Category: Daily Financial Times

Two powerful new voices in contemporary poetry emerge with the launch of UNSAID THINGS, a deeply personal and evocative collection by Pia Hatch and Lessie Dayananda, published by The Jam Fruit Tree Publications.

UNSAID THINGS brings together poetry that confronts emotions often left unspoken – grief, vulnerability, healing, identity, and the quiet weight of lived experience. Across its pages, the collection explores the inner landscapes of the human mind with honesty and emotional clarity, offering readers both reflection and release.

The book stands out not only for its raw subject matter, but for its unique authorship. Pia and her daughter Lessie write from different generations, creating a layered dialogue that bridges age, perspective, and experience.

The collection is not the result of a single writing process, but of parallel journeys. The poems were written independently over time, spanning the last ten years for Pia, and the last five years for Lessie, before finding their way into one collection. ‘The collection is raw, intimate, and often dark,’ explains Pia, ‘We included a trigger warning at the beginning of the book for that reason. But UNSAID THINGS is also a testament to hope, recovery, and new beginnings.’

‘This book is us reaching out to people who are struggling and saying: we see you and we understand, you are not alone,’ adds Lessie.

The book brings together two voices, two generations, and years of deeply personal writing in a shared act of courage, vulnerability, and hope.

UNSAID THINGS is a paperback poetry collection released under the independent Sri Lankan publisher The Jam Fruit Tree Publications, known for championing original literary voices.

The collection is now available through The Jam Fruit Tree Publications and Kalaya.

In: Access Engineering, People’s Leasing and Finance, Singer Sri Lanka, and Sunshine Holdings Out: Ceylon Cold Stores, Chevron Lubricants Lanka, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Non-Voting, LOLC Finance, and Royal Ceramics Lanka

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday announced changes to the S and P SL20 Index following the 2025 year-end rebalancing conducted by S and P Dow Jones Indices, with the revised composition effective from 22 December.

The CSE said the review by S and P Dow Jones Indices resulted in five stocks being removed from the benchmark index and four new stocks being added, in line with the index’s size, liquidity and financial viability criteria. Exclusions: Ceylon Cold Stores, Chevron Lubricants Lanka, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Non-Voting, LOLC Finance and Royal Ceramics Lanka. Inclusions: Access Engineering, People’s Leasing and Finance, Singer Sri Lanka, and Sunshine Holdings.

The final S and P SL20 line-up comprises:

Access Engineering (AEL.N)

Central Finance Company (CFIN.N)

Commercial Bank of Ceylon (COMB.N)

DFCC Bank (DFCC.N)

Dialog Axiata (DIAL.N)

Hatton National Bank Voting and Non- (HNB.N; HNB.X)

Hayleys (HAYL.N)

Hemas Holdings (HHL.N)

John Keells Holdings (JKH.N)

Lanka IOC (LIOC.N)

LB Finance (LFIN.N)

LOLC Holdings (LOLC.N)

Melstacorp (MELS.N)

National Development Bank NDB.N)

Nations Trust Bank (NTB.N)

People’s Leasing and Finance (PLC.N)

Sampath Bank (SAMP.N)

Singer Sri Lanka (SINS.N)

Sunshine Holdings (SUN.N)

Vallibel One (VONE.N)

The S and P SL20 represents the 20 largest eligible companies listed on the CSE by total market capitalisation and is weighted by float-adjusted market capitalisation, subject to a 15% cap on individual stocks to limit concentration. The index follows international standards, with constituents classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS).

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, has launched its iconic Elephant House Ice Cream in Australia, marking a bold step in the brand’s global expansion.

The official unveiling took place on 4 December 2025 at the Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, where industry leaders, local distributors, and strategic partners gathered to celebrate the occasion. The launch was further honoured by the presence of Consul General Designate of Sri Lanka Pradeepa Seram and Member of the Australian Parliament Cassandra Fernando, reflecting the deep and growing connections between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Elephant House is one of the highest-penetrated Sri Lankan brands among Sri Lankan communities living overseas, with a presence in 16 countries, including the Maldives, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among others.

In a significant milestone for the company, Elephant House Ice Cream is now manufactured locally in Melbourne to support wider availability in the ethnic market in Australia. The range currently available includes Vanilla, Karutha Kolomban, and Fruit and Nut in 500ml packs.

