Category: Daily Financial Times

DSI Samson Group Ltd., has appointed eight new Board members (now a total of 14) across its subsidiaries as part of its group-wide succession plan.

The new appointees will join the ranks of current DSI Samson Group Subsidiary leadership – Sarath Weliwita, Dayananda Abeythilake, Rohan Somawansa, Bhathiya Amarakoon, Priyantha Abeygunawardhane and Arunodhani Wikramasinghe, reaffirming DSI’s commitment to a sharper business focus across its diverse portfolio.

The latest appointments are part of the group’s long-term succession planning.

Each new leader has served the group for over a decade and has been groomed to take on senior responsibilities. By cultivating its next generation of leaders from within, the group ensures authentic brand stewardship, and strengthens the competitiveness of every business unit for sustained growth, it said in a statement.

The appointments include: Nuwan Kulasooriya who joins the board of Samtessi Brush Manufacturers Ltd., with over 15 years of experience in supply chain management; Asha Dissanayake who joins the board of Samson Group Corporate Services Ltd., bringing 30+ years of HR expertise and advanced qualifications in human resources and psychology.

Lakmal Dharmarathna takes a board role at Samson Rajarata Tiles Ltd., leveraging two decades of operational and manufacturing leadership; Jagath Vithanachchi is appointed to Primo Ltd., with nearly 30 years in polymer technology, innovation, and product development.

Chaminda Sumanaratne joins the board of Samson Solar Power Ltd., offering three decades of insurance, administration, and compliance experience; Pradeep Samaratunga is named to the board of Samson Trading Company Ltd., with wide-ranging finance and business expertise.

Renuka Bandara takes on a board position at Primo Ltd., backed by deep financial and strategic planning credentials; and Waruni De Silva joins the board of Samson Group Corporate Services Ltd., recognised for her achievements in financial governance, monitoring and risk management.

Waters Edge recorded its highest monthly revenue last month, a record high compared to its 21-year revenue history.

Chathura Krishantha Perera, a successful entrepreneur in Sri Lanka’s private business sector, is the current Chairman of Waters Edge.

He stated that since taking over as Chairman of Waters Edge in December 2024, he has worked with the hotel management to lead with a unified vision for the institution’s progress, introduced new business structures, identified and rectified all irregularities and fraud that existed within the institution in previous years, recruited skilled and experienced professionals for key positions, and implemented management strategies with their experience, skills, and leadership to improve the quality of service.

He also mentioned that the institution was able to achieve such great progress in 2025 due to the dedication, effort, and hard work of all the staff and the support of customers who have placed their trust in the institution.

He further stated that Waters Edge expects to generate an annual revenue of over 3 billion this year and hopes to strengthen the institution further by introducing modern ideas, sustainable development methods, and high service standards to transform it into an award-winning international institution.

World Children’s Day serves as a reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and dream in a safe, supportive environment. In today’s digital age, the way children experience the world is vastly different from previous generations. While technology offers access to knowledge and creative tools, it also brings challenges that can impact emotional wellbeing, social behavior and cognitive development. The responsibility now lies with parents, educators and communities to strike a balance that encourages healthy digital interactions while preserving childhood creativity and emotional resilience.

Digital platforms have become integral to children’s education and recreation. Online learning tools, educational apps and interactive games help develop language, problem-solving and analytical skills. However, excessive screen time can affect attention spans, sleep patterns and emotional stability. Children may become more withdrawn, anxious or overstimulated if they do not have the right guidance on how to use technology in moderation. Therefore, establishing healthy screen time boundaries is essential. Structured schedules, offline hobbies and supervised usage can help children reap the benefits of digital access without losing touch with reality.

Creativity is another area deeply influenced by the digital world. On one hand, children can design art, animations and stories using online tools that were not available to earlier generations. They can express ideas globally and learn from diverse cultures and perspectives. On the other hand, constant exposure to fast-paced media may limit imaginative thinking if children are only consuming content rather than creating it. Encouraging activities like drawing, role play, reading and outdoor exploration fosters innovative thinking and emotional expression. Schools can integrate both digital and traditional creative methods to enhance learning experiences.

