Business
Satynmag AICPA&CIMA Women Friendly Workplace Awards 2023 launched with a Paper presented on women in the Sri Lankan workplace
Sri Lanka’s sole gender focused awards that measure the status of women in the Sri Lankan workplace, Women Friendly Workplace Awards 2023 edition, jointly presented by Satynmag.com and AICPA&CIMA, was launched formally on 01st March 2023.
The launch was marked with the presentation of a Paper on Good Practices for Women that sheds light on the Status of Women in the Sri Lankan Workplace. The Paper highlights the current level of recognition for women in the Sri Lankan work environment. Information gained through interactions with over 30 companies who employ a considerable female workforce, undertaken throughout the Awards process in 2022, was used to compile the first ever such report on the status of women in the Sri Lankan work place.
The Paper was presented by Prof. Arosha Adikaram, Chair of the Human Resources Department University of Colombo. Prof Adikaram is also the Head of the Panel of Judges of the Satynmag AICPA&CIMA Women Friendly Workplace Awards.
Satynmag AICPA&CIMA Women Friendly Workplace Awards commenced in 2021 and has been successfully recognized as the country’s only awards measuring the wellbeing and progress of women in the work environment. This is a key metric for Sri Lanka in keeping with UN SDG 05 of ensuring gender equality as a country. With over 25 leading companies taking part in the first round, last year saw even a bigger number of companies including multinationals taking part.
In her presentation of the Paper, Prof. Adikaram states that the Awards empower a process of achieving equality and equity which will result in a process of social, economic and business development. Given the fact that IWD 2023 theme is focused on Embracing Equity, this makes the proposition for women in the Sri Lankan workplace even more powerful.
“While women consist of over 52% of the population, we see a drastic decrease in the women participation in the workforce. They face numerous challenges in managing life events such as pregnancy, raising a family and child care; which calls for additional support to be made available when needed, so that the employment gap for women can be addressed,” she adds.
“We were able to gain insights into Good Practices of many organizations that have chosen to extend a high level of support to the women on their teams which is commendable indeed.”
Among the women focused initiatives that were considered exceptional and hailed as innovations, were those encouraging women to take up traditionally male dominated areas such as engineering, domestic violence support mechanism, anti-sexual harassment policies, anti-harassment and bullying policies, zero tolerance policy for harassment, whistle blowing policy, grievance handling, ensuring safe and secure employment, diversity, equality and inclusion policies (DE&I Policy), speak up policy, flexi work policies, code of ethics, human rights policy and back to work support policy.
Additionally, encouraging more women to apply for positions, supporting women to aspire to senior positions, providing adequate maternity leave and flexi hours during early motherhood and creating a supportive and encouraging workplace culture were recognized as measures that assured women employees of support provided at work.
Also associated with the launch were Nayomini R Weerasooriya, Founder Editor of www.satynmag.com, Zahara Ansary, Country Manager, AICPA&CIMA in Sri Lanka, Ken Vijayakumar HR Professional & Beshan Kulapala tech entrepreneur, representing the Board of Judges – 2023 Awards.
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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