Business
Swisstek Aluminium awarded landmark eco-friendly certification
In a victory for both Sri Lanka’s environment as well as its corporate sector landscape, Swisstek Aluminium was recently awarded the GREENSL® Certification by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL), marking the assurance that sustainability is at the heart of manufacturing its entire range of aluminium extrusion products.
The GBCSL takes the process from extraction of raw materials to the end of the product’s useful life into consideration when certifying companies under this standard, ensuring that only brands with the highest commitment to sustainable practises are recognised accordingly. In this regard, Swisstek Aluminium has also been taking several steps towards achieving more sustainable operations and setting industry standards; for instance, it completed a major solar panel installation at its primary factory last year, severely downsizing its carbon footprint.
Commenting on the company’s achievement, Swisstek Aluminium Chief Executive Officer Tharindu Atapattu stated, “Swisstek Aluminium appreciates that our efforts to make our operations more eco-friendly have been recognised at the national level – it is undoubtedly an honour. But at the same time, in the spirit of our business, we do not plan to stop here. Swisstek Aluminium will continue looking into ways to further ensure that Sri Lanka’s natural resources are preserved well into the future, and dispel the illusion that industry is tied to pollution. Our company has always maintained environmental friendliness as part of our greater vision, and we will continue to do so as we forge ahead.”
In addition to being a viable replacement for limited resources like wood that are used in buildings and furnishings, aluminium’s value as a sustainable product comes from how easily it can be recycled and repurposed once it has reached the end of its use – due to this, close to three-quarters of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
In a country like Sri Lanka – which lost around 13.2% of its total forest cover between 2017 and 2019, and is still seeing further deforestation – such alternatives will play a vital role in ensuring that our national development does not come at the cost of our natural heritage. This ideal forms part of the foundation beneath Swisstek Aluminium, which seeks to maintain eco-friendly processes at all stages of its activities while steadily expanding within the industry, both locally and abroad.
Swisstek Aluminium Ltd., established in 2009, is a subsidiary of Lanka Walltiles PLC which comes under the reputed Vallibel One PLC Group. It has established itself as the leading environmentally-friendly manufacturer of anodised, powder-coated, and mill-finished aluminium extrusions in Sri Lanka, with a reputation for high-quality products, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
The company became the first aluminium manufacturer in Sri Lanka to receive the QUALICOAT – Sea Side Certification for Powder Coated Aluminium. It is also certified under ISO 9001:2015/SLS 1410:2011, and most recently, the GREENSL® Certification by the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka. Swisstek Aluminium has proved its quality and reliability in many industries, such as Hospitals, Apartments, Supermarkets, and Hotels, etc. representing both the public and private sectors of Sri Lanka, in addition to international clients.
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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