Category: Daily Financial Times

Courtyard by Marriott Colombo celebrated the start of the holiday season with its annual Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony on Friday 17 October, bringing together loyal patrons, corporate customers, media, and team members for an evening steeped in tradition and festive cheer.

The celebration, which marks the official beginning of the hotel’s festive calendar, featured the time-honoured ritual of mixing dried fruits, aromatic spices, and spirits; key ingredients in traditional Christmas cake.

General Manager Elton Hurtis welcomed attendees with remarks highlighting the importance of community and shared traditions during the festive season. ‘This ceremony represents more than just preparing our signature Christmas cakes. It’s about bringing people together and creating meaningful connections that embody the true spirit of the holidays.’

Led by the hotel’s talented culinary team, guests including valued corporate partners, media representatives, loyal patrons, and hotel associates who engaged in stirring the rich mixture, with each ingredient carrying symbolic meaning for prosperity, good health, and happiness in the year ahead. The chefs guided participants through the ceremonial process, ensuring each element was incorporated with care and tradition. The hands-on experience fostered a sense of camaraderie among all participants.

Following the mixing ceremony, attendees enjoyed a curated networking session featuring mulled wine, festive cocktails, and seasonal canapés. The specially crafted menu blended nostalgic holiday flavours with contemporary culinary touches, providing guests with moments of both indulgence and connection, all accompanied by the melodious sounds of live saxophone music.

The event exemplifies Courtyard by Marriott Colombo’s commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences that celebrate local traditions while creating lasting memories for guests and corporate partners alike.

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday told Parliament that Members of Parliament have received the special audit report on Sri Lanka’s controversial e-visa contract by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

De Silva, who chairs the Committee on Public Finance, said the report contains nine key recommendations and urged that they be implemented without delay.

The report, prepared by Acting Auditor General G.H.D. Dharmapala, calls for several reforms to ensure legal and financial accountability in the visa issuance process.

It highlights the need for legal clarity under the Immigration and Emigration Act of 1948, continuous technological upgrades to improve service delivery, and adherence to proper tender procedures when outsourcing services.

The audit also emphasises the importance of cost-effectiveness studies and transparency in revenue collection when engaging with private service providers.

It recommends investigations into officials who approved the e-visa contract without financial oversight, and recovery of any losses sustained by the Government.

Among its key recommendations, the report calls for determining the legality of outsourcing arrangements and ensuring compliance with Sri Lankan tax and regulatory frameworks and reviewing the actions of officials involved in approving and implementing the project without the Finance Ministry’s input or proper permissions for collecting visa revenue in foreign accounts.

It also calls for calculating and recovering lost Government income linked to the contract and selecting a new e-visa service provider through a transparent, competitive process once pending court cases are resolved.

The Auditor General has noted that the review was conducted within the limits of available authority and information, and recommended that any further probe into potential illegal activity be referred to specialised investigative bodies.

As Sri Lanka accelerates its digital transformation, Firstdoctor is redefining healthcare innovation with the launch of a cloud-based doctor booking and telemedicine platform. This advancement signifies a decisive move towards modern, technology-driven healthcare delivery, amplifying the nation’s digital health landscape.

Moving beyond traditional hospital-bound systems, Firstdoctor’s Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) delivers a scalable, secure, and cost-efficient solution for both medical professionals and patients. By eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure, even individual doctors and small clinics can now digitise their practices, manage online consultations, and issue digital prescriptions all powered by a robust and secure cloud architecture.

The platform integrates a full suite of digital tools, including real-time doctor booking, scheduling, secure video consultations, and patient history, creating a seamless patient experience while enabling healthcare providers to operate independently across Sri Lanka and beyond.

As Sri Lanka advances its adoption of digital public services, healthcare has become a key pillar of national transformation. Firstdoctor complements this vision by providing a doctor-first, patient-centred digital ecosystem that enhances accessibility and operational efficiency. The model also opens new possibilities for medical tourism, allowing international patients to access Sri Lankan medical expertise remotely before travelling for specialised treatment, a valuable step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as a trusted healthcare destination in South Asia.

Firstdoctor Co-Founder Janaka Jayalath said: ‘Our goal is to make healthcare simple, secure, and affordable for every Sri Lankan. We’ve built a platform that gives patients access to doctors anytime, anywhere, while helping medical professionals modernise their practices affordably and efficiently.’

Firstdoctor is a Sri Lankan company fuelled by a direct Canadian investment that brings the world’s best technology to local medical professionals. Its technology meets international standards while complying with Sri Lankan medical regulations and ethical frameworks, ensuring safety, transparency, and trust.

