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Analytical Instruments appoints Madura Liyanarachchi as Managing Director

Analytical Instruments Ltd., (AIPL), one of Sri Lanka’s foremost providers of healthcare and laboratory solutions, has announced the appointment of Madura Liyanarachchi as the Managing Director.

A respected industry leader with over 23 years of dedicated service, Liyanarachchi’s appointment marks the culmination of an inspiring career built on technical expertise, strategic vision, and exceptional leadership. Having joined Analytical Instruments in 2003 as a Sales Engineer, he has progressed through every level of the organisation to become its Managing Director, an achievement that reflects both his professional excellence and the company’s enduring commitment to developing talent from within.

Throughout his career, Liyanarachchi has played a pivotal role in transforming Analytical Instruments into Sri Lanka’s market leader in laboratory diagnostics and healthcare technologies. Under his leadership, the Health Sector achieved remarkable business growth, doubling its annual revenue within the past three years and further strengthening the company’s position as the industry’s benchmark for innovation and service excellence.

One of his most significant contributions has been spearheading the digital transformation of clinical laboratories in Sri Lanka. By introducing advanced laboratory automation, digital laboratory information solutions, and cutting-edge diagnostic technologies, he has been instrumental in modernising laboratory operations and improving efficiency across both public and private healthcare institutions. His vision has helped lay the foundation for the next generation of laboratory services in the country.

In his new role as Managing Director Liyanarachchi will focus on driving innovation, strengthening partnerships with globally renowned healthcare technology manufacturers, expanding the company’s portfolio, and accelerating sustainable growth while continuing to deliver outstanding value to customers and stakeholders.

An engineer by profession, Liyanarachchi is a proud alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Peradeniya and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Colombo.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he has made significant contributions to Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector. He serves as a Visiting Lecturer at the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, as well as at several other universities, where he shares his industry knowledge and expertise with the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Liyanarachchi’s appointment represents not only a significant personal milestone but also reflects Analytical Instruments’ continued investment in visionary leadership, innovation, and the advancement of healthcare in Sri Lanka.

Plans in place to evacuate Thais in Middle East

There are contingency evacuation plans in place for Thai citizens living in the Middle East amid a new round of the US-led war against Iran, said Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Mr Sihasak was speaking from the Philippines where he attended the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) held a meeting to monitor and assess the tense situation in the Middle East following the end of the ceasefire and the renewed fighting there.

During during previous clashes, Thais were evacuated from Iran safely.

“The MFA has to prepare to handle all scenarios and assess our readiness, especially if another evacuation of Thai citizens is necessary. I can confirm that we are prepared for any eventuality,” he said.

Eksiri Pintaruchi, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Tuesday chaired the meeting to monitor the situation in the Middle East, which was attended by representatives of all Thai embassies and consulates in the Middle East region via teleconference.

Attendants exchanged information and followed the progress in caring for and providing assistance to Thai people in each country. They also reviewed the readiness of plans to assist and evacuate Thai nationals if the situation changes according to the context of each area, the ministry said.

Embassies and consulates general in the turbulent region have informed Thai nationals there to closely follow news dispensed by them and to also strictly follow the announcements and warnings of their host country.

Currently, there are no reports of Thai nationals in the Middle East region being severely affected by the conflict, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sihasak said the Asean ministers’ meeting has discussed the central role Asean plays in fostering global peace and security.

The situation in Myanmar remains concerning, he said, adding Thailand’s policy emphasises dialogue and interaction, without abandoning Asean’s five-point consensus.

However, Thailand has to acknowledged its interests in border security, he said.

This encompasses numerous issues including border trade, transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, and pollution, which requires dialogue with the Myanmar government.

Thailand has urged the new Myanmar government to continue the dialogue process towards peace and reconciliation, and expressed Thailand’s readiness to facilitate talks, involving both ethnic minorities and the Myanmar government.

Government to decide on major projects to be included in new MFF, President says

The government will soon be called upon to make decisions on the major projects that will be included in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday evening.

