Business
Standard Chartered Sri Lanka hosts first-of-its-kind Environmental & Social Risk Assessment workshop
A screenshot taken from the webinar on the ESRA Workshop conducted by the resource person and Standard Chartered PLC’s Executive Director for Environmental & Social Risk Management, Roger Charles (bottom left).
Standard Chartered Sri Lanka held a virtual workshop on the 13th of July to discuss how local financial institutions could establish a robust framework for Environment and Social Risk Assessment (ESRA), prior to proceeding with a lending decision. The webinar, conducted by Roger Charles, Executive Director for Environmental and Social Risk Management, Standard Chartered PLC, focused on the current challenges as well as the future aspects of Environment and Social Risk Management.
During the workshop, Charles shared some of the Group’s best practices for incorporating sustainability considerations into lending decisions to help local banks understand how they can evaluate their clients using ESRA criteria. He pointed out that through the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in financing decisions, financial institutions can help minimise the negative impact that its business activities can have on the communities as well as on the environment.
Commenting on the timeliness of the workshop was Tamani Dias, Executive Director and Head, Local & International Corporates, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka. She said,
“We recognise that our success as a bank is intrinsically linked to the health and prosperity of our market. For us, sustainability is about creating long-term value for our clients and working in partnership with our stakeholders to make a positive economic and social contribution. We hope that this workshop will encourage our local financial institutions to ‘Do No Harm’ and ‘Do More Good’ by integrating ESRA criteria in their financing decisions and also, consider Standard Chartered as their trusted ESG partner moving forward.”
Charles noted that in 2020 alone, Standard Chartered had conducted over 18,000 bank-wide client assessments against the Bank’s 7 position statements, trained over 1,600 frontline and risk staff in environmental and social risk, in addition to reviewing over 1,000 clients and transactions to ensure that all business activities have adhered to international standards on sustainability and best practice.
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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