Category: Daily Financial Times

Global CRM and digital transformation partner Cloud Analogy has announced a strategic business visit to Sri Lanka this week.

This visit reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting businesses across the region with world-class digital transformation solutions. As a Salesforce Summit Partner with a team of over 900 CRM experts, Cloud Analogy is dedicated to building strategic relationships, exchanging industry insights, and enabling organisations to accelerate growth through intelligent digital solutions.

The announcement marks Cloud Analogy’s formal engagement with Sri Lankan enterprises, bringing together global expertise in AI, CRM, automation, and cloud technologies to cater to the demands and priorities of local industry leaders, innovators, and businesses. During the visit, the delegation will meet with local business leaders across healthcare, real estate, automotive, insurance, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, logistics, banking and financial services, among other key industries.

With over 800 successful projects delivered globally, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications, and five-star ratings on both the Salesforce AppExchange and Clutch, Cloud Analogy brings extensive experience in helping organisations drive digital transformation and business growth.

In Sri Lanka, Cloud Analogy will focus on eight key areas: strengthening industry relationships, business transformation strategy, enterprise technology advisory, cloud and AI solutions, CRM modernisation, digital process optimisation, innovation partnerships, and long-term business collaboration. The visit targets senior decision-makers across the Sri Lankan business landscape, including C-suite executives, business owners, managing directors, digital transformation leaders, IT and technology decision-makers, CRM and customer experience leaders, sales and marketing executives, operations and process excellence leaders, innovation and strategy teams, enterprise architects and solution leaders, and business transformation consultants.

Cloud Analogy’s expertise spans the complete CRM and digital transformation ecosystem, delivering solutions across leading CRM platforms including Salesforce, ServiceNow, Zoho, Monday.com, and HubSpot. Beyond CRM, the company empowers enterprises with AI and data solutions, cloud engineering, full-stack development and digital marketing services to create connected experiences, unlock actionable insights, and accelerate digital transformation.

Cloud Analogy believes successful digital transformation is built on long-term partnerships rather than one-off implementations. During the visit, the company aims to understand Sri Lanka’s evolving business landscape and deliver practical, scalable solutions that help organisations innovate, compete, and achieve sustainable growth in today’s competitive environment.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday intensified criticism of the Government’s proposed extension of superior court judges’ retirement age, arguing it risks undermining judicial independence and urging the administration to justify the constitutional amendment with evidence that it would address Sri Lanka’s mounting court backlog rather than weaken institutional safeguards.

Premadasa told Parliament that the Government has proposed extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges with the stated objective of improving the efficiency of the judicial system, but that the proposal has drawn opposition from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and several other organisations in the legal sector.

He noted that a 2023 report prepared for the Ministry of Justice with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had identified different priorities, and said he was seeking clarification from the Government on its policy and intended course of action.

Premadasa made these remarks in Parliament yesterday.

He said that if extending judges’ retirement age formed part of a broader judicial reform agenda aimed at improving efficiency, the Government should also present the remaining reforms together with a clear implementation timeline. He further questioned why, despite a backlog of around 1.1 million cases requiring a comprehensive feasibility study to improve judicial efficiency, the Government had not relied on or commissioned studies such as the 506-page 2023 report.

Premadasa called on the Government to table official data showing how much of the reported backlog of 1.1 million cases was attributable to the shortage of judges, and how much resulted from delays within court administration, the Government Analyst’s Department, the Attorney General’s Department or other institutions.

He also requested an update on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the judicial reform report prepared in 2023 for the Justice Ministr with ADB technical assistance, noting that the report prioritised systemic reforms.

Premadasa said he wished to know whether adequate consultations had been held with the BASL, the Law Commission, the Attorney General’s Department and the Judicial Service Commission before proposing the amendments.

He said even judges had reportedly rejected the proposal unanimously by a vote of 65-0, arguing that discussions should therefore take place. He added that several international legal organisations had also expressed strong opposition, questioning both the timing and circumstances surrounding the proposed reforms. According to those organisations, he said, the proposal poses a serious threat to judicial independence.

Premadasa called on the Government to present any studies demonstrating that extending judges’ retirement age, without first filling existing vacancies in the Supreme Court and lower courts, would reduce delays in the administration of justice.

He also requested an analysis explaining how extending judges’ retirement age would expedite the hearing of cases, together with the key performance indicators the Government intended to use to measure the success of judicial reforms and the improvements expected from the proposed extension.

Premadasa said the Government should disclose the date on which the proposed constitutional amendments were submitted to the Legal Draftsman, the date they received the Attorney General’s approval, the date they would be published in the Gazette and the date they would be presented to Parliament for First Reading.

