Category: Daily Financial Times

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, underscoring the need to turn equality principles into concrete action.

Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025 in Beijing, she said that despite global progress since the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action-including female literacy gains, a near-halving of maternal mortality, and a rise in global life expectancy from 69 years in 1995 to 76 years in 2023-major gaps persist.

She noted that women’s labour-force participation remains at 48.7% compared with 73% for men, women represent only about 35% of science and technology graduates, and 47.8 million more women than men face food insecurity.

The Prime Minister outlined Sri Lanka’s policy priorities, including expanding women’s participation in leadership and decision-making, and implementing the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023-2027). She said Sri Lanka aims to ensure that women from all social and economic backgrounds are represented across sectors.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya was welcomed to the event by Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan before delivering her remarks at the opening ceremony.

Williams’ Carlos Sainz says Formula 1’s TV coverage is going ‘overboard a little’ by showing driver’s girlfriends while missing overtakes during races.

During Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, fans watching at home missed some on-track action, including Fernando Alonso chasing down Lewis Hamilton, who had a brake issue, for seventh place in the final laps.

In the final stages, TV coverage focused on McLaren’s Lando Norris chasing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for second place.

However, at various points during the race, high-profile girlfriends and celebrity guests were shown watching from the garages.

Sainz’s recovery drive from the back of the grid to 10th place was also rarely featured on the world feed, which is supervised by F1.

The Spaniard, 31, told Spanish radio station El Partidazo de COPE that F1 bosses should not lose sight of the main track action.

‘Last weekend they didn’t show any of the four of five overtakes I did at the end, nor did they show Fernando’s pursuit of Lewis. They missed a lot of things,’ said Sainz.

Aston Martin’s Alonso, who inherited P7 from Ferrari’s Hamilton, also criticised F1’s TV coverage. The Spanish two-time world champion replied to a post on X, quoting him telling his pit wall he would ‘disconnect the radio’ if they spoke to him on every lap.

‘With pole position secured for the private radio broadcast, time to fine-tune the main coverage and bring all the on-track excitement to the fans! Vamos!’ Alonso wrote with a laughing face emoji.

Drivers’ wives and girlfriends have become even more popular in recent years following the rise of social media and the Netflix series Drive to Survive.

Sainz’s girlfriend, model Rebecca Donaldson, Norris’ partner, actress Magui Corceiro and Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend, influencer Alexandra Saint Mleux, all have huge online followings of their own.

‘I understand that if there is an overtake, a very tense moment in the race, it is understandable that the production team might want to show a reaction shot if they have seen that it has worked in the past,’ said Sainz.

‘But [they only should] if the competition is respected and you are always showing the important moments of the race.

‘The other [thing] is fine but don’t lose sight of the main thing. For me, they go overboard a little showing the celebrities and girlfriends.’

An F1 spokesperson said: ‘We always focus on giving our fans the best possible footage of the race and never compromise the key focus – the racing on track.

‘Our team does a great job of covering a highly complex situation with multiple cars at different points on a track and also provide great context moments of the grandstands, high-profile guests and the locations we race at. We are always in pursuit of excellence and improvement in what we deliver.’

All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday decided to suspend the trade union action they launched on 4 September following discussions with Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.

CEB Engineers’ Union Executive Committee Member Dhanushka Parakramasinghe said the decision was reached after the Minister agreed to all 24 proposals submitted by the unions. He noted that the unions will call off their action once a written assurance is received from the Minister.

‘The Minister has accepted our 24 proposals and agreed to provide a written commitment. Once we receive that, all unions will suspend their ongoing trade union action,’ Parakramasinghe said, adding that the written assurance was expected shortly.

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society is calling on the Government to block the Sri Lanka Cricket Board’s plan to construct an international cricket stadium complex on Mandaitivu Island in Jaffna as it has raised serious environmental and planning concerns. The proposed 52-acre development would include indoor stadiums, sports facilities, apartments, hotels, and parking but at significant ecological cost.

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society’s statement is as follows:

Mandaitivu is irreplaceable

Jaffna, with less than 5% forest cover, relies heavily on its coastal vegetation, including over 50% mangroves, to balance carbon emissions, provide essential green spaces, and offer places of solace and celebration for its local community. The island supports seven true mangrove species and seven seagrass species, creating an integrated habitat that directly sustains fish species of commercial value and attracts numerous migratory birds. These ecosystems aren’t just scenically valuable but they’re economic engines supporting the fisheries industry and have immense potential for sustainable tourism initiatives. The island is deeply woven into Jaffna’s social fabric, offering breathtaking sunset views and serving as a cultural and economic anchor for the community.

