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The Colombo Junior Men’s Hockey team once again stamped their authority in style, clinching the 46th Junior National Men’s Hockey Championship 2025 which took place in Matale recently.

This remarkable hat-trick of championships highlights Colombo’s consistency, teamwork, and dominance in Sri Lankan junior hockey.

The defending champions began their campaign with a hard-fought 4/4 draw against Defence Services Hockey Association before finding their rhythm to outclass Wennappuwa Hockey Association 5/2 showing their attacking brilliance and tactical depth.

In the knockout stages, Colombo proved unstoppable, routing Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association 5/0 in the quarterfinals and easing past Sri Lanka University Sports Association 3/0 in the semi-finals to book their place in the grand finale.

The final against hosts Matale Hockey Association was a thrilling contest played before an energetic home crowd. Despite Matale’s strong challenge, Colombo held their nerve to pull off a memorable 3/2 win reaffirming their supremacy on the national stage.

Ross Fernando was named Player of the Tournament. The outfit was coached by Kavinda Nayomal.

In remembrance of entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the founder of BAM Holdings Ltd, the late Mr. B. A. Mahipala’s on his 78th birth anniversary, – a total of 1,078 plants were planted at the Maduru Oya Special Forces Camp recently. This included 1,000 Mee plants, 50 Ehela plants, and 28 fruit plants, which were planted in and around the Army SF camp.

BAM Holdings Ltd Group’s value motto is ‘Mother Earth is Our Sustenance.’ In 2020, the late Mr. Mahipala distributed 1,000 Mee plants to villages around Homagama and, as a token, planted them in two schools in the Homagama area: Godagama Subharathi Mahamathya Maha Vidyalaya and Meegoda Dharmaraja Vidyalaya.

To continue his legacy and love for Mother Earth, they have planted these 1,078 trees in 2025.

This project was facilitated by the CSR team of Thermo Plastics (Pvt) Ltd a company under BAM Holdings and a leading flexible packaging manufacturer

Thermo Plastics remains committed to contribute to enhance the carbon Sequestration capacity of the local ecosystem. Over time, this project will be developed as an insetting initiative, enabling the organization compensate for its operational level emission.

Special thanks to the Army SF team at Maduru Oya.

Board of Directors of Thermo Plastics (Pvt) Ltd

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. (SLICGL) announced that Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed its ‘A+(Ika)’ National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating, with a Stable Outlook.

Importantly, SLICGL holds the distinction of being Sri Lanka’s highest-rated insurance brand and the only A+ rated insurer in the country.

The ‘A+(Ika)’ rating reflects SLICGL’s strong financial profile and leading position in the Sri Lankan general insurance market. Fitch’s assessment highlights the company’s ‘favourable’ profile, underpinned by a robust business franchise, extensive domestic operations, and a wide distribution network.

SLICGL held the No. 1 position in Sri Lanka’s general insurance market in 2024, reinforcing its reputation as the country’s most trusted and financially stable insurer, according to the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL).

The rating also considers the company’s exposure to sovereign-related investments, contributing to elevated investment and asset risk, while noting its adequate capitalisation. Despite recent pressures on underwriting profitability due to inflation, higher claim costs, and regulatory adjustments, Fitch expects SLICGL’s profitability to strengthen through enhanced claims management and growth across key business lines, led by the motor portfolio alongside expansion in fire, health, and other non-motor segments.

SLICGL’s capital position remains strong, with a risk-based capital ratio of 277.3% at end-2024, well above the regulatory minimum of 120%. With an improving economic outlook and enhanced market conditions, SLICGL’s investment profile has strengthened, further supporting Fitch’s Stable Outlook.

As the general insurance arm of the State-owned pioneer, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, SLICGL continues to focus on sustaining growth and profitability. The company’s strategy emphasises innovation, operational efficiency, and proactive claims management. The separation of SLICGL from its life insurance counterpart in 2024 has enabled more focused management and agility, positioning the company for its next phase of growth.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved filling 8,547 vacancies across various ministries and provincial councils, following recommendations made by a high-level committee headed by the Secretary to the Prime Minister.

