Category: Daily Financial Times

Uga Halloowella, the iconic boutique hotel by Uga Resorts, has been honoured as Runner-Up in the ‘Food Hero’ category at the prestigious National Geographic Traveller Hotel Awards 2025, placed among the 30 best hotels in the world. The Awards recognise and celebrate new and renovated hotels across the world that push the boundaries of design, culinary innovation and guest experiences. The awards are adjudicated by a panel of esteemed travel writers, who this year, honoured properties that embodied bold creativity, authentic storytelling and unparalleled dedication to excellence.

Uga Resorts Executive Vice President – Sales and Marketing Marcelline Paul said, ‘We are deeply honoured to receive such a recognition from National Geographic Traveller. An acknowledgement of this magnitude among the world’s best for our culinary vison, is a true reflection of our team’s passion and dedication. At Uga Halloowella, every dish is a celebration of local ingredients, traditions and the intricate connection between food and locality, which is a testament to the team’s attention to detail and hospitality.’

Food is more than a mere experience at Uga Halloowella, it is a journey through the rich heritage and vast flavours of the Sri Lankan hill country. Inspired by the fertile highlands of Hatton, and the diverse local culinary traditions, each dish is meticulously crafted using fresh, seasonal ingredients where possible. The menu reflects a fusion of local flavours and global techniques, which results in dishes are elegant and approachable.

Guests are invited to indulge in a variety of creations including the Ceylon tea and herb-crusted lamb loin served with pea purée, roasted root vegetables, potato pavé, and port wine sauce, a dish that celebrates artistry and simplicity. Another hallmark dish is the Halloowella signature poached eggs, paired with an English muffin, seeni sambol, spinach, curried crab cake, turmeric hollandaise, and crisp curry leaves, a dish that embodies the hotel’s balance of creativity and comfort.

Through the ‘Sri Lankan Discover’ section of the menu visitors can discover and enjoy homegrown favourites such as Negombo pork curry with milk rice or classic hoppers served with East Coast sour fish curry Each dish tells a story of its own, from its locality, cultural origins and craftsmanship, and they are presented with warmth and meticulous attention to detail.

With this latest accolade, Uga Halloowella reaffirms its exceptional reputation as a destination where culinary excellence harmoniously coincides with heritage and heart, offering an unparalleled experience that truly captures the essence of Sri Lanka’s hill country.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the publication of the amended Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act No. 11 of 2021 in the government gazette, paving the way for it to be presented to Parliament.

Brandix Apparel Ltd. was named the Overall Winner, achieving the highest accolade among a wide range of public and private sector participants at the recently concluded CIPM Great HR Awards 2025.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM), in collaboration with Mercer, announced the winners of the Great HR Awards 2025, recognising organisations that have demonstrated exemplary performance in human resource management across the country.

Brandix Apparel secured the top honour through its comprehensive and future-focused approach to people management, which included strong leadership development initiatives, robust talent analytics, a structured and measurable approach to employee wellbeing, and scalable learning and development opportunities.

Submissions for the Great HR Awards were evaluated across 16 key HR paradigms, including talent development, leadership capability, employee wellbeing, organisational culture, HR digitisation, rewards management and performance management. The judging outcomes highlighted an important national trend: Human Resource Management is increasingly evolving into a strategic, data-driven function that directly influences organisational performance, resilience, and competitiveness.

By recognising organisations that demonstrate excellence, the Awards encourage wider adoption of progressive HR practices and set a clear benchmark for others to emulate.

This recognition also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, prompting organisations to prioritise innovation in areas such as employee experience, workforce capability building, growth behaviour and leadership development, resulting in stronger talent pipelines, healthier workplaces, and more agile business models that can adapt to emerging challenges.

In addition to the Overall Winner accolade, the event also presented category awards, sector awards, excellence awards, merit awards and commendation certificates acknowledging organisations that exhibited outstanding performance across specialised HR domains.

