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Toxic Food Series: How food safety failures turned consumers into food inspectors

Adulterated staples and weak enforcement have forced every Nigerian to become their own food inspectors.

With the influx of adulterated food and drinks in Nigerian markets, many have now turned to social media to detect fake products.

Social media has become the de facto regulator. Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and Instagram accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers post videos on how to identify adulterated palm oil, honey and pesticide-treated beans.

Funke Adedayo holds up two bottles of palm oil. One is deep red, thick and smells smoky. The other is brighter and lighter for inspection.

‘I learned from Instagram how to detect adulterated palm oil,’ she said. ‘If you put it in water and the colour separates, it is adulterated,’ she noted.

She said that traders will not allow such tests in the market, so buyers have adapted. ‘If it stains your hand too red, don’t buy it,’ she warned.

The shift from reliance on regulators to self-help is driven by gaps in Nigeria’s food safety management system.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control focuses on packaged foods and drugs. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security said it has no department with such an oversight function for Nigeria’s over 200 million people.

That leaves staples like beans, tomatoes, palm oil and honey largely unchecked.

Abidemi Adegoroye, another trader shopping at Mile 12, said she belongs to a WhatsApp group where videos of food adulteration are shared.

‘I make sure I boil my beans for 10 minutes and sieve the water first,’ she said. ‘This is to remove the chemical they use in preserving the beans.’

She said skipping the step has consequences. ‘Anytime I fail to do so, I have constipation or heartburn.’

Traders commonly preserve beans with dichlorvos, sold locally as Sniper. The pesticide is intended for fumigation, not direct application to food, and residues above maximum limits have been linked to health risks.

Timothy Chukwu, a secondary school teacher, said becoming his own inspector is now a matter of necessity.

‘Government has failed in ensuring safe and wholesome foods for its citizens,’ he said.

For honey, he uses a water test. ‘Authentic honey sinks and doesn’t dissolve quickly,’ he noted. ‘Adulterated honey with sugar syrup dissolves immediately.’

Funmi Adeyinka, an auditor with a financial institution in Ikeja, said she no longer allows Suya (smoked beef) vendors to add ground pepper to her purchase.

‘I usually grind my own dried pepper myself,’ she said. ‘I only collect my suya with onions and add my pepper when I get home.’

‘Most of the pepper used by vendors is mixed with dye to make it redder,’ she added.

The dyes are part of a wider pattern. Traders add a banned industrial dye to palm oil to deepen its colour. Calcium carbide is used to force ripening of fruits, while artificial sweeteners and burnt sugar are used to stretch honey.

BusinessDay found that middle-class families in Lagos are responding by bypassing the market entirely.

Many now drive directly to farms in Ogun and Oyo states on weekends, forming cooperatives to buy directly.

‘We drive to nearby farming communities in Ogun and Oyo states to make purchases,’ Tolulope Timilehin said, noting that produce bought from such markets is not adulterated.

The cooperatives pay a premium but guarantee traceability. Members visit farms, monitor pesticide application and harvest produce themselves.

For experts, self-detection is a symptom, not a solution. ‘Nigerians becoming food inspectors doesn’t fix the fact that we have a food safety issue in the country,’ said AfricanFarmer Mogaji, CEO of Agbado Limited.

Joseph Akinneye, professor of biology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, said, ‘When pesticides are used beyond the maximum limits on food products, it becomes dangerous to human health.’

‘Farmers and traders often use these chemicals at high levels, and accumulation causes cancer, difficulty in breathing, and hormonal imbalance.’

Akinneye said limited knowledge is fuelling increased use and calls for education on dosage and regulation of maximum residue limits. He also wants stronger enforcement of banned pesticides and routine testing of produce in major markets.

Until enforcement extends to open markets, shoppers like Adedayo will keep testing food themselves.

‘I can’t wait for NAFDAC,’ she said, sealing her bottle. ‘I have to protect my children and myself.’

First HoldCo, Seplat, HBM lead Nigeria’s big corporate stock returns

Big corporate stocks on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) have seen an unprecedented wave of capital reallocation this year, and sitting comfortably at the vanguard of this financial renaissance are First Holdco Plc, Seplat Energy Plc, and HBM Nigeria Plc.

