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New Anthoney’s takes on antimicrobial resistance to make Sri Lankan poultry safer

Sri Lanka consumes roughly 258,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually, according to the Department of Animal Production and Health, and that figure has been climbing steadily as protein awareness grows and fast-food culture deepens. Behind that volume lies a practice that most consumers never see: the routine use of antibiotics in commercial poultry farming, applied not to treat disease but to accelerate growth and compensate for poor biosecurity. New Anthoney’s Farms, one of Sri Lanka’s few antibiotic-free poultry producers, has spent years building a credible counter-argument to that norm, and the science increasingly backs its position.

Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, is the process by which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to defeat the drugs designed to treat them. The World Health Organization has described AMR as one of the greatest threats to global public health, attributing 1.27 million deaths directly to resistant bacterial infections in 2019 alone, with the broader toll estimated at 4.95 million deaths when infections to which AMR contributed are included. The WHO now projects that without coordinated action, AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of mortality.

The livestock sector is a significant driver. Antibiotics administered to animals pass through the food chain and into the environment, accelerating resistance in bacteria that affect both animals and humans. In the poultry industry specifically, the pattern is well established: farms under pressure to produce faster and at lower cost turn to antibiotics as a management crutch rather than a last resort.

What the data shows in Sri Lanka

Local research confirms the scale of the problem. A study published in the Sri Lanka Veterinary Journal examining commercial poultry farms in the Kurunegala district found that 98% of farms surveyed were using at least one antimicrobial drug, with enrofloxacin, amoxicillin and tetracycline among the most common. Resistance profiles from faecal samples showed tetracycline resistance at 81.8% and resistance to fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin at 31.8%. These are not obscure compounds: ciprofloxacin is a critically important antibiotic in human medicine, classified by the WHO as essential for treating severe infections where few alternatives exist.

The implications are direct. When resistance builds up in poultry gut bacteria and those bacteria enter the food chain, soil, or water supply, they carry their resistance traits with them. Consumers who never take an antibiotic themselves can still be exposed to resistant organisms through the food they eat.

New Anthoney’s position in the market

New Anthoney’s established its antibiotic-free model not as a marketing angle but as a production philosophy tied to long-term commercial viability and public health responsibility. The company’s Harithahari range of chicken is certified antibiotic-free, produced under strict biosecurity protocols that eliminate the conditions that prompt conventional farmers to reach for antimicrobials in the first place. Harithahari, which means ‘green’ in Sinhala, is positioned as a premium product for health-conscious consumers who understand what antibiotic-free means and why it matters.

The company’s approach received formal academic recognition through a memorandum of understanding with the University of Peradeniya, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost agricultural research institutions. That partnership reflects a broader commitment to grounding its production standards in science rather than self-certification, and gives the Harithahari claim an independent layer of credibility that most competitors cannot match.

New Anthoney’s has also positioned itself as a future export business. Antibiotic-free certification is increasingly a non-negotiable requirement for entry into export markets, particularly in the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, where food safety regulations are tightening around antimicrobial use. Establishing the production standard now, before export ambitions mature, means the company will not face a costly retrofit of its operations when it is ready to compete internationally.

Building awareness at every level

The challenge with AMR is that its consequences are diffuse and delayed, which makes it difficult to communicate with urgency. New Anthoney’s has approached this through layered awareness work that reaches different audiences in different ways.

Internally, the company has run staff awareness programs at its Hanwella facilities, focusing specifically on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and what antibiotic-free production actually requires from the people involved in it. These sessions covered the company’s own Harithahari protocols, the ethical basis for antibiotic-free farming, and the role each employee plays in maintaining standards that cannot be compromised at any point in the production chain.

Externally, New Anthoney’s has engaged industry peers, food sector stakeholders, and the wider public to make the case that responsible food production is not a niche concern. The company’s argument is straightforward: the same logic that governs responsible medicine use applies to food production. Antibiotics keep people alive. Overusing them, whether in hospitals or in chicken farms, erodes the very efficacy that makes them valuable.