Emotional wellbeing is at the heart of healthy childhood development. Children need supportive relationships and positive environments to understand and manage their feelings. With cyberbullying, unrealistic online comparisons and social media pressures increasing, open communication between adults and children has become more important than ever. Parents and teachers must observe behavioral changes and create safe spaces where children can talk about their fears, challenges and dreams. Schools should incorporate emotional literacy programmes that teach children empathy, resilience, conflict resolution and self-awareness.

Another key aspect is parental involvement. Children often imitate adult behavior, especially regarding technology use. When families set aside tech-free times-such as during meals or before bedtime-they create an atmosphere of connection and conversation. Reading stories, spending time outdoors or playing board games strengthens bonds and enhances communication skills. Parents can also use digital platforms creatively by exploring educational content together with their children rather than leaving them unsupervised.

Communities and governments also play a vital role. Policies that ensure access to safe content, protect children’s data and regulate harmful media exposure are crucial. Public campaigns can raise awareness about the importance of emotional wellbeing and responsible digital habits. Schools and community centers can organize workshops for parents, teachers and students on cyber safety, creativity and mindfulness.

Ultimately, technology should be viewed as a tool-not a substitute-for human connection, imaginative play and emotional development. Children deserve environments where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are accepted as learning opportunities and mental wellness is prioritized. On this World Children’s Day, let us commit to guiding the next generation with empathy and intention. By nurturing emotional wellbeing and creativity in a balanced digital landscape, we can empower children to grow into kind, confident and innovative individuals who will shape the future.

Huawei Sri Lanka donated IdeaHub devices to 10 teacher training colleges at a ceremony held yesterday (30) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka.

.This marks the start of an exciting journey where you will gain in-depth knowledge, explore your passions, and build lasting friendships. At IIT, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of tech leaders by providing an environment that fosters growth, innovation, and success.

We look forward to supporting you as you take the first step toward shaping your future and making your mark in the world of technology.

The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), Sri Lanka’s leading private higher education provider with over 35 years of excellence, offers Foundation, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree programmes in collaboration with two prestigious UK universities – the University of Westminster and Robert Gordon University.

Police in Kataragama have begun an inquiry following the discovery of a cache of weapons close to the sluice gate of the Weheragala reservoir.

The find was made after Army personnel alerted Police when falling water levels in the reservoir exposed the items. Among the recovered materials were 74 T-56 rifle magazines, 36 magazines for light machine guns, T-81 ammunition, two ammunition boxes, corroded bullets, and assorted weapon components.

The reservoir is situated at the junction of the Kataragama, Lunugamvehera, and Gonaganara Police Divisions. Officers from Kataragama Police visited the site and subsequently reported the recovery to the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court.

A famous quote in cricketing parlance is ‘catches win matches.’ But that was not to be the case for Sri Lanka in their opening ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match against India at Guwahati on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka had India fighting with their backs to the wall at 124-6 after 27 overs, but a spate of dropped catches let the host off the hook and they recovered to post a challenging score of 269-8, to which Sri Lanka could match up with only 211 to lose under the DLS method by 59 runs.

World Cup debutant Amanjot Kaur was given three lives at 18, 37, and 50, and she made Sri Lanka pay for it dearly by scoring a half century (57 off 56 balls) and featuring in a match defining stand of 103 with Deepti Sharma, who also scored a fifty and took three wickets for 54 runs, including the prize wicket of Chamari Athapaththu for 43.

Athapaththu was left to rue her side’s three dropped catches of Amanjot, but she remained confident that her team will bounce back.

‘We executed our plans but we dropped a couple of catches, especially [Amanjot] Kaur’s catch. We made three mistakes and it cost us,’ said Athapaththu after the match.

‘As a batting unit, we lost a couple of wickets early and in the middle overs, and that is where we lost this game. After losing my wicket, our batters struggled a little bit. Chasing is not easy, but we need to execute our right plans at the right time. If we keep losing wickets, it is not easy to chase,’ she added.

