Business
Browns Group preparing the next gen for a secure ecosystem
In keeping with its heritage of commitment to both people and environment, the sustainability arm of Brown & Company PLC, Browns Green recently launched ‘Plant a Tree, Plant a Life,’ initiated by its Pharmaceuticals Division. The program coincided with the theme for World Earth Day this April, which calls businesses to shift thinking towards more sustainable practices. The tree planting program was initiated in keeping with the effort to create more mindfulness in the younger generation on the importance and role of trees in providing life to all living beings.
Inaugurated on the 19th of April at Wekada Maha Vidyalaya, Chilaw, over 130 sixth-grade students launched the program by planting tree saplings within the school premises. Under the guidance of Mangala Wijesinghe, Cluster Chief Operating Officer – Pharma, Consumer and Integrated Engineering Solutions, the ‘Plant a Tree, Plant a Life’ project aims to plant 100,000 trees in schools across the island.
As the industry leader for Veterinary Biological products in Sri Lanka, the Quality and Environmental Management Team of Browns Pharmaceuticals carried out the project in the presence of key senior officials from the Browns Group; Sanakan Thamotharampillai – Director/CEO, Ajith De Silva, Cluster Chief Operating Officer – Automotive and Hardware and Sanjaya Nissanka, Cluster Chief Operating Officer – Agriculture and Heavy Equipment.
Commenting on the initiative, Mangala Wijesinghe stated that the objective of the program was to “prepare children to be environmentally-conscious citizens and to ensure a secure ecosystem for future generations. He further stated that the project was in keeping with Brown & Company’s belief in the power of a business to do good, with the hope of inspiring like-minded entities to follow in the same footsteps. With its ISO 14001 Certification in 2022 for numerous efforts to preserve the environment and its lifeforms, Browns Pharmaceuticals has more plans in the pipeline to assist our country towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Established in 1875, Browns has flourished over the years to grow into a household name with a reputation as strong as its years are long. Today, the prestigious Browns Group is one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerates, which manages a fast growing and valuable portfolio of brands across several key industry sectors, such as automotive; power generation; agriculture and plantation; pharmaceuticals; investments; marine and manufacturing as well as leisure.
In a significant move for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, NKAR, a stalwart in the industry for over 45 years, has announced a partnership with Holiday Max, Australia’s largest tour operator. Based in Perth, Holiday Max has ventured into Sri Lanka for the first time, marking a promising expansion for both entities.
This collaboration aligns with NKAR’s strategic vision to enhance the country’s appeal to international travelers. Nilmin Nanayakkara, Chairman and Managing Director of NKAR says, “Our policy has always been to promote Sri Lanka to new markets by attracting new operators, rather than competing through price undercutting or making unrealistic promises.” This statement encapsulates NKAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth by focusing on quality over cost.
By prioritsing service excellence and maintaining high health and safety standards, NKAR aims to elevate the overall travel experience for visitors. This approach not only positions Sri Lanka as a premium destination but also attracts reputable operators like Holiday Max, who are drawn to the island’s unique experiences and NKAR’s dedication to quality service.
The partnership represents a remarkable opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to Australian travelers, potentially opening new avenues for tourism growth. As NKAR continues to innovate and adapt, this collaboration is set to bolster Sri Lanka’s standing as a sought-after travel destination, steering the industry away from aggressive price competition towards sustainable growth through authentic experiences.
By focusing on attracting new operators and markets, NKAR is paving the way for a revitalised tourism landscape in Sri Lanka, one that values quality, safety, and the unique charm of the island. NKAR is recognised as one of the top five destination management companies in Sri Lanka. The company recently won 3 major awards at Sri Lanka Tourism Awards.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
LOLC Finance secured five Gold Awards and one Merit Award at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2025, including the prestigious Overall Excellence in Digital Payments Gold Award for the sixth consecutive year.
The company dominated both bank and NBFI categories, winning Best Digital Strategy Gold Award, proving its superiority over traditional banks in digital finance.
Awards won were as follows.
Gold Awards:
Best Digital Payment Strategy (Banks & NBFI)
Best Mobile Application for Retail Payments via JustPay (Banks & NBFI)
Excellence in Customer Convenience (NBFI)
Financial Inclusivity (NBFI)
Overall Excellence in Digital Payments (NBFI)
Merit Award: Most Popular Digital Payment Product (iPay)
CEO Krishan Thilakaratne emphasized digitalization as core to LOLC Finance’s operations, enabling seamless, 24/7 financial access through platforms like LOLC Real Time and iPay.
Chairman Conrad Dias highlighted the audited, performance-based recognition and iPay’s mission to solve real-world financial challenges with cutting-edge tech.
iPay & JustPay innovations were Recognized for leading digital payment adoption with 1M+ downloads, 1.8M monthly transactions, and 65% JustPay market share, featuring biometric security and AI fraud detection.
Financial Inclusivity was recognized for Bridging gaps via multi-lingual services, cashless processes, and rural outreach programs.
Customer Convenience was recognized for real-time solutions (SLIPS, CEFTS) eliminating branch visits for payments and transfers.
Tree House International, located in Dehiwala, has been recognised as the Most Evidence-Based Special Needs School of the Year at BWIO Awards. The only international school in Sri Lanka dedicated exclusively to children with special needs, 75% of its students relocate from abroad for its high-quality, result-driven education.
Last semester, 100% of students transitioned to mainstream or vocational training.
The school is led by Dr. Anton James, a Chartered Behavioural Psychologist with over 20 years of global experience.
His evidence-based approach earned the highest honour from the British Psychological Society, and he was elected a Chartered Scientist. Co-directed by Chrystal Honsaker, an expert with 15 years of international special needs experience, the school also offers an accredited British curriculum alternative to GCSEs.
We aspire to build a nation where all citizens coexist in peace and resilience for the future generation -PM
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