The event, attended by over 600 industry leaders, CEOs, and HR professionals, highlighted the growing importance of strategic people management in driving long-term organisational success aligned with corporate strategy and sustainable growth.

Link4, a regional leader in e-Invoicing solutions, has welcomed Sri Lanka’s 2026 Budget introducing a national e-Invoicing system.

The Company said the move is a major step towards e-invoicing and digital tax compliance.

Link4, brings extensive experience in supporting businesses across Asia-Pacific to comply with emerging e-Invoicing regulations. With Sri Lanka joining the global shift toward digital tax compliance, Link4 is positioned to assist local businesses through this important transition.

Link4 Senior Sales Manager Dilshad Mohideen said: ‘The introduction of a national e-Invoicing system is a pivotal move for Sri Lanka’s digital transformation journey. It not only streamlines compliance for businesses but also fosters transparency and efficiency in tax administration. We look forward to supporting companies as they adapt to these new requirements and embrace digital invoicing as a core part of their operations.’

Budget 2026 also highlights broader digital infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to RAMIS and plans to implement e-procurement systems, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernising public financial management.

The recently presented Budget 2026 by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signals a transformative shift in Sri Lanka’s digital economy with the introduction of a national e-Invoicing system. This system will leverage API-based integration between taxpayers’ ERP systems and the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS), marking a significant advancement in tax compliance and digital governance.

Following a pilot phase, the e-Invoicing system will expand to include export-oriented firms, then all VAT-registered taxpayers, and eventually integrate with point-of-sale (POS) machines. This phased rollout aims to enable real-time transaction tracking and strengthen VAT compliance throughout the country.

E-Invoicing is increasingly recognised globally as an essential tool for reducing errors, preventing tax fraud, and streamlining the tax filing process. By automating invoice exchange between businesses and tax authorities, e-Invoicing improves transparency and speeds up VAT collection; benefits that Sri Lanka aims to realise through this initiative.

A Sri Lankan man once detained in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 269 people is pursuing an asylum claim in the UK.

The claimant, who has been granted anonymity, was arrested in Sri Lanka in early 2022 on suspicion of involvement in the coordinated suicide blasts that targeted churches and luxury hotels. Six British nationals were among the dead, including a mother and her two children. He denies the allegations.

He told an immigration tribunal that he was released on bail after paying a ‘large bribe,’ and that police visits to his family home continued after his departure from the country. He left Sri Lanka in September 2022 and applied for asylum in the UK the following month, arguing that he faces persecution if returned.

His application, submitted for himself and his wife, was rejected by the Home Office. However, he succeeded in an appeal before the upper immigration tribunal, which ruled that errors had been made in the initial decision and ordered the case to be reheard.

The tribunal noted that an arrest warrant was issued shortly after he left Sri Lanka and that the earlier judgment had overlooked aspects of the documentary evidence, including his release on bail. Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge Claire Burns found no basis for the man’s claim that previous judges were ‘biased,’ but said the earlier ruling contained several legal and factual mistakes. The case will now return to the first-tier tribunal for a full rehearing.

The Easter Sunday attacks, carried out by eight suicide bombers linked to the National Thowheeth Jama’ath, killed 38 foreign nationals. British victims included Anita Nicholson, 42, her children Alexander, 14, and Annabel, 11, who were staying at the Shangri-La Hotel. Others who died included IT director Lorraine Campbell, retired firefighter Bill Harrop and his wife, Dr. Sally Bradley, who were at the Cinnamon Grand.

The asylum appeal comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced sweeping changes to the UK’s asylum and appeals system, including temporary refugee status and new powers to remove migrants once their home countries are deemed safe.

A Home Office spokesperson said the Government had rejected the man’s asylum claim to ‘ensure this suspected terrorist never sets foot on British soil,’ adding that it would defend the decision in court and that broader reforms aim to make it easier to deport illegal migrants and foreign offenders.

