Category: Daily Financial Times

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has entered into a strategic partnership with Brown and Company PLC to make modern agricultural machinery and technology more accessible to Sri Lankan farmers and agri-entrepreneurs as part of the Bank’s commitment towards SME empowerment initiatives and inclusivity.

This partnership includes special leasing facilities aimed at driving the country’s agricultural modernisation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the collaboration builds on a longstanding collaboration between the two institutions and reflects a shared commitment to advance mechanisation, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture.

Under the agreement, Commercial Bank will offer special leasing facilities through its Agri Lease and Diribala Green Development Loan Scheme to support the purchase of agricultural vehicles, machinery and equipment, protected agriculture and irrigation systems, and post-harvest machinery marketed by Browns Agriculture.

Browns Agriculture will extend a range of exclusive benefits to farmers who purchase equipment under this promotion. These include a free first-year insurance policy for selected two-wheel drive tractor models, first four labour-free services for all tractors as well as first three labour-free services for Yanmar and Sumo harvesters, and a free first-year IoT-based remote monitoring and equipment tracking platform for SUMO Automated Rice Milling Machines. Each SUMO rice mill will also carry a one-year warranty for manufacturing defects and a labour-free service within the first year.

Commercial Bank said that facilitating access to smart, eco-friendly agricultural machinery through the Agri Lease and Diribala Green Development Loan Scheme aligns with the Bank’s commitment to promote sustainable farming practices. The Bank emphasised that the initiative supports innovation and climate resilience while strengthening its relationship with rural customers and contributing to national food security.

The introduction of advanced technology and equipment is considered essential for improving productivity and reducing operational cost, the Bank said. This strategic initiative takes a holistic approach-helping farmers not only to acquire modern machinery but also to gain the knowledge and support needed for its effective use.

Sunshine Consumer has announced its outstanding achievements at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025, where its flagship brand Watawala Tea was crowned as the Gold Local Brand of the Year and Silver for Product Brand of the Year.

Watawala Tea is more than just a beverage-it is a symbol of unity and belonging for millions of households across the island. Since its launch in 2002, Watawala dethroned a multinational giant in 2022 to claim market leadership, transforming from a functional FMCG product into a beloved household name. These awards highlight Watawala’s exceptional marketing strategy, strong brand equity, and continued market dominance putting their consumers first always.

The SLIM Brand Excellence Awards celebrate brand excellence at the highest level in the country, honouring exceptional marketing efforts and outstanding brand stories. Through this program, SLIM aims to encourage best practices in branding, inspire local marketers to compete at international standards, and enhance the SLIM image nationally and regionally. Each year, a panel of judges evaluates contenders in each category to identify brands that truly stand out as champions. With wide participation across industries in Sri Lanka, the awards create a platform of healthy competition and encourage organisations to deploy effective strategies that win markets and the hearts of consumers.

The Local Brand of the Year category recognises the best home-grown brands with local origin, showcasing how locally sourced and marketed brands perform successfully in the marketplace. The Product Brand of the Year category evaluates tangible product brands, including FMCGs, consumer durables, and commercial or industrial products, where entries may be manufactured or sourced locally or abroad but marketed within Sri Lanka.

Sunshine Consumer CEO Anuruddha Aluvihare said: ‘These wins are a testament to our teams’ passion and dedication, and reflect our commitment to building brands that truly resonate with Sri Lankan families.’ Chief Marketing Officer Kavi Rajapaksha Deshapriya added: ‘Watawala Tea’s achievements demonstrate the power of strong brand equity and innovative marketing in transforming a product into a household name. These national honours inspire us to continue raising the bar.’

Colombo witnessed a spirited celebration of creativity and camaraderie at the grand finale of the inaugural Rockland Mix Masters: Corporate Edition, where CAL emerged as the champions. Conceptualised by the Rockland Group, the initiative goes beyond the glass bringing together professionals from diverse industries to explore the art of cocktail-making while fostering teamwork and knowledge-sharing.

In the individual category, Basil Devadasan from CAL took home the Best Cocktail Award, while Madhumal Gunetileke from Zone 24×7 and Dilshan Peiris from NDB Wealth were named first and second runners-up respectively.

In the group category, CAL claimed the top spot, followed by Hayleys PLC and INSEE Cement, who were awarded first and second runners-up.

Rockland Distilleries Managing Director Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne noted: ‘One of the reasons we created Rockland Mix Masters was to build a platform for knowledge-sharing and to give professionals a fun introduction to the world of mixology. The culture at Rockland has always been about trying new and fun things. I often say we’re a group of misfits-curious, creative, and always ready to experiment. This very spirit is what led to the birth of Rockland Mix Masters.’

