Business
Sampath Bank donates Rs. 50 million towards 1990 Suwa Seriya’s ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ initiative
Sampath Bank has handed over a cheque of Rs. 50 million to support the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation’s ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ project. With this timely donation under its ‘Hope for a Life’ CSR programme, Sampath Bank’s contribution will fund the maintenance of 10 Suwa Seriya ambulances in all nine provinces.
One of Sampath Bank’s key CSR focus areas is extending health assistance to the community and this donation by the Bank will enable Suwa Seriya to maintain and improve the services of its 1990 ambulance network for providing lifesaving emergency medical assistance in Sri Lanka. At the Adopt an Ambulance event on 26th April, Chairman, and senior officials of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation accepted the donation of Rs. 50 million from Sampath Bank’s senior representatives which comprised the Corporate Management of the Bank as well.
The 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation introduced the ‘Adopt an Ambulance’ initiative to secure private sector funding to sustain the services it offers, as the government’s assistance for Suwa Seriya was impeded due to financial constraints brought on by the economic crisis in the country.
The 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation provides pre-hospital care ambulance services and emergency response services free of charge to any person. These facilities include providing immediate and effective pre-hospital care in a safe and clinical working environment until a person reaches the nearest healthcare provider. The Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service was established in 2016 with the assistance of the Indian government.
The ‘Hope for a Life’ CSR flagship programme has inspired Sampath Bank to make a significant contribution to health care in the country over the years. In the past, the Bank has donated a Neuro Navigator to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka at an investment of Rs. 49.7 Mn which enabled neurosurgeons to conduct more operations per day to reduce the waiting list.
The Bank also handed over a ventilator worth Rs 2.2 Mn to the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of National Hospital of Sri Lanka which enhanced the capacity of the hospital’s Neurosurgery ICU, previously limited to five ICU ventilators for all 10 beds.
Further, in 2020, Sampath Bank stepped into assist the nation’s fight against COVID-19 and jointly with CBL Group and WSO2 donated a fully equipped PCR laboratory to the Army Hospital in Colombo amounting to Rs. 32 Mn. The state-of-the-art lab has a testing capacity of 600 patients per day, thereby enhancing the country’s virus testing capacity. The Bank assisted nine state hospitals across various provinces in 2022 with donations of lifesaving medicine and medical equipment to alleviate the shortage of such items due to the lack of imports.
Closely engaged with local communities, Sampath Bank has also conducted various community empowering initiatives under its CSR flagship projects such as Wewata Jeewayak (Tank restoration to benefit farmers), Sayurata Husmak (Oceanic Ecosystem Restoration Programme) and Gasai Mamai Pubudu Pothai (Tree-planting programme for school children). Sampath Bank is a truly local bank that has deeply rooted itself in the lives of Sri Lankan people reflecting its strong corporate belief of “Values that bind us beyond a Transaction”.
Established in 1987, the Bank has become a state-of-the-art financial institution that continues to be a market leader for its constant innovation and customer-focused approach to business.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
