Cats Web News, Colombo (2025)

24/09/2025

ඉන්දීය නාවික හමුදා මාණ්ඩලික ප්‍රධානී, හමුදා මූලස්ථානයේදී යුද්ධ හමුදාධිපති හමුවෙයි

ශ‍්‍රී ලංකාවේ නිල සංචාරයක නිරත ඉන්දීය නාවික හමුදා මාණ්ඩලික ප්‍රධානී අද්මිරාල් දිනේෂ් කේ. ත්‍රිපාති, ඇතුලු ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ නිලධාරින් පිරිසක් 2025 සැප්තැම්බර් මස 22 වන දින යුද්ධ හමුදා මූලස්ථානයේ සංචාරයක නිරත විය.
යුද්ධ හමුදා මූලස්ථාන පරිශ්‍රය වෙත පැමිණි ඉන්දීය නාවික හමුදා මාණ්ඩලික ප්‍රධානී වෙත සම්ප්‍රදායානුකූලව යුධ හමුදා සම්මාන මුර ගෞරවාචාරය පිරිනමන ලදී.
අනතුරුව යුද්ධ හමුදාධිපති ලුතිනන් ජෙනරල් ලසන්ත රොද්‍රිගෝ විසින් ඉන්දීය නාවික හමුදා මාණ්ඩලික ප්‍රධානී උණුසුම් අයුරින් පිළිගැනීමෙන් අනතුරුව ඔහු හට යුද්ධ හමුදාවේ ප්‍රධාන මාණ්ඩලික නිලධාරින් හඳුන්වා දෙනු ලැබීය.
මෙම නිල සංචාරය අතරතුර දෙරට හමුදා ප්‍රධානීන් ද්විපාර්ශවික අන්‍යෝන්‍ය සහයෝගීතාවය, කලාපීය ආරක්ෂාව, ස්ථාවරත්වය සහ සාමය වර්ධනය කිරීම සඳහා වන ඉදිරි ක්‍රියාමාර්ග පිළිබඳව සාකච්ඡාවකද නිරත විය.

24/09/2025

Empowering Sri Lanka’s Micro-Merchants: Visa Introduces Game-Changing Acceptance Solution with Hatton National Bank