Sri Lanka has a historically rich food culture, and New Anthoney’s frames its work within that tradition. Food that sustains people properly has always been a national value. What has changed is the industrial context in which food is now produced, and with it the responsibility that producers carry.

Why this matters now

The WHO’s Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance calls on all sectors, including agriculture and food production, to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use and preserve the effectiveness of existing drugs. Sri Lanka adopted a National Action Plan on AMR in 2017, but implementation across the food sector has been uneven. Industry leadership, rather than regulation alone, will drive the change that the plan envisions.

New Anthoney’s is one of the few Sri Lankan poultry producers putting that leadership into practice at scale. Its model demonstrates that antibiotic-free production is commercially viable, scientifically defensible, and responsive to where consumer demand and regulatory standards are heading. For a country working to build export-credible food industries, that matters considerably.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (?)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 23/07/2026 UNTIL 0600 24/07/2026

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1003hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine but early morning increased low cloud, local mist and fog patches are likely.

Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in mist and very poor in fog

Sea surface temperature: 28°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning Southeast to Southwest 3, gradually Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon West to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

Night Northwest 3 to 4, gradually near the coast North to Northeast 3 Slight

South Coast

Morning Northwest to Northeast 3, soon South to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest 4, at times locally 4 to 5 Slight

Night Southwest to West 3 to 4, gradually West to Northwest 3 Slight, gradually Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning Southwest to Northwest 3, soon Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, at times offshore 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, at times offshore Slight

Night Southwest to Northwest 3 Smooth to Slight

North Coast

Morning Southeast to Southwest 3, soon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight

Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, at times locally 4 Slight

Night Southeast to Southwest 3 Smooth to Slight

Historic milestone: GL Group becomes first Azerbaijani company to acquire four oil and gas assets in US [PHOTOS]

GL Group, Azerbaijan’s first privately-owned group of oil and gas companies, today in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., announced that it has completed the acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets in four producing oil and gas fields near Midland, Texas, U.S.A., comprising more than 200 active producing wells, and has formally assumed 100% operatorship of the assets. The transaction makes GL Group the first Azerbaijani group to own and operate producing upstream oil and gas assets in the United States, marking a historic milestone for Azerbaijan’s private oil and gas sector and expanding its presence into the heart of the U.S. energy industry.

Located within the Permian Basin, the acquired assets place GL Group in the largest oil-producing region in the United States and one of the world’s principal centers of onshore oil and gas activity. Spanning West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, the Permian Basin covers approximately 223,000 square kilometers. In 2025, the basin produced approximately 6.6 million barrels of crude oil per day, representing nearly half of total U.S. production and more than 8% of global crude oil output. The basin also produced approximately 27.6 billion cubic feet of marketed natural gas per day in 2025, equal to about 23% of U.S. marketed gas production and nearly 7% of global natural gas production.

For GL Group, becoming both the owner and operator of producing assets in a basin of this scale, technical sophistication and competitive intensity represent a significant milestone. The acquisition advances GL Group’s international growth strategy following its entry into Trkiye’s upstream market in 2024. The Texas acquisition establishes a solid foundation for GL Group’s further growth in the United States and other international oil and gas markets.

For GL Group, becoming both the owner and operator of producing assets in a basin of this scale, technical sophistication and competitive intensity represents a significant milestone. The acquisition advances GL Group’s international growth strategy following its entry into Trkiye’s upstream market in 2024. The Texas acquisition establishes a solid foundation for GL Group’s further growth in the United States and other international oil and gas markets.

This acquisition reflects more than a year of rigorous evaluation, careful partnership building, and a deliberate country entry strategy delivered through the leadership, professionalism, discipline and commitment of the team. It stands as a clear milestone in GL Group’s strategic, operational, and investment objectives.

