Business
SLT statement on media coverage of Board changes
The Board of Directors (“Board”) of Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (“SLT”) refer to the recent media coverage of Boardroom changes at SLT.
This note is to provide factual information and clarity on the corporate identity of SLT, the role, responsibilities, authority and accountability of management and the Board (including the Chairman of the Board), and in particular the separation of powers between the Board and Management. All of the information in this note is already available in public sources.
SLT was incorporated under the then Companies Act No. 17 of 1982 (now superseded by the Companies Act No.7 of 2007). SLT is listed and quoted on the Colombo Stock Exchange (“CSE”) and is governed via the tenets of SLT’s Articles of Association (“Articles of Association”). The Government of Sri Lanka and Global Telecommunications Holdings (“GTH”) have a 49.5% and 44.98% equity interest in SLT. SLT has about 13700 other shareholders. As disclosed in the Annual Report, GTH is wholly owned by Usaha Tegas Sdn Bhd, which is incorporated in Malaysia. SLT is therefore not a state-owned corporation nor a government organization as opposed to government corporations established under separate enactments.
As a listed company, SLT complies with the CSE Continuing Obligations and the Code of Best Practice on Corporate Governance (“CG Code”). A copy of the Articles of Association is available for review at its registered office and the websites of SLT and CSE.
The Board plays a stewardship role in accordance with the CG Code which provides details on the role, responsibilities and authority of the Board and Management.
The Board, including the Chairman, is non-executive. This means that no director, including the Chairman of the Board, has the authority to make individual decisions or give individual instructions to members of management or staff. Board decisions and instructions are made and conveyed by formal, minutes and collective Board decisions.
The position of the Chairman at SLT is not to be confused with that of Executive Chairman in other public companies or State-Owned Corporations. The Chairman of the SLT Board has the primary role to chair board meetings and facilitate and ensure the workings of the Board. The Chairman is appointed by the Board in accordance with the Articles of Association.
All Directors, including the Chairman are non-Executive and are not employees of SLT. Their role is not full time. They are therefore not entitled to a salary nor benefits that accrue to employees. All Directors in SLT, including the Chairman, do receive fees for the discharge of their fiduciary duties.
SLT is led by a Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) who is appointed by the Board. It is the CEO and the management team that operate the business and make the executive decisions within the powers provided to them by the Articles of Association. The CEO is an employee and is paid a salary.
The separation of powers, that the Board undertakes the oversight role and the management the executive role, ensures clear delineation of roles, responsibilities, authority and most importantly, accountability.
Compliance with related party transactions and its related disclosures in accordance with Sri Lanka Financial Reporting Standards 24 are monitored by the Related Party Transactions (“RPT”) Committee of the Board. The Board wishes to confirm that the present Chairman has not only disclosed his related party interests but that he has in fact made disclosures over and above regulatory requirements. The Board has robust controls in place to ensure that if a director does not disclose related party interests or interferes in areas where there is conflict, the Board will take the necessary action in accordance with the law and regulations.
The Board does hope that this statement provides clarity for the informed stakeholder. We humbly request that aggrieved and interested parties that have concerns regarding the governance of SLT address the appropriate forum of the regulatory authorities or the courts of law. The Board will not want to enter into the bowels of public debate and correct each and every uninformed, misguided, erroneous or unwarranted statement.
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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