Business
Sierra begins New Year with initiatives to achieve net carbon zero status by 2025
Sierra Construction Limited, a construction sector leader in Sri Lanka, commenced 2023 on a green note, launching a series of eco-friendly initiatives that has enabled the Company to achieve a reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions by 6,270 Kgs of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in January alone.
Embarking on the Company’s ‘Vision 2025’ Transformation Agenda designed to achieve net carbon zero status within the next three years, Sierra Construction completed the first phase of its recycling drive in collaboration with Neptune Recyclers and shredded a total of 6,270 Kgs of confidential documents-turned wastepaper in an environment friendly manner.
The environmental return on this initiative translated to the saving of 107 trees, 11,004 litres of oil, 25,080 kwh of electricity, 199,261 litres of water, and 19m3 of landfill space, Neptune Recyclers confirmed. In addition to saving Sierra the cost of transportation and labour involved in burning wastepaper at a designated location as was customary, the recycling programme also eliminated the environmental cost of this activity. The Company said it plans to continue with this recycling initiative in phases throughout the year.
Sierra also organised a beach clean-up project which covered 16,000 square metres of beach.A spokesperson for the Company said Sierra is in the process of educating staff on its Green initiative and is conducting awareness programmes across the country for employees to emphasise the importance of reduction of wastage, recycling and transformation. In addition, the Company is promoting carpooling and encouraging cycling as a means of commuting to work.
Sierra Construction has also inaugurated a weekly yoga and exercise programme for its staff. Designed to boost mental wellness and encourage physical fitness among Company employees, the programme focusses on building and strengthening one of the core assets of the company, which is its human resources, the spokesperson said.
A leading general engineering and construction company in Sri Lanka, Sierra Construction Limited was established in 1981. It is one of the most experienced contractors in the country for telecommunications, building construction, electrical engineering, water supply & sewerage, road and bridges projects and has an unblemished record of undertaking large-scale projects in Sri Lanka and overseas. Sierra Construction has operations in the Maldives, Bangladesh, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Abu Dhabi.
The Company has been assigned the CS2 Grade, the highest ranking issued by the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) in the field of engineering and construction and employs a skilled workforce of more than 4,000 including over 100 qualified and experienced engineers in Sri Lanka and overseas. Sierra Construction is an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company.
The Board of Directors of the company comprises Priyantha Perera (Chairman), Buwanaka Perera (Deputy Chairman), Cynthica Irugalbandara, Anura Premarathna, Kamaj Wanigasooriya, Prasad Erathna and Chaminda Ranasinghe.
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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