Visa, the global leader in digital payments, in partnership with Hatton National Bank (HNB), today announced the launch of ‘Visa Accept’ solution in Sri Lanka. This is the first-ever global rollout of the solution, placing Sri Lanka at the forefront of digital payments innovation.
The launch is timely with Sri Lankan Government’s sharp focus on revitalizing micro and small business owners who form the backbone of the economy.
Visa Accept promotes financial inclusion by seamlessly integrating traditionally excluded micro-entrepreneurs into the digital commerce ecosystem. This solution reduces the entry costs for micro-entrepreneurs, enabling them to explore new economic opportunities. It particularly empowers women entrepreneurs and home-based businesses by providing a secure and easy pathway to growth and scalability.
While opening a merchant account could often involve deterrents like complex paperwork, licensing, and expensive point-of-sale devices, Visa Accept transforms the very architecture by enabling any Visa-debit or Visa-prepaid cardholders to instantly convert their existing account into a seller profile through HNB’s mobile banking app, using just their mobile phone.
Within minutes, micro-businesses can begin receiving payments, transforming mobile phones into secure acceptance devices. Customers can complete transactions through Tap-to-phone or Pay-by-link, enabling a secure and seamless payment experience for both the seller and the consumer.
For the home baker taking her first online orders, the vegetable vendor expanding beyond cash, or the craft seller reaching new buyers, Visa Accept will help to boost Sri Lanka’s micro-businesses, making a simple phone a gateway to economic opportunity.
Behind the scenes, Visa’s network ensures funds are settled in near real time, giving sellers quick access to their earnings. With built-in limits on number of transactions and amounts, Visa Accept also helps reduce risk exposure, creating a secure and scalable environment for digital payment acceptance. For micro-merchants who operate on thin cash flows, this level of immediacy and payment authentication can make a groundbreaking difference between surviving and scaling.
Avanthi Colombage, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Visa, said, “Visa Accept is more than a payments innovation. It is a strategic leap towards financial inclusion of micro-merchants by enabling their onboarding into the formal economy and accelerating economic participation. By powering anyone with a Visa debit or prepaid card to become a seller within minutes, we are not only simplifying acceptance but also opening new avenues for them to thrive in the digital economy.
Through our partnership with Hatton National Bank (HNB), we have embedded the solution into one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted banking networks. Customers can activate Visa Accept directly within their HNB mobile banking app. Transaction thresholds have been carefully calibrated to balance opportunity with security and safeguard sellers and consumers with Visa’s global protection rails.
Sri Lanka is the first market within Visa globally to introduce this solution. This underscores our continued commitment to Sri Lanka’s digital transformation and socio-economic progress.”
Damith Pallewatte, Managing Director, Hatton National Bank, Sri Lanka, mentioned, “With Visa Accept now integrated into our mobile banking app, HNB is enabling thousands of micro and small businesses to accept digital payments instantly, using just a mobile phone. This marks a significant step in our mission to modernize financial access, elevate the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and support Sri Lanka’s digital economy by digitizing P2P transactions. As the country accelerates its transformation, we reaffirm our role as a trusted partner in shaping Sri Lanka’s digital future."
Julie J. Chung, United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka, who was present at the launch, said, “Visa Accept is more than a payments solution — it’s about unleashing the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that drives Sri Lanka’s future. By making payments faster, easier, and more secure, this innovation helps small businesses tap into global markets, expand their reach, and modernize their operations. For over 35 years, Visa has been a trusted partner in Sri Lanka, and its collaboration with HNB and the Ministry of Digital Economy is another clear signal of U.S. companies’ commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital transformation and economic growth.”
About the Visa Accept launch Hon. Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Government of Sri Lanka, said, “Sri Lanka’s digital economy is entering a transformative era — one defined by inclusion, innovation, and empowerment. The launch of Visa Accept is a timely and strategic innovation that directly supports our national mission to accelerate the adoption of digital payments, particularly among micro and small businesses, as we advance toward building a cashless society. We deeply value the continued partnership of Visa and HNB in powering Sri Lanka’s digital future and unlocking inclusive economic growth across the nation.”
Visa Accept solution will also be showcased at the FinTech Festival on September 24, 2025.