‘The decision follows the mandate given by the Cabinet on 30 December 2024 to appoint a committee to review and rationalise State sector recruitment, ensuring that new appointments align with institutional needs, national priorities and defined timeframes,’ Acting Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Vijitha Herath said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

At its meeting held on 2 October 2025, the committee reviewed requests submitted by individual ministries and State institutions for essential recruitments. Based on these evaluations, the Cabinet approved a proposal submitted by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya to authorise the respective departments and institutions under each ministry to proceed with filling the identified vacancies.

According to the approved list, the Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry accounts for the largest number of new recruitments, with 5,198 positions, primarily to strengthen national security operations and administrative functions.

Other ministries receiving significant allocations include the Buddhism, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Ministry with 1,261 vacancies, the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry with 355, the Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Ministry with 310, and the Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation Ministry with 123.

Recruitments will also be made across other key sectors, including Health and Mass Media (120), Education and Higher Education (79), Transport and Urban Development (48), Foreign Affairs and Tourism (54), and Plantation and Community Infrastructure (213).

In addition, several provincial councils have been approved to proceed with their recruitments, including the Western Provincial Council (414 positions), Northern Provincial Council (115), and North Central Provincial Council (89).

He said the initiative is part of the Government’s broader effort to improve service delivery, address critical human resource gaps and enhance the operational efficiency of the public sector, while ensuring recruitment decisions are made in line with current fiscal and administrative priorities.

The South Asia Policy and Research Institute (SAPRI) marked its 15th anniversary recently with a bold and timely initiative: a six-part discussion series titled ‘Policy Pulse: Youth Voices for South Asia.’

The second session in the series, held on 16 October at SAPRI’s Colombo 5 office, tackled the urgent theme ‘Gender-based violence: Breaking the silence’, drawing a full house of professionals from psychology, education, law, and media.

The event was graced by SAPRI Chairperson former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, whose presence underscored the institute’s enduring commitment to inclusive policy dialogue. The session was facilitated by renowned peace and women’s rights activist Shreen Saroor, who guided participants through a dynamic conversation and breakout workshop. Together, they crafted policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s domestic violence legislation and reforming laws affecting women, children, and marriage.

These recommendations will be refined into a policy brief-one of six to be presented to policymakers at a roundtable and conference in 2026. SAPRI Executive Director Madara Ranmuthugala reaffirmed the institute’s mission to create meaningful spaces for public participation in national decision-making. ‘We are not just convening discussions,’ she noted. ‘We are building a generation of civic thinkers who can translate dialogue into policy.’

Running until February 2026, the ‘Policy Pulse’ series explores a range of national policy themes, each session designed to equip young Sri Lankans with the tools to engage critically and act constructively. Beyond this series, SAPRI said it continues to lead transformative projects in reconciliation and youth empowerment-including a pilot Science Education program in Mullaitivu, with plans to scale island-wide.

Daraz Sri Lanka, in partnership with Industry Ministry and Entrepreneurship Development, conducted a specialised training session under the National Relationship Officer (RO) Program. The initiative, led by the Industry Ministry, aims to enhance the skills of field-level development officers, enabling them to provide stronger, more practical support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The training session, designed and delivered by Daraz Sri Lanka, focused on equipping Relationship Officers with the knowledge and tools to guide SMEs in building their online presence and reaching customers across the country. By sharing insights on digital platforms and e-commerce, the session enabled ROs to help SMEs expand their businesses beyond their local communities and create new opportunities for growth.

The first batch of RO training took place at the Sri Lanka Institute of Management (SLIM) in Colombo, with 53 field officers participating from different parts of the island. This program is part of the National SME Development Strategic Framework, which transforms Development Officers into Relationship Officers, ensuring they can provide more informed and holistic support to entrepreneurs.

‘Our partnership with the Ministry of Industry reflects a shared vision of empowering Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurs to thrive in the digital era,’ said Daraz Sri Lanka Chief Commercial Officer Praveen Rukshan. ‘Small and medium enterprises form the backbone of our economy and carry with them the hopes of families and communities across the island. By equipping Relationship Officers with the skills to guide SMEs online, we are hoping to create a network of trusted advisors who can help businesses embrace digital tools, expand their reach, and strengthen their resilience. This program is designed to give SMEs the confidence and capability to compete on a larger stage and contribute even more to national progress. At Daraz, we believe that every SME success story adds to the collective strength of our country, and we are committed to supporting that journey.’