The diverse mangroves, particularly the Rhizophora mucronata fringes, and salt marshes (both succulent and grass dominant type) form a critical protective barrier safeguarding Jaffna from coastal erosion, while silently binding sediments, storing carbon, and providing habitat for a vast array of animals and migratory birds. These ecosystems have served for years as a living laboratory for Jaffna University, nurturing scientific research and bright minds.

The site’s ecological importance is officially recognised. Northern Province Strategic Environment Assessment plan recognised this area to be protected for social and ecosystem welbeing. Mandaitivu has been declared a forest reserve, and the Greater Jaffna Development Plan 2024-2034 (developed by the Urban Development Authority) designates this location as a ‘High Sensitive Zone’ where development should be minimised. The Government’s own Integrated Strategic Environmental Assessment recommends nature-based tourism activities like snorkelling for these islands and not large-scale infrastructure construction.

Mandaitivu is not just an island; it is the heart of Jaffna’s proud heritage, identity, and culture, shaped by its wealth of natural resources including biodiversity.

The safety concern

Beyond ecology, there are critical safety issues to be considered. Between 1980 and 2019, South Velanai divisional secretariat (which includes Mandaitivu) experienced 12 major flood events, the second highest in Northern Province. The 2012 floods affected 40,000 people; the 2017 floods impacted 35,000 residents. The area also faces extreme vulnerability to storm surges and falls within Sri Lanka’s highest wind loading zone, experiencing wind speeds of 49-54 m/s. Climate projections indicate temperature increases of 1.7-2.0°C by 2050, with increasing and erratic rainfall intensity. Building a major sports complex in such a disaster-prone location contradicts basic safety planning.

Sri Lanka’s global commitments and our reality

Sri Lanka co-champions the Commonwealth’s Mangrove Ecosystem and Livelihood Action Group and received the UN Decade of Restoration Flagship Award for mangroves. The nation led the declaration of World Seagrass Day at the UN General Assembly. Our national policy states: ‘Mangroves are of incomparable value.’

Yet this project would require massive land filling of saltmarshes and mangroves, triggering environmental damage through quarrying and sand mining elsewhere. It directly contradicts Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Net Zero commitments, which specifically integrate blue carbon ecosystems as climate solutions.

Also, this is not the time to further destroy our blue carbon ecosystems. At this moment, Sri Lanka is under a trade ban to export blue swimmer crab to the USA. Sri Lanka does not require further trade bans in future, and we need to be aware that the world is united to protect blue carbon ecosystems as they are one solution to global climate change

What we’re asking

Jaffna deserves an international cricket stadium. The region has tremendous potential, and cricket unites Sri Lanka with the rest of the world. However, this specific location is fundamentally incompatible with large-scale infrastructure development as already recognised by the national plans themselves.

We call on authorities to answer:

Why was Mandaitivu, an island of immense economic, social, and ecological importance, chosen for this development?

How does this align with the Greater Jaffna Development Plan?

Why wasn’t an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted?

Who consulted the local communities to understand their profound attachment to this land?

Why were alternative locations not evaluated?

Which international cricket team would want to play in a stadium built upon the destruction of not one, but all three critical blue carbon ecosystems: seagrass, saltmarsh, and mangroves?

What about the devastating impacts of land conversion, disturbances to ecological processes and influx of freshwater discharge on the sensitive coastal ecosystems?

Why are the Ministry of Environment’s Blue Carbon Task Force and Coast Conservation Department silent?

Local communities and subject experts deserve consultation on a project that affects their homelands, livelihoods and heritage.

We urge the government to identify a sustainable alternative location that allows Jaffna to have its stadium while preserving Mandaitivu’s irreplaceable ecosystem services for current and future generations.

Refuting the claim that there is a link to the recent Cabinet reshuffle to ongoing investigations into the controversial release of 323 containers by the Sri Lanka Customs early this year, the Government said that it was done to improve the efficiency of Government’s plans and forthcoming Budget plans.

‘The decision to revise ministerial portfolios was taken after reviewing the scope and workload of several ministries,’ Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Responding to a question on changing Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s portfolio, he dismissed the claim and said that the investigations into the container release including alleged 14 similar incidents happened in the past, were proceeding with no interference.

Addressing the post-Cabinet press briefing, Dr. Jayatissa said that some ministries had become too broad, making it difficult to manage their key functions efficiently, therefore, certain portfolios with wider scopes were narrowed and reorganised to ensure more focused and effective administration.