24/09/2025

Ocean Lanka Launches State-of-the-Art Multifunctional Facility to Drive Synthetic Textile Innovation & Production in Sri Lanka
Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka’s largest weft knit fabric manufacturer, recently officially opened its new Multifunctional Building (MFB) at Biyagama Export Processing Zone (EPZ) premises, marking a revolutionary milestone in the company’s journey of textile innovation. The event was attended by leading industry stakeholders and partners who came together to witness this significant achievement for the company and the textile industry of Sri Lanka.
The MFB's opening places Ocean Lanka as a model plant committed to developing the synthetic fabric industry and strengthens the company's position in spearheading Sri Lanka's shift to value-added textiles in order to satisfy the changing needs of the global demand in Intimate wear, activewear, and the fashion industry. With synthetic fabrics driving fashion, athletic, and performance worlds, Ocean Lanka's growth is a clear indication of its intention to increase in-house production of synthetic textiles and for vendors to lessen dependency on imported raw materials. Synthetic fabrics currently make up 10–15% of Ocean Lanka's production output, but the MFB will allow the company to greatly expand this share. This development guarantees global competitiveness in the production of synthetic apparel while highlighting Ocean Lanka's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and product diversification.
Commenting on the opening, Dr. Austin Au, President of Ocean Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, said, “The Multifunctional Building is an investment in Sri Lanka's future as a regional hub for synthetic fabrics as well as in infrastructure. It demonstrates our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and innovation, guaranteeing that we can satisfy the rising demand for performance-driven textiles globally while generating long-term value for our partners, employees, and the nation.”
Ocean Lanka's Development & Innovation Center, a hub for cutting-edge research, product engineering, and sustainable textile solutions, is housed in the new building. The center's state-of-the-art equipment allows for sophisticated raw material research and development for synthetic textiles that are performance-driven, as well as sublimation and digital printing capabilities to produce colorful, high-resolution, environmentally friendly designs. Modern Knitting, Dyeing, Finishing, and Printing machines are also used to guarantee production precision, consistency, and durability. The entire production facility is processed in accordance with ISO 14001 EMS, Oeko-Tex®, and Bluesign® standards, demonstrating the company's strong emphasis on environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
Functionality, safety, and innovation have all been carefully integrated into the four-story MFB's design for the manufacturing of synthetic textiles from start to finish. The Chemical Store, which has chemicals that have been authorized by Bluesign®, and the Synthetic Brushing Area, which has a modern water-based brushing machine to give synthetic textiles a superior cotton-touch finish, are located on the ground floor. A modern 10-chamber Stenter machine for finishing, an Oli Washing Range for fabric purity, and a sublimation printing section for polyester base fabrics are all located on the first floor. High-performance Jet Dyeing Machines, brand-new Slitting Machines, and a dedicated office space are all located on the second floor. The Development & Innovation Center and the Digital Printing Unit, which combines an existing 16-head digital printing machine with a new 48-head machine to deliver colorful, photographic-quality prints with eco-friendly and effective procedures, are located on the third floor.
By providing innovative, sustainable, and high-quality textile solutions, Ocean Lanka further solidifies Sri Lanka's standing as a regional leader in the manufacturing of synthetic fabrics and enhances the nation's export competitiveness. The MFB strengthens Ocean Lanka's commitment to its employees, partners, and stakeholders while reassuring international buyers that Sri Lanka is prepared to deliver top-notch synthetic textiles on par with global hubs. In addition to increasing Ocean Lanka's capacity, the MFB is an investment in the long-term growth of the synthetic fabric business, to promote collaboration, creativity, and employee well-being.
Since 1996, Ocean Lanka has set benchmarks in Sri Lanka’s textile industry through quality, innovation, and sustainability. With the official opening of the Multifunctional Building, Ocean Lanka embarks on a new era of pioneering synthetic fabric solutions, delivering smarter, sustainable, and performance-driven textiles to meet tomorrow’s global demands. Fabricating the Future and driving textile innovation beyond boundaries, the company continues to shape Sri Lanka’s leadership in the global textile arena.

24/09/2025

Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited and Doc990 Introduce New Phase of Partnership to Improve Access and Convenience for Allianz Medical Policyholders
– Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurers and a part of the global Allianz Group, has announced the next phase of its partnership with Doc990, the country’s leading digital health platform. This development introduces additional value-added services for Allianz medical policyholders, aimed at simplifying their access to healthcare.
Doc990, operated by Digital Health (Pvt) Ltd, is Sri Lanka’s leading digital health platform, revolutionizing healthcare accessibility across the country. Through its website, mobile app, and hotline (990), Doc990 offers seamless doctor channeling at top hospitals, alongside a comprehensive range of services including audio-video consultations, medicine delivery, and online lab reports delivering reliable, convenient, and innovative solutions that put healthcare at the fingertips of every Sri Lankan

