Business
Uber contributed LKR 81 billion to Sri Lanka’s economy in 2021: Report
Uber’s 2021 Sri Lanka Economic Impact Report, compiled by Public First, a UK based policy research firm, was launched at an event in the national capital. The report highlights how Uber and Uber Eats have helped transform the on-demand economy for consumers, drivers and delivery-partners, and the wider community by generating LKR 81 billion for the Sri Lankan economy in 2021.
Uber’s Senior Director for Public Policy & Government Relations for the Asia Pacific region, Mike Orgill; Uber’s Director of Regional Operations for India and South Asia region, Shiva Shailendran, along with Uber Sri Lanka’s leadership team members, including Ms. Bhavna Dadlani Jayawardana, Country Manager, Uber Eats; and, Ms. Thanushika Sivanathan, Country Manager, Uber Rides graced the occasion.
Commenting on the report, Mike Orgill, Senior Director, Public Policy & Government Relations, APAC at Uber, said: “Uber has been an important engine of economic growth and opportunity in Sri Lanka since 2015, but we never knew the extent of our contribution. This research shows for the first time the impact on drivers and delivery partners, consumers and the economy as a whole. It reaffirms the importance of flexible work opportunities and spotlights how expanded mobility options and choice as part of the on-demand economy have created critical value for the Sri Lankan economy. It makes our resolve stronger than ever before to continue working for the community and deploying our technology and global expertise to contribute to Sri Lanka’s growth.”
The report takes a deeper look into the factors behind this economic contribution and the enhancement of safety and sustainability of the industry. It highlights how both Uber and Uber Eats have continually evolved to meet changing needs, used technology to save time, helped expand mobility options and choice, supported small businesses, and provided flexible earning opportunities for thousands of drivers and delivery-partners in Sri Lanka.
Key findings of the report include:
Uber’s contribution to the Sri Lankan economy
Uber and Uber Eats created an estimated LKR 81 billion in economic value for the Sri Lankan economy
Together, Uber (27 bn) and Uber Eats (25 bn) produced LKR 52 billion in consumer surplus in 2021, which is equivalent to 0.3% of the country’s GDP.
On-demand services boosted small business recovery
Uber Eats encouraged Sri Lankans to support local restaurants and merchants which they would otherwise not have had access to, leading to LKR 2.1 billion in additional revenue and a gross impact of LKR 51 billion for the Sri Lankan economy as a whole.
88% of Uber Eats users agree that food delivery apps made it easier to discover new restaurants.
74% of users have ordered from restaurants they had never tried before.
Drivers and delivery people value flexibility
In 2021, we estimate that drivers made an additional LKR 775 million a year in earnings through Uber, or an average of 27% more than their next best alternative.
Consumer behavior helped to drive innovation
Consumers are prioritizing convenience and reliability, with Uber estimated to save riders in Sri Lanka over 3.7 million hours a year leaving more time for family and friends.
On average, Uber riders saved 9 minutes per trip compared to the next best alternative, leaving more time for family and friends.
Uber and Uber Eats produced LKR 52 billion in consumer surplus* for Sri Lankans in 2021.
Uber’s trackable point-to-point transport solutions are helping to fill the inevitable gaps in public transport, with 1 in 7 trips taken with the Uber app connecting with public transport.
Safety is a top reason for choosing the platform with 96% of female riders saying that safety is an important factor in their choice to use the Uber app.
Having access to sustainable ride-sharing platforms encouraged users to not own a vehicle.
According to Sri Lankan riders, ridesharing is the most significant transport innovation they have experienced in the last decade.
* One of the most important measures of economic welfare – the amount you would pay someone to voluntarily give up a good or service. If a good has a zero-consumer surplus, that implies we can take or leave it – whereas goods with a high consumer surplus are playing an important role in our lives.
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