‘This is a proud moment for everyone at GL Group. This acquisition is a strategic milestone that establishes our presence in the world’s largest and most competitive upstream oil and gas market. It reflects our long-term vision of building a diversified international upstream business and creates a strong platform for sustained growth in the United States,’ said Asif Zeynalov, CEO and Chairman of the Advisory Board of GL Group. ‘This is our first, but very important step into the US market. We will continue to grow and expand our presence.’

Fire razes Justrite Superstore in Egbeda, destroys goods worth millions

A fire outbreak has gutted a branch of Justrite Superstore along Akowonjo Road in the Egbeda/Alimosho area of Lagos State, destroying goods and property estimated to be worth millions of naira.

Emergency teams from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were promptly deployed to the scene, where they are working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which confirmed the incident via a post on X, disclosed that the fire occurred at the popular retail outlet near Jimoh Bus Stop.

The agency noted that emergency responders were already on ground making efforts to put out the inferno.

LASTMA also urged residents and motorists to steer clear of the Akowonjo and Egbeda axis to allow for smooth emergency operations. It added that traffic diversions have been put in place, with motorists advised to expect congestion along Akowonjo Road and adjoining routes.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire significantly impacted the supermarket’s electronics section located on the upper floor, as thick smoke was seen billowing from the building.

As of the time of filing this report, there is no official confirmation of casualties, while the cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities say an assessment of the total damage will be carried out after the situation is brought under control.

Snooker’s Global Break: How a British Parlour Game Became a Worldwide Sport

For much of its modern life, snooker was seen as a distinctly British pursuit: smoky clubs, late-night television, and the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as its spiritual home. But the sport’s centre of gravity has been shifting. Today, snooker is no longer simply a UK export with a few overseas pockets of interest; it is a professional, televised and increasingly commercial global game, with major footholds in Asia, mainland Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.

The clearest symbol of that transformation is the World Snooker Tour calendar itself. Recent WST schedules show events spread beyond the sport’s traditional British base, including tournaments in Shanghai, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Berlin, Belfast, York and other venues, reflecting a circuit that now thinks internationally rather than domestically. The professional structure is supported by the WPBSA, which describes itself as the world governing body for snooker and billiards, with responsibility across governance, participation, coaching, refereeing and grassroots development.

China has been the most important engine of snooker’s global growth. Ding Junhui’s breakthrough in the 2000s gave Chinese fans a home-grown superstar and inspired a generation of players who no longer saw snooker as a distant British speciality. Since then, China has developed academies, training centres and a player pipeline that has sent a steady stream of young professionals onto the main tour. The WST calendar now includes multiple major Chinese stops, including Shanghai, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Shenzhen and Nanjing, underlining how central the country has become to the sport’s commercial future. [wst.tv]

That growth is not just about elite players; it is also about spectatorship, broadcast appeal and civic investment. Chinese cities have treated snooker events as international showcases, while broadcasters have helped turn tactical safety exchanges and century breaks into mainstream entertainment. The result is a sport that has found a natural fit with audiences who value precision, patience and mental control. In China, snooker has become both aspirational and accessible: a game played in clubs, followed on screens and used as a route into international sporting life.

Europe has produced a different but equally significant model of expansion. Germany, in particular, has become one of snooker’s strongest non-UK markets. The German Masters at Berlin’s Tempodrom was first staged in its current form in 2011 and is now described by WST as one of the most popular events on the global circuit. WST notes that the Tempodrom can pack in more than 2,400 fans and that snooker’s popularity in Germany has grown massively since Eurosport first televised the sport there in 2003.

The German example matters because it shows that snooker can thrive even without a long domestic tradition of world champions. Atmosphere, venue design and consistent television exposure have created a fan culture of its own. The Tempodrom’s multi-table arena gives early rounds a festival feel, while its knowledgeable crowds have become part of the event’s identity. Similar European interest has appeared through events and development projects in places such as Latvia, Albania and other continental markets, where amateur competition helps build the next layer beneath the professional tour.

