Business
TTEL consolidates sustainability drive with Gold status on UN Climate Neutral Now initiative
Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC (TTEL), a leading member of the Hayleys Plantations Sector, obtained the Gold status for all three steps of Measure, Reduce and Contribute under the Climate Neutral Now (CNN) initiative of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), setting another regional benchmark in the plantations industry.
One of several initiatives launched by the UNFCCC secretariat to increase climate action under the Paris Agreement, the Climate Neutral Now initiative guides, supports, and encourages non-party stakeholders such as organisations and individuals to work towards a Climate Neutral world by 2050.
“Hayleys Plantations has always championed sustainable innovation in Sri Lanka, and the Gold status is a recognition of our commitment to the stringent guidelines issued for the CNN initiative. With this achievement, we have surpassed one of the key milestones in our journey to be NetZero by 2050.
“Our pledge to the CNN initiative in 2019 provided us with the opportunity to leverage on the clear framework, tools, best practices and sector-specific resources devised under this powerful global initiative to reduce our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions significantly. We hope that our achievement today contributes positively to the urgent global mobilisation against climate change,” Hayleys Plantations Managing Director, Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said.
The Gold status is issued to organisations fulfilling three major criteria for “Climate Neutrality”, including the contribution of registered carbon credits under the Verified Carbon Standards (VCS) to offset the current unavoidable emissions. Third-party verification of the comprehensive GHG measured inventory and completing the targets set out for the Science-based Targets initiative to reduce emissions complete the trio.
“To achieve the Gold status for the CNN initiative, a company has to complete all the requirements provided under the three steps: measure, reduce and contribute. Since our pledge to the initiative, we have worked towards achieving the Gold status in these steps individually, setting yet another benchmark in the sector as one of the first companies to be Climate Neutral,” Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC Director/CEO, Senaka Alawattegama said.
Since signing on to the initiative in 2019, TTEL has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions in 2020/21 by 7.3% against the year 2019/20, which in turn was an 8.6% decrease compared to the base year 2018/19.
The initiative with over 400 global participants encourages and supports organisations and other interested stakeholders to take immediate action on climate emergency, as enshrined by the Paris Climate Agreement. Through its sustainability initiatives, TTEL has achieved immense progress under its three main areas of Measure, Reduce and Contribute, in addition to reporting on its actions and achievements annually to achieve the Climate Neutral and Gold status for climate action under its sustainability journey.
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
