vaccination drive in the country, the release said.
“Prior to the vaccination icon, a new tech feature was introduced last year, to show the driver’s temperature on the Passenger app and it was made mandatory for drivers to enter their temperature every time they logged in. They implemented temperature checkpoints around Colombo and Kandy in partnership with the Sri Lanka Police, to make sure driver partners enter accurate data,” it added.
PickMe also assisted authorities to track the movement of Covid positive patients with the use of its locally built contact tracing feature. Drivers have been constantly educated on safety precautions related to Covid-19 through an in-app training module, and customers were also made aware through stickers and placards placed in all their vehicles.
Another safety measure taken by PickMe for both driver partners and passengers was to place separators in over 8,000 tuk tuks in their fleet so that the driver and passenger could ride in isolation.
In partnership with the Rotaract club, Colombo, S-Lon and Keells Super markets, hand washing units were installed in PickMe tuks. PickMe also distributes hand sanitizers regularly to their driver fleet to be installed in their vehicles.
The Head of Marketing of PickMe says the company will continue to strictly follow all safety guidelines and invest in new innovations to ensure the safety of their driver partners and passengers.
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
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
