DFCC Pinnacle Junior sponsors Gateway Robotics Competition

DFCC Pinnacle Junior recently sponsored the first-ever Gateway National interschool Robotics Championship for local and international schools. Approximately 25 schools across the island participated in this competition, highlighting the growing interest and talent in robotics among young students. DFCC Pinnacle is the highest-tier premium banking experience provided by DFCC Bank PLC, featuring a range of bespoke banking solutions tailored for it

Identity College of Higher Education opens

Certis Lanka unveiled its newest venture, the Identity College of Higher Education (ICHE) recently. Identity College of Higher Education, situated in Colombo, aims to revolutionize caregiver education by offering a comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. The college will provide specialized courses, workshops, and hands-on training programs, equipping learners with practical skills and theoretical knowledge essen

IIHS to transform healthcare industry with new theme

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) recently launched their new theme “Api piliganeemen Ihalai”. IIHS is offering high quality study programmes, which are pathways to global success recognised by bodies such as the National Health Services, and both Sri Lankan and global health systems. The new theme is not just their aspirations for global recognition, but the tangible partnerships and affiliations underscoring their commitmen

Baby Cheramy partners College of Paediatricians to conduct ECD awareness programme

Baby Cheramy partnered with the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians recently to jointly foster a secure environment for the children of our country. The recent awareness programme took place at the Setsiripaya Urban Development Authority Auditorium for officials from the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Secretariat under the Ministry of Women, Child Affairs & Social Empowerment. During the event, Baby Cheramy and the Sri Lanka College of Paedi

DIMO Healthcare and Varian to transform oncology treatments

DIMO Healthcare has partnered with Varian, a Siemens Healthineers Company to introduce cutting-edge treatment solutions to clinicians specializing in radiation oncology in Sri Lanka. This collaboration also provides access to a range of advanced imaging technologies and services. Varian, a market leader in the global oncology industry, brings extensive expertise in delivering innovative cancer care solutions. Varian technologies are already mak

Microsoft serves as Copilot to MoE Helps integrate AI into school curriculum

The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to usher in a new era of education by enabling the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into Sri Lanka’s National School Curriculum. This collaborative effort aims to transform the education system in the country, with the pilot testing phase beginning from grade eight and above. The MoU signing also includes the provisi

Bogawantalawa leads the way in global tea industry

Bogawantalawa, renowned for its climate-positive teas and unwavering commitment to sustainable practices, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the Climate Neutral Certification (CNC) from the Climate Neutral Group (CNG) in the Netherlands. This adds to the company’s impressive list of certifications, including Climate Positive, Carbon Neutral, Rainforest, Fairtrade, and 100 percent Renewable Energy Certifications, making it the firs

Sysco LABS launches ‘Project GLO’ in mega partnership

Sysco LABS has partnered with AHRP, AIESEC, and Global Learning Lab for ‘Project GLO’ – Guiding Leadership and Outreach. The programme aims to inspire leaders at all levels by mobilizing youth change agents to drive impactful development across Sri Lanka. Project GLO is a localized version of the ‘Leadership Academy’ initiative by Global Learning Lab - an organization which operates with the ethos of ‘learning for all’. GLO aims to nurture youth

SLT-Mobitel supports second phase of Agri Saviya – Marketing Asseweduma initiative

SLT-Mobitel powered the second phase of the Agri Saviya- Marketing Asseweduma initiative recently. Aimed at transforming farmers into Agripreneur leaders of tomorrow, Agri Saviya acts as the lifeline in nourishing farmers with the right knowledge and technical skills towards building a modern agricultural development in Sri Lanka. In the initial phase, 40 farmers received scholarships for the Certificate in Agri Business and Entrepreneurship (C

Seminar on Food Safety Governance

In a bid to fortify Sri Lanka’s food safety protocols, a seminar on Food Safety Governance is set to convene on March 27th at the Prof PPGL Siriwardena Auditorium, hosted by the National Secretariat of Professional Practice of Chemistry (NSPPC) at the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon in Rajagiriya. Distinguished speakers and industry experts are expected to delve into crucial facets of food safety governance, aiming to cultivate a safer and more re

Senfin Securities marks two years under new ownership

A special multi-religious ceremony was held on 15th March to commemorate the completion of two years since the takeover of Senfin Securities Limited (SSL) by E W Balasuriya & Company (Pvt) Ltd. Senfin Securities Limited is an affiliate of Senkadagala Finance PLC, a trading member of the Colombo Stock Exchange and licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka. SSL formerly known as Candor Equities Limited which began operations

AMW becomes authorised distributor of Yamalube Lubricants

Associated Motorways (Private) Limited (AMW), the authorised agent for Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. Japan (YMC) is also the sole authorised distributor of Yamalube Lubricants in Sri Lanka. Yamalube Lubricants are a carefully formulated range of products designed for especially Yamaha. It is developed by highly skilled Yamaha engineers who have a deep understanding of the specific demands of Yamaha motorcycles and transmissions to optimise performance a