The first masterclass of the competition was held at Studio R, Rockland Group’s head office, with 12 companies and 36 participants taking part. Participating organisations included Brandix, CAL, Flora Food Group, Hayleys PLC, INSEE Cement, Mastercard, NDB Wealth, Port City Colombo, Surge, Sysco Labs, Unilever and Zone 24×7.

Rockland Mix Masters – Corporate Edition marks a new chapter in nurturing Sri Lanka’s cocktail culture fostering collaboration across industries, inspiring creative expression, and shaping the future of the island’s growing mixology scene.

The national program, ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)’ was kicked off recently at the BMICH. The initiative was jointly led by the UNFPA, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and supported by the Government of Canada.

This year’s campaign focused on the global theme: ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.’ This annual action, started on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, will go until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The UNFPA Sri Lanka and Maldives Officer-in-Charge Phuntsho Wangyel in his opening remarks emphasised the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the digital sphere and its rapid advancement, while noting a crucial digital safety gap: the inability to detect hate content in Sinhala or Tamil.

He explained that while AI tools are trained in Natural Language Processing (NLP), the capacity to process and refine these complex systems for other languages remains under development, and the current lack of effective moderation presents an immediate and serious threat globally.

Wangyel presented key findings from the 2025 research study, showing the most common forms of online harms are the creation of fake profiles (36.9%) and sharing obscene texts/videos (36.9%). Other issues reported include doctored images (25.2%), unauthorised exposure of personal information (doxxing) (24.3%), gender trolling (24.3%), and cyber blackmail (20.4%). He said creating safe digital spaces are necessary to achieve gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive national development.

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya joined virtually to offer insights on digital empowerment and safety, and cautioned that every post, share, and message online carried significant power, having the capacity to either uplift or destroy a person’s life. Emphasising the vital need for protecting personal privacy, she highlighted that self-esteem empowered everyone to achieve their fullest potential.

The Prime Minister delivered a direct message to individuals experiencing online violence, assuring them that they are not alone and are not to blame for the abuse. She strongly urged victims not to remain silent and to seek help, affirming that Government and private institutions have established the necessary frameworks to offer comprehensive support. Specialised helplines available include: Women and Children’s Desk – 109, National Hotline for Women and Children – 1938, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) – 101, Mithuru Piyasa – 070 261 1111, and Women In Need – 077 567 655.

She laid out a national vision, asserting that the nation must collectively work to create a Sri Lanka where technology serves to uplift rather than harm, ensuring everyone and all citizens from all walks of life can live free from fear, both online and offline, as this is their fundamental right.

Following the Prime Minister’s address on digital safety, the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka/Maldives Counsellor and Head of Cooperation Kiril Iordanov delivered a message on behalf of the High Commissioner of Canada stating the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) annual effort serves not only as a moment of reflection but as a call to action to honour those working to address the issue.

Iordanov noted that GBV remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, affecting women, girls, and members of the LGBT community, including within Sri Lanka.

He detailed that the initiative is designed to strengthen state judicial, police, and social service institutions, specifically aiming to improve and end these types of crimes. Iordanov asserted that only through openly discussing GBV, including its new digital dimensions, can society collectively challenge discriminatory social norms and diminish the widespread stigma surrounding this violence.

The Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj said while efforts to eliminate violence are continuous, she states that the 16 Days period offers a crucial window to significantly accelerate these efforts. The Minister emphasised that technological advancement has opened the digital space as a vast arena for Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), causing fear, threat, and insecurity.

She highlighted the existing legal foundation, citing Penal Code Section 345 which criminalises sexual harassment and allows for both criminal penalties up to five years imprisonment, a fine, or both and victim compensation.

She detailed the Government’s comprehensive plan to end (TFGBV), which includes advocating for urgent review and amendment of existing laws including the Penal Code and Cyber Laws to ensure they adequately criminalise and prosecute all forms of TFGBV.

Furthermore, the plan supports dedicated budgetary allocation to strengthen law enforcement and the judiciary capacity including training and digital forensics to effectively handle digital violence cases. The Minister added that the Government will ensure the national response to TFGBV is fully integrated into the strategy to address sexual and gender based violence and supports national programs that foster digital literacy and ethical online behaviour among youth, government officials, and the public.

She affirmed that every citizen holds a moral duty when handling shared digital content. The Minister provided a direct example, stressing that when an individual receives a private image or video, whether of a known or unknown person, the impulse to forward it is a shameful act, and highlighted that a responsible individual must make the immediate choice to take definitive action and report the content instantly.

United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche cited global and national statistics, noting that 85% of women who spend time online globally have witnessed digital violence against other women. He highlighted the rapid pace of digitalisation in Sri Lanka, where the number of internet users has nearly doubled from 6.7 million to 12 million over only the last six years. He noted that online misinformation and disinformation are increasingly undermining women’s participation, rights, and freedom of expression.