HNB PLC has been announced as the Platinum Sponsor of TiECON Colombo 2026 which will take place in early 2026 in Colombo. Organised by TiE Colombo, the event serves as Sri Lanka’s premier platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, bringing together entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, investors, and global business leaders. It features keynotes, panel discussions, networking opportunities, investor lounges, and an innovation showcase, creating a comprehensive forum for knowledge exchange and business growth.

HNB MD/CEO Damith Pallewatte said, ‘As Sri Lanka’s Partner in Progress, HNB has always stood beside the businesses that drive national transformation. Our partnership with TiECON Colombo 2026 is both timely and strategic, we believe the future of Sri Lankan enterprise lies in going global. Together with TiE Colombo, we aim to fuel that journey, giving local entrepreneurs the networks, financial tools, and confidence they need to take off and thrive on the world runway.’

This year’s theme ‘Go Global Runway to the World marks’ a decisive stage for the local business community as enterprises prepare to shift from resilience led recovery toward opportunity driven expansion. HNB’s role as Platinum Sponsor aligns with its position as the first and the best in Sri Lanka’s banking sector with a legacy of enabling business advancement and national progress.

TiE Colombo President Madu Ratnayake said, ‘TiECON 2026 is not just another conference. It’s a launchpad. With HNB as our Platinum sponsor, we’re strengthening Sri Lanka’s runway to the world, connecting our most promising founders to the people, ideas, and capital that can help them soar globally.’

The partnership unites HNB’s leadership in financial services with the TiE network, a global ecosystem of experienced operators, investors, and charter members across 60 chapters. TiECON Colombo 2026 will provide a practical, data-driven forum for founders to access capital, strategic mentorship, guidance on cross-border operations, and actionable insights on market entry. The event will also showcase Sri Lankan ventures that have achieved international success, offering attendees concrete examples of scalable execution. As part of TiE Global, which connects over 14,000 members, TiE Colombo links local entrepreneurs to global expertise, mentorship, and investment opportunities essential for growth beyond borders.

The collaboration marks a significant step in positioning Sri Lankan enterprises on international runways with the credibility, reach, and preparation needed for global success. It highlights HNB’s ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and driving sustainable economic growth across the country.

RAWALPINDI: Pathum Nissanka returned to his best form scoring an undefeated 98 off 58 balls and Sri Lanka finally got their act together to notch up a clinical victory by 9 wickets against Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday to keep their hopes of reaching the final of the T20I Tri-Series alive.

It was Sri Lanka’s first win after five defeats in the T20I format and they will need to beat Pakistan in their final league game on Thursday to qualify for the final.

Zimbabwe’s total of 146-5 was never going to be enough on a decent batting surface and that proved to be the case. A disciplined bowling performance from the Sri Lankan bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to an under-par score. In response, Pathum Nissanka took his side off to a flier. Kamil Mishara fell against the run of play for 12 after laying the foundation for the innings with a stand of 59 off 34 balls with Nissanka. By then, Sri Lanka were already cruising. The Zimbabwean spinners did apply a bit of brakes but there was no real scoreboard pressure on the Lankans as the duo of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis kept the scoreboard ticking along. Nissanka was quick to pounce on anything loose and he kept finding the boundaries at will. Mendis (25* off 25 balls, 1 four, 1 six) played the perfect foil to him as the duo took their side over the line with 22 balls to spare in an unbroken partnership of 89 off 64 balls. Player of the Match Nissanka missed out on a well-deserved century but his unbeaten 98-run knock off 58 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes) knocked Zimbabwe out of the game.