Speaking to journalists upon his arrival at the inauguration ceremony for the revamped Omodos Square and part of its Traditional Core, a traditional village in Limassol district, President Christodoulides said that “our government will soon have to decide on major projects to be implemented across Cyprus under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, with a total value exceeding pound 1 billion.”

He said that his intention is for the government to discuss the matter in cooperation with local authorities, community leaders, municipalities, and district administrations, “so that we can make full use of all available European resources to achieve the revitalisation of our rural areas, where you can experience the true spirit of Cypriot hospitality.”

Referring to the event, he spoke of “a landmark day,” noting that the Cabinet was present because “we genuinely believe and are investing in the future of mountainous Cyprus and our rural communities.” He added that Omodos is a classic example of the successful development and utilisation of Cyprus’s semi-mountainous regions.

The Director’s new reality: PDPA, cyber risk and personal liability in 2026

As the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) celebrates 25 years of advancing corporate governance under the theme ‘Future-Ready Sri Lankan Directors – From Compliance to Sustainable Growth,’ Delmege Insurance Brokers congratulates the Institute on this significant milestone and its enduring contribution to strengthening board leadership in Sri Lanka.

The theme is particularly relevant today. Governance is no longer simply about complying with regulations, it is about building resilient organisations that can manage emerging risks while creating sustainable value. One question is becoming increasingly important in every boardroom:

Who protects the people who lead?

In 2026, Directors face growing personal accountability for decisions relating to data privacy, cyber security, digital transformation and regulatory compliance. Increasingly, the consequences of these decisions extend beyond the organisation and directly affect individual Directors.

Three risks every Board must consider

1.Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) No. 9 of 2022

Sri Lanka’s PDPA places responsibility not only on organisations but also on those responsible for governance. Following a data breach, regulators will assess whether the board exercised appropriate oversight and implemented adequate safeguards. Directors may be personally named in investigations, even where a breach originates through a third-party service provider.

2. Companies Act No. 7 of 2007

Sections 198 and 220 require Directors to act with due care, skill and diligence. Failures in governance, inaccurate disclosures or regulatory breaches can expose Directors to personal liability. Certain penalties cannot legally be indemnified by the company, and serious breaches may even result in disqualification from serving as a Director.

3.Cyber and Reputational Risk

As organisations embrace digital transformation, boards are increasingly exposed to ransomware attacks, phishing, data theft and reputational damage. Shareholders, customers and regulators are also more willing to pursue legal action directly against Directors. Even where Directors are ultimately cleared, legal defence costs can be substantial.

Where company protection ends

Many Directors assume their company will always protect them. In reality, that protection has limits.

Directors may face legal action personally even after leaving office. If the company is financially unable to indemnify them, or where the law prohibits indemnification, legal costs and settlements become the Director’s personal responsibility. This creates a governance gap that many organisations have yet to address.

Protecting Boards in a changing risk environment

At Delmege Insurance Brokers, we believe effective governance extends beyond compliance. It includes protecting the individuals entrusted with making critical business decisions.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance provides financial protection against covered legal defence costs, settlements and damages arising from claims made against Directors and officers acting in good faith. Equally important, Cyber Insurance has become an essential component of enterprise risk management, helping organisations respond to cyber incidents, business interruption and data breaches.

When combined with sound governance practices, these solutions enable boards to make informed decisions with greater confidence while strengthening organisational resilience.

Delmege: Proven leadership in insurance advisory

Delmege Insurance Brokers brings proven market leadership and specialist advisory expertise to this changing risk environment. According to industry statistics published by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Delmege ranked No. 1 among Sri Lanka’s registered insurance broking companies by GWP for both 2023 and 2024, within a highly competitive market of more than 80 registered brokers.

This leadership reflects the confidence placed in Delmege by organisations across Sri Lanka. Through expert insurance advisory and tailored Directors’ and Officers’ Liability and Cyber Insurance solutions, Delmege helps boards identify protection gaps, strengthen resilience and protect both the organisation and the individuals entrusted with leading it.