Franche pointed out that Sri Lanka’s current legal framework contains ambiguities, outdated definitions, and limited judicial interpretation, making the effective prosecution of online violence challenging.

To mitigate these gaps, the UN is supporting the Government to build central, safe reporting mechanisms where citizens can report online and offline violence in one place. Additionally, the UN is working with the Women and Child Affairs Ministry and the Health Ministry to ensure survivor support is integrated into existing services.

The UN commended the establishment of the National Women’s Commission. He urged the Government, ahead of the budget debate, to allocate the necessary resources during the budgetary cycle to ensure the commission becomes fully operational and capable of implementing its essential amendments. He assured that the UN stands with Sri Lanka to build an online environment rooted in equality, safety, and respect.

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) Chairman Thilak Pathirage highlighted that achieving the $ 15 billion economic growth by 2030 requires the engagement of the entire population, necessitating robust cyber-safety frameworks.

He detailed that Sri Lanka CERT is currently working with the Government on six major initiatives, including a dedicated cyber-safety program for women and girls.

Pathirage highlighted the development of a new E-safety web portal as a key initiative. He noted the portal’s uniqueness: it allows anyone to report violations and is directly linked to almost five collaborating organisations engaged in resolving such matters. This coordinated response is expected to significantly reduce the number of digital security incidents. He said that the portal will be promoted nationwide through schools and community centres to maximise its reach and effectiveness.

The national campaign launch featured engaging activities such as skits and a focused panel discussion addressing TFGBV, which was moderated by Asela Waidyalankara and included panellists Nabeela Iqbal, Yadhusha Ravi Thiyagarajah, Isuru Mahesh Panditha, and Isuru Manchanayake, who provided valuable insights from youth on the issue and prevention strategies.

In a bid to expedite the post-Ditwah recovery, Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma recently met with officials of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) and industry CEOs to discuss measures to fast-track Cyclone Ditwah and flood-related insurance claim settlements.

Dr. Suriyapperuma pointed out that the insurance sector plays a significant role in rebuilding affected communities and supporting the country’s economic recovery.

He noted that thousands of families and businesses are experiencing severe distress, with extensive damage to homes, vehicles, commercial establishments, and livelihoods. The prompt settlement of claims is essential to restoring normalcy and reviving key economic sectors, he noted.

IRCSL Chairman Dr. Raveendra De Mel outlined the measures taken by the Commission to facilitate expeditious claim processing. He reiterated that providing immediate relief to policyholders and accelerating the national recovery efforts is the IRCSL’s foremost priority and acknowledged the vital role played by the insurance industry.

Dr. Suriyapperuma said that major economic sectors, including tourism, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and export-oriented industries, have been severely impacted by Cyclone Ditwah and subsequent flooding. He stressed that the immediate settlement of insurance claims is important to restoring business operations, supporting income generation, and rebuilding affected segments of the economy.

The IRCSL emphasised that it is closely monitoring the settlement process to ensure transparency and speedy settlement of claims, also ensuring to remove any administrative barriers that may hinder relief efforts.

The IRCSL has announced that policyholders who are unable to contact their insurance companies may call the IRCSL on 077 241 8511 for assistance.

As part of ongoing relief efforts for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, Hutch Sri Lanka has donated Rs. 60 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund. The contribution was officially handed over yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat.

The donation cheque was presented to Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by Hutch officials, including Hutchison Asia Telecommunications Ltd., Hong Kong Project Director/Hutch Director Ann Chen and Hutch Sri Lanka CEO Saumitra Gupta.

In addition to the financial contribution, HUTCH has actively provided free calls, data and SMS services to those impacted by the cyclone. The company has also deployed mobile charging units and aviation engineers to promptly restore damaged communication towers, ensuring vital connectivity for affected communities.

Focus will be on SSC, one of the elite clubs in Colombo who were demoted to Tier B last season and how they progress when the Tier B 3-day League tournament commences today with a card of 6 matches.

SSC has to win the Tier B league to gain promotion to the Major Club 3-day League where they actually belong but for a rare season where they just could not get their act together and ended up at the bottom two of Group B to be relegated. SSC remains one of the strongest clubs taking part this season with several national players available for selection. They come out today against Kandy Customs SC at the Army grounds in Dombagoda.

Ragama CC, another club that has produced several national cricketers, is also seeking promotion to the Major Club 3-day. Unlike SSC, they have not been able to retain some of their established cricketers who have moved to different clubs, thus weakening the team and their chances of winning the Tier B title. Ragama CC meets Negombo CC at the BRC grounds.

Both clubs had their first experience of playing in the Tier B sector when they took part in the T20 and 50-over tournaments which were held in the middle of the year. SSC determined to prove their worth emerged champions of the 50-over tournament defeating Moratuwa SC in the final, but were stunned in the T20 final by less fancied Malay CC. They will have to perform better than this if they are to win the League which has strong competition from other demoted clubs keen to gain promotion.