As the global healthcare industry shifts towards affordable and inclusive models, Sri Lanka is demonstrating that innovation is not the privilege of larger economies. Through platforms like Firstdoctor, the nation is not only advancing its own healthcare landscape but also signalling its readiness to compete on the world stage where digital health and medical tourism converge to define the future of modern care.

In response to recent recall of BYD Tang vehicles and Yuan Pro, John Keells CG Auto Ltd., in a statement said yesterday that neither of the models have been sold in the Sri Lankan market.

Following is the full text of the statement.

BYD recently announced a recall involving approximately 115,000 BYD Tang vehicles and Yuan Pro as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and product quality. As a responsible manufacturer, BYD proactively initiates recalls whenever necessary to protect customers and maintain the integrity of its vehicles.

We wish to clarify that this recall applies only to specific BYD Tang vehicles manufactured between 28 March 2015 and 28 July 2017, and some Yuan Pro pure electric vehicles produced between 6 February 2021 and 5 August 2022, and are not applicable to Sri Lanka. The BYD Tang model and Yuan Pro model has not been introduced or sold in the Sri Lankan market, and therefore, no BYD vehicles currently operating in Sri Lanka are affected by this recall.

All BYD vehicles in Sri Lanka which are imported, distributed and serviced exclusively through John Keells CG Auto Ltd., BYD’s authorised distributor, are covered by comprehensive manufacturer warranties and supported by dedicated after-sales facilities with NEV-trained technicians to ensure the highest standards of service and care.

BYD remains committed to transparent communication, responsible action, and the safety of all customers worldwide, as part of its mission to deliver advanced, reliable, and sustainable mobility solutions.

Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj has instructed ministry officials and the National Women’s Committee to extend full support to the National Commission on Women to establish the infrastructure and facilities required to begin its operations.

The directive was issued during a meeting held on Thursday with the newly appointed Chairperson and members of the Commission at the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

The discussion was attended by Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana, Chairperson Ramani Jayasundara, Commission Members – Open University of Sri Lanka Senior Lecturer Janaha Selvaras and Consultant Neurologist Dr. Padma Shriyani Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry Tharangani Wickramasinghe, and other senior officials.

The National Commission on Women, established under the Women’s Empowerment Act No. 37 of 2024, is an independent body mandated to safeguard and promote the rights of women. It is expected to begin official operations

The highly anticipated Signature Diwali Glitz at City of Dreams Sri Lanka opened in spectacular fashion on 23 October with a breath-taking performance by the renowned Kathak Rockers. Blending the grace of traditional Kathak with the pulsating energy of contemporary beats, the troupe delivered an electrifying show that set the tone for an unforgettable Diwali weekend. Known for their innovative choreography and seamless fusion of classical Indian rhythm with modern music, the Kathak Rockers captivated audiences with precision, power, and passion. Their performance lit up the stage, and marked a grand beginning to the three-day extravaganza, promising more star-studded entertainment and cultural brilliance at City of Dreams Sri Lanka.

The 10th Dialog Club Vision Rotary Par 3 Classic golf will tee off today at the Royal Colombo Golf Club.

This is organised by the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan (RCCM), the event continues to combine the competitive spirit of golf with a noble cause supporting children’s healthcare in Sri Lanka.

There will be two tee off at 7.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will support the ‘Rotary for Little Hearts’ initiative at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, which aims to expand paediatric cardiac care facilities. The project has already raised over $ 600,000, with a target of reaching $ 1 million to strengthen intensive care and surgical units for children with congenital heart.

Serious concerns have been raised over the conduct of Member of Parliament and member of the Constitutional Council S. Shritharan, following formal complaints submitted to the Speaker of Parliament regarding gross breaches of privilege and violations of the Code of Conduct expected of elected representatives.

It was alleged that while sitting in one of the country’s most powerful oversight bodies, Shritharan has failed to disclose bribery allegations pending against him, a grave omission that raises questions about his integrity and fitness to serve on the Constitutional Council – a body mandated to ensure transparency, independence, and ethical governance.

Recent revelations indicate that Shritharan has consistently voted with the Government, in apparent quid pro quo arrangements aimed at shielding himself from accountability. It was alleged that his alignment with Government interests, despite being nominated by minority Opposition parties, undermines the collective trust placed in him and betrays the will of those he was appointed to represent.

According to the submissions before the Speaker, Shritharan’s conduct constitutes multiple and serious violations – he has acted contrary to Article 41A(1)(e) of the Constitution by disregarding the consensus of opposition parties; breached Article 29 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act by obstructing Parliament’s representative function; and violated Articles 7, 9, and 25 of the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament by failing to act in the public interest, by engaging in actions that create conflicts of interest, and by possibly accepting inducements that compromise impartiality.