Egg industry threatened by imports, says AIPA

Sri Lanka is standing on the verge of achieving self-sufficiency in egg production, at least by the end of April, but continuous reliance on imports has severely threatened the potential of the local industry achieving the status, All Island Poultry Association (AIPA) President Ajith Gunasekara warns. The government’s decision to continue importing eggs was met with vehement opposition by the association who warns the local industry might end up

Court halts Health Minister’s pharmaceutical zone plans

The Court of Appeal has issued an injunction against the Health Minister and State Minister of the Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Ministry. This injunction restrains them from taking any actions that would contravene the Development and Management Agreement. This includes altering the positions of the investor tenants and pharmaceutical zone in Oyamaduwa, Anuradhapura. The injunction will remain effective until March

February tea exports up 20% YoY

The tea exports for the month of February expanded by about 20 percent year-on-year (YoY), the data from the Ceylon Tea Board showed. Sri Lanka exported a total of 22.31 million kilogrammes (MnKgs) of tea, showing a positive variance of 3.76 MnKgs, compared to 18.55 MnKgs in February 2023. All categories, except for tea packets and green tea, have shown improvements, in comparison with the corresponding month of the previous year. The cumulativ

Sapugaskanda oil refinery to be relocated to Trincomalee

The government announced that it is considering relocating the Sapugaskanda oil refinery to Trincomalee in the future, in line with the envisaged plans to develop the Oil Tank Farm. “It was also decided to explore the option of relocating the Sapugaskanda oil refinery to Trincomalee in the future, with upgraded modern facilities and development of the Tank Farm,” Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera revealed. Accordingly, plans are afo

Lankapay to launch blockchain-based shared KYC

In a bid to boost adoption of digital financial services in Sri Lanka, Lankapay yesterday announced plans to launch the blockchain-based shared Know Your Customer (KYC) by the end of this month. Lankapay Chairman Dr. De Zilwa shared that Lankapay has already shortlisted firms, after a two-stage bidding process, to launch the shared KYC, based on the blockchain platform in Sri Lanka. Lankapay last year called requests for proposal for supply, del

Cabinet nod to phase down hydrofluorocarbon imports

The Cabinet has approved a plan to gradually reduce the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) imports, through an annual import quota system starting this year. This move aligns with the country’s obligations under the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol. HFCs are a group of synthetic gases primarily used for cooling and refrigeration. Many HFCs are very powerful, short-lived climate pollutants, with an average atmospheric lifetime of 15 years. Though H

Auction yield on rise for 4th straight week

At the weekly T-bill auction held yesterday, only 90 percent of the total offered of Rs.155.0 billion was accepted whilst the weighted average yield rates were seen scaling higher for the fourth consecutive week. Accordingly, the three-month and six-month bills closed at 10.23 percent (+13bps) and 10.35 percent (+14bps), respectively while the one-year bill edged higher to 10.38 percent (+14bps). Post auction, the short end of the curve ticked

Cartoon 20.03.2024

Cartoon 20.03.2024

ADB’s new strategy puts spotlight on SL’s macroeconomic stability

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday announced the launch of a new country partnership strategy (CPS) for Sri Lanka....

Stakeholders upbeat on tourism, but urge swift actions on challenges

Sri Lanka tourism stakeholders yesterday expressed confidence in the continuation of the current positive trend witnessed provided....

Govt. to spin off Sapugaskanda fuel refinery from CPC

The government yesterday announced its decision to spin off Sapugaskanda fuel refinery from Ceylon Petroleum Corporation...

Plans underway to set up inter-ministerial tourism committee

The Cabinet this week gave the nod to establish an inter-ministerial tourism committee chaired by the Secretary to the President....

Colombo Port transshipment growth surges for third month

In February, the Port of Colombo saw its transshipment volume growth accelerate for the third consecutive....

Premier Energies lands US$ 17mn bid for solar project

India-based Premier Energies has landed a US$17 million bid to install solar power systems in religious establishments....

Pepsi unveils new summer campaign with Jacqueline

Pepsi, the iconic beverage brand, is gearing up to embrace the summer season in Sri Lanka, with its latest film starring the charismatic...

CEAT Kelani among CPM’s 10 best-managed companies

CEAT Kelani Holdings, one of Sri Lanka’s manufacturing success stories, has been named among the country’s top 10 companies....

Lankan team converts world’s first Hummer EV SUV to right-hand drive

Global Conversions, a leading Sri Lankan-owned company specialising in automobile re-engineering, has achieved a remarkable....

Event Management Association enhances professional standards

The Event Management Association (EMA), the only professional industry body in Sri Lanka for event management...