‘Through this program, we are not only sharing technical know-how but also helping Relationship Officers understand the practical challenges SMEs face every day,’ added Daraz Sri Lanka Business Development and Engagement Manager Dhanushka Chathuranga. ‘For many small businesses, the journey to digital adoption can feel overwhelming. By working closely with ROs, we are ensuring that SMEs receive guidance that is both accessible and actionable, so they can take the first steps confidently and see tangible results.’

The collaboration reflects Daraz’s ongoing commitment to SME empowerment and digital inclusion. As Sri Lanka’s largest e-commerce platform, Daraz continues to play a key role in enabling entrepreneurs, from home-based sellers to growing local brands, to thrive online through training, technology, and wider market access.

In coming months, Daraz Sri Lanka will continue to work closely with the Government and institutional partners to build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sri Lanka and drive inclusive economic growth for SMEs.

As part of its year-long 40th Anniversary celebrations, the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) hosted another flagship initiative, ‘Empowering Future Female Entrepreneurs’, at Trace Expert City. The event brought together 60 ambitious female undergraduates from 16 universities across Sri Lanka for a full day of learning, mentorship, and inspiration.

The program is one in a series of monthly events designed to celebrate WCIC’s 40-year journey while investing in the future of women entrepreneurs.

WCIC Chairperson Gayani de Alwis said, ‘WCIC’s 40-year legacy is one of evolution and impact. We have always been and will continue to be a relevant and dynamic force, empowering women to transform Sri Lanka’s economy as powerful nation builders.’

The day featured a rich agenda of interactive workshops and sessions. The Makers Founder and CEO Nevindaree Premarathne led a practical workshop on Entrepreneurship on a Budget, teaching participants how to test ideas quickly through minimum viable products (MVPs) and creative branding.

WCIC Vice Chair, Macbertan Ltd., Managing Director and Pidilite Lanka Director Ramani Ponnambalam shared her entrepreneurial journey spanning manufacturing, finance, and leisure. She highlighted the importance of resilience and global partnerships, noting: ‘This was WCIC’s very first university-focused program, and it is just the beginning of building a robust pipeline of women entrepreneurs for Sri Lanka.’

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe introduced the Brain to Business graduate entrepreneurship program, urging participants to think big and adopt a purpose-driven approach: ‘Entrepreneurship is not only about creating a product, it is about solving problems, building networks, and having the passion to scale. Investors don’t invest in slides; they invest in people.’

WCIC Board Member, Magellan Champlain Founder Sarrah Sammoon delivered a session on Being a Global Citizen, highlighting that in today’s interconnected world, entrepreneurs should view the world as a marketplace. She emphasised the importance of strengthening one’s passport profile and building travel histories as a foundation for future opportunities: ‘Your passport may seem limited, but each visa proofed destination is a stepping stone. Global citizenship is a mindset, and it will transform your ventures.’

Collaboration was at the heart of the event. WCIC Board Member Zahara Ansary, who worked closely with the organising leads and board members, played a key role in making the initiative a success. She emphasised that programs like this both empower young women and strengthen WCIC’s role as a national platform for female-led innovation.

The workshop drew undergraduates from 16 universities, including the University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya, University of Kelaniya, Sabaragamuwa University, Ocean University of Sri Lanka, NSBM Green University, NIBM, ICBT, ESOFT, Limkokwing University, and the Postgraduate Institute of Management, among others. Participants represented disciplines ranging from IT and engineering to agriculture, design, and economics. Notably, around 30% had already registered businesses, showcasing promising ideas from eco-products to fashion startups.

Students left not only with Certificates of Participation but also with actionable insights from testing business models on a shoestring, to building financial credibility, to leveraging global opportunities. Encouraged by the strength of this first cohort, WCIC announced its intent to make this initiative an annual program, expanding mentorship and support to help these future leaders scale their ventures and inspire the next wave of women entrepreneurs.

With over 360 members and a goal of reaching 500 by year’s end, WCIC continues to champion diverse, ethical, and sustainable growth. The Chamber’s mission remains clear: shaping the future of women in Sri Lanka by creating opportunities for professional development, fostering valuable connections, and empowering women to reach their fullest potential.