‘President Anura Kumara Disanayake, as the Minister of Finance, had directed to have a full investigation into alleged irregularities occurred during releasing of containers. This move was taken to maintain transparency and accountability,’ he said referring to the ongoing probe into alleged container release.

According to the Cabinet Spokesman, the President had made it clear that irregularities were reported when following steps to address congestion and expedite container clearance.

‘The Government wants to prevent such occurrences. A committee was appointed to look into this matter and also a separate internal investigation is now being carried out to determine where corruption took place. We also want to find out whether there is a recurring pattern of such irregularities during periods of heavy port congestion, especially in March and December, when a higher number of containers are released, Dr. Jayatissa said adding that investigations have revealed that similar incidents have occurred on 14 previous occasions.

Meanwhile, further explaining the Government’s move to have a Cabinet reshuffle, he said for a year, the Government had been managing those ministries and now had a clear understanding of their functions to prepare its own Budget to implement the policies and strategies accordingly.

‘For example, my Ministry, the Health Ministry, also oversees the indigenous medicine sector. Since it has a wider scope a deputy minister has been appointed to ensure efficiency of the Media Ministry,’ he said.

Dr. Jayatissa emphasised that the reshuffle was done especially to implement the Government’s 2025 budget proposals to full scale.

‘Although the Budget was passed on 21 March, its execution was delayed until the Local Government elections were concluded in early May. Then the Government commenced implementing our new budgetary framework,’ he explained.

Dr. Jayatissa added that the Government had gained a clearer understanding of each ministry’s operational priorities and challenges to reorganise its development goals and national priorities.

‘Therefore, the Cabinet reshuffle is part of a broader strategy to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the public sector, and to deliver results in line with the policies outlined in the 2025 budget,’ he stressed.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Power and Energy Minister to begin procurement for a Rs. 1.45 billion project to modernise fuel filling facilities at Zone 7 of the Kolonnawa Terminal operated by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., (CPSTL).

The project, approved by the CPSTL Board of Directors and endorsed by the Department of National Planning, will be implemented in three stages under an engineering, procurement, and construction contract.

The first phase will cover the construction of new filling facilities for petrol at the Zone 7 site, forming part of a broader plan to introduce state-of-the-art systems for petrol, diesel, and kerosene handling.

The Government said the project is intended to enhance fuel distribution efficiency, safety, and capacity at one of Sri Lanka’s key petroleum storage terminals.

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet has approved several key medical procurements valued at around Rs. 2.5 billion to ensure the steady supply of essential medicines and equipment across State hospitals.

Among the approved procurements are two major contracts awarded to Reliance Life Sciences Ltd., of India for the supply of 2.25 million epoetin pre-filled 4,000 IU syringes used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. The first order covers 650,000 syringes valued at $ 574,600, while the second covers 1.6 million syringes worth $ 1.414 million. Both awards were made based on the recommendations of the Procurement Appeal Board as the lowest responsive bids.

The Cabinet also approved the purchase of 218,000 vials of Colistimethate Sodium, an antibiotic used to treat severe Gram-negative bacterial infections, from Ceyoka Ltd., the local representative of Indian manufacturer Ciron Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., for a total cost of Rs. 32.48 million.

In addition, approval was granted to George Steuart Health Ltd., for the supply of 500,000 rolls of 10cm x 10m soft cloth liner tape used in medical bandaging, at a cost of Rs. 270.56 million (excluding VAT).

A further $ 3 million contract was awarded to Celltrion Inc. of South Korea for the supply of 24,000 vials of infliximab, a biological drug used to treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and certain forms of arthritis.

Meanwhile, A. Baur and Co. Ltd., was selected to supply 448,000 IU of Human Growth Hormone (Somatropin) manufactured by Merck Serono SPA of Italy for Rs. 860.5 million. The hormone is used to treat growth deficiencies in both children and adults.

Dr. Jayatissa said all procurements were approved following international competitive bidding and evaluation by the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board, ensuring transparency and timely delivery to strengthen the country’s public health supply chain.

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a proposal to permit rice importers to bring in up to 520 metric tons of Ponni Samba rice per importer, without permits, to address the current shortage of Keeri Samba in the local market.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the decision follows concerns that Keeri Samba is being sold above the Government’s control price due to limited availability.

According to the Department of Census and Statistics’ Household Income and Expenditure Survey, Sri Lanka’s annual rice consumption is estimated at 2.46 million metric tons, of which about 10% or 246,000 metric tons is Keeri Samba.

The imports will be allowed from 15 October to 15 November subject to the maximu

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet has approved several key medical procurements valued at around Rs. 2.5 billion to ensure the steady supply of essential medicines and equipment across State hospitals.

