Business
Swiss expert team visits farmers, estates and other sites in the agri-ecosystem
A Swiss expert team on organic agriculture visited farmer communities across the country, both conventional as well as organic, in key locations such as Kalpitiya, Thambuttegama, Weliweriya, Radawanam, Ratnapura including visits to tea estates and a factory. They observed sites and facilities that play a pivotal role in the country’s agri-ecosystem, A Baur and Co. Ltd., the long-established Swiss firm, here said in a news release.
Baurs owned some of the best coconut estates in the country like Palugaswewa in Rajakaduwela (near Chilaw) before the land reforms, remains big in fertilizer and holds agencies for Swiss interests in many fields.
The team also visited the scenic lush green organic tea plantation of the eco-friendly Lake Serenity Resort & Spa at Kuruwita, Ratnapura. During their visit, they toured the Hidellana Tea Factory and witnessed its sustainable manufacturing process and practices including automations and energy-efficient equipment, the release said.
“With food waste increasing across the world, countries including Sri Lanka are actively deploying various initiatives to convert them into organic compost. The experts observed how garbage is collected from hotels for processing organic manure, including a tour to the Hotel Waste Management System at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya where the hotel’s management team walked them through the entire process and the steps taken towards a holistic long-term approach to waste management.
“Earlier this Month, the team observed the Kerawalapitiya waste management park where plans are underway to expedite the production capacity from 15 MT of bio-organic compost produced daily to around 50 MT.
“Taking into consideration the importance of other members in the ecosystem, they also toured a poultry farm at Ganemulla. Upon their return to Colombo the next day, they met and discussed with various key officials including the local country representative of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), members of Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP), the umbrella organization of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) operating within several Ministries, GIZ Sri Lanka, and Binesh Pananwala, CEO of Watawala Plantations PLC,” it said.
The expert team left for Switzerland on the August 10 after their diverse 10-day visit to study the country’s agriculture landscape. They will thereafter carry out an in-dept analysis and evaluation and provide scientific and practical recommendations for the nation to embrace an organic approach holistically.
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
