Business
Successful completion of fourth ‘ACL SAX’ conductor installation project
ACL Cables PLC, recently completed another significant milestone with the installation of its fourth ‘ACL SAX’ 80mm² 33KV medium voltage covered conductor electricity transmission project.
The installation took place at a site close to Sri Lanka’s largest power station, the Lakvijaya Power Plant, commonly known as Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. This is an ongoing project and was carried out in partnership with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and is the fourth such installation of its kind.
For this the project, ACL also partnered ENSTO Finland. The project was completed, based on ENSTO accessories specifications with site supervision and training provided by ACL Cables. The first inspection is scheduled to take three months after the installation, for quality checks and to ensure the line is in proper working order.
ENSTO is an international technology company which designs and provides smart and reliable electrical solutions and expertise for distribution and usage of electricity.
Commenting on this landmark achievement, ACL Cables Managing Director, Suren Madanayaka said, “We are extremely pleased to be involved in this national development project. As the number one cable in Sri Lanka we always believe in contributing towards improving national infrastructure. Apart from our core offering Aerial Bundled Cables and bare conductors to the CEB, our ‘ACL SAX’ conductor has also been uniquely designed and developed to facilitate the purpose of electricity distribution.”
He added, “We always believed in offering products not only of the highest standards but products which emulate a unique system approach and design perfection as opposed to the production of a mere medium voltage covered conductor. The end result in this instance is the ‘ACL SAX’. I have also personally witnessed the conductor’s rigorous development process for over a decade since we began research and development activities in 2010. We have also exceeded the expected British standards. I am confident this series of projects will create a successful path for ‘ACL SAX’ in the future. We are extremely appreciative of CEB and ENSTO for having faith in us and supporting this project.”
Notably, three similar projects have been finalized previously as part of the same project. The first was installed at a site in Tangalle Bay with a length of one km.
The ‘ACL SAX’ conductor is a unique medium voltage solution developed to minimize the challenges faced by the use of bare conductors for medium voltage electricity distribution in areas of high density of vegetation or salty atmosphere.
The initial concept of the product was designed in 1993, with the assistance of Nokia, Finland based on the requirement of a 33kV distribution line in Ratmalana. In 2010, the product was developed further and branded as ‘ACL SAX’. Today, the well-designed product assures higher reliability and better durability by avoiding frequent failure.
This system differs from traditional Medium Voltage Covered Conductors since it emphasizes on; line design, conductor design, use of high quality accessories and proper installation. System approach is absolutely essential for “ACL SAX” to perform to its expectations. A proper system approach for covered conductor 11KV and 33 KV distribution lines include the use of high quality conductors, high quality accessories and perfect installation. ACL together with ENSTO and its in-house expertise have established themselves to execute the above system approach to perfection.
‘ACL SAX’ is also recognized as a value for money solution compared to fully insulated Aerial Bundled Cables and underground cables which are high in price and at times cumbersome to install.
Major benefits of ACL SAX covered conductors are reliability in power distribution even under extreme weather conditions, ability to install between narrow tree bunches making it eco-friendly and safer than a bare conductor
Today, ACL Cables is the market leader with 70% market share and over LKR 20 billion in annual revenue as a Group.
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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