The Middle East has emerged as snooker’s newest frontier. While earlier attempts to establish the sport in the region were uneven, recent investment has been more ambitious, with high-profile events and prize funds designed to attract the biggest names. This reflects a wider trend in global sport: host nations using elite events to build visibility, tourism and international prestige. For snooker, the opportunity is obvious with new audiences, new sponsors, new markets like snooker betting with Bally Bet and a chance to test whether the sport can fill larger arenas outside its historic heartlands.

Grassroots structures are crucial to making that expansion sustainable. The World Snooker Federation, launched in 2017, was created to bring amateur and professional snooker closer together and to provide international pathways into the World Snooker Tour. Its competitions have offered tour cards and have welcomed players regardless of gender or nationality, while the WPBSA says its work with federations has supported events such as the Indian Open, Riga Open, Thailand’s 6-Red World Championship and ranking events in China.

Inclusion is another growth lever. The WPBSA highlights investment in women’s, disability and junior snooker as critical to the sport’s future and to wider recognition in multi-sport environments. That matters because snooker’s global future cannot rely solely on a small group of male professionals at the top of the rankings. To become genuinely worldwide, it needs school programmes, local clubs, trained coaches, accessible tables and visible role models across gender, age and ability.

Yet the sport still faces challenges. Snooker remains expensive to stage, slow-building for casual viewers and dependent on a relatively small set of star names. Its global expansion also raises questions about tradition: how much should the sport change to attract new markets, and how much should it protect institutions such as the Crucible? The answer is likely to be balance. Snooker’s heritage gives it credibility; its global growth gives it momentum.

What is clear is that snooker has outgrown its old borders. From Sheffield to Shanghai, Berlin to Auckland, and Riyadh to Wuhan, the game is now connected by television, academies, ranking points and international ambition. Its appeal remains beautifully simple: one table, twenty-two balls, and a contest of nerve, geometry and imagination. But the audience watching that contest is broader than ever and still growing.

Iwerekun Community Senior High School wins 10th edition of Tolaram Science Challenge

Iwerekun Community Senior High School in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, has emerged as the winner of the 10th edition of the Tolaram Science Challenge (TSC), marking its third consecutive victory.

The school triumphed over Magbon-Alade Senior Grammar School in a keenly contested grand finale of the competition.

The Tolaram Science Challenge, sponsored by the Lagos Free Zone, is an annual science competition for schools in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. It has become a flagship event that showcases bright young minds from secondary schools, allowing them to present innovative ideas and practical solutions to real-world challenges through STEM education.

This year’s competition featured 16 participating secondary schools, each represented by six students. The students were tested in five core subject areas: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. Following a closely contested competition, Ibeju Senior High School, Lekki, and Community Senior High School, Lekki, took third and fourth places, respectively.

The three outstanding students: Nyong Jebson, Adekunle Ephraim and Ashikodi Chukwu, secured first, second, and third positions, respectively, and each received a cash prize for their exceptional performances.

During the grand finale, the director of Zone Development, representing Chief Executive Officer Adesuwa Ladoja of Lagos Free Zone, Binay Saraf, described the decade-long competition as a significant milestone saying, ‘it started as a modest initiative and has grown into one of the flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programmes of the Lagos Free Zone.’

‘Over the past decade, we have seen this event grow in scale, participation, and impact. Each year, more schools, students, and teachers have joined us on this journey of discovery and learning,’ he added .

Today, the Tolaram Science Challenge has become a platform that encourages curiosity, innovation, critical thinking, and healthy competition. More importantly, it symbolizes our commitment to investing in the future of our communities,’ Ladoja stated.

She emphasised that the company’s investment in the competition reflects its belief that today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. ‘At Lagos Free Zone and Tolaram, we believe that developing communities goes beyond building infrastructure or creating jobs. It also means creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and discover their potential,’ she added.