Overtaking its traditional NGX Premium Board peers, First Holdco has recorded a 186.64 percent year-to-date (YtD) return, decisively rewriting valuation norms across the local bourse.

This trajectory reflects a major shift in market sentiment, transitioning the conglomerate from a historical value play into an aggressive growth leader.

Driving this market-beating momentum is a powerful convergence of aggressive retail accumulation, institutional positioning, and renewed confidence following strategic balance sheet restructuring.

While fellow elite banking and industrial heavyweights on the Premium Board have posted respectable mid-tier gains, First Holdco’s parabolic ascent to stand at N137.3 as at October 19 highlights how effectively the group has unlocked underlying shareholder value.

BusinessDay’s trend watch shows other Premium Board companies and their returns year-to-date (YtD), such as MTNN (61.45 percent), Dangote Cement (65.52 percent), Seplat (175.44 percent), First Holdco (186.64 percent), HBM Nigeria (163.94 percent), Zenith Bank (100.65 percent), UBA (0.84 percent), and Access Holdings (33.10 percent).

In the basket of eight Premium Board Companies, investors have increasingly rewarded First Holdco for its decisive measures to clean up legacy exposures and optimise its expansive financial services ecosystem.

This exceptional outperformance also highlights a broader structural reallocation toward deeply liquid, highly capitalised tier-one Nigerian equities capable of hedging against macroeconomic volatility.

As market participants search for robust vehicles to preserve capital and outpace inflation, First Holdco’s liquidity depth and massive market capitalisation, hovering around N6.243trillion territory as at October 19 have made it an unavoidable destination for both domestic and foreign portfolio flows.

NGX Premium tracks the Premium Board companies in terms of market capitalisation and liquidity. It is a price index and is weighted by adjusted market capitalisation – the number of a company’s listed shares, multiplied by the closing price of that company, multiplied by a capping factor. Only fully paid-up common shares are included in the index.

As the NGX navigates through market dynamics, the Premium Board continues to serve as the crown jewel for institutional and retail investors seeking liquidity, solid governance, and impressive capital appreciation.

For instance, the performance of the NGX Premium Board highlights a market favouring high-conviction growth stocks, particularly within financial services and energy sectors.

While top performers like First Holdco, Seplat and HBM Nigeria have yielded extraordinary triple-digit windfalls, the diverse spread of returns emphasises the importance of portfolio rebalancing and strategic stock selection tailored to risk appetite.

Energy titan Seplat followed First Holdco closely behind with a stellar 175.44 percent YtD return, trading at N16,000.10 and boasting a market cap of N9.599 trillion. Seplat Energy Plc has continued to demonstrate phenomenal financial muscle and capital growth.

Backed by robust performance in the oil and gas exploration and production sector, Seplat stands out as one of the most rewarding large-cap investments for equity holders. Delivering an explosive 175.44 percent YtD return, Seplat has heavily rewarded investors, comfortably outperforming broader market indices and solidifying its status as an elite capital-growth engine.

Seplat’s ability to combine robust fundamental earnings with aggressive capital appreciation makes it a cornerstone asset for portfolios targeting the oil and gas sector. For investors looking for heavy-hitting exposure backed by solid structural valuations and extraordinary capital gains, Seplat remains a premier benchmark of success.

Meanwhile, HBM Nigeria (N355 per share as at October 19) also delivered massive gains at 163.94 percent YtD, cementing the dominance of top-tier growth plays.

As a heavyweight contender on the NGX Premium Board, HBM Nigeria Plc has established itself as an exceptional wealth-generator for investors. Backed by solid market positioning in the industrial goods sector, the company’s strong performance highlights why it remains a focal point for capital appreciation.

Investors who positioned themselves in the stock early this year have enjoyed explosive capital gains, mirroring the bullish momentum seen in select heavy-hitting industrial and energy plays.

Zenith Bank successfully crossed the milestone triple-digit threshold, recording a 100.65 percent YtD return with a share price of N124 as at October 19 and a N5.092 trillion market valuation, proving that tier-1 banking institutions remain a staple for wealth creation.