As WCIC’s 40th Anniversary celebrations continue month by month, the Empowering Future Female Entrepreneurs workshop stood out as a landmark investment in the next generation of women who will drive innovation, job creation, and economic transformation.

In a bid to strengthen the judicial system’s capacity and expedite cases under the Anti-Corruption National Action Plan (2025-2029), the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday approved the establishment of four new High Court premises in Colombo.

Announcing the decision at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday, Acting Cabinet Minister Vijitha Herath said the move comes as part of wider efforts to ensure timely execution of justice sector reforms and enhance the efficiency of anti-corruption proceedings.

‘The Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Ministry will hand over four State-owned buildings currently under its purview to the Justice and National Integration Ministry. These buildings, located in central Colombo, will be repurposed as new High Court premises,’ he said.

The designated buildings are situated at: 1) No. B 88, Gregory Road, Colombo 7, 2) No. C 76, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, 3) No. B 108, Wijerama Road, Colombo 7 and 4) No. B 12, Stanmore Crescent, Colombo 7.

When inquired whether any of these premises were previously occupied by former Presidents, Herath said he was not aware of such details.

However, he confirmed that all four properties are under the control of the Public Administration Ministry, which has identified them as suitable for judicial use and it will soon be established.

‘The establishment of these new High Courts is expected to ease the backlog of cases, particularly those related to corruption and financial crimes and marks another step in the Government’s ongoing judicial and governance reforms agenda,’ he added.

Herath also revealed that a considerable number of underutilised State-owned buildings remain across Ministries, noting that the Education Ministry accounts for the highest number with a total of 436 properties that are currently unused or underused.

The proposal to this effect submitted by Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Officers of the Narcotics Control Unit (NCU) of Sri Lanka Customs have arrested a 21-year-old Canadian national for attempting to smuggle over 18 kilograms of hashish into the country.

The detection was made on Monday (27) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), when the suspect arrived from Dubai aboard Emirates flight EK 648, which landed around 10:30 p.m. Upon inspection, NCU officers found 18,253 grams (18.25 kg) of hashish carefully concealed inside the suspect’s checked-in luggage. The seized narcotics are estimated to be worth approximately Rs. 182.53 million in street value. Following preliminary investigations conducted by Customs officials, the suspect and the narcotics were handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigation and legal action.

Sri Lanka Customs noted that this detection underscores the continued vigilance of its NCU in preventing transnational drug trafficking through the country’s main international gateway.

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of $ 2.7 million from global fashion brand, Michael Kors to bolster Sri Lanka’s National School Meals Program.

The support, through the brand’s long-running ‘Watch Hunger Stop campaign’ will contribute to WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) initiative.

The funding will enable WFP to expand its Home-Grown School Feeding program from eight to ten districts, ensuring that 250,000 children receive daily nutritious meals, over the next three years. The money will also support 1,500 local farmers and caterers supply fresh and locally sourced produce.

In addition, 30 schools will benefit from infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of solar-powered kitchens that, reduce costs, lower emissions and promote sustainability.

‘We deeply appreciate Michael Kors’ commitment and partnership in advancing Sri Lanka’s school meals program,’ said WFP Sri Lanka Representative and Country Director Philip Ward. ‘For many families, these meals are a lifeline, made possible by the dedication of caterers and farmers who drive the program every day.’

WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding initiative enhances the sustainability of Sri Lanka’s National School Meals Program by strengthening local food systems. It empowers primarily women farmers and school meal providers to produce their own vegetables and poultry, enabling schools to serve fresh, safe, and nutritious meals.

This integrated approach promotes women’s economic empowerment, supports rural livelihoods, and advances national resilience against food insecurity.

As part of its 2025 campaign, Michael Kors has launched two special-edition T-shirts featuring photographs by Maxime Poiblanc of fruits and vegetables grown through WFP’s HGSF initiative in Sri Lanka. Made from a cotton and linen blend, the T-shirts are available globally at michaelkors.com and select stores, with all profits donated to WFP.

Michael Kors’ partnership with WFP began in 2013, with a shared mission to provide nutritious school meals to children in food-insecure regions. Over the past decade, the brand has helped WFP deliver more than 35 million school meals worldwide.