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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday arrested three suspects, including a woman, in connection with the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekera.

Police said the arrests were made during an operation in the Kekirawa area as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident. The suspects are to be handed over to the Weligama Police for further questioning.

Wickramasekera was shot dead on Wednesday (22) inside his office at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha premises by an unidentified gunman. The assailant, wearing a white shirt and a black face mask, had entered the office pretending to sign a document before opening fire.

CCTV footage showed the gunman firing four rounds at the chairman, who was seated at his desk, before escaping on a motorcycle with another individual. Wickramasekera sustained critical head, chest, and abdominal injuries and died later at the Matara General Hospital.

The investigation is being conducted to identify others involved and establish the motive behind the murder.

MiHCM, a global HR technology provider, last week unveiled a host of new AI-powered solutions to top corporate leaders, partners, and customers at MiHCM Connect 2025 hosted at the Celestine Ballroom at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo.

At the high-profile event attended by a host of distinguished invitees, MiHCM Group CEO Harsha Purasinghe showcased how the company’s new cutting-edge AI solutions could boost productivity, deliver unparalleled insights, and transform processes – heralding a new era of work tech.

He also spoke on the company’s revamped solutions, explaining how they had been upgraded to better suit customer needs.

‘We’re entering a new era of work tech, where AI isn’t just a feature – it’s a foundation,’ said Purasinghe. ‘With Syntra, MiA, and our SmartAssist suite, we’re not just enhancing HR; we’re transforming how organisations operate. These solutions are built to deliver secure, intelligent, and actionable insights that empower leaders and employees alike. Our mission is to help businesses move from reactive to proactive, from manual to intelligent, and from siloed to unified.’

MiHCM Sri Lanka and Maldives CEO Pubudini Abeyesekera added: ‘At MiHCM, we’re committed to delivering solutions that are not only intelligent but also deeply relevant to our clients’ evolving needs. The new product line-up reflects our vision to empower organisations with tools that simplify complexity, drive strategic outcomes, and elevate the employee experience.’

Syntra, MiHCM’s AI brain

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Syntra, MiHCM’s AI-powered brain.

‘Syntra represents the foundation of our future – the engine that drives intelligence across the entire MiHCM ecosystem. Over the past few years, we’ve been building not just features, but a deep AI capability that can understand context, process data, and deliver intelligent outcomes. We wanted to go beyond automation and analytics, to create a platform that learns, adapts, and powers intelligent decision-making for organisations. Today, I’m proud to introduce Syntra – our AI Core Platform that brings together data, insights, and intelligence into one unified framework,’ said Purasinghe.

Syntra unlocks the power of each client’s MiHCM private tenant data, combines it with the same organisation’s enterprise data lakes, business systems, and uploaded documents, and generates real-time insights and visualisations.

Transforming raw data into interactive insights that guide decisions and reveal deeper workforce patterns and seamlessly blends private, structured, and unstructured data, it delivers contextual intelligence while keeping customer data completely secure and isolated.

‘What makes Syntra truly powerful is its ability to unlock your organisation’s private intelligence without exposing your data to public models. Syntra fuses your internal and external data safely to deliver the most meaningful insights – all in real time,’ said Purasinghe.

Syntra turns any question into instant answers, charts, tables, and dashboards, exportable into PowerPoint, Excel, or PDF. It connects to MiHCM and third-party systems via secure APIs, consolidating all workforce and enterprise data into one intelligent layer.

‘With Syntra, we are shaping the next decade of MiHCM, where AI becomes the foundation for every digital workforce experience. This is our bold step forward – from digital HR to truly intelligent work technology built in Asia, for the world,’ added Purasinghe.

Built on Microsoft Azure, Syntra ensures enterprise-grade performance, uptime, and regional adaptability, with end-to-end security and compliance – including AES-256 encryption, TLS 1.2+, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 9001, GDPR and PDPA compliance, and Responsible AI principles.

MiA, the agentic HR assistant

Also unveiled at Connect 2025 was the all-new MiA – a personal agentic AI assistant built to redefine the employee experience.