Market heavyweights MTNN (N17.321 trillion market cap) and Dangote Cement (N17.008 trillion market cap) demonstrated solid, defensive growth, posting respectable YtD returns of 61.45 percent and 65.52 percent respectively, while trading at N825 and N1,008.

While Zenith Bank doubled investors’ capital, other financial institutions like Access Holdings (33.10 percent) and UBA (0.84 percent) experienced more subdued momentum, presenting potential value or consolidation phases for long-term investors.

Crucially, for First Holdco Plc that blazes past others, the 186.64 percent YtD milestone serves as a powerful validation of the holding company structure adopted by the group, enabling greater operational agility and targeted capital allocation across its diverse banking, merchant, and asset management subsidiaries.

By streamlining its risk architecture and improving core revenue generation, the firm has successfully dismantled historical valuation discounts that previously separated it from its closest index rivals.

As the market steers into the final stretch of the year, all eyes remain fixed on whether First Holdco, Seplat Energy, and HBM Nigeria can sustain this blistering momentum against tightening monetary levers and shifting macroeconomic headwinds.

Yet, by decisively outrunning their NGX Premium benchmark peers, these companies have firmly cemented their status as the defining market darlings of the current trading cycle, signalling a bold new chapter for West Africa’s capital markets.

Reflections from IMF and World Bank Annuals in Bangkok

The 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group that completed in Bangkok, Thailand from 12 to 18 October, brought together over 15,000 participants from 191 member countries including policymakers, central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, civil society representatives, journalists, and academics to discuss the state of the global economy and issues of international concern, such as the growth outlook, financial stability, rising inequality and poverty reduction.

The Thai hosts welcomed participants with remarkable hospitality and efficiency despite the conditions under which dissent was permitted. Hundreds of local demonstrators marched near the National Convention Centre, protesting land rights impacts, carbon pricing models, and policies perceived to u foreign capital over local livelihoods. Some made a strong case for a more fundamental reckoning: ‘Why Thailand Should Be Suing, Not Hosting the IMF.’ The question was not rhetorical. It pointed to the land displacements, the conditionalities, and the structural adjustment legacies that have shaped Thailand’s own experience with the Bretton Woods institutions, and to the uncomfortable irony of a nation hosting the very architects of policies it has spent decades contesting.

The local protests reflected the wishes of many participants who were keen to see meaningful reforms to the International Financial Institutions that would place the wellbeing of people and the environment over returns on wealth and capital.

The status quo

Whilst multiple global issues require urgent action, cooperation was lacking at the event and reflected the geopolitically fragmented world. As the US pushes back on climate financing, points fingers at the ‘distorted policies’ of other countries, and fights a war of choice, it produces the energy crunch and negative consequences. IMF and the World Bank could and should have discussed the impact of these actions in a more insightful and meaningful manner.

There was little self-reflection by the multilateral institutions on the policies and strategies that have contributed to the debt and economic crises facing many nations. The Debt Report 2026 (Broad Global South) published by Erlassjahr, a German think-tank, identified 44 countries in the Global South suffering from a ‘very high foreign debt burden,’ with another 25 heavily burdened and 15 at latent risk.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was the answer to almost every question on growth posed to the Bretton Woods institutions, even as they sidestepped the structural failures such as debt, austerity, and the chronic underfunding of public goods, that define the actual constraints on growth in the Global South. More than a dozen official panel discussions addressed AI, including one titled ‘What would it take? Making Private Capital and AI Work for Countries’. Another panel featured Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, as keynote speaker. This came in the same week that the Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy published an essay titled ‘Apocalypse Now and Then’, on the dangers of AI driving inequality, in which she writes: ‘It feels a little like that moment before the tsunami in 2004. Remember how, in Thailand and Indonesia, the ocean drew back from the coastline? People ran out to marvel at the miles of pristine new beach that suddenly emerged, not realising that, far out at sea, a wall of water was building up and would come crashing over them. We’re in that moment now. A towering wall of stupidity is about to inundate us.’