As part of the next phase of the partnership, Allianz medical policyholders can now use the Doc990 platform to book doctor appointments, with consultation charges settled directly through their OPD limits. This removes the need for upfront payments or manual claims processes. The benefit is offered in addition to the ongoing 35% discount on Doc990 booking fees already available to Allianz Medical policyholders.
Prashant Grover, CEO and Country Manager of Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited, stated:
“This collaboration represents more than just a value-added service, it’s a reflection of our broader ambition to redefine how insurance supports people in their everyday lives. We are focused on creating a connected ecosystem where digital innovation seamlessly supports customer well-being. Collaborations like this help us bring practical, digital-led solutions to life and reflect our continued commitment to making healthcare access more straightforward for our policyholders. "
Ranga Dias, Chief Distribution Officer at Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited, commented
“At Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited, we are focused on making everyday interactions simpler and more convenient for our customers. This next phase of our partnership with Doc990 is part of that ongoing effort, removing the need for upfront payments and manual claims when booking doctor appointments and instead allowing direct settlement through OPD limits. We believe insurance should work quietly in the background, supporting people when they need it most, without added steps or stress."
This long-term partnership between Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited and Doc990 is built on a shared commitment to deliver meaningful, customer-focused solutions. Both organizations will continue to collaborate closely to introduce more features and services in the future, ensuring that policyholders consistently benefit from added value, convenience, and digital accessibility in their healthcare and insurance experience.
Janitth Peiris, CEO of Digital Health Pvt Ltd, added:
As Sri Lanka’s premier digital healthcare solution provider, we are proud to partner with Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited in pioneering innovative, customer-centric solutions. Allianz’s forward-thinking approach aligns perfectly with our mission to revolutionize the ease of access to OPD wallets, making healthcare more accessible and convenient for their policyholders. Our goal is to enable health at your fingertips empowering customers to access quality healthcare seamlessly and effortlessly. Together, we are redefining the way healthcare is accessed and experienced, ensuring Allianz’s customers enjoy a more connected and simplified healthcare journey.
This initiative is part of Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited’s broader focus on collaborating with trusted digital platforms to deliver services that meet real customer needs. Through partnerships like these, the company continues to build on its commitment to convenience, relevance, and simplicity in everyday insurance experiences.
Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd. is a fully-owned subsidiaries of Allianz SE, a global financial services provider with services predominantly in the insurance and asset management businesses, headquartered in Munich, Germany. Allianz is also recognized globally as the “World’s No.1 Insurance Brand” by Interbrand and Brand Finance.

24/09/2025

ප්‍රයිම් ලෑන්ඩ්ස් රෙසිඩන්සීස් පිරිනමන ගම්පහ 'The Palace' ව්‍යාපෘතියේ මංසළකුණක් සනිටුහන් කරමින් 200 වෙනි නිවාස ඒකකයත් භාර දෙයි.

