Business
SEC chairman welcomes budget proposals
The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), Viraj Dayaratne P.C. commended the budget proposals presented to parliament on November 17, by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.
The proposals include several measures to develop the capital market of Sri Lanka. As an incentive to promote and popularize Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS) that was enabled by the SEC by way of its Rules published in the Gazette on July 31, 2020, the proposals state that the investments in REITS are exempted from the Capital Gains Tax and the dividends are to be free from Income Tax. Further, the Stamp duty is to be reduced upto 0.75%. The stakeholders in the industry had perceived stamp duty as an impediment to the setting up of REITS in Sri Lanka and the SEC sees this proposal as a huge boost to setting up of REITS in the country.
In addition, to promote new listings of local companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the government has put forward certain key proposals such as a 50% tax concession for the years 2021/2022 for companies that are listed before December 31, 2021. The number of companies listed on the CSE has not increased during the last several years and that was seen as a reason for the lack of liquidity and relatively small size of the market. The new proposal will be an impetus for new listings.
The SEC wishes to thank the President, the Prime Minister, the State Minister for Money and Capital Markets, the Secretary to the President and the Secretary to the Treasury for having taken into consideration the representations made by the SEC and for taking these initiatives which will help to develop and build a strong capital market which could benefit both users and providers of capital. These efforts will undoubtedly help deepen market activity and increase access to capital for Sri Lankan corporates.
The CSE has functioned uninterrupted and has performed exceptionally well with an 80% increase in total market turnover as against 2019 and the average daily turnover has doubled. The SEC chairman remarked that “The steps taken by the joint committee comprising of representatives of the SEC and the CSE to digitalize the stock market in September 2020 has enabled the market to operate without interruption despite the present situation in the country. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the stakeholders in the capital market industry, particularly the CSE and the stockbroking community for the unstinted support given to facilitate the end-to-end digitalization of the market”.
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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