Benefits for the few

Private capital took centre stage at the World Bank Group, which claimed $112 billion was mobilised during fiscal year 2026 while offering no evidence on the number or quality of jobs created.

Warnings of record debt were met with more fiscal consolidation, tight monetary stances for price stability, supply-side and structural reforms, and inflation targeting through central bank policies from the IMF rather than replenishing its Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, Resilience and Sustainability Trust, and Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust to ramp up much-needed financing. It is disappointing that the international financial institutions have not been able to effectively replenish these specialised trust funds and financing vehicles managed by the IMF to support low-income and vulnerable economies.

Help for the many

Some global south governments, civil society, and think tanks, including Sri Lanka’s Institute of Political Economy, called for a different order of priorities, as many countries carry high debt-servicing obligations, poor public services, and lack access to adequate energy or water. They called for sufficient and predictable public finance to invest in health, education, energy, and food sovereignty. They raised the need for policy space to promote green industrial policies and to build the foundation for decent jobs for all.

The most important conversations happened outside the official meetings. From the Borrowers’ Platform to coordinate on debt and financial architecture, the Xingu Talks for aligning global finance flows, the Southern Caucus on sovereign industrialisation, the Feminist Festival of Resistance and Alternatives making a compelling case for a gender-just economy, and the International Peoples Assembly mobilising for economic, social, and climate justice, Global South governments and movements were building their own alternatives.

Their focus was policy sovereignty and a people-centred economy that values care and develops within planetary boundaries. These conversations reminded participants that alternatives are not only possible; they are already being imagined and built. There were calls for more grants and less debt, simple access, and faster disbursement.

The serious issues facing Sri Lanka’s economy and its people as a result of the unjust global economic order echo what is being raised across the Global South. There is an urgent need for the Government and civil society organisations to show solidarity by uniting and joining forces with other nations and activists to drive reforms within the international financial institutions, through active participation in the UNCTAD Borrowers’ Platform and the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, and by supporting the International Panel on Inequality, among other initiatives

Where are the alternatives?

Global debt and development campaigners such as Debt Justice UK, EuroDad, LatinDadd, Asia Peoples Movement for Debt and Development, AfroDad, Bretton Woods Project, MenaFem, IDEAs, Suramericana Vision, YukthiLk and numerous others, posed questions for finance policymakers.

How can governments deal with the costs of today whilst protecting their ability to invest in tomorrow, at a time of limited fiscal space, high debt costs, energy and commodity price shocks, and the need to continue investing in health, education, climate resilience, and energy transition? How can debt governance incorporate external fiscal risks that affect debt sustainability but exist outside public borrowing? How can a new global standard on tax expenditure reporting, a vital step towards freeing up fiscal space, be introduced? And how can countries finance adaptation without worsening debt distress, external vulnerabilities, and pressures on essential public services?

Local alternatives

The serious issues facing Sri Lanka’s economy and its people as a result of the unjust global economic order echo what is being raised across the Global South. There is an urgent need for the Government and civil society organisations to show solidarity by uniting and joining forces with other nations and activists to drive reforms within the international financial institutions, through active participation in the UNCTAD Borrowers’ Platform and the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, and by supporting the International Panel on Inequality, among other initiatives.

The institutions that govern the global economy are structurally rigged against the South. Unilateral resistance is punished; collective action is shielded. Unity also means building alternatives, not merely demanding seats at a table that was never designed for them but sharing the vast resources of technical expertise, policy solutions and collective experience available to drive essential changes to a world that rewards capital controlled by a few, over the work of the many.

Cabinet awards Rs. 562 m wastewater plant contract for Welipenna Expressway Service Area to Water Board

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved awarding the contract to construct two wastewater treatment plants for the Welipenna service area on the Southern Expressway to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), at an estimated cost of Rs. 562.04 million.

The service area is maintained by Canowin Hotels and Spas Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. It has been identified that the capacity of the existing wastewater treatment plants at the facility is insufficient.

The NWSDB examined the prevailing conditions at the site and submitted a report recommending the construction of two new treatment plants, each with a capacity of 200 cubic metres per day.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister.