පසුගියදා ප්‍රයිම් ලෑන්ඩ්ස් රෙසිඩන්සීස් විසින් ගම්පහ, 'The Palace' 200 වෙනි නිවාස ඒකකය භාරදෙමින්, ව්‍යාපෘතියේ තවත් මං සලකුණක් සනිටුහන් කරන්නට සමත් විණි. මෙම 'The Palace' ව්‍යාපෘතිය සුවිශේෂී ජීවන රටාවකට මඟ පාදන අතරම, අගනා ආයෝජන වටිනාකමක් ද පාරිභෝගිකයින්ට ලබාදේ.
මෙම 200 වෙනි නිවාස ඒකකය භාර දීම ප්‍රයිම් ලෑන්ඩ්ස් රෙසිඩන්සීස් පීඑල්සී හි තවත් මං සලකුණක් නියෝජනය කරන අතරම, එය නවීන ජීවන රටාවකට මුසු වුණු මූල්‍ය ප්‍රතිලාභයන්ද සමඟ, ඉහළ මට්ටමේ නිවැසි ප්‍රජාවක කොටස්කරුවෙකු වීමට පාරිභෝගික ඔබට අනගි අවස්ථාවක් ද නිර්මාණය කරදේ.
ආයෝජන අවස්ථා සොයා යන ඔබටද ගම්පහ 'The Palace' වටිනා අවස්ථාවක් පිරිනමයි. ගම්පහ නගර සීමාව තුළ, නුවර-කොළඹ මහා මාර්ගයට මීටර 100 ක් පමණක් දුරින් පිහිටි මෙම නිවාස ව්‍යාපෘතිය, එහි වටිනාකම දිනෙන් දින වැඩි වන ලෙසින් ස්ථානගත වී තිබේ. බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්‍යන්තර ගුවන්තොටුපළට පහසු ප්‍රවේශයක් තිබීමත්, ඉහළම මට්ටමේ පාසල් වලට, රෝහල් වලට සහ ප්‍රධාන වෙළඳ සංකීර්ණයන්ට අතේ දුරින් පිහිටීමත්, මෙහි නිවාස වල වටිනාකමත්, ඒ සඳහා වන කුලී ඉල්ලුමත් වැඩි කරයි. ගම්පහ නගර සීමාවේ ඉඩම් වල වටිනාකම ක්‍රමයෙන් ඉහළ යාමත් සමඟ, 'The Palace' හි මුල් ගැනුම්කරුවන්ට දැනටමත් ඔවුන්ගේ ආයෝජනයට සැලකිය යුතු දිගුකාලීන වර්ධනයක් ලැබෙනා බව සහතික වී තිබේ.
ගම්පහ 'The Palace' එවන් සුවිශේෂී ආයෝජන අවස්ථාවක් ලබා දෙන අතරම, 'The Palace' නිවෙස් හිමියන්ට අසමසම ජීවන රටාවක් භුක්ති විඳීමට අවස්ථාවද උදා කර දේ. පිහිනුම් තටාකයක්, අංගසම්පූර්ණ ව්‍යායාම ශාලාවක්, බැඩ්මින්ටන් ක්‍රීඩා පිටි, යෝග අභ්‍යාස පරිශ්‍රයක් සහ අලංකාරවත්ව නිර්මාණය කෙරී තිබෙන ඇවිදීමේ මාර්ග ඇතුළු පහසුකම් සමඟින්, 'The Palace' ලබාදෙන නිවාඩු නිකේතනයකින් අපේක්ෂා කළ හැකි ආකාරයේ උසස් පහසුකම් ඊට නිදසුන් වේ. එසේම ඔබේ සමාජ ජීවිතයත්, විවේකයත් ගත කිරීම වෙනුවෙන්ම 'The Palace' තුළ නිර්මාණය කර තිබෙන ග්‍රෑන්ඩ් ඩියුක්ස් කැෆේ සහ බාර්, රෝයල් උත්සව ශාලාව, වින්ඩ්සර් පුස්තකාලය මෙන්ම කැරෝකේ මධ්‍යස්ථාන සහ ගෘහාශ්‍රිත ක්‍රීඩාගාර යන පහසුකම් ඔබේ ජීවන රටාව සම්පූර්ණ කරනු ඇත. මෙහි ඇති හුරුබුහුටි සුපිරි වෙළඳසැල සහ 24 පැයේ සැපයෙන ආරක්ෂාව ඇතුළු පහසුකම් මගින් ඔබගේ සිතේ සැනසීම රැක දෙනු ඇත.