Another good knock from Ryan Burl (37* off 26 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) gave Zimbabwe something to bowl at. Maheesh Theekshana struck the early blows by getting Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers. A stand of 36 off 28 balls between Brian Bennett (34) and Brendon Taylor (14) and 36 off 29 balls by Bennett and Sikander Raza (37) followed. But it was Burl who provided the final flourish in an unbroken stand of 42 off 33 balls with Tashinga Musekiwa (6*). Wanindu Hasaranga was good in the middle overs as he took two wickets including the important one of Raza. Raza looked dangerous and just when he was looking to accelerate, he fell. Sri Lanka were excellent at the death as Eshan Malinga and Dushmantha Chameera nailed the yorkers.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) yesterday issued an urgent warning to the public, stating that Blue Ocean Securities Ltd. is not licenced and has no authority to trade in securities in Sri Lanka on behalf of investors.

The SEC further revealed that the company’s Chief Analyst and assistant are not registered investment advisors and that, according to the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Financial Services Register, Blue Ocean Securities Ltd. is not licenced or authorised by ?the FCA.

Regulatory measures are currently being taken by the SEC and other law enforcement authorities against this entity. Investors are strongly advised not to engage in any transactions with the company, deposit money into its accounts, or join any WhatsApp groups or communication channels associated with it.

A list of licenced stockbrokers can be obtained from the SEC website (www.sec.gov.lk) or the Colombo Stock Exchange (www.cse.lk). The SEC emphasises that investors should only deal with licenced stockbrokers and open a CDS account before engaging in any securities transactions. Investors and media are urged to share this scam alert widely.

Sri Lanka’s Chanaka Perera had a good effort at the 121st Malaysian Amateur Open – Men’s Championship, by delivering commendable performances against a high-quality international field.

Chanaka was placed 21st overall with a total of 223 (+10), producing rounds of 77, 75 and a super final round of 71 on the final day. His closing round was one of the standout Sri Lankan performances in the tournament, showcasing composure and skill in tough scoring conditions.

The other Sri Lankan Kumar Danushan playing in the cut-off category, returned with 155 (+13) over two rounds with scores of 74 and 81. His opening 74 was particularly noteworthy, demonstrating his capability to compete confidently at international level.

Both segments had more than 100 golfers teeing off.

AIA Sri Lanka exemplified its commitment to employee well-being with the successful conclusion of AIA Wellness Day 2025, a full-day event held at the AIA Tower that brought together employees, health experts, and financial advisors for a dynamic and enriching experience focused on holistic wellness.

Initiated with the objective of promoting physical, mental, and financial well-being, the event featured a robust lineup of AIA’s health and wellness partners who provided a wide array of complimentary services. Vision Care offered free eye check-ups, while Hemas Hospitals delivered a comprehensive health screening package and a full physical examination covering dermatological, cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, pelvic, and nervous systems. Attendees also benefited from free ECGs and received personalised medical reports and consultations from MBBS-qualified doctors.

In addition, Hemas FMCG’s Kumarika team conducted hair analyses, and Adora by Hemas provided skin assessments, giving employees valuable insights into their personal care and grooming needs. Aayu by Nawaloka Premiere offered AIA employees free consultation sessions with a nutritionist to encourage healthy eating habits.

Recognising that financial health is just as important, Commercial Bank and NDB Wealth Management hosted advisory sessions on building savings funds and managing personal finances, empowering employees with tools to secure their financial futures.

The day was also about celebrating wellness through fun and engagement. Employees participated in a variety of interactive activities that encouraged movement and play, including a musical VR game, the hammer strength challenge, and AIA wellness wheel of fortune. For mental wellness, a 3D immersive art experience offered a moment of calm and creativity, reminding participants of the importance of mindfulness in daily life.

Another standout feature of the event was the launch of the AIA Walk and Win Step Challenge, powered by the Flash Health app. This initiative encouraged employees to stay active by tracking their steps over a 14-day period. The response was phenomenal, with over 12 million steps collectively recorded. The top performer was rewarded with two return air tickets to Bangkok, while the next four top steppers received smartwatches in recognition of their dedication to mobility and health.

The 2025 edition of AIA Wellness Day was a resounding success, reinforcing AIA’s mission to help people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives, starting with its own employees.