Business
World’s largest Palmyrah spirit factory to be launched in the Jaffna District’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The world’s largest Palmyra spirit factory will be opened at the end of the year in the Tikkam area in the Jaffna District.
“A local distilleries company will be investing Rs. 450 million in a joint venture with the Palmyrah Development Board to create this historic project, chairman, Palmyrah Development Board, Krishantha Pathiraja said.
Pathiraja said that the MoU in this regard has been already signed as a joint venture company for a 5- year contract period and its progress would be reviewed each year during that 5 year period.
“We then called for tenders to re-start this and a local distiller was selected after proper tender procedure to re-launch this operation. The company will invest Rs. 450 million to install modern machinery and re-start production, Pathiraja said.
Pathiraja added: ‘When completed, it will be the biggest Palmyrah factory in the world. They will also purchase some local spirits, paying around Rs. 2 million to tappers.The new company, while producing spirits, will also export some of the products globally, starting with Canada, bringing in foreign exchange. The new factory will manufacture ethanol as well.The project will also provide 200 direct and over 300 indirect employment opportunities, especially for northerners.
The Palmyrah farmers who get around Rs. 45 per liter for Palmyrah sap will now get Rs.305 more for their produce and the new company hopes to purchase around 30, 000 liters per day.The Palmyrah Development Board would get an annual ‘royalty’ in excess of Rs. 120 million and this would initially be used towards settling loans and EPF money due to former employees.
‘The Tikkam distillery was established in 1986 and was shut down after around three years. Later it was restarted by the LTTE but this too functioned for only three years. The primary cooperative society and the Palmyrah Development Board then made an attempt to revive it but that attempt too failed to materialize as it was at the height of the war in the North and East. I thank Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and state ministers Arundika Fernando and Lohan Ratwatte for their support in this project.’
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