“මෙම නිවාස ඒකක 200 භාරදීම ඔස්සේ, විශිෂ්ට ප්‍රජාවන් නිර්මාණය කිරීමට ප්‍රයිම් සමූහයට තිබෙන හැකියාව පෙන්නුම් කෙරේ. එසේම පදිංචිකරුවන්ට ඉහළම මට්ටමේ පහසුකම් සමඟ විශිෂ්ට ජීවන රටාවක් ද සමගින් ශක්තිමත් ආයෝජන අවස්ථාවක් පිරිනැමීමට ප්‍රයිම් සමාගම දක්වන කැපවීමද මෙයින් පිළිබිඹු වේ. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ දේපළ වෙළඳාම් ක්ෂේත්‍රයේ දශක තුනක අත්දැකීම් සමඟින්, අපි දැනුම් තේරුම් ඇති නිවෙස් හිමියන්ගේ දිනෙන් දින වැඩිදියුණු වන අවශ්‍යතාවයන් සහ අපේක්ෂාවන් සපුරාලීම සඳහා 'The Palace' නිර්මාණය කර ඇත.” ප්‍රයිම් සමූහයේ සම-සභාපතිනී සඳමිණි පෙරේරා එසේ පැවසීය.
ප්‍රයිම් සමූහය වසර 30 ක් අඛණ්ඩව රැක ගෙන එන විශ්වාසය හා විශිෂ්ටත්වය සමගින්, ප්‍රයිම් ලෑන්ඩ්ස් රෙසිඩන්සීස් පීඑල්සී විසින් කොළඹ සහ තදාසන්න ප්‍රදේශ පුරා මේ වන විට සාර්ථක ව්‍යාපෘති 45 කට වඩා සම්පූර්ණ කර තිබෙන අතර, මේ වන විටත් වැඩ කටයුතු සිදුවෙමින් පවතින ව්‍යාපෘති 5 කට වැඩි ප්‍රමාණයක් සහ නව ව්‍යාපෘති දියත් කිරීම් 2 ක් ද ප්‍රයිම් ලෑන්ඩ්ස් රෙසිඩන්සීස් සන්නාමය යටතේ පවතී. මූලිකව කිසිදු මුදලක් නොගෙවා දේපළක් හිමි කර ගැනීමේ අවස්ථාව, නම්‍යශීලී මූල්‍ය පහසුකම් ඇතුළු ආකර්ෂණීය පහසු ගෙවීමේ ක්‍රම පිරිනමන ප්‍රයිම් ලෑන්ඩ්ස් රෙසිඩන්සීස්, ඔබේම නිවසක් හිමි කර ගැනීමේ සිහිනය වෙන කෙදිනකටත් වඩා පහසුවෙන් යථාර්ථයක් බවට පත් කර දෙනු ඇත.

24/09/2025

Sarvodaya Development Finance delegation completes Agri-Innovate immersion at Kasetsart University, Thailand
A cross-functional leadership team from Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) has completed the International Programme on Agri-Innovate: A Value Creation Journey from Soil to Shelf at the Faculty of Business Administration, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, delivered in collaboration with the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM). The mid-September programme focused on end-to-end value-chain innovation, from farm productivity and logistics to markets, risk management and consumer insight, aimed at accelerating sustainable growth in Sri Lanka’s agri-MSME segment.

Branded as “AGRI-INNOVATION From Soil to Shelf: The Value Creation Journey,” the mid-September immersion at Kasetsart University took a 10-member SDF cohort through a tightly sequenced mix of classroom and field learning. The cross-functional group—senior managers from sales, operations, product, lending and recoveries, including zonal leaders and heads of Leasing, SME, Housing Loans, Admin & Operations, and Recoveries—was intentionally selected to place experienced, market-facing practitioners at the centre of product design and policy ex*****on.

Across the week, the team completed sessions on value-added product development and branding, and undertook guided visits to the One Stop Dairy Farm, the Talaad Thai fresh-produce market, key import/community wholesale and retail hubs, and selected farm/manufacturing outlets, culminating in a closing review and presentations. This end-to-end exposure strengthened SDF’s ability to map value chains, understand price discovery and logistics, and translate consumer insight into finance solutions—ensuring field realities inform value-chain finance, digital collections, and risk controls for rural customers.

Nilantha Jayanetti, Chief Executive Officer, Sarvodaya Development Finance, said:
“This immersion is not a study tour; it is a strategic investment in capability. As a values-based financial institution, our mission is to turn inclusion into productivity, linking farmers, SMEs and cooperatives to markets, technology and fair finance. The insights our leaders gained at Kasetsart will help us strengthen credit methodologies for agri cash-flows, design products that de-risk seasonality, and embed better service disciplines across our branch network. In a volatile climate, resilience is engineered—not assumed. Programmes like this equip our people to build that resilience at scale, so that a good season becomes a sustainable livelihood, and a local enterprise becomes part of a national growth engine.”

