Business
Primacy of psychological and physical wellbeing of apparel sector employees underscored
By Hiran H. Senewiratne
The apparel sector is the biggest earner of export income in the country, yet the industry has not taken proper steps to ensure the physical and psychological wellbeing of its employees, chairman, Rangiri Holdings Nihal Pathirage said.
“At present more than one million male and female employees are in the sector and those employees are facing major psychological and personal issues, among others. These issues could lead to an exodus of employees from the sector in the future. Therefore, I am planning to set up productivity centres in the Export Processing Zones to promote the productivity of these employees. Besides plans are afoot to develop cooperation among the different categories of staff, besides launching staff motivational programs for them, Pathirage told The Island Financial Review.
Pathirage added: ‘Sri Lanka has 20 Zones throughout the country and we will be setting up the first productivity centre at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone. This will mainly serve the industry and promote skills among apparel sector workers, which help to bring dollars into the country.
‘The Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing sector today has about 300 factories that generated export revenues of US $ 5.40 billion in 2021. Over 1.10 million people are directly affected by the prevailing situation in the country in just the apparel sector alone because most of the employees suffer personal and psychological issues, which need to be addressed urgently for the future progress of the industry.
‘The apparel accessory business directly employs 400,000 workers and indirectly employs a further two million workers. The bulk of garment production takes place in Free Trade Zones, where the workers are mainly migrant women from rural areas, who are going through major psychological and personal issues.
‘One of the other main issues the industry encounters is that our trained staff/ work force is going to other countries, such as Bangladesh, India and some African countries, which is detrimental to the sector in the medium to long term perspectives.
‘Sri Lanka is globally renowned for its ethical practices when handling labour. Under the guidelines issued by the Board of Investments, all plants operate employee councils where employees and employers work together on resolving matters through mutual concern. Although it is satisfactory, it needs some more attention to look into their psychological wellbeing, productivity and mutual cooperation.
‘With the pandemic causing significant disruption to Sri Lanka’s economy, our vision of elevating the country to a $ 8 billion global apparel hub by 2025 is now perhaps more critical than ever. This growth is envisaged through value addition and further evolving from contracted apparel manufacturing for buying offices to end-to-end solutions for leading global brands and retailers, spanning innovation to last-mile delivery.’
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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