Premadasa said a 2022 Supreme Court determination by Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Murdu Fernando and Janak de Silva had held that the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges is entrenched in the Constitution.

He said the determination further stated that any constitutional amendment directly or indirectly affecting the retirement age or tenure of serving judges would interfere with judicial independence and constitute an infringement of Article 3 of the Constitution, thereby requiring approval at a referendum.

The judgement said: ‘Unlike public officers and others holding office under the Constitution, the retirement age of the judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are specified in the Constitution. Any Constitutional amendment to the retirement age or the period of office impacting on incumbent judges, whether directly or indirectly, will impinge on the independence of the judiciary and violative of Article 3 which requires a Referendum’.

Premadasa said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya had proposed inviting the BASL to Parliament to brief Members of Parliament on the issue and urged that the necessary arrangements be made.

Referring to remarks by the BASL President, he said the Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas had also written to the President expressing opposition to the proposal and requested that the letter be tabled in Parliament.

He urged the Government to undertake a more comprehensive and informed review before proceeding with the amendments and appealed to it not to amend the Constitution solely in relation to the Judiciary after having come to power promising to introduce a new Constitution that would abolish the Executive Presidency.

Corporate Boardrooms are being redefined. Once viewed primarily as custodians of governance and compliance, today’s Boards are expected to steer organisations through economic uncertainty, digital transformation, evolving regulation, cybersecurity threats, sustainability challenges, and heightened stakeholder expectations. As the business landscape becomes increasingly complex, the need for Directors who combine strategic insight with ethical leadership has never been greater.

Recognising this evolving landscape, the CA Sri Lanka Leadership Academy launched the Director and Corporate Leadership Program, a flagship executive education initiative designed to equip current and aspiring Directors with the knowledge, judgement and practical skills required to lead with confidence. The program reflects CA Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to developing world-class business leaders while strengthening corporate governance standards across Sri Lanka’s private sector.

Unlike conventional governance programs that focus largely on theory, the Director and Corporate Leadership Program blends academic rigour with practical application. Participants engage in expert-led discussions, real-world case studies, Boardroom simulations and interactive learning experiences that mirror the realities of corporate decision-making. This immersive approach enables participants to translate governance principles into effective Boardroom practice.

Designed to develop well-rounded corporate leaders, the program focuses on five critical areas of Board leadership. Participants gain a deeper understanding of Directors’ legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities while strengthening their ability to make strategic decisions that support sustainable growth, organisational resilience and long-term value creation. Equally important, the program recognises that effective governance extends beyond the Board itself. Senior executives, entrepreneurs, finance professionals, legal practitioners and committee members increasingly require a sound understanding of governance and Boardroom dynamics long before assuming directorships.

The Director and Corporate Leadership Program also places significant emphasis on preparing participants for the realities of today’s business environment. Modern directors are expected to oversee far more than financial performance. They must evaluate enterprise-wide risks, oversee technology and cybersecurity governance, understand sustainability considerations, interpret financial information from a strategic perspective, and respond effectively to rapidly changing stakeholder expectations. By strengthening these capabilities, the program enables participants to make informed decisions while safeguarding organisational resilience and public trust.

A defining strength of the program is its distinguished faculty. Sessions are facilitated by experienced Board Directors, governance specialists, regulators, senior executives, legal professionals and industry practitioners who bring extensive Boardroom experience and practical insight to every session.

Through the program, the CA Sri Lanka Leadership Academy is investing in the leaders who will shape the next generation of Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape. By cultivating Directors who lead with integrity, strategic foresight and sound judgement, CA Sri Lanka continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening corporate governance, enhancing Boardroom excellence and building more resilient organisations for the future.

Eight people have died following adverse weather conditions that affected several parts of the country over the past few days, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The DMC said in its latest situation report issued yesterday (4) that the severe weather had impacted 56 Divisional Secretariat divisions across nine districts.

A total of 11,832 people from 3,014 families have been affected by the prevailing conditions, while three others sustained injuries, the report said.

The adverse weather has also caused property damage, with one house completely destroyed and 290 houses partially damaged.

The DMC continues to monitor the situation and coordinate relief measures in affected areas.

Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday said the Government has launched plans to develop Delft Island as the country’s first zero-emission eco-tourism destination, with infrastructure upgrades, community participation and environmental sustainability forming the cornerstone of the proposed investment.

The initiative, discussed during a site inspection and stakeholder consultation led by Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, seeks to position the northern island as a flagship sustainable tourism destination while preserving its natural, historical and cultural assets.

Sri Lanka Tourism said Delft Island, known for its Dutch-era ruins, archaeological sites and free-roaming wild horses, remains an underutilised tourism asset despite its unique attractions and has so far made only a limited contribution to the country’s tourism industry.