Azerbaijan’s green energy push opens new front for investment

Azerbaijan is entering an important phase of its economic transformation as renewable energy increasingly connects the country’s traditional energy expertise with new opportunities in manufacturing, technology and international trade. The expansion of solar and wind power, supported by international investment and infrastructure development, creates a foundation for a broader industrial strategy that can generate economic value across multiple sectors.

The eighth edition of the EU Business Climate Report Azerbaijan 2025/26, prepared by the VM Europe consortium with European Union funding, highlights the progress achieved in the country’s renewable energy sector. European businesses view the market as a promising destination for large-scale projects, with opportunities spanning engineering, infrastructure, logistics and consulting. These assessments underline the growing importance of renewable energy within Azerbaijan’s economic development agenda.

The figures illustrate the scale of the opportunity. Azerbaijan’s estimated technical renewable energy potential reaches 135 gigawatts onshore and 157 gigawatts offshore, while its estimated economically viable potential stands at approximately 27 GW. Solar power accounts for the largest share of this economically viable potential, followed by wind energy. These resources offer considerable scope for investment, industrial development and long-term energy production.

Azerbaijan aims to develop 8 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032, while plans envisage integrating 2 GW into the national electricity system by 2027. The country also targets a 30% share for renewable sources in installed electricity generation capacity by 2030 and a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared with 1990 levels. Together, these objectives establish measurable milestones for the energy transition and provide investors with a clearer picture of the market’s direction.

International partnerships form a central part of this strategy. Projects involving Masdar, ACWA Power, BP, China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment and SOCAR Green demonstrate the range of expertise and capital entering Azerbaijan’s renewable energy industry. Such cooperation can accelerate project delivery, strengthen technical capabilities and expand the participation of Azerbaijani companies in international energy value chains.

The next stage of development offers an opportunity to deepen the domestic economic benefits of these investments. Solar and wind farms require equipment, engineering services, electrical components, construction materials, maintenance and specialised technical expertise. Expanding local participation across these activities can create additional business opportunities for Azerbaijani manufacturers, small and medium-sized enterprises, technology providers and professional service companies.

The localisation of renewable energy supply chains therefore deserves particular attention. Azerbaijan is advancing a solar panel manufacturing project and exploring local production of wind turbine blades, towers and equipment for energy storage systems in the Alat Free Economic Zone. These initiatives can help connect renewable energy investment with the development of domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Industrial localisation also creates opportunities for workforce development. Engineers, electricians, automation specialists, software developers and maintenance technicians will play increasingly important roles as renewable energy capacity expands. Cooperation between universities, vocational education institutions and international project developers can help prepare specialists for these emerging occupations. A stronger technical workforce can improve productivity and support the growth of local companies across the wider energy ecosystem.

Grid modernisation represents another essential component of this transformation. Battery energy storage systems, new 500-kilovolt transmission lines and infrastructure initiatives such as AZURE can strengthen the electricity system’s flexibility. Efficient transmission and storage infrastructure will support the integration of additional renewable capacity while improving the system’s ability to balance changing electricity generation and demand.

Regional connectivity offers a further dimension to Azerbaijan’s ambitions. Its geographical position between the Caspian region, Trkiye and European markets creates opportunities for cross-border electricity cooperation. As transmission infrastructure develops, renewable energy can complement Azerbaijan’s established role in international energy markets and strengthen its participation in emerging regional electricity networks.

The economic significance of this strategy extends across investment, exports, employment and technological development. Renewable energy projects can attract foreign capital, stimulate demand for local services, encourage industrial investment and create opportunities for Azerbaijani companies to develop export-oriented capabilities. These effects can support economic diversification while drawing on the country’s established energy infrastructure and international partnerships.

Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential provides a substantial foundation for this transition. The strategic priority is to connect new generation capacity with domestic production, specialised skills, modern infrastructure and competitive local enterprises. By advancing these areas together, Azerbaijan can transform its green energy ambitions into a wider programme of industrial development and strengthen its position as an emerging renewable energy hub in the wider Caspian region.

