Business
WindForce declares dividend of LKR 1.35 bn for FY 23/24
WindForce, the pioneering renewable energy developer in Sri Lanka, has made a significant announcement regarding its dividend for the fiscal year 2023/2024. The company revealed that it will be paying out a dividend of LKR 1 per share, amounting to a total dividend payout of LKR 1.35 billion. This latest dividend declaration continues WindForce’s tradition of rewarding its shareholders generously.
Since its initial public offering (IPO) in 2021, WindForce has consistently prioritized providing returns to its investors. With this recent dividend announcement, the total dividends declared by WindForce since its IPO now exceed Rs. 3.1 billion. Shareholders will receive a 6.3% return on their investment based on the IPO subscription price, reaffirming WindForce’s commitment to delivering value to its investors.
The announcement comes amidst impressive financial performance by WindForce in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2023/2024. The company reported a consolidated revenue of LKR 4.6 billion, marking a remarkable 16% growth compared to the previous year. Additionally, WindForce achieved a pre-tax profit of LKR 1.9 billion during this period, showcasing its robust financial health and operational efficiency.
It is noteworthy that the company has successfully recovered long outstanding arrears from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB); hence the dividend declared by WindForce is paid out of the dividend income received from its project companies, resulting in the exemption of this dividend from income tax for shareholders. This exemption further enhances the attractiveness of WindForce’s dividend payout to investors.
Importantly, WindForce’s dividend declaration comes at a time when the company is actively investing in its largest solar power project to date – the Siyambalanduwa 100 MW project. This ambitious project underscores WindForce’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio and contributing to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development goals.
WindForce’s dividend declaration for the fiscal year 2023/2024 underscores its dedication to shareholder value, robust financial performance, and commitment to sustainable energy development, reflecting the company’s strong financial performance and strategic investments in renewable energy infrastructure. As the company continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio and undertake ambitious projects, it is well-positioned to lead the way towards a greener and more sustainable future for Sri Lanka.
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
