Business

Baurs prioritizes people transformation to create resilient and future-ready leaders

Published

4 years ago

2023/03/5

Baurs Deputy General Manager of HR, Administration, Purchasing and Sustainability, Ken Vijayakumar

A. Baur & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., also known as Baurs, a leader with diversified interests across various business verticals in the country, is gearing up for organization-wide people transformation initiatives that are centered around the new workplace norm, to build existing capabilities and be better prepared to take on new challenges.

Spearheading all employee experience efforts at Baurs is none other than versatile business and people’s professional, Ken Vijayakumar in the capacity of the company’s Deputy General Manager of HR, Administration, Purchasing and Sustainability Ken is also the current President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM), the leading professional body for human resources management in the country. Ken was recently recognized as the Most Outstanding HR Business Leader of the year 2022 by the CEO Magazine Sri Lanka.

Baurs recently introduced a child support benefit for the first time in Sri Lanka, which can immensely benefit its employees in the midst of accelerating economic challenges.

The company continues to stand by its employees at all times, as displayed on numerous occasions previously including during the height of the pandemic by ensuring job security including various philanthropic donations and psychological wellbeing programs.

Some of its initiatives include 15 days paternity leave, employee assistance programs including those related to relief, priority for internal talent mobility when newer opportunities arise, swift onboarding and integration programs including valuable welcome packs, value boxes where one could purchase daily snacks from a self-serving facility, etc. Baurs pursue active listening, engaging and recognizing its colleagues’ milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries and achievements through internal channels such as Yammer, in addition to having an active social media presence for higher employee value proposition.

An employee’s growth and success are based on the famous 9 block grid which takes into account one’s performance as well as potential, allowing greater transparency and removing any possible biases that stands on the way including those of the supervisor.

Last year, Baurs also launched the Baurs Leadership Grooming Programme (BLG) with the aim of providing comprehensive training and development for employees, preparing them to take on future leadership roles, propelled by its rigorous expansion poised by dynamic business growth. Baurs also partners with AIESEC Association internationale des étudiants en sciences économiques et commerciales (International Association of Students in Economics and Business) to promote youth leadership among university students and create career opportunities through planned internship placements.

The company strongly believes in one’s personal growth and encourages employees to pursue higher education and attain professional qualifications. Those in the managerial and categories above are also encouraged to obtain membership of various professional bodies both locally and internationally, including taking up office bearer positions among such. They are also groomed with specialized corporate and social etiquette programs.

During April last year, Baurs also officially incepted the Baurs Toastmasters Club (BTC) under the guidance rendered by the long-standing Colombo Toastmasters Club, and the membership is borne by the company as well. This allows employees to equip themselves with the skills and confidence in developing their public speaking abilities and a wide array of communication etiquettes.

Baurs believes in equal opportunity employment and has a company-wide DEI policy ensuring that all its employees indulge in a culture that inculcates respect, honesty and integrity. In 2021, Baurs committed to the UN Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative and its principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

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Business

ADB approves $100 million loan to boost skills development and jobs for youth in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help Sri Lanka transform its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, equip more young people with industry-relevant skills, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

The Skills Development System Transformation Program will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s efforts in improving the quality and relevance of skills training, strengthening links between training providers and industries, and expanding employment opportunities for youth. The program will increase women’s employment opportunities in nontraditional jobs in fields including automotive technology, engineering, information and communications technology, construction, and renewable energy.

“A skilled workforce is essential to Sri Lanka’s long-term economic transformation and competitiveness,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin. “This program will help create stronger pathways from education to employment by making training more responsive to industry needs, expanding opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring that graduates have the skills required by a modern and evolving economy.”

Though Sri Lanka’s economy is recovering, it faces skills shortages in priority sectors, high youth unemployment, and low female labor force participation. Many employers report difficulty finding workers with the skills needed in a changing economy.

Aligned with the Government of Sri Lanka’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training Sector Strategic Framework 2026–2035, the nationwide program will be implemented from 2027 to 2031 and is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people through improved access to quality, employment-oriented training.

Business

USD 40.84m pipeline to secure aviation fuel supplies to BIA

Published

10 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Ifham Nizam

The government has cleared a USD 40.84 million and Rs. 8,548.75 million contract to build a dedicated aviation fuel pipeline from Muthurajawela to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), alongside a massive new fuel storage facility with a capacity of 92,000 cubic metres.

Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka said the project represented a major investment in strengthening the infrastructure underpinning Sri Lanka’s aviation fuel supply and ensuring more reliable fuel availability at the country’s main international airport.

‘This project will provide the infrastructure required to strengthen the reliability and continuity of aviation fuel supplies to Bandaranaike International Airport, Karunatilaka said.

The contract has been awarded to China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited, following an international competitive procurement process in which three bids were received.

The project will see a new aviation fuel storage tank complex constructed at Muthurajawela, together with the associated infrastructure required for handling and transferring aviation fuel.

Business

CSE activity up, turnover weak at Rs. 1.4 billion

Published

10 hours ago

2026/10/2

Thilina Walpola

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Trading activity on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) gathered pace yesterday as global fuel prices began to show signs of easing, according to market analysts.In this context, both indices moved upwards. All Share Price Index up by 67.97 points while S and P SL20 up by 8.30 points.

Turnover stood at Rs 1.4 billion with seven crossings. Those crossings were reported in Sampath Bank 1.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 238 million and its share price traded at Rs 140, Access Engineering two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 159 million and its share price traded at Rs 79.50, LOLC one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 129 million and its share price traded at Rs 129, HNB 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 38.4 million and its share price traded at Rs 384, JKH 1.9 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 35 million and its share price traded at Rs 18.60, Hayleys 100,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22.50 million and its share price traded at Rs 225 and Richard Pieris 847,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 22 million and its share price traded at Rs 25.50.

In the retail market top seven companies that have mainly contributed to the turnover were Sampath Bank Rs 114 million (813,000 shares traded), JKH Rs 100 million (5.3 million shares traded) LB Finance Rs 49 million (325,000 shares traded), HNB Finance Rs 30 million (27 million shares traded), HNB Rs 27 million (70000 shares traded), NTB Rs 25 million (82000 shares traded ) and Lanka IOC Rs 21 million (666,000 shares traded). During the day 65 million shares volumes changed hands in 10433 transactions.

The Banking and manufacturing sector counters performed well. In the banking sector Sampath Bank let the market while manufacturing sector especially JKH also significantly performed well. With the fuel revision Land IOC also a significant stock at the floor.

Meanwhile, First Capital Treasuries said that Ramesh Schaffter resigned as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from October 1, to facilitate the restructuring of the company’s board.

Yesterday the Central Bank announced the US Dollar rate as against rupee. The rupee was quoted flat at Rs 330.65/80 to the US dollar in the spot market , while bond yields dropped, dealers said.