Business
Piramal triples first half profit
Piramal Glass Ceylon PLC, the sole player in the domestic glass container industry, with a significant export presence, has posted an exceptional first half in the current financial, better than tripling its profit to Rs. 316 million from Rs. 95 million earned a year earlier when business took a punch from the Covid pandemic following the Easter bomb.
Indian-controlled Piramal, quoted on the CSE, said in a news release announcing its half year results that it expected to do well in the second half of the year as well saying “we are hopeful to sustain and further improve the performance as there is a healthy pipeline for new products and new customers in the international market.”
The first half results were achieved despite modest turnover growth, up to Rs. 3.56 billion from Rs. 3.53 billion a year earlier.
The company’s share price gained sharply on the CSE following the release of the first half results.
Reporting that the period under review began with the Covid lockdown with production commencing at 25% capacity by making glass containers for food and pharmaceutical customers. Operations normalizing by mid-May resulting in a first quarter setback.
But demand had begun improving from the second quarter with revenue of Rs. 2.23 billion generated against Rs. 1.94 billion a year earlier, up 14.2%. Profit after tax for the quarter ended Sept. 30,2020, was Rs. 360 million, up from Rs. 74 million a year earlier.
Reporting 20% growth in the domestic market with sales up to Rs. 1.56 billion from Rs. 1.29 billion a year earlier, Piramal said there was a steep rise in demand for its products as a result of panic buying of food. This resulted in higher sales of food jars locally. The demand from the pharmaceutical and agro industries also showed a healthy upward growth though the beverage market saw a setback due to restrictions on social and festive gatherings.
Export sales gained marginally at Rs. 670 million, up from Rs. 651 million a year earlier. The company said improved exports were achieved in the face in limitation of vessel availability in major markets with exports even to India and Pakistan impacted.
“However, the demand of flavoured water bottles for Canadian and North American markets and higher demand for food jars in Australia helped surpass last years sales,” Piramal said. “The company also made inroads in new markets such as UK, Mexico, Colombia and Netherlands with food jars and high-end liquor bottles.”
Piramal Glass Ceylon (formerly Ceylon Glass Company) is the only glass bottle manufacturing plant in Sri Lanka. Coming under the umbrella of India’s Pirmal Group in 1999, its factory was relocated to Horana from Ratmalana in 2007 as a BOI venture.
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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