Business
Plans underway to protect coconut plantations from El Nino climate change impact
By Ifham Nizam
The government has allocated Rs. 300 million to programs aimed at saving local coconut plantations from the El Nino climate impact, while 360,000 coconut saplings are also in the process of being planted, a senior official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries said.
The official told The Island Financial Review that the prediction made by the Meteorological Department as well as the international weather departments is that the current El Nino climate situation may further develop in the upcoming Yala season this year. In other words, there is a possibility that other crops as well as coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka will be severely affected.
Taking this matter into consideration, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries recently to implement a joint program in order to protect coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka.
“We will have to face a severe drought in the upcoming Yala season, especially during the El Nino climate change process. During the El Niño process, there is a chance that the rainy season will receive excessive rains and the drought conditions will become extremely severe during the Yala season, Amaraweera said.
Meanwhile, informed sources said: ‘In order to minimize the impact of El Nino climate change on the coconut cultivation in this country, digging coconut pits and protecting the moisture in the coconut plantations, as well as covering the roots of coconut trees with coconut husks, will enable the plantations to face the drought to a certain extent.
‘According to current observations, it is essential to prepare at least 16 specially prepared coconut pits per acre of coconut land. The technology for preparing these special coconut pits is to be provided by the Coconut Development Board.’
Amaraweera instructed the Coconut Research Institute to launch a program to inform farmers engaged in coconut cultivation regarding measures to rescue coconut plantations from the impending drought.
Amaraweera said that the Coconut Development Authority, Lunuwila Coconut Research Institute as well as the Coconut Development Board should work together and provide farmers with the necessary technical knowledge to protect private sector plantations.
A discussion on this matter was held recently at the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries. Agriculture Ministry Secretary Janaka Dharmakirthi and other high officials of the ministry as well as heads of institutions dealing with coconut cultivation were also present.
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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