BIZ BUZZ: MVP goes back to where it all began

Business titan Manuel V. Pangilinan chose to celebrate a milestone not in a ballroom but in the neighborhood where his dreams first took shape.

The PLDT chair marked his 80th birthday by returning to San Juan City, where he spent much of his childhood, leading a community initiative for children instead of the usual corporate fanfare.

Through ‘Tulong Kapatid’-the social responsibility alliance of companies under the MVP Group-along with the PLDT-Smart Foundation and partner organizations, Pangilinan helped turn over learning materials and joined a mural-painting activity at the Tibagan Child Development Center.

The effort also drew support from members of the Pangilinan family and several foundations across the group’s ecosystem.

For Pangilinan, the visit carried personal meaning. His family moved to San Juan in the early 1950s, and he spent his formative years in the city’s Little Baguio district.

Rather than dwell on the birthday milestone, Pangilinan highlighted the broader mission of the MVP Group’s foundations, saying the activity reflects their continuing work to uplift communities and create opportunities through education and social programs.

The donation included bookshelves, whiteboards, learning and hygiene kits, vitamins, art supplies and classroom toys, while volunteers transformed the center with a colorful mural.

For Pangilinan, turning 80 became less about looking back at decades of boardroom victories and more about returning to the neighborhood where the journey began.

FPH hopes third time’s the charm

For First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH), the third time may finally be the charm.

The Lopez-led conglomerate has again reset the date of its 2026 annual stockholders’ meeting (ASM), marking the third schedule for the event as the long-running dispute within the Lopez family continues to cast a shadow over one of the country’s oldest business groups.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, FPH said its board approved holding the annual meeting on Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. through a teleconferencing facility, with Aug. 5 set as the record date for shareholders entitled to vote.

The disclosure was only a few lines long. But behind the new date lies months of corporate uncertainty stemming from the feud between the Lopez family factions led by First Gen Corp. CEO Federico ‘Piki’ Lopez and the camp of the Lopez majority led by Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III.

Investors will likely watch whether the Sept. 25 meeting finally pushes through-and, more importantly, whether shareholders receive clearer answers on the state of the Lopez family’s corporate rift.

For now, FPH’s latest filing offers no clues beyond the new meeting date, leaving the market waiting once again for what could become one of the most closely watched annual meetings in the local corporate calendar.

Sergey Lavrov, Marco Rubio discuss Ukraine conflict during Manila meeting

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Manila on the sidelines of ministerial-level events of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), AzerNEWS reports, citing the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the information, the two officials held a detailed exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral and international issues, building on recent high-level contacts.

During discussions on Ukraine, Lavrov briefed his US counterpart on the situation along the line of contact and reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to seek a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict. He also reiterated Moscow’s commitment to the proposals put forward by the US side during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage.

The two officials also discussed regional and international issues, including the situation in the Gulf.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to continue contacts between their foreign ministries, including through participation in international organizations.

No presidency for me, Fashola declares

Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has ruled out contesting for the presidency, saying he has no such ambition.

Speaking on TVC on Wednesday, Fashola gave a blunt response when asked if he would run for president.

‘No,’ he said.

When pressed further, he replied with a smile, ‘President of what? I’m president at home.’

Reflecting on his years in public service, Fashola described the experience as a privilege.

‘My journey has been an unimaginable privilege, and I hope that it, in some way, inspires another generation about the possibilities of this country,’ he said.

He added that Nigeria remains a land of opportunity, with many stories of ‘rags to riches and grass to grace.’

On how he hopes to be remembered, Fashola said: ‘Let history write whatever history wants to write. It is not in my place.’

The former governor also confirmed he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council but stressed, ‘There is a thin line between intervention and interference.’

Fashola urged Nigerians to protect the judiciary, backed a vibrant opposition, expressed support for state police, and said tackling Lagos flooding requires both government action and public cooperation. He also said President Bola Tinubu is pursuing important fiscal and monetary reforms while carrying greater national responsibilities.

