Readying for the New Year
Traditional Avurudu sweetmeats prepared at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. (Inset) An elderly woman prepares ‘kavun’- Pic by Akila Jayawardena
Govt. sidelines tea smallholders
By Sunimalee Dias Tea smallholders have expressed concern that the government continues to sideline their requirements and the latest offer of 25,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser at subsidised prices is largely insufficient to meet growers’ needs. Galle-Kalutara Tea Smallholders Association President Ushan Samarasinghe told the Sunday Times Business that the recent subsdised fertiliser announced [...]
Tourist traffic drops by 20% in March
By Sunimalee Dias Sri Lanka is currently witnessing a sharp drop in tourist traffic from the Europe and West Asia as airlines increase airfares amid limited flights made available amidst the US-Israel war against Iran. While an overall drop was witnessed in March by 20 per cent there was a significant drop in traffic from [...]
ICTA exit turning point in digital transformation
By Bandula Sirimanna Sri Lanka’s digital transformation is undergoing a major structural shift, characterised by the replacement of the long-standing Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) after 23 years in operation, with two new specialised entities. The World Bank and Asian Development Bank have pledged US $125 million collectively over the next four years, supplemented [...]
Condos versus shelters
The Lanka Property Show 2026 was held on March 21-22 at Cinnamon Grand hotel in Colombo. The event was Sri Lanka’s premier property exhibition which brought together property buyers, sellers, and developers from across the island. I was invited to speak at its Panel Discussion titled “Meeting Tomorrow’s Housing Demand: How Demographics, Migration, and Lifestyle [...]
Avilla avilla, Sinhala Avurudda avilla!
A newspaper had reported that the ‘call’ of the Koha, the bird which emerges during the Avurudu season, would be heard less this year for different reasons. Kussi Amma Sera was, however, lucky to hear the call well and clearly just before the Avurudu and informed us. It was one of the few calls we [...]
NDB fiasco: Risk and audit committees on the radar
By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera It’s funny. Every few years, the Sri Lankan financial industry is abuzz with questions like what went wrong? It started with Pramuka Savings and Development Bank, which collapsed in 2002 due to severe mismanagement. Golden Key Credit Card Company, a member of the Ceylinco Group, collapsed four years later after securing [...]
MJF Foundation helps with free patient transport services
The Merrill J. Fernando (MJF) Charitable Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to community wellbeing through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cyril Dharmawardana Foundation (CDF). This MoU is to sponsor the operational costs of three non-emergency patient transport ambulances dedicated to cancer care in Sri Lanka. These ambulances will serve communities [...]
Ceylon Chamber appoints Shiran Fernando as Secretary General/CEO
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce had announced a planned and orderly leadership transition, with economist Shiran Fernando being appointed Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 8, 2026, succeeding Buwanekabahu Perera, who will conclude a three-year tenure at the helm of the Chamber. Commenting on the transition, Chamber Chairperson Krishan Balendra, said: “This leadership [...]
CA launches new leadership faculty
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has taken a landmark step in advancing the national sustainability drive with the launch of the Faculty of Sustainability Reporting & ESG Leadership. This significant initiative comes at a time when global business landscapes are shifting rapidly, and sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and [...]
Commercial Bank expands Agency Banking network
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has expanded its ‘ComBank Shakthi’ Agency Banking network by 22 new outlets across the country, strengthening its commitment to making banking services more accessible to communities beyond the reach of traditional branches. With this expansion, the bank’s Agency Banking network now spans 26 locations island-wide, including the four outlets established [...]
Ceylinco Life celebrates its ‘Unstoppable Champions’ at Annual Awards 2026
Ceylinco Life, Sri Lanka’s life insurance market leader, recently celebrated the achievements of its top-performing sales force at its Annual Awards Ceremony 2026, held at Cinnamon Life Colombo. Bringing together more than 300 of the company’s highest achievers, the event recognised Sales Officers who attained High Flyers status, qualified for the prestigious Million Dollar Round [...]
Vidullanka acquires 100% stake in new hydro power plant
Vidullanka PLC has announced the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in Bhoruka Power Lanka (Pvt) Ltd yesterday, which owns and operates the 4.5 MW Gurugoda mini hydro power plant situated in Aranayake, Sri Lanka. This latest addition serves as the company’s 12th mini hydro project, bringing the company’s portfolio to a total [...]