This marks the first time in CCS’s 150-year legacy that Elephant House Ice Cream has been produced outside Sri Lanka, signalling a new chapter in the company’s international growth journey in collaboration with Millennium Imports Pty Ltd, one of the franchise partners for Australia.

John Keells Consumer Foods Sector President Daminda Gamlath said: ‘We are thrilled to introduce Elephant House Ice Cream to the Australian market. This launch represents more than expansion it’s about taking a brand that Sri Lankans trust and love, and making it available to wider communities abroad, with the right partners and the right long-term ambition.’

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC Category Head – Confectionery and Business Head – Exports Sathish Rathnayake said: ‘Elephant House has already earned a strong following internationally, and Australia is a natural next step given the strength of our broader export presence here. This launch is a strategic move to grow availability, build familiarity beyond the Sri Lankan community, and expand the range over time to meet evolving consumer preferences.’

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC International Marketing Head Sudantha Victoria said: ‘This is a proud milestone for CCS and for Elephant House. Producing ice cream outside Sri Lanka for the first time is a major operational and brand achievement, made possible through collaboration with our partners in Australia. Our focus now is on expanding distribution across the country and introducing new flavours and formats that will help Elephant House become a preferred choice in the market.’

With its flagship range now available, CCS plans to expand availability across Australia and progressively introduce other popular flavours and formats, reinforcing Elephant House’s position as a globally recognised Sri Lankan brand with enduring appeal.

The Government’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka National Fund has continued to receive support from both local and international organisations as part of the national effort to assist disaster recovery. In support of this initiative, the Cargills Group has made a contribution of Rs. 100 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka National Fund.

The contribution was formally handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, by Cargills Group Managing Director Imtiaz Abdul Wahid, in the presence of Cargills Group Executive Director Dilantha Jayawardhana.

Alongside this contribution, Cargills has continued its on-ground relief efforts by providing essential food supplies and dry rations valued at over Rs. 45 million to affected areas across the country, reaching more than 20,000 families.

Beyond immediate relief, Cargills is working closely with agricultural farmers, distributors, and small local businesses impacted by the recent disaster, helping them get back on their feet and resume their livelihoods as they rebuild their businesses.

The Sri Lanka National Carrom team, which brought honour to the country by finishing runner-up in the Men’s team event and were placed third in the Women’s team event at the 7th Carrom World Cup held in the Maldives, met the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry recently.

Players, sportswomen, and officials of the team participated in the event.

In addition to the success in the team events, Tasmila Kavindi secured 4th place and Nipuni Dilrukshi 8th place in the Women’s singles event, while Shaheed Hilmy managed to secure 5th place in the Men’s singles event.

The players and sportswomen conveyed their gratitude to the Minister for the financial support provided to participate in the tournament, stating that it would have been difficult to achieve such victories without that assistance.

A detailed discussion was held between the team and the Minister regarding the plans expected to be implemented next year to uplift the game of carrom. During the discussion, the Sports Minister emphasised that the Government’s full support for carrom.

Furthermore, the Minister mentioned that they expect to implement a broad program to promote the game across the island to enhance the popularity and standard of carrom. He said that encouraging players from the rural level to produce international-level champions is a primary objective of the Ministry.

KAL, a leading global ATM software provider with an expanding presence in Sri Lanka, recently delivered an innovation-focussed event in Colombo -bringing banking and technology professionals together to promote industry growth and advancement.

Hosted at the Cinnamon Life Hotel in late November, the event consisted of an ATM innovation workshop and business summit. Conversations were tailored to the Sri Lankan banking landscape, with an emphasis on digital transformation, strengthened infrastructure, and modernised self-service transactions. KAL presented the full program in collaboration with Flix11, an ICT solutions provider and KAL’s regional partner.

KAL CEO Aravinda Athukorala: ‘KAL has a strong vision for ATM resilience and secure payments innovation in Sri Lanka. So much so that we have invested in a Colombo office with a growing workforce planned for the coming years. Our goal in hosting this event with Flix11 was to celebrate Sri Lanka’s banking and technology sectors while facilitating wider conversations about the ATM industry’s future.’

UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick shared opening remarks-reflecting on cash access, the ongoing importance of ATMs, and the endurance of cash in Sri Lankan society.

Aravinda moderated a panel discussion with bank CEOs and technology leaders-exploring ATM trends, challenges, opportunities and Sri Lanka market nuances. Key topics for this session included cash usage, contactless integration and personalised customer experiences.