Govt. to make…

According to the Tourism Ministry, priority investments will focus on improving water supply, road infrastructure, transport connectivity and accessibility to support tourism development. The project also envisages strengthening community participation by enhancing the hospitality skills and knowledge of local residents to enable them to benefit directly from tourism-related economic activity.

Prof. Ranasinghe said the island should become a destination for both international and domestic visitors, adding that the Government was committed to unlocking its tourism potential through environmentally responsible development.

Sri Lanka Tourism said environmental sustainability would underpin the development strategy, with the island planned as a zero-emission tourism destination showcasing renewable and sustainable solutions and responsible tourism practices. The project is also expected to serve as a model for environmentally friendly tourism development elsewhere in the country.

Officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated in the discussions alongside Jaffna District MP Ilankumaran Karunanathan, Government officials, representatives of local authorities and members of the Delft community.

Sri Lanka Tourism said the initiative marks an important step towards positioning Delft Island as one of the country’s most distinctive sustainable tourism destinations, combining environmental conservation, heritage preservation and community-based tourism to create a world-class visitor experience.

Agility Innovation, the Sri Lankan ICT conglomerate has announced the appointment of Roshani Abeysundara as Group Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Roshani joins Agility Innovation, bringing more than two decades of experience across banking, corporate finance, risk and compliance.

Agility is the holding company of Just In Time Group, KBSL, N-able, LankaCom, JIT resourcing and Consultancy Services, GIS Solutions, Coding Legends.

Roshani holds full professional memberships in ACCA, CIMA, CIM, ABE and AAT, and has built her career across some of Sri Lanka’s most respected financial institutions, including Nations Trust Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Union Bank and Banque Indosuez, as well as ICICI Bank, Softlogic Finance PLC, Sejaya Micro Credit, John Keells Group and Hayleys group, with additional international exposure gained in Canada’s financial services sector.

Most recently, Roshani served as a C-level Chief Finance Officer in a 100% Japanese owned entity, a role in which her remit extended beyond finance to Risk, Compliance, Logistics, Credit Risk and Quality Assurance. As the Chief Credit Officer at Softlogic Finance PLC, she streamlined the company’s loan approval turnaround time from five days to one, headed its digitalisation committee, and led the launch of the industry’s first two-wheeler mobile leasing application. In 2020, she was handpicked to build the company’s Compliance department from the ground up as part of a management restructure.

In her new role, Roshani will lead group-wide financial strategy, risk management and compliance across Agility Innovation’s portfolio of companies, spanning ICT systems integration, infrastructure, GIS, software development and IT resourcing and Consultancy

Agility Innovation Chairman Ajit Gunawardena said: ‘Roshani brings exactly the discipline, risk judgement and integrity we want at the centre of this group as we continue to grow. Her experience across banking and finance, and her instinct for building the systems and controls that scale with a business, make her a strong addition to our leadership team. We’re glad to welcome her to Agility Innovation.’

Agility Innovation Audit and Risk Committee Chairman Reyaz Mihular said: ‘Roshani has exactly the rigour and independence of judgement we look for at the Audit and Risk Committee level. Her background across credit, risk and compliance gives us real confidence in the strength of oversight and controls as the group continues to grow. We look forward to working closely with her.’

Sri Lankan athletes Rumesh Tharanga and Palitha Bandara received a warm and celebratory welcome upon their arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), in Katunayake yesterday after their outstanding performances at the 26th Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland. The reception was organised at the Special Guests Lounge of BIA under the patronage of Sports Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne, who congratulated the athletes for their remarkable achievements and for bringing international recognition to Sri Lanka

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ webbed up over $ 360 million during its opening weekend in the US and Canada, breaking the record for the highest-grossing debut of all time. The previous record was $ 357 million, set by ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in 2019, international media reported.

Globally, the latest Spider-Man installment tallied $ 932 million, shy of the $ 1.2 billion record still held by ‘Endgame’.

The Tom Holland-led ‘Brand New Day’ kicked off with record-shattering Thursday preview sales and trapped $ 169.3 million on Friday, including pre-sales, and $ 101.5 million on Saturday. Sony had initially projected an $ 84 million Sunday, but moviegoers flocked to theatres, driving ticket sales to $ 88.7 million for the day.

The film’s opening weekend also marked the biggest opening weekend in Sony Pictures history, and the biggest debut for the Spider-Man franchise.

The feat comes even as ‘Brand New Day’ was boxed out of IMAX screens, which were snapped up for Christopher Nolan’s and Universal’s ‘The Odyssey’. Rival premium large formats thrived, however, as Dolby Cinema, ScreenX and 4DX all reported record-breaking ticket sales over the weekend.

‘Brand New Day’ is on pace to be the fourth billion-dollar film of 2026, joining Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’, Lionsgate’s ‘Michael’ and Universal and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’.

