Business
Plans afoot to restart over 500 housing units in RPCs- The Planters’ Association of Ceylon
Close to Rs. 1Bn to be invested for the construction of housing and ECDs in RPCs 500 families to be vested with new housing constructed to the tune of Rs. 2.5Mn per unit 19 early childhood development centres to benefit families in the estate sector
The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) announced that nearly Rs. 1Bn will be allocated towards recommencing the construction of over 500 housing units and 19 ‘Early Childhood Development Centres’ (ECDs) in a drive to create a sustainable livelihood for the plantation community across several RPCs in the country.
According to the Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), a tripartite Organisation consisting of the Government, RPCs and Plantation Trade Unions (TU), the construction is expected to complete in six months for the benefit of 500 estate workers and their families in Galle, Ratnapura, Kandy, Hatton, and Nuwara-Eliya.
A total of over 65,000 housing units have been provided to estate workers and their families, amongst which 44,000 units were constructed since privatization in 1992.
“We have been steadfast in our commitment to taking concrete steps to improve the amenities in our estates. While we witnessed a slowdown in construction work over the past two years due to COVID-19 and the economic downturn, we look forward to restarting these projects in full swing,” Media Spokesperson of PA Dr Roshan Rajadurai said.
Modular in design, the 550 square feet house is built on a seven-perch block of land. The house comes complete with two bedrooms, a sitting room, kitchen, toilet pipe-borne water, and a small space for home gardening.
In the meantime, Rs. 474Mn. will be utilised to construct 19 ECDs where children of estate workers are provided security and care during work hours. Mothers working in the field are given the facility to enrol their child at a CDC at the tender age of five months, manned by a qualified Child Development Officer (CDO), until they begin school.
With the goal of improving the lives of children in the estate sector, the work to build and renovate CDCs is rapidly progressing. As part of the Early Childhood Development project introduced in 2015, the investment and tireless efforts of RPCs have generated 1400 newly built and renovated centres. Approximately 25,000 children have been registered for supportive custodial care across the estates.
“For over the past 30 years, RPCs have continuously worked towards improving the livelihoods of the estate community. We see this not only as an investment but also as providing equal opportunity for our estates’ nearly one million resident population. We thank our donors and stakeholders who have played a major role in implementing these initiatives. For generations, our workers have been integral to the development of Sri Lanka’s plantation industry. However, especially in the context of a looming economic crisis, it is vital that all stakeholders band together to protect our most vulnerable communities,” concluded Dr Rajadurai.
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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