The programme’s learnings, on crop economics, price discovery, storage and transport, quality assurance, and data-driven customer engagement, will inform SDF’s next cycle of product and policy refinements. Immediate priorities include sharper value-chain mapping, targeted working-capital and equipment finance, and strengthened portfolio monitoring to better align repayment-schedules with harvest and cash-flow realities.
Sarvodaya Development Finance is a leading values-based finance institution serving individuals, farming communities, MSMEs and rural enterprises across Sri Lanka. Guided by a people-first philosophy and international benchmarks in sustainable finance, SDF blends commercial discipline with community impact to advance inclusive growth and long-term resilience.

24/09/2025

Sri Lanka Institute of Directors partners with PR Wire to strengthen corporate communication and governance excellence

The Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) entered into a strategic partnership with PR Wire, a member of Wire Communication Consultancy Holdings (WCCH), to advance corporate communication capabilities and reinforce governance excellence across Sri Lanka’s business sector.
This collaboration marks a milestone in promoting professional standards by bringing together SLID’s leadership in governance education and advocacy with PR Wire’s expertise in public relations and reputation management.
Anitra Perera, Chief Executive Officer of SLID, said, “We are thrilled to partner with PR Wire to amplify SLID’s mission of elevating boardroom excellence and leadership in Sri Lanka. This collaboration will enable us to reach wider audiences, celebrate director excellence, and underscore our commitment to transparency, professionalism, and meaningful impact.”
The partnership provides organizations with access to world-class communication insights while reinforcing governance practices essential for transparency, accountability, and stakeholder confidence.
Ashan Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of PR Wire, commented
“Communication excellence and integrity are vital to modern business success. Together with SLID, we aim to equip leaders and organizations with the tools to navigate today’s complex landscape while building enduring reputational capital.”
Anjuu Bakshani, Director of PR Wire, added, “In today’s business environment, reputation and governance go hand in hand. This collaboration with SLID allows us to guide Corporate Sri Lanka in shaping narratives that reflect integrity, accountability, and a vision for growth.”
This alliance affirms a shared commitment helping directors, executives, and organizations face challenges of a complex business landscape and building long-lasting reputational strength.