Zirateh becomes most awarded agency in automotive on its SLIM Digis debut

Zirateh has secured three awards at the SLIM Digis, becoming the most awarded agency in the Automotive category, in what marks the agency’s first-ever application to the competition. The achievement includes Silver, Bronze and Finalist recognition, marking a significant milestone for the agency and highlighting its growing presence in Sri Lanka’s automotive marketing industry.

The recognition highlights Zirateh’s efforts in an industry that is highly competitive and constantly changing. The agency’s involvement in the campaigns for Jetour, UFS Lanka and Tata PV has not always been well known, even though many consumers may already have come across this work online. The SLIM Digis achievement provides a platform to highlight this.

Commenting on the achievement, Zirateh CEO Damitha Senaratne said, ‘For us, winning three awards in our very first SLIM Digis submission is a significant accomplishment. For years, we have been developing our experience in the automotive industry, and audiences have already seen a large portion of our work online, even if they were unaware that Zirateh was behind it. We have an opportunity to highlight that work and the people who contributed to it thanks to these awards. We’re excited to assist more brands in achieving tangible business results through their social media.’

Zirateh has worked with clients in a number of markets over the last seven years, including the USA, UK, Singapore, and Australia. Its experience in the automotive sector includes working with vehicle dealerships and agents such as Jetour, IM Motors, XPENG LK, TATA PV, Dongfeng Sri Lanka, Perodua, Forthing Sri Lanka, Euro Motors (JAC Double Cabs), Wheels Lanka, and many others. Beyond automotive, the agency has also worked with brands such as PickMe, Uber, Timekeeper Global, Emerald, Signature, DIMO, Diamond Best Foods, etc. reflecting its experience across a range of industries.

For marketing managers and business leaders looking to strengthen their brands’ digital presence, Zirateh’s approach blends industry experience with a structured system designed to produce measurable results. The agency offers a guarantee of one million organic views within 90 days, or it continues working for the client free of charge until that target is achieved. This dedication demonstrates its emphasis on assisting brands in increasing their awareness and generating sales through organic social media performance.

The agency’s award-winning debut is indicative of its ongoing efforts in social media marketing and its emphasis on helping brands in converting digital attention into business impact. With a presence in multiple international markets and experience in the automotive industry, Zirateh hopes to increase this recognition by collaborating with other brands looking to strengthen their digital marketing initiatives.

BBDO Sri Lanka’s Wajinie Mahanama named Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Women to Watch ’26

BBDO Group Sri Lanka Associate Vice President and Client Servicing Director Wajinie Mahanama has been named among Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Women to Watch 2026, recognising her contribution to the advertising industry through sustained business growth, trusted client relationships and a leadership approach grounded in accountability and purpose.

Now in its 14th year, the regional recognition celebrates 25 women across 12 markets whose expertise, business performance and influence are shaping Asia Pacific’s marketing and communications landscape. Wajinie’s selection reflects a career spanning 15 years in advertising, during which she has led major client portfolios, driven business growth and championed work that creates meaningful social impact.

BBDO Group Sri Lanka, Executive Chairman Thayalan Bartlett said: ‘Wajinie’s recognition reflects the kind of leadership that builds lasting value for clients, businesses and the industry. Her ability to combine commercial discipline with a deep understanding of people and brands has made her a trusted leader within our organisation. She represents the strength of Sri Lankan talent on the regional stage, and we look forward to seeing her continue to do big things.’

Throughout her career, Wajinie has built enduring client partnerships while leading brands across diverse sectors. Her portfolio includes campaigns and initiatives that extend beyond commercial objectives, including work supporting social awareness and behavioural change through brands such as Eva Sanitary Napkins and Atlas Sipsavi Scholarship program. Her leadership also places importance on mentoring colleagues, supporting young talent and creating an inclusive workplace.

‘Being named among Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Women to Watch is a meaningful milestone in a journey shaped by continuous learning, resilience and the people who have challenged and supported me. I believe lasting leadership comes from staying curious, honouring commitments and remaining willing to evolve. This recognition encourages me to keep contributing to the industry, supporting others and creating work that makes a difference,’ said BBDO Group Sri Lanka Associate Vice President, and Client Servicing Director Wajinie Mahanama.

