Business
Teejay adapts to ‘new normal’, posts net profit of Rs. 631 million in Q2
As the world continues to focus on flattening the curve in the COVID-19 pandemic, Teejay Lanka PLC has adapted to the “new normal” to post an improved performance in the three months ending 30th September 2020.
Sri Lanka’s only multinational textile producer has converted the first quarter’s net loss of Rs 31.5 million to net profit of Rs 631.3 million for the second quarter of the current financial year and reported profit before tax of Rs 782.3 million for the three months reviewed.
Revenue grew by 86% over the three months to Rs 8.8 billion from Rs 4.7 billion as at 30th June 2020, the Company reported in a filing with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).
The extreme adversity of the first quarter of the year has, however, taken some of the starch out of the Group’s six-month figures, with revenue down 22% to Rs 13.5 billion, gross profit down 42% to Rs 1.3 billion, and pre and post-tax profit down 48% and 52% respectively over the corresponding six months of 2019-20 to Rs 796.3 million and Rs 599.8 million for the six months ending 30th September 2020.
Nevertheless, Teejay Chairman Bill Lam has said the Group remains “cautiously optimistic” as the situation in Sri Lanka continues to evolve, and that with the Group’s presence felt throughout the region, Teejay is poised on the cusp of realising its target of becoming a US$ 300 million company in the foreseeable future.
“With the help of the Operational Excellence initiatives launched, the Group continues to focus on cost-control mechanisms,” Lam said. “These initiatives have resulted in managing non-operational and non-strategic costs while re-evaluation of the cost base has given rise to elimination of non-essential costs making Teejay leaner. However, the Group has invested substantially on added health and safety related measures to protect our employees from the pandemic.”
During these times of intense competition resulting from price swings and high demand for low cost products, the Group is positioned to capitalise on the opportunity created by customers focussing on supply chain strategising to mitigate reliance on a single country, and equipped with a strong order book is prepared to face any challenge, Lam added.
Teejay Lanka CEO Pubudu De Silva disclosed that Teejay’s operations in India are gathering momentum and had increased their loading capacity during the second quarter. The Group has also taken deliberate steps to unfreeze the restrictions on capital expenditure to continue with the modernisation of the plants, he said.
“This 180-degree turnaround in performance would not have been possible if not for the commitment and ingenuity of Team Teejay, which should receive all the credit for the second quarter’s performance,” De Silva said.
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