Invictus in order to avoid Convictus

It has become clear, not just apparent, that the technique of the vice president and her defense team is to divert the attention of the people from the charges against her and use “argumentum ad populum” by portraying herself as the victim of persecution, instead of addressing the charges directly.

The reference to Invictus is one of the most illustrative of this tactic which is appealing to the “hoi polloi” who decide based on emotions rather than logic. The literal translation of the Latin term “Invictus” is unconquered, unconquerable, undefeated and undefeatable. If the vice president is fair to her audience, she should have mentioned that she was only borrowing the phrase from William Henley’s poem written in 1875. She should have put context to her expression by disclosing that such words as “bloodied but unbowed” is not original but written by Henley after his leg was amputated due to bone tuberculosis.

The vice president is obviously praising her own fighting spirit. The term unconquerable soul was mentioned in the first stanza of Invictus. She is making reference to the second stanza of Henley’s “obra maestra.” “In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloodied but unbowed” It is indeed a good mantra to ignite her self-confidence, her indomitable spirit to fight. The vice president indeed is a brave woman. She is not your usual portrait of a submissive female. She is strong, firm and even her own father recognized her strength in character and resilience.

When I took the Bar many decades past, I used to recite each day, as a provinciano coming to Manila for the first time, the last stanza of Invictus: ” It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” We respect the vice president’s right to express herself in such a way, and declare her unflinching determination amidst “the slings and arrows of her outrageous fortune” to follow Shakespeare in Hamlet. But she has to cite her source instead of implicitly sounding original. That is called intellectual honesty.

However, her propensity to divert the attention of the people by relentlessly attacking the government and nonchalantly ignoring her duty to attend her impeachment trial does not sit well with the expected character of a true leader. Her attack against the government of which she is very much a part of is the most. She keeps on attacking the president when it was she who asked the people to vote for him does not speak well of her character. Vice president Leni disagreed with president Duterte in almost all principles of governance, but she never insulted, berated or shamed the president.

Vice President Jojo Binay was not of the same party as the late president Noynoy Aquino. But Binay remained a gentleman, a decent and respectful vice president. Even the late Diosdado Macapagal was very polite, restrained and respectful of president Carlos P Garcia despite the fact that Macapagal was of the Liberal Party while Garcia was of the Nacionalista Party. Only this vice president who ran under the same banner keeps on attacking the chief executive, instead of helping the government address the huge problems confronting the country.

There is no line in Invictus that can save the vice president if the evidence should lead to “convictus.”

Concrete results needed from Guterres visit to Cyprus before five-party talks, UN diplomatic source tells CNA

A UN diplomatic source in Brussels has told CNA that concrete results will be needed from the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Cyprus on July 27-29, and from the meeting of the tripartite meeting, before the process can move forward to five-party conference talks.

At the same time, the source denied recent press reports about the existence of a plan, stressing the UN’s focus remains on preparing for Guterres’ visit to the island at the end of July and his meeting with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides.

The source noted that the contacts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on the Cyprus issue, Maria Angela Holguín, both in Brussels and in Ankara tomorrow, Friday, fall within this same framework.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

NBA 2K27 covers feature Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, Derrick Rose?

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and former NBA MVP Derrick Rose were revealed Wednesday as the cover athletes for NBA 2K27.

Wembanyama is on the cover of the Standard Edition, Clark is on the Deluxe Edition and Rose will appear on the limited-time Ultra Edition.

The Standard Edition launches widely on Sept. 4. Deluxe and Ultra editions launch with early access on Aug. 28.

Wembanyama said being on the cover was ‘a dream come true,’ and Clark said being on a cover ‘is special because this game reaches fans all over the world.’

Rose was also on the cover of NBA 2K13.

‘This is a chance to inspire young athletes to stay obsessed with the game,’ Rose said. ‘To show them that when you put in the countless hours of hard work, it rewards you.’