Twelve teams are competing with each other on a league basis in the Tier B 3-day League and the team that finishes on top will be declared champions and receive promotion to the Major Club 3-day League for the following season. Promotion to the higher league takes place from this season after the Tournament Committee had taken a decision that 14 instead of 12 clubs should contest in the Major Club 3-day League. Over a period of three seasons from 2022-23, 12 clubs have been relegated to Tier B in order to bring down the number of teams competing in the Major Club 3-day League and make it more competitive.

The Tier B matches, although played over three days, will not have first-class status and won’t be included in the career records of the players.

Galle CC who won the league last season will come out against Moratuwa SC at Samadhi Sports ground, Anuradhapura. Leo CC who finished runner-up will take on Sebastianites at Army grounds, Salawa, while third placed Malay CC will meet United Southern SC at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota. The other match commencing today is between Navy SC and Army SC at Welisara.

VFS Global has made a contribution of Rs. 7.5 million ($25,000) to the Government’s official Flood Relief Fund established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This support comes in response to the severe flooding and landslides affecting 25 districts and

impacting over 266,000 families.

‘Our contribution will support nationwide relief efforts, including the provision of temporary shelter, medical supplies, and logistical support,’ a VFS Global spokesman said. Additionally, the CSR team is coordinating with agencies working on the ground to identify opportunities for employee volunteering and giving, ensuring we extend meaningful support beyond financial assistance.

The latest gesture is part of VFS Global efforts to strengthening community support in Sri Lanka. In 2025 the company has invested Rs. 27 million in these initiatives in Sri Lanka including Youth Empowerment and supporting the 1st Blind Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Finals held in Colombo last month.

The Ceylon Golf League (CGL) is set to script a landmark moment in the country’s sporting landscape as Sri Lanka’s first-ever franchise golf competition tees off today at the Royal Colombo Golf Club. Conceptualised by Island Golf and spearheaded by Mahela Jayawardene, Suhayb Sangani and Shamal Perera, the league introduces a modern, city-based format designed to transform how golf is played, viewed and experienced in the nation.

With an ambition to elevate amateur golf to the national spotlight, CGL aims to blend sporting excellence with entertainment while fostering strong regional identity and rivalries. The founders envision this as the first step in building a South Asian golfing force, with future plans to expand the league across borders and welcome international participation. The inaugural edition promises not just competitive golf but a refreshed narrative around the sport.

Eight franchise teams – Colombo Aces, Anuradhapura Gladiators, Kandy Kings, Nuwara Eliya Panthers, Trinco Sharks, Hambantota Tuskers, Galle Ballers and Sigiriya Hornets – will contest the title. Featuring leading amateur talents such as Kaya Daluwatte, Jevahn Sathasivam, Reshan Algama, Dhanushan Kumar and Chanaka Perera, the competition is expected to deliver high-intensity matchplay over three consecutive days.

The format has been carefully curated to balance excitement and skill, beginning with Foursomes on 5 December, Indies on 6 December and concluding with Fourball on 7 December. Each day offers spectators a fresh strategic dimension, ensuring the action remains engaging throughout. Comprehensive broadcast coverage by Dialog, ThePapare.com, PEOTV, PEO Sports and E FM 88.3 will take the tournament to audiences across the island.

Backed by major partners including Sampath Bank Private Banking, Hutch, Mastercard and several associate sponsors, the CGL arrives with formidable support. Significantly, this edition also serves a humanitarian purpose, with organisers and franchise owners pledging to raise funds for communities affected by recent natural disasters.

With captains and managers already announced across all teams, and anticipation building rapidly, the Colombo Golf League stands ready to redefine golf for a new generation while uniting the nation through sport.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday requested officials to promptly initiate the distribution of compensation to farmers who lost their crops and livestock to Cyclone Ditwah.

He made the request during a meeting with officials from the Finance and Agriculture Ministries to assess the damage to agriculture crops, livestock, and the irrigation sector and the urgent restoration steps required.

The discussions focused on the losses incurred to paddy, maize, grain, and vegetable cultivation due to the adverse weather conditions affecting the country.

Attention was also drawn to the impact on livestock and the irrigation sector, with the President pointing to the necessity of assessing the damage to the irrigation network and implementing immediate measures to restore it to full functionality. Relevant plans were instructed to be prepared and executed without delay.

The same day, the President also met with officials from the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry to review the damage sustained in the industrial sector and the measures required for its recovery.

According to a statement from the Presidential Media Division, officials presented statistical data on the losses incurred by industries due to the disaster. A comprehensive plan to restore the industrial sector was also submitted to the President. Detailed discussions were held regarding the relief measures and support that could be extended to affected industrialists.