‘Traditionally, employee self-service and experience delivery have been through web portals and mobile apps, and they’ve served us well for the past seven years, but they have limitations. We realised it was time to reimagine the entire employee experience. Our vision was to turn every employee into an empowered digital worker, supported by an intelligent, personalised AI assistant,’ said Purasinghe.

MiA goes beyond chatbots, acting as an intelligent companion that can understand natural language, take actions, and complete HR tasks automatically. Employees can now apply for leave, check policies, generate insights, or get approvals by simply conversing naturally with MiA.

‘Imagine an entire workforce guided each day by their own personal digital workplace assistant – one that understands you, your work, and your context. MiA, our fully agentic, AI-powered personal assistant, is designed to replace traditional web and mobile self-service.’

MiA combines intelligence with enterprise-grade security.

Smart, secure solutions for the future of work

Expanding on the company’s Data and AI offerings, Purasinghe highlighted that the world had entered a new era of AI, and that MiHCM’s dedicated AI team was capable of solving complex HR and work challenges with advanced AI capabilities.

Other products showcased included:

SmartAssist for Core – streamlines HR operations with AI-driven automation

SmartAssist for Recruitment – revolutionises talent acquisition through intelligent insights

SmartAssist for Reports – generates, refines, and personalises reports in moments

MiHCM Support Agent – enhances customer service with 24/7 AI-powered support

The event also featured a showcase of MiHCM’s Core, Payroll, Talent, and Data modules, concluding with a session on the company’s security and compliance framework.

All new products, including Syntra and MiA, will be available to clients from January 2026.

China Mobile Shandong and Huawei have been honoured with the ‘Most Innovative Telco AI Deployment’ award for their co-developed Intelligent Network Change Management Platform (INCMP) at the annual Network X awards ceremony held recently.

The platform stood out for its pioneering simulation technology and deep integration with real-world practices, showcasing the partners’ extraordinary collaboration and remarkable achievement in network digitalization and setting a new benchmark for intelligent transformation in global network services.

Network X is a global event in the communications industry, convening leading operators, innovators, and decision makers. Its awards celebrate groundbreaking achievements across the sector, honouring the projects that redefine the industry’s future and also guiding the industry’s continued growth.

China Mobile Shandong operates an IP network serving over 100 million users in Shandong province across mobile Internet, home broadband, enterprise private lines, and IPTV services. As the network expands and service complexity increases, managing configuration changes has become increasingly challenging. Since 2024, the company has executed over 1,500 network changes. Traditional manual configuration verification, which relies heavily on human experience, is prone to errors and omissions, posing risks to network reliability and stability.

To address these challenges, China Mobile Shandong partnered with Huawei to integrate Huawei’s next-generation Centralised Model-Operation Simulation (CMOS) algorithm from iMaster NCE into the INCMP. Together, they built a ‘zero-error’ autonomous network, delivering three major improvements. They are Pre-change predictive simulation, In-change precise control and Post-change visualised traceability.

Operation statistics have confirmed the platform’s remarkable improvements: major incidents have been prevented, network migration efficiency has improved by nearly 60%, and user complaints have dropped to near zero. China Mobile Shandong has also incorporated the change simulation pass rate into the operation workflows of several critical network change scenarios, driving the province-wide standardisation of network operations and maintenance.

On October 22, 2025, the Lanka Impact Investment Network (LIIN), announced several key initiatives signaling the dawn of a transformative era in the Sri Lanka’s economy, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and impact investment landscape. LIIN released the country’s first-ever impact investment landscape study; established the country’s first Social Entrepreneurial Fund (SEF); unveiled a new reality TV series entitled On Eagle’s Wings; and announced Sri Lanka’s inaugural Impact Investment Summit, taking place February 12th 2026.

In room full of partners, sponsors and stakeholders in downtown Colombo, LIIN shared key findings of the country’s first-ever impact investment landscape study, made possible with the World University Service of Canada and funded by the Government of Canada. The study comes at a critical time as the country looks to rebuild and attract new types of capital. The study is the result of collaboration across multiple partners, local institutions, development finance institutions (DFIs), and development organizations, all aligned in a shared goal: to make Sri Lanka an attractive and credible destination for impact investors.