Ladoja encouraged students to view competitions not merely as opportunities to win trophies but as chances to develop confidence, solve problems, work as a team, and learn about their capabilities. ‘Whether you receive a prize today or not, the knowledge you gain, the friendships you build, and the experiences you take away will remain with you for life,’ she noted.

Director and Chief Sustainability Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Vishal Shah, reaffirmed the Zone’s commitment to improving the quality of education in the Ibeju-Lekki area through this initiative. He highlighted that over the past decade, the initiative has fostered healthy competition among students and improved their performance in various qualifying examinations.

In the same vein, the visioner of the Tolaram Science Challenge, Olakunle Fadumiye, expressed that the intent behind the competition is to ensure participants return to their schools as ambassadors of excellence and possibility, regardless of their outcomes.

‘When we started in 2016, many students had little motivation to pursue science subjects. Some preferred fishing and informal work over education because they saw limited opportunities. University seemed unattainable to many. Yet we believed that if we could inspire even a few students to dream bigger, we could begin changing the future of an entire community,’ Fadumiye explained.

He commended the leadership team of Tolaram and the Lagos Free Zone for establishing a foundation that symbolizes economic transformation and national development. He urged LFZ to continue providing TSC alumni with preference for industrial training opportunities, internships, and NYSC placements within the Zone, noting that these experiences would equip them with essential practical experience, professional exposure, and workplace skills for future success.

In her remarks, the deputy director of the Schools Support Unit, Education District 3, Ikoyi, Lagos, Mrs Olubunmi Ajibola-Morebise, praised the management of Lagos Free Zone and Tolaram for maintaining the vision that has sustained the competition to this day.

She emphasized that there is no doubt the competition has positively impacted students in Ibeju-Lekki by fostering a better reading culture and promoting healthy competition among teachers.

In total, 32 students were awarded scholarships for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Pagasa: Wind Signal No. 1 raised over parts of N. Luzon due to Kiyapo

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over several areas over Northern Luzon due to tropical depression Kiyapo, formerly a low-pressure area, the state weather bureau said.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Chenel Dominguez reported during a 5 a.m. weather advisory on Thursday that Wind Signal No. 1 was placed over the following areas:

Batanes

Cagayan

Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Eastern and central portions of Mountain Province

Eastern and central portions of Ifugao

Ilocos Norte

Northern portion of Ilocos Sur

Northern portion of Aurora

‘We have raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 with a 36-hour lead time before the strong winds brought by Typhoon Kiyapo are felt, to allow everyone time to prepare,’ Dominguez said.

As of 3 a.m., Kiyapo was estimated 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kilometers per hour, according to Pagasa.

Throughout the passage of Kiyapo, it is expected to intensify into a tropical storm category on Friday with the highest wind signal being raised is Wind Signal No. 2, Dominguez said.

‘It is still far from our landmass. We anticipate that it could intensify into a full-fledged tropical storm by tomorrow, at which point the highest tropical cyclone wind signal raised would be Wind Signal No. 2,’ she stated.

She added that the weather disturbance is forecast to closely approach or make landfall over Babuyan Islands. However, based on Pagasa’s cone of probability, the chances of Kiyapo making landfall over Cagayan is still high.

‘It is possible that it will make a close approach or landfall here in the Babuyan Islands. But we can see from the track that Cagayan is within our cone of probability. So we are not ruling out the possibility that it will make landfall here,’ she explained.

Kiyapo is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday as a severe tropical storm.

‘By Saturday, it will exit the Philippine area of responsibility, and we foresee it intensifying into a severe tropical storm,’ Dominguez said.

The trough of Kiyapo is expected to bring gloomy skies with scattered rains over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Romblon on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon, or habagat, is expected to continue affecting the western section of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and the rest of Mindanao.

Localized thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, according to Pagasa

FRSC records zero road crashes in Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara during special operation

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zone RS10, has announced that no road traffic crashes were recorded across Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states during its three-day special enforcement operation, codenamed ‘Operation Daidaita Lodi’ (Operation Load Limit).