DFCC Bank PLC and SriLankan Airlines have partnered to launch the SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card, a premium co-branded credit card designed for customers whose lives increasingly extend beyond borders. The launch ceremony was held at the DFCC Bank Head Office, Galle Road, Colombo 3, on 21 July 2026, with the participation of senior management representatives from DFCC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and SriLankan Airlines, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership between two leading Sri Lankan brands.

The SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card allows cardholders to earn FlySmiles Miles through both local and international spending while enjoying premium travel benefits including priority check-in, airport lounge access, additional baggage allowance, companion travel benefits, and a range of year-round lifestyle offers. Designed around the needs of today’s globally connected customer, the card goes beyond rewarding travel to creating greater value throughout everyday life. Customers also receive 3,000 bonus FlySmiles Miles upon enrolment, giving them an immediate head start towards future travel.

Today, travel is how businesses expand into new markets, how students pursue opportunities abroad, how families remain connected across continents, and how people discover new experiences. As lives become increasingly global, customers expect the financial products they carry to do more than facilitate payments. They expect them to quietly support the journeys that matter most.

For DFCC Bank PLC Director / Chief Executive Officer Thimal Perera, changing lifestyle is shaping the future of banking.

‘Today’s customers expect banking to fit naturally into the way they live. Whether they are travelling for business, education, family, or leisure, they want the products they use every day to create value beyond the transaction itself. This partnership is about recognising that reality and rewarding customers for the lives they already lead. It reflects our commitment to designing banking around our customers, ensuring that the solutions we create evolve alongside their changing lifestyles and aspirations.’

Bringing together trusted banking with meaningful travel privileges, the partnership transforms everyday spending into future travel opportunities while delivering greater value wherever life takes customers.

SriLankan Airlines Commercial Head Dimuthu Tennakoon said the partnership reflects the changing way customers experience travel.

‘FlySmiles has always been about recognising and rewarding customer loyalty. Through our partnership with DFCC Bank, we are extending those rewards beyond the journey itself, enabling our members to earn FlySmiles Miles through their everyday spending while enjoying benefits that enhance their travel experience. Together, we are creating more opportunities for customers to turn daily transactions into rewarding journeys.’

The partnership reflects a broader evolution in banking, where financial services are becoming part of the experiences that matter most to customers. As people become increasingly connected to opportunities across borders, they expect banking to move with them. The SriLankan Airlines DFCC Visa Platinum Credit Card has been designed with exactly that in mind-helping customers turn everyday spending into more rewarding journeys beyond borders.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) is targeting a record $ 19 billion in export earnings this year after generating nearly $ 9 billion during the first half of 2026, while setting its sights on doubling export revenue to $ 36 billion by 2030 under a new national strategy.

Speaking to the media on marking the EDB’s 47th anniversary yesterday, EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe said the Board remained committed to transforming Sri Lanka into a globally competitive export hub by expanding into new industries, strengthening value-added exports and increasing the contribution of exports to the national economy.

Established under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, No. 40 of 1979, the EDB has spearheaded the country’s export promotion efforts for nearly five decades, helping Sri Lankan products and services gain access to international markets.

Wijesinghe said the National Export Development Plan (NEDP), launched on 16 June, provides the roadmap to increase annual export earnings to $ 36 billion by 2030, comprising $ 27 billion from merchandise exports and $ 8 billion from services exports.

He noted that the strategy marks a shift away from reliance on traditional export products by promoting innovation and diversification across high-potential industries.

Wijesinghe added that eight emerging sectors have been identified as new growth engines under the plan, with electronics, food and beverages, information technology (IT), and logistics already demonstrating encouraging momentum.

The EDB also aims to increase the export sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 25% while raising the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to 25%, broadening participation in export-led growth.

As part of efforts to accelerate export and investment promotion, the EDB will revive Sri Lanka Expo after a 15-year hiatus.

The exhibition is scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 January 2027 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) and is expected to become the country’s largest export promotion event in over a decade.

Over 1,500 international buyers are expected to participate, while 650 exporters will be selected from over 1,100 registered applicants to showcase Sri Lankan products and services.

Recognising the importance of SMEs in export development, over 200 exhibition stalls will be dedicated exclusively to smaller enterprises, providing them with direct exposure to international buyers.

The event will also feature what the EDB describes as Sri Lanka’s largest-ever Investor Forum on 15 January 2027, organised jointly with the Board of Investment (BOI), the Tourism Ministry, and Port City Colombo, aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) alongside export opportunities.

Wijesinghe said these initiatives reflect the EDB’s long-term commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness, diversifying foreign exchange earnings and positioning exports as a key driver of sustainable economic growth.