Among the approved procurements are two major contracts awarded to Reliance Life Sciences Ltd., of India for the supply of 2.25 million epoetin pre-filled 4,000 IU syringes used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. The first order covers 650,000 syringes valued at $ 574,600, while the second covers 1.6 million syringes worth $ 1.414 million. Both awards were made based on the recommendations of the Procurement Appeal Board as the lowest responsive bids.

The Cabinet also approved the purchase of 218,000 vials of Colistimethate Sodium, an antibiotic used to treat severe Gram-negative bacterial infections, from Ceyoka Ltd., the local representative of Indian manufacturer Ciron Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., for a total cost of Rs. 32.48 million.

In addition, approval was granted to George Steuart Health Ltd., for the supply of 500,000 rolls of 10cm x 10m soft cloth liner tape used in medical bandaging, at a cost of Rs. 270.56 million (excluding VAT).

A further $ 3 million contract was awarded to Celltrion Inc. of South Korea for the supply of 24,000 vials of infliximab, a biological drug used to treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and certain forms of arthritis.

Meanwhile, A. Baur and Co. Ltd., was selected to supply 448,000 IU of Human Growth Hormone (Somatropin) manufactured by Merck Serono SPA of Italy for Rs. 860.5 million. The hormone is used to treat growth deficiencies in both children and adults.

Dr. Jayatissa said all procurements were approved following international competitive bidding and evaluation by the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board, ensuring transparency and timely delivery to strengthen the country’s public health supply chain.

Dilmah invited to be Patron of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka’s Water And Ocean Stewardship Working Group

For Sri Lankans, Dilmah is more than a tea brand – it is heritage distilled in a cup, a name synonymous with authenticity, integrity, and the familiar aroma of home. Yet behind its global reputation lies something far more profound: a philosophy rooted in purpose, compassion, and stewardship. This ethos is anchored in the words of Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando, who believed that ‘business is a matter of human service.’ It is this guiding principle that continues to shape how Dilmah grows, innovates, and contributes to society – placing purpose above profit.

In recognition of this enduring commitment, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC has been invited to be Patron of the Water and Ocean Stewardship Working Group of the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (Network Sri Lanka). This invitation is both an honour and a responsibility: an opportunity to amplify decades of leadership in conservation and inspire others to take action in Sri Lanka’s collective sustainability journey.

‘Being named Patron amplifies the work that we are already doing,’ said Dilmah Head of Sustainability and Conservation Rishan Sampath. ‘But more importantly, it gives us a platform to bring others with us – to build a national conversation, to share tools, and to invite new thinking.’

Legacy in water stewardship

Water has always been at the heart of Dilmah’s philosophy. Reliable access to water sustains the tea industry, just as thriving ecosystems sustain communities. Recognising this, Dilmah Conservation – the company’s environmental arm – has, since 2007, spearheaded over fifty initiatives to conserve, restore, and manage water resources. These include rainwater harvesting systems, community access to safe drinking water, wastewater recycling, and campaigns to reduce plastic pollution that threatens waterways.

In 2024/25, Dilmah took a significant step forward by conducting its first-ever water footprint assessment, aligned with ISO 14046:2014 and validated by a third party. The assessment, based on the methodology of the Water Footprint Network, represents a milestone in the company’s sustainability journey. By adopting internationally recognised standards, Dilmah has enhanced the credibility of its water data and reinforced its commitment to transparent, science-based environmental management.

The results of the assessment provided detailed insights into Dilmah’s water use. At Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company (DCTC), the total direct water footprint was recorded at 19,498 cubic metres per year, while its subsidiary MJF Beverages (MJFB) reported a total of 880 cubic metres per year. The breakdown highlighted direct blue water footprints of 11,851 cubic metres per year at DCTC and 527 cubic metres per year at MJFB, while the direct grey water footprint was 7,647 cubic metres per year and 353 cubic metres per year respectively. These figures provide a critical baseline to guide future water efficiency and conservation strategies.

Importantly, the assessment revealed a clear trend of improvement. In 2024/25, the volume of municipal water withdrawn and consumed fell by 8% year-on-year, decreasing from 39.15 million litres in 2023/24 to 35.93 million litres. Similarly, the volume of water discharged to wastewater treatment plants declined by 44%, falling from 41.11 million litres to 23.01 million litres. These reductions demonstrate Dilmah’s progress in reducing its water footprint and enhancing efficiency across operations.