24/09/2025

Disrupt Asia 2025 shines as South Asia's new Innovation Powerhouse
-The four-day festival ignites global confidence in Sri Lanka’s startup ecosystem-
Sri Lanka has firmly staked its claim as South Asia’s rising innovation hub with the successful completion of Disrupt Asia 2025, a four-day celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. The event drew more than 100 venture capitalists from 20 countries including host Sri Lanka, strengthening regional startup networks and cross-border partnerships, signalling unprecedented global confidence in Sri Lanka's innovation potential.
The event is backed by the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), powered by Mastercard with Event partners Venture Engine, nVentures, Trace Sri Lanka and Asaya Sands, together with Strategic partners the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Hon. Eranga Weeraratne stated, “Disrupt Asia 2025 is a catalyst for innovation to empower our youth, attract global investment, and accelerate the nation’s journey towards a thriving digital economy. The government continues to implement our national digital transformation agenda, and events such as these create the essential bridge between talented entrepreneurs and global investment opportunities, positioning Sri Lanka as the gateway for innovation throughout the region."
The four-day event series commenced with the highly anticipated Venture Engine competition organized by the Lanka Angel Network (LAN) at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. From over 160 aspiring applicants and multiple selection rounds, 12 promising startups delivered live pitches to top local angels and regional Venture Capitalists (VCs). The competition attracted prominent VCs and industry participants, creating valuable networking opportunities and opening doors for startups and attendees.
On September 18, the Main Conference at Cinnamon Life drew national and international attention, with His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanyake, the President of Sri Lanka gracing the occasion, reflecting the national importance of the initiative in driving the country's digital transformation. A notable highlight was the keynote address by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder & CEO, One97 Communications and Paytm, whose insights provided a gateway to expand horizons.
Among the distinguished guests were high-level representatives from national and strategic partners of the event, the diplomatic community, corporate leaders, investors, regional startup delegations from India, Oman, Qatar, Singapore and other international delegations, demonstrating strong international support for Sri Lanka's innovation ambitions. The day unfolded with featured keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, and curated matchmaking sessions with Sri Lanka's top 30 startups.
A special highlight was Mastercard’s collaboration as Title Partner for Disrupt Asia 2025. Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager, Sri Lanka and Maldives, Mastercard noted, "Mastercard is delighted to collaborate for Disrupt Asia 2025, a pivotal platform that champions digital innovation and entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. The presence of over 100 venture capitalists and thousands of entrepreneurs is a powerful testament to the vibrancy and potential of the country’s startup ecosystem. By connecting local innovators with global networks, expertise, and investment, Mastercard is helping to catalyze a future-ready digital economy—one that fosters inclusive growth, unlocks new opportunities, and positions Sri Lanka as a hub for tech-driven transformation.”
The agenda featured a compelling session on Angel Investment, delivered by Israel Pons, Board Director, Global Business Angels Network and Marcel Dridje, Board Member, European Business Angels. Their global expertise illuminated the latest investment trends and inspired a new wave of angel backing for regional startups.
On September 19, the Innovation Festival at Trace Expert City brought the startup ecosystem to the public, showcasing a vibrant celebration of creativity and entrepreneurship. Inaugurated by Mahesh Uttamchandani from the World Bank and Hon. Eranga Weerarathna, Deputy Minister, Digital Economy, alongside distinguished guests including Dr. Sumeet Jarangal, Director, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) .
As part of the Disrupt Asia international engagement, a curated sundowner event will be held to focus on world class Sri Lankan brands in a unique cultural showcase.
With over 5,000 attendees including students, industry professionals, and families, the festival became one of Sri Lanka’s largest ever technology gatherings. Over 50 local and international startups showcased alongside tech pavilions, workshops, and discussions, creating an immersive experience that connected the startup ecosystem with a broader community audience.
Disrupt Asia 2025 will be remembered as a turning point in strengthening Sri Lanka's global reputation in the startup and innovation space, creating lasting partnerships and demonstrating the country's readiness to lead South Asia's innovation revolution.

24/09/2025

ComBank wins impressive triple at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2025
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon was honoured with three prestigious awards at the 3rd Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2025, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The Bank received the awards for Best Performance on Growth – Sri Lanka and Best Performance on Profitability – Sri Lanka, and won the Runner-up title for Best Bank in Sri Lanka, achieving a significant triple at this event.

These accolades, presented at Le Meridien in New Delhi, India, highlight the Bank’s robust performance, resilience, and leadership within the region’s financial sector.

Representing the Bank at the event was Mr. Ramachandren Sivagnanam, the Assistant General Manager – Personal Banking. The awards ceremony featured participation from financial institutions across Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India.

Commenting on the recognition, the Bank said this distinguished recognition serves as a powerful validation of the Bank’s unwavering commitment to its customer-centric strategies, continuous innovation, and financial strength. These accolades not only reinforce trust and differentiate the Bank in a highly competitive market but also strengthen its reputation among customers, employees, and all stakeholders.

The awards are based on a rigorous assessment conduct by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and a jury of eminent banking industry professionals, which considers both quantitative and qualitative factors, including key financial indicators such as profitability, growth, and asset quality.

Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Kolkata, the Indian Chamber of Commerce is one of the most proactive and forward-looking Chambers in India today. Its membership spans some of the most prominent and major industrial groups in India.

The first Sri Lankan bank with a market capitalisation of more than US$ 1 billion, Commercial Bank was also the first bank in the country be listed among the Top 1000 banks of the world, and has the highest capital base among all Sri Lankan banks. The Bank is the largest private sector lender in Sri Lanka and the largest lender to the country’s SME sector. Commercial Bank is also a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.

Commercial Bank operates a network of strategically located branches and automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 20 branches in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives, a Microfinance company in Myanmar and a representative office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The Bank’s fully owned subsidiaries, CBC Finance Ltd. and Commercial Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Limited, also deliver a range of financial services via their own branch networks.

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