Business
‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’ celebrates one year of empowering half a million women to rise together
AIA Insurance recently commemorated the one-year anniversary of its women’s program, ‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’, in partnership with IFC-DFAT Women in Work program, with an evening of celebration. With patronage of Damayanthi Fernando Director General Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL), Chathuri Munaweera Chief Executive Officer (CEO) AIA Insurance and Victor Antonypillai Senior Country Officer for Sri Lanka and Maldives International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Sarah Twigg Manager for IFC Women in Work program, the event brought together key professionals from AIA, IFC, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, and Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) to recognize the program’s achievements and contributions towards empowering women across the country.
The event kicked off with a speech from AIA’s CEO Chathuri Munaweera, who highlighted the program’s key achievements and shared the company’s vision for the future of ‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’, which is to positively engage 2,000,000 women across Sri Lanka by 2025 – which falls within AIA’s overall goal of One Billion Healthier Longer, Better lives across Asia by 2030. The celebration was followed by a cocktail reception, where guests had the opportunity to connect and network with fellow professionals.
As part of the IFC-DFAT Women in Work program, the ‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’, a dedicated women’s insurance program was launched last year to offer insurance solutions, financial literacy training, networks, recognition, and access to information for Sri Lankan women. This program was launched based on the findings from extensive research on women and insurance in Sri Lanka as part of the IFC-AIA partnership in 2020.
According to IFC’s SheforShield report, the women’s market represents a $1.7 trillion opportunity for the insurance industry globally by 2030. Over half of this growth is expected from emerging markets such as Sri Lanka. Speaking at the event, Victor Antonypillai, Senior Country Officer for IFC in Sri Lanka and Maldives said, “given the current low insurance penetration in Sri Lanka, targeting women, and addressing their protection can help insurers achieve greater heights. IFC’s work with AIA on ‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’ will help achieve just that by supporting and empowering Sri Lankan women as customers, agents, and employees.”
‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’s achievements in promoting gender equality, creating more opportunities for women, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture are a testament to AIA’s unwavering commitment to building a better future for all. The program is committed to supporting women across the country in achieving their full potential personally and professionally through learning, recruitment, networking, and protection.
Since its launch last year, AIA has reached over 500,000 women through several targeted initiatives across different strategic pillars to empower women internally and externally. These initiatives include rolling out IFC developed Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) program and including it to its sales training modules to ensure Wealth Planners are able to better engage and increase their responsiveness to the needs of women customers, recruiting a gender-balanced workforce, partnering with WCIC to engage and empower more women, launching a women-specific product ‘She Protect’ and AIA’s special insurance plan to ComBank’s Anagi customers helped expand its customer base and increase women customer numbers.
These initiatives reflect AIA’s unwavering commitment to empowering women and building a more inclusive and gender-equal society. On the occasion of ‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’s first anniversary, AIA reaffirms its commitment to empowering women and building a better future for all. AIA is proud to celebrate the success of ‘ඇය සුරකින AIA’ and looks forward to continuing its efforts to empower women in the future.
Business
Cabinet approves submission of the Annual Economic Analysis of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2024 to the Parliament
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal forwarded by the President in his office as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the Report on the Annual Economic Analysis of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2024 to the Parliament.
As per section 80 (3) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act No. 16 of 2023, the Minister in – charge of the subject of Finance shall submit a report on the economic situation which prevailed within the particular financial year, within four months after completion of each financial year. Accordingly, the report in relation to the financial review of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for the year 2024 has been submitted to the President. The report has envisaged macro economic trends of Sri Lanka, situation of the financial system, as well as the major developments and a review of the policies of Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
[DGI]
Gigalingua Lanka, a premier German language institute, officially launched in Colombo with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including Dr. Felix Neumann, German ambassador to Sri Lanka. This marks a significant milestone for Sri Lankan professionals, especially nurses, looking to expand their careers in Germany’s thriving healthcare sector.
In collaboration with its strategic partner Global Care Solutions (Pvt) Ltd – a renowned company in the foreign recruitment industry – Gigalingua Lanka offers a unique pathway for Sri Lankan nurses and apprentices to master the German language and pursue rewarding career opportunities in Germany.
Dr. Felix Neumann, the Chief Guest at the event, expressed his support for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of language education as a bridge to global career prospects. In his speech, Dr. Neumann noted, “German language is not only a means of communication, it is a gateway to global career opportunities.” He commended Gigalingua Lanka for providing valuable opportunities for Sri Lankans and addressing the critical demand for skilled workers, especially in the nursing sector in Germany.
Gigalingua Lanka is the first private institute in Sri Lanka to offer comprehensive German language training up to the B2 level, and conduct TELC exam. The institution also provides language training for apprentices, allowing them to undertake the Apprenticeship Program and contribute to the growing labor market in Germany. The collaboration between Gigalingua Lanka and Global Care Solutions is designed to meet Germany’s growing need for skilled workers, particularly in the healthcare sector.
The event was attended by a number of prominent figures, including Dr. Felix Neumann , Arthur Senanayake (chairman of IWS Holdings), Eran Wickramaratne – former MP, Chandra Schaffter – ( Founder of Janashakthi Insurance ), Dhammika Attygalle (Director Upali Group of Companies and President Automobile Association of Ceylon) Former Wing Commander Buwaneka Abeysuriya (Ex- chairman Janatha Estates Development Board).
Chairman of Global Care Solutions, Thomas Michael Kriwat, who is also chairman of the Mercmarine Group of Companies in Germany, highlighted the significance of the new training center. He said, “We are bringing world-class German occupational language training to Colombo, offering a structured, career-focused pathway for Sri Lankan professionals. By introducing TELC (The European Language Certificates) as an officially certified German language test authority, we are increasing accessibility for students seeking internationally recognized qualifications.”
At the thanksgiving speech, Dr. Rajan Sara, Managing Director of Global Care Solutions and Director of Gigalingua Lanka, outlined the critical need for foreign nurses in Germany. “Germany is facing a significant shortage of nurses, estimated to need an additional 150,000 by 2025. This is exacerbated by an aging population and increasing healthcare demands. Over 47,000 vacancies in the healthcare sector remain unfilled, making it an ideal time for Sri Lankan nurses to seize this opportunity,” Dr. Sara explained. (Gigalingua Lanka)
In keeping with its vision to consistently evolve and address accelerated business growth needs, Brown & Company PLC recently unveiled its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and warehouse facility in Katunayake. Strategically located within minutes of the Bandaranaike International Airport and the nation’s rapidly evolving highway network, the space is positioned to significantly enhance Browns’ logistical capabilities. The hub will enable seamless access to key markets across the island, further solidifying the Company’s principal role in a cross-section of industries.
The inaugural event of the Browns Group Industrial Park was attended by Ishara Nanayakkara, Chairman, Brown & Company PLC and Deputy Chairman, LOLC Holdings PLC and Kapila Jayawardene, Group Managing Director/CEO, LOLC Holdings PLC along with key officials from the Browns and LOLC Group.
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