The exercise, conducted from July 20 to 22, was part of a nationwide directive by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, aimed at strengthening enforcement against overloading and mixed loading, which are among the leading causes of road traffic crashes.

A statement issued by the Zonal Headquarters in Sokoto said a total of 1,520 personnel were deployed across the three states to enforce compliance with traffic regulations, improve highway visibility, and enhance public safety.

According to the statement, 399 motorists were booked for various traffic offences during the operation, with 294 of the offences relating to the Corps’ priority violations linked to road crashes.

Speaking on the outcome of the operation, the Zonal Commanding Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Shoba B. Akande, described the exercise as successful, attributing its achievements to the dedication and professionalism of FRSC personnel.

‘The operation recorded significant achievements, including zero road traffic crashes throughout the three-day exercise, improved operational visibility on major highways and enhanced public awareness on safe road use through sustained public enlightenment,’ Akande said.

He commended officers and marshals who participated in the patrol for their resilience and commitment to duty.

Akande also warned motorists and transport operators against overloading vehicles and carrying passengers alongside goods, saying the practices pose serious risks to lives and property.

‘Motorists and transport operators should desist from overloading and mixed loading of passengers with goods, as such practices endanger lives and property and will continue to attract strict enforcement,’ he warned.

The FRSC commander also appreciated the cooperation of motorists and other stakeholders, noting that their support contributed significantly to the success of the exercise.

Despite the success recorded, the command disclosed that security challenges in some parts of the zone limited operational coverage during the patrol.

The command, however, reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining strategic patrols, effective traffic law enforcement, and continuous public enlightenment to ensure safer highways across Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.

Foreign business groups seek clear, consistent rules

Major foreign business groups have outlined a 12-point legislative wish list that they want President Marcos to prioritize in his penultimate State of the Nation Address (Sona), saying further reforms and consistent implementation are needed to improve the country’s investment climate.

In a letter dated July 21 and addressed to Mr. Marcos, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC), which comprises six international business groups, said that while ‘significant reforms’ had already been enacted to attract investments, more must be done to sustain their gains.

‘Several reforms already enacted have the potential to significantly improve the investment climate, but their success will depend on consistent implementation across government agencies and clear regulatory guidance,’ the JFC said.

The JFC is composed of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc., Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc., Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc., and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

‘Continued efforts to improve regulatory efficiency, streamline administrative processes, facilitate trade, strengthen tax administration, and support the movement of talent and capital can deliver immediate benefits to investors, enterprises, and consumers alike,’ it added.

12-point suggestion

At the top of the group’s legislative agenda are amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, as it said persistently high electricity costs continue to affect business expansion, industrial development and investment decisions.

The JFC also called for the passage of the Cybersecurity Act and the Digital Economy Act, saying these measures would strengthen the country’s digital economy while building on recently enacted laws such as the Konektadong Pinoy Act and the E-Governance Act.

As the Philippines seeks to attract more investments related to artificial intelligence, the group said the country also needs an ‘appropriate governance framework’ to prepare businesses and workers for the technology shift.

The JFC likewise pushed for amendments to the Civil Aviation Authority Act and the Philippine Ports Authority charter.

Other measures on its legislative agenda include the Freedom of Access to Information Act, National Single Window System Act, National Land Use Act and Blue Economy Act.

The group acknowledged, however, that not all of its recommendations require congressional action. It also urged Marcos to issue executive measures to strengthen the implementation of existing laws, including the Ease of Doing Business Act and the Create More Act.

The foreign chambers likewise called for the ‘consistent enforcement’ of existing regulations to reduce red tape and improve the predictability of the investment environment.

‘The business community believes that implementation is now as important as legislation,’ they said.

‘Many of the reforms long advocated by the business community have already been enacted,’ they added. ‘The task ahead is to translate these reforms into measurable gains in investment, productivity, innovation, and employment.’

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.