Business
Rotary Sri Lanka and SLSI launch Covid-19 prevention certification program for SL businesses
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Rotary Sri Lanka has initiated a certification program, along with the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI), for businesses to introduce into their institutions new health protocols required to combat the Covid 19 pandemic. Micro, small, medium and large scale businesses in the country are included in the program, Rtn. Ajith Weerasinghe, District Governor 2020-21, RI District:3220, Sri Lanka & Maldives said.
‘SLSI got the best brains to develop the standards that led to the first-ever certification protocols for COVID protection being launched in the country to create a “Covid Control Environment” in keeping with the theme “Stop The Spread”, Weerasinghe told The Island Financial Review.
Weerasinghe added – ‘Rotary then diffused the idea and certified more than 250 entities, including schools, supermarkets, hotels and top tea brands, global health and nutrition companies, international rubber organisations, the apparel sector and hotels, which quantified the contribution of Rotary during the pandemic. ‘The recent spike we see in Sri Lanka is very worrying given the new strand we see in countries like India. We cannot afford another lockdown like last year. We have to stop the spread by regulating our behaviour.
‘Rotary consists also of the youth arm Rotaract and 70 clubs took the initiative to promote this “Stop the Spread ” programme in Sri Lanka targeting the SME sector in the country.
‘Any business entity could apply for the certification, which introduces stringent guidelines for the company to prevent the Covid 19 disease. The investment for this certification is from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 300,000 based on the size of the entity.
‘We started the “Stop the Spread” programme in April last year soon after the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic and in June we were able to launch the certification programme with the assistance of SlSI.
‘Last year during the Covid 19 pandemic days Rotary Club had contributed Rs. 250 million worth of medical equipment to the Medical Research Institute and also provided the most sophisticated Covid Detection Analytical Machine, which is worth more than Rs. 120 million.
‘From 1993 to 2020, Rotary International’s donation arm, Rotary Foundation, contributed Rs. four billion for various projects in Sri Lanka. It also took steps to eradicate polio from the globe by 2025.
‘Rotary International has been ranked the best financial management institution for the eighth consecutive year in the world and has spread through 200 countries. It has 35000 clubs with 1.2 million members globally.’
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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