Wajinie’s regional recognition is complemented by her selection in the ‘Outstanding Leadership in Advertising’ category at the Women Icon Awards powered by Times Women, India, where she was the only recipient from Sri Lanka in the category. Together, these recognitions highlight her contribution to an industry where effective leadership increasingly calls for commercial strength, adaptability and a commitment to people and purpose.

Sri Lanka invites Georgian businesses to SL EXPO 2027

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara, concurrently accredited to Georgia, in collaboration with the Honorary Consuls of Sri Lanka in Tbilisi and Batumi, successfully organised the first-ever Sri Lanka-Georgia Business Forum in Tbilisi, on 16 October 2026.

The Forum acted as a valuable platform to introduce Sri Lanka’s growing trade and investment potential to the Georgian business community and to encourage greater participation in Sri Lanka EXPO 2027 (SLEXPO 2027), Sri Lanka’s flagship trade and investment exhibition.

The opening session featured remarks by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Georgia, resident in Ankara, Niluka Kadurugamuwa, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Tbilisi Nino Makhviladze, and Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Batumi Misha Dzadzamia. The speakers highlighted Sri Lanka’s potential as an emerging market and a promising investment destination, while underscoring the importance of strengthening business-to-business connections and expanding economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Georgia.

At the Forum, First Secretary (Commercial) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara, Dilanga Hettiarachchi made a comprehensive presentation on Sri Lanka’s trade and investment opportunities. He also introduced SLEXPO 2027, highlighting the opportunities available for Georgian buyers, investors and business representatives to establish new partnerships, explore business prospects and strengthen commercial ties with Sri Lankan counterparts.

The Forum brought together business representatives, traders, buyers and investors, facilitating networking, exchange of information and discussions on potential areas for enhanced bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

The event received a wide media coverage in Georgia, including through its national television. Speaking to the media, the Ambassador invited the Georgian business community to explore Sri Lanka as a promising destination for trade, investment, and business partnerships, highlighting the opportunities available to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

DigiPlus gains Golden Arrow Award for second consecutive year

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, has received a 2-Golden Arrow Award for the second consecutive year from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in recognition of its ‘outstanding performance in corporate governance’ based on the 2025 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Assessment Results.

The award was conferred during the 2026 Golden Arrow Awards ceremony held on October 23 at Makati Shangri-La.

The ICD serves as the Philippines’ Domestic Ranking Body for the ACGS, which assesses publicly listed companies against established corporate governance standards. The Golden Arrow recognition is given annually to companies that uphold the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership.

‘Receiving the Golden Arrow Award for the second consecutive year reflects the progress DigiPlus has made in strengthening its corporate governance practices,’ said DigiPlus President Ping Chen. ‘As we continue to evolve our business, we remain focused on building stakeholder trust and creating long-term value through responsible leadership and sustainable growth.’

As part of its corporate governance and sustainability reporting practices, since 2023 DigiPlus has published an annual Integrated Report. Its latest 2025 Integrated Report provides a comprehensive view of the Company’s financial and non-financial performance, material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks and opportunities, and long-term value creation. It also establishes a baseline for key environmental metrics, including energy consumption and Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, alongside disclosures on climate-related risks and sustainability initiatives.

The Company’s reporting framework draws on globally recognized standards and guidelines, including the Integrated Reporting Framework, Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Standards, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), and the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard.

Cabinet clears drafting of Bill to amend Ayurveda Act

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the formulation of a draft Bill to amend the Ayurveda Act, No. 31 of 1961, which governs the regulation, development, and control of Sri Lanka’s indigenous medical sector.

The sector, which comprises Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and local therapies, is regulated under the Act. Although it has been amended from time to time as required, the need for further amendments has been identified.

The proposed changes are aimed at enabling all activities in the local medical field to be managed more efficiently and productively, and at further formalising the regulation of the sector.

They would also allow for the issuing of licences applicable to the export of local medicines, and support progress towards Sustainable Development Goals in the sector.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.