Throughout the day, delegates also had the opportunity to experience live demonstrations of KAL software running on an ATM, Retail Teller Machine (RTM), and POS devices.

KAL aimed to deliver tangible benefits for Sri Lankan ATM and banking professionals through this event by supporting industry collaboration, presenting comprehensive solutions and fostering digital transformation. As KAL scales its local presence and investment, the company is ideally equipped to support banks in modernising ATMs and driving self-service innovation in Sri Lanka.

Macktiles Lanka Ltd., executed its first export to the highly developed and competitive Australian market.

‘Crafted from the finest Sri Lankan raw materials and perfected through world-class Italian technology, this milestone reflects the strength of our island’s capability and spirit,’ a spokesman said.

‘Our first shipment of tiles to Australia is more than an export – it is a proud moment where Sri Lankan excellence steps confidently onto the global stage, carrying local craftsmanship, innovation, and determination to the world,’ the spokesman added.

As organisations navigate increasing volatility and disruption, the ability to manage performance sustainably has emerged as a critical leadership capability. Responding to this need, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka will host a full-day workshop titled ‘Rebuilding Stronger – KPI Mastery for a Sustainable 2026’ on 22 January 2026 at the Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo, from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

The program is designed for senior leaders and HR professionals seeking to strengthen organisational resilience through agile, future-ready performance management systems. Moving beyond traditional KPI frameworks reliant on static targets and annual evaluations, the workshop will focus on designing KPIs that remain relevant and strategically aligned during periods of uncertainty, economic turbulence, and rapid change.

Commenting on the initiative, CIPM Sri Lanka President Priyantha Ranasinghe, stated, ‘In an increasingly complex and volatile business environment, organisations must move beyond transactional performance metrics to KPIs that provide strategic coherence, organisational focus, and long-term value creation. This program reflects CIPM’s commitment to strengthening leadership capability in aligning strategy, people, and performance in a manner that not only responds to disruption, but builds sustainable competitiveness and resilience for the future.’

The workshop will be facilitated by C. Hewapattini, the well-known HR professional and specialist in performance and KPI design. Participants will engage in an experiential learning environment incorporating simulations, case studies, KPI design labs, role plays, and practical discussions focused on real-world application.

At Taj Samudra Colombo, Christmas arrives not merely as a date on the calendar, but as a feeling that warms the heart and brings people together. As the hotel gears up for Christmas and New Year’s Eve with a season of sparkle, style and splendour, every moment is thoughtfully crafted to make the season truly merry.

Rooted in the spirit of Tajness, Christmas at Taj Samudra Colombo is about generosity, kindness and the joy of giving. It is the helpfulness, compassion and shared happiness that define this time of year, reminding us that the true magic of Christmas lies in the connections we create with those around us.

This festive season was made especially meaningful with the soulful sounds of Christmas carols filling the hotel lobby. Taj Samudra Colombo had the honour of welcoming the children from the Blind School along with the Salvation Army Girls’ Choir, whose heartfelt performances touched everyone present. Their angelic voices and radiant smiles transformed the lobby into a space of pure joy, hope and celebration. It was a moving reminder that Christmas is at its most beautiful when shared inclusively, with love at its core.

Adding to the festive cheer, associates of the Taj Samudra Colombo team also took to the lobby lounge – The Lattice to perform Christmas carols. Their enthusiasm and warmth reflected the hotel’s deep commitment to celebrating the season not just as hosts, but as a family. Guests and associates alike gathered to enjoy the music, creating an atmosphere filled with togetherness and festive wonder.

This Christmas and New Year, Taj Samudra Colombo stands proud in celebrating joy, compassion and community, creating memories made merry and moments that truly sparkle with the spirit of the season.

Bank of Ceylon (BOC) said its debenture issue to raise Rs. 20 billion was oversubscribed and closed yesterday.

The notes were BASEL III-compliant, Tier 2, unlisted, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debentures with a non-viability write down feature. The issue opened on 19 December.

The bank offered 200 million debentures at Rs. 100 each, structured in three tranches: Type A with a five-year tenor carrying a fixed interest rate of 10.50% per annum payable annually; Type B with a five-year tenor offering a floating rate of AWPLR + 2% per annum payable biannually; and Type C with an eight-year tenor bearing a floating rate of AWPLR + 2.50% per annum payable biannually.