Another key initiative announced by LIIN during the evening: the establishment of the Social Enterprise Fund (SEF). The SEF will facilitate the inflow of global impact capital and sustainability finance to Sri Lanka. Created in partnership between the Lanka Impact Investing Network (LIIN), and the UNDP, SEF invests in businesses with strong growth potential and a clear commitment to making positive social and environmental impacts. SEF invests in companies which are moving into the acceleration phase from the incubation stage, and companies are given an investment and

access to a mentorship network along with much needed capacity building workshops that maximizes their growth.

After having successfully facilitated investments in 37 enterprises through the former and widely popular Ath Pavura TV reality show, LIIN also celebrated the launch of their upcoming reality TV series called On Eagle’s Wings. OEW will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to pitch their impact-driven businesses to potential investors, with a focus on sectors like climate adaptation, women led and inclusive businesses, and social impact. The OEW program is aiming to empower 400+ local social impact enterprises.

Chandula Abeywickerma, Founder and Chairman of the LIIN set the scene for the audience introducing the Impact Investment Summit 2026, noting that while impact investments and green financing are relatively new concepts in Sri Lanka, developed economies have been prioritizing them for the past 25 years.

Presenters at the briefing thoughtfully pieced together the four initiatives that together show the big picture and the potential of impact investing in Sri Lanka. The recommendations set out in the Impact Investment Landscape Study will help bridge gaps and chart a more inclusive and resilient future in Sri Lanka. The report is a first in providing a comprehensive mapping of the opportunities, challenges, and pathways to unlock private capital. The Social Enterprise Fund and On Eagles Wings reality show slated for next year are grounded in the principles of promoting social entrepreneurship that create positive environmental impact and enhance inclusion of women and the next generation. And the inaugural Lanka Impact Investment Summit 2026 represents years of ground work and will open the doors to shared knowledge, awareness and understanding. It will be a place where impact investment emerges as a transformative financial approach, and the future of business that aligns financial returns with measurable improvements in well-being and equity.

LIIN extended its gratitude to all the integral partners and sponsors with whom LIIN is collaboratively paving the way forward and pioneering these initiatives.

The Lanka Impact Investing Network (LIIN) aims to create a sustainable and inclusive economy in Sri Lanka by facilitating impact investments that generate social and environmental benefits alongside financial returns.

Sri Lanka’s eco-friendly coir manufacturers, Hayleys Fibre PLC and RIOCOCO, showcased their products at the 42nd edition of the Saudi Agriculture Expo 2025. The event was held from 20 to 23 October at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Riyadh.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, formally inaugurated the Sri Lankan booths of Hayleys Fibre PLC and RIOCOCO at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Ambassador Ajwad emphasised that the active participation of Sri Lankan enterprises in prestigious international trade exhibitions such as the Saudi Agriculture Expo serves as a strategic platform to engage with the dynamic Saudi market, uncover emerging commercial prospects, and foster direct linkages with the Kingdom’s transformative mega and giga projects. He further underscored the growing adoption of Sri Lankan coir products in Saudi Arabia’s large-scale development initiatives-particularly in landscaping and environmental management-attributed to their sustainability and versatile applications.

The Saudi Agriculture Expo stands as the region’s most prominent and impactful multi-sectoral B2B event within the agricultural industry. For over 39 years, it has served as a distinguished platform for business development, convening farm owners, industry leaders from both local and international spheres, and investors to foster innovation and promote strategic collaboration in agriculture.

The four-day exhibition, held under the patronage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministry, brought together nearly 450 companies and organisations representing 34 countries. Featuring 11 national pavilions, the event showcases cutting-edge technologies and innovations across a broad spectrum of agricultural sectors-including plant, animal, and aquatic production. Key focus areas include Farming, Poultry, Agro and Organic Food, Food Processing and Packaging, Aquaculture, Livestock and Dairy, Greenhouse Solutions, Veterinary Services, and Agricultural Entrepreneurship.

Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh First Secretary of Commerce Tashma Vithanawasam, RIOCOCO CEO/President Shan Halamba, and Hayleys Fibre PLC Senior Manager of Sales and Marketing Asiri Silva participated during the occasion.

Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC has increased its public shareholding to 34.98% as of 30 September 2025, up from 12.57% three months earlier.

The float-adjusted market capitalisation rose to Rs. 1.08 billion from Rs. 439.37 million over the same period, while the number of voting public shareholders increased to 6,532 from 4,588.

The company reported a net asset value per share of Rs. 16.80 as of end-June 2025. Ceyline Investments Ltd., was the largest shareholder at 64.89%, followed by Ambeon Holdings PLC with 22.41% at the same date.

The Research Intelligence Unit (RIUNIT) together with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London will hold the Sri Lanka Real Estate Investment Forum: London 2025 on Thursday, 30 October at the Sri Lanka High Commission, 13 Hyde Park Gardens, Tyburnia, London W2 2LU.

The event will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (BST), followed by networking and fellowship until 8:30 p.m.

RIUNIT has been organising international real estate forums for many years in cities around the world. The upcoming London event will be the first major overseas forum since 2023. It comes at an important time as Sri Lanka’s real estate market shows signs of new growth and stronger investor confidence.

The forum will bring together international investors, developers, government officials, and members of the Sri Lankan diaspora community living in the UK. Presentations and discussions will highlight the latest market trends, new projects, and investment opportunities in the country’s property sector.

RIUNIT CEO Roshan Madawela said: ‘The level of interest witnessed already demonstrates a surge in interest amongst the diaspora community to invest in Sri Lanka, given a favourable economic and political climate.’

The main sponsor of the event is Home Lands Skyline. The event is also supported by Port City Colombo, Cinnamon Air, and Athi Rasa, showing the wide range of industries that now connect to real estate and investment growth in Sri Lanka.

Participation is free, but seats are limited. Interested persons can register online through https://riunit.com/registration/. Inquiries can be sent to [email protected] or via WhatsApp at +44 7463 401869 / +94 7744 41117.

CICRA Campus has concluded its inaugural Data Protection Officer (DPO) Training Program, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey towards robust data protection compliance.

The intensive four-day program attracted a high-calibre cohort of senior working professionals, including Chief and Deputy Executive Officers, Heads and Directors, as well as specialised Managers in legal, compliance, and IT/security functions.

Designed to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, the program emphasised a hands-on approach to implementing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) requirements. Participants gained technical expertise in conducting data audits, managing data security breaches, performing data protection impact assessments, and establishing comprehensive organisational data protection frameworks.

The program was structured in two levels. Level 1, introduced data protection principles, legal frameworks, and the role of the DPO, ensuring participants understood the core concepts and rights of data subjects and Level 2, focused on practical implementation, guiding participants through real-world challenges and operational strategies for compliance.

The program featured former PDPA Drafting Committee Chair Jayantha Fernando as an invited Guest Speaker. Training sessions were conducted by industry experts: DPO General Counsel and PDPA Drafting Committee member Trinesh Fernando; Dialog Axiata PLC Head of Group Regulatory, Data Protection and Compliance Shenuka Jayalath and Dialog Axiata PLC Assistant Manager – Regulatory Rashmin Tirimanne De Silva.

By bringing together diverse professionals and offering actionable, practical learning, CICRA Campus has set a benchmark for nurturing qualified Data Protection Officers in Sri Lanka, empowering them to drive data protection excellence within their organisations.

Building on this momentum, Sri Lanka’s first Data Privacy and Protection Summit 2025 was held on 3 July at Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo, bringing together over 350 senior professionals, legal experts, and industry leaders. The Summit provided a platform to explore PDPA’s regulatory and legal framework, organisational implementation strategies, and the critical role of DPOs. Keynote addresses and panel discussions featured leading figures from the digital economy, regulatory authorities, global corporations, and top consultancy firms, alongside panellists from legal, IT, and compliance sectors.

Together, these initiatives showcase CICRA’s commitment to cultivating skilled professionals and promoting organisational compliance, strengthening the Sri Lanka’s capacity to manage data protection challenges effectively, and positioning it as a leader in data governance in the region.