It was alleged that by concealing bribery allegations and voting with the Government while under scrutiny, Shritharan has transformed his constitutional responsibility into personal protection, turning an institution of accountability into a shield for his own misconduct.

By casting votes contrary to the consensus of Opposition members who nominated him, it was alleged he has wilfully violated the Constitution, betrayed minority Opposition representation, and eroded the ethical foundation of the Constitutional Council. His silence on the serious corruption allegations against him violates the principles of transparency, accountability, and integrity that Parliament must uphold.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) continued to extend its influence across the region with the appointment of Past President Sanjaya Bandara as its official representative to the Asian-Oceanian Standard-Setters Group (AOSSG), the distinguished regional body that brings together accounting standard-setters from Asia and Oceania to advance the consistent application of high-quality financial reporting standards.

The appointment was formally communicated on behalf of AOSSG to CA Sri Lanka Chair Rana M. Usman Khan and Bandara. In his official communication, Khan extended a warm welcome to Bandara, acknowledging CA Sri Lanka’s longstanding contribution to the Group’s objectives and its continued commitment to strengthening financial reporting practices in the region.

CA Sri Lanka has been an active and valued member of the AOSSG since its inception, contributing significantly to the Group’s initiatives aimed at enhancing the adoption and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The Institute is also a member of the Chair’s Advisory Committee and currently leads one of the AOSSG Working Groups, reaffirming its leadership role in regional standard-setting activities.

Bandara served as the 26th President of CA Sri Lanka for the term 2022/2023. A Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and Financial Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colombo.

He has served as a Board Member of the Confederation of Asian Pacific Accountants (CAPA) and the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA). He is also a Member of the Board of the Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board (SLAASMB). With over 25 years of professional experience, Bandara currently heads Assurance at B. R. De Silva and Co., a member firm of Nexia International. In addition, he also serves as a Director of People’s Bank and several listed companies.

Sri Lanka celebrated a historic moment at the Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025 in Bahrain, as young middle-distance runner Lahiru Achintha brought home the country’s first-ever Gold Medal at the event. His triumph in the Boys’ 1500m final marked a milestone for Sri Lankan athletics on the Asian stage.

Hailing from Ratnapura, Lahiru delivered a performance of sheer class and determination, clocking an outstanding 3 minutes 57.42 seconds to secure the top spot. Competing against a field of talented runners from across Asia, Lahiru showed exceptional pace, endurance, and race awareness to outshine his rivals in what was one of the most thrilling finishes of the Games so far.

His victory not only earned Sri Lanka its maiden gold in Bahrain but also showed the country’s growing strength in middle-distance running. Lahiru’s achievement stands as a results to his discipline, training, and commitment to excellence – a performance that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of young Sri Lankan athletes.

Adding further pride to the nation, Nethmi Gimhani Pulle made her mark in the Girls’ 1500m final, clinching Sri Lanka’s first Bronze Medal at the Games. Clocking 4 minutes 52.32 seconds, Nethmi displayed tremendous fighting spirit, staying composed under pressure and pushing hard in the final stretch to secure a podium finish.

Her medal-winning performance added balance to Sri Lanka’s athletics campaign, proving that both the boys’ and girls’ teams have the talent and potential to compete at the highest level in Asia. Nethmi’s result also underlined the steady progress of women’s athletics in Sri Lanka, where young female athletes continue to rise through dedication and perseverance.

The two medals one Gold and one Bronze brought immense joy and motivation to the entire Sri Lankan contingent. With 100 youngsters repressing the nation, including 56 boys and 44 girls, this early success has provided a much-needed boost of confidence for the remaining events.

Team officials expressed optimism that Lahiru’s and Nethmi’s achievements will have a ripple effect across the camp, lifting morale and inspiring others to give their best in the days ahead. The victories serve as proof that Sri Lanka can compete shoulder-to-shoulder with Asia’s sporting powerhouses when talent is backed by preparation and self-belief.

Their success also reinforces the importance of continued investment in grassroots athletics from school-level training to international exposure to build on this foundation and create future champions.

As the Asian Youth Games 2025 continues, Sri Lanka’s young athletes carry renewed determination and pride, inspired by Lahiru Achintha’s golden stride and Nethmi Gimhani Pulle’s bronze brilliance – a shining start to what could be one of the nation’s most memorable youth sporting campaigns.

In the Boys Basketball segment Iran beat Sri Lanka 7/21 while in the Girls event Iran beat Sri Lanka 6/21. Basketball 3 X 3 Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh 21/6 and Yemen 22/16. In the Girls event Sri Lanka edged out Maldives 19/14.