From waste to resource: Water conservation in practice

Water conservation at Dilmah extends beyond monitoring and reporting. The company has integrated circular practices into its operations, ensuring that water is reused wherever possible. All effluents are routed to on-site wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which are designed to meet stringent environmental parameters, including pH levels, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), oil and grease, and heavy metals. Once treated, wastewater is repurposed for landscaping and gardening, reducing dependence on fresh water and minimising waste.

Rainwater harvesting is another critical aspect of Dilmah’s conservation model. Systems installed at the company’s Headquarters in Colombo, the One Earth Centre in Moratuwa, and selected estates under Kahawatte Plantations PLC collectively offer a harvesting capacity of 129,799 cubic metres. By capturing and storing rainwater, Dilmah reduces reliance on municipal water supplies and ensures water security for operations and communities.

Looking ahead, Dilmah is scaling up its rainwater harvesting efforts even further. In December 2024, preliminary feasibility studies were conducted in collaboration with the Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum (LRWHF) at the Endane and Houpe estates. These studies lay the foundation for an expanded rainwater harvesting infrastructure across the Kahawatte Plantations footprint, demonstrating Dilmah’s proactive approach to long-term water stewardship.

‘Without reliable sources, there is no tea. Without healthy ecosystems, there are no resilient communities. Water is everything,’ Rishan emphasised.

Strengthening through Network Sri Lanka

Dilmah’s progress has also been accelerated by its collaboration with Network Sri Lanka. Through the Network, Dilmah has been able to align its water stewardship practices with global frameworks, access international expertise, and share its learnings with peers across industries. The Working Group has provided a platform not only to showcase Dilmah’s pioneering efforts in water footprint assessment and conservation, but also to engage other businesses in advancing shared solutions. By convening companies from diverse sectors, Network Sri Lanka ensures that individual initiatives like Dilmah’s contribute to system-wide change and strengthen Sri Lanka’s collective response to water and ocean challenges.

‘Our collaboration with the Network Sri Lanka has helped us go forward, faster,’ added Rishan. ‘Through the Network, we have been able to benchmark our progress against international best practices, access expertise on emerging issues, and, most importantly, work alongside other Sri Lankan businesses who share our commitment to water and ocean stewardship. That collective approach makes our efforts stronger and more impactful.’

Expanding to ocean conservation

Dilmah has more recently extended its stewardship to Sri Lanka’s oceans and coastal ecosystems. On World Oceans Day, 8 June 2024, Dilmah partnered with the University of Colombo and Uva Wellassa University to launch Phase I of a coral conservation project at Colombo Port City. This initiative builds on Dilmah’s earlier efforts to protect the Kayankerni Marine Reef and focuses on studying coral diversity in an urban setting. Using baseline surveys, mapping, data collection, and impact assessments supported by innovative technologies, the project aims to generate critical insights into the resilience of corals in rapidly developing coastal environments.

At the same time, Dilmah Conservation has embarked on one of Sri Lanka’s most ambitious mangrove restoration programs. In Kalpitiya’s Kappal Adi Lagoon, Dilmah is restoring twenty-five acres of degraded mangrove forest. This project is underpinned by a dedicated mangrove nursery cultivating seven species of saplings. Since its launch in October 2022, the initiative has reported an above-average planting success rate, owing to the use of science-based planting techniques. A comprehensive baseline survey of the site documented 144 wildlife species and 62 native plant species, creating a robust scientific foundation to guide ongoing restoration work.

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of Dilmah’s approach. Through Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), the company is jointly restoring mangrove patches in the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, a Ramsar-recognised site of international importance. These projects complement ongoing coral reef conservation under the initiative Life to our Coral Reefs.

‘Our responsibility extends from the cloud forests of our estates to the coral reefs on our coasts,’ Rishan noted, highlighting the interconnectedness of land and marine ecosystems.

Road ahead

As Dilmah looks to the future, its ambitions in water and ocean stewardship are growing. Plans are underway for the accurate mapping of Sri Lanka’s fringing coral reefs using high-resolution drone imagery and for the evaluation of ecological and benthic characteristics to guide national policy. The company is also exploring the potential of blue carbon ecosystems – mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes – to act as carbon sinks while supporting eco-tourism and enhancing climate resilience. At the same time, expanding rainwater harvesting infrastructure across its plantation footprint remains a priority to safeguard freshwater resources in the face of climate variability.

By marrying decades of water stewardship with bold new commitments to marine conservation, and through Dilmah’s longstanding participation with Network Sri Lanka to translate global principles into local impact, the company is helping build a future where people, ecosystems, and businesses can thrive together. In doing so, Dilmah continues to advance the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact – safeguarding human and environmental well-being, promoting responsible labour and ethical business conduct, and contributing to a resilient, sustainable Sri Lanka.