Athapaththu praised the bowling of Inoka Ranaweera (4/46), whom she said bowled really well, and Udeshika Prabodhani (2/55) because of her experience. The rest struggled a little bit.

Ranaweera, in particular, caused some sort of panic in the Indian dressing room when she dismissed the heart of their batting – Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur – in one over as they slid from 120-2 to 124-6.

‘I had good support from the wicket-keeper, Captain, and the bowling unit in taking those wickets,’ said Ranaweera.

On Sharma’s knock and their fielding, Ranaweera said: ‘We knew her [Deepthi’s] strength and we planned how to bowl to her, but in the execution, some changes took place and she was able to come on top today. We did well in our fielding, but in some areas, we made mistakes. I don’t think that was the turning point, but if we had done what we were expected to do, that would have given us the opportunity to win.’

Sri Lanka’s next opponents will be defending champions Australia at home. Ranaweera said: ‘A lot of positives came out of the match for us both in the batting and bowling to move forward. We have to take the positives to our next game against Australia. To win, you need only moment in the game. We will go with the determination of winning it.’

Athapaththu said: ‘We have to think about our performance today. We have to talk [with the coaches] and maybe reset our plans. We are calm, and I still have faith in my youngsters because they have won more games for us. I know the mistakes we made. If we can reset these plans, I know we can bounce back.’

‘[Our partnership] was a turning point,’ said Player of the Match Sharma. ‘Back-to-back wickets were falling so we wanted to have a long partnership. The things that we had planned, we executed it. There was no pressure at all because I am used to these types of innings and situations. I have played it in the past, and that partnership with Amanjot was important. I do not feel pressure, I enjoy my batting.’

Sri Lanka and India travelled back to Colombo where they have matches at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium. On Saturday, Sri Lanka meets Australia and on Sunday, it will be the big clash between India and Pakistan.

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces the 7th edition of the CSE Masterminds Quiz on 17 October 2025 from 3:00 p.m. onwards at the Main Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo.

Recognised as Sri Lanka’s premier capital market quiz competition, the event will bring together teams from the public and private sector to compete for glory in six subject areas, in international business, global markets, Sri Lankan economy and business, local capital market, sports and entertainment, and current affairs.

This year’s competition will offer prizes worth over Rs. 3.5 million. The champion team will walk away with Rs. 1,000,000, while the second and third-placed teams will receive Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 375,000, respectively.

In addition, the winning teams of the first three places will have the opportunity to double their prize money, provided that all team members hold CDS accounts with at least one transaction completed during 2025. Sector prizes will also be awarded to the best-performing teams representing each sector.

Sponsorship Partners are: Platinum Sponsors: SC Securities Ltd., and Almas Equities Ltd.

Gold Sponsors: Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC, Bartleet Religare Securities Ltd., NDB Capital Holdings Ltd. and TWC Capital Ltd. Silver Sponsors: Asha Securities Ltd., Lanka Securities Ltd., Softlogic Stockbrokers Ltd., Nestor Stock Brokers Ltd., and LOLC Holdings PLC.

Shangri-La Colombo will serve as the Official Hospitality Partner, FitsAir Ltd., as the Official Airline Partner, and Co-sponsors including Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC, CT Smith Holdings Ltd., People’s Leasing and Finance PLC, Alliance Finance Company PLC, Capital Trust Holdings Ltd., Barista Coffee Lanka Ltd., Crypto Gen Ltd., Hemas Holding PLC and Teejay Lanka PLC.

The event’s print media partners include Daily FT, Daily Mirror and the Sunday Times.

The goodie bag provided to all participants are sponsored by Flora Food Group, Stripe and Checks Inc., Serendib Flour Mills Ltd., and Design Square Ltd.

The sector winners’ prizes will be sponsored by HNB Investment Bank Ltd., and the audience question section will be sponsored by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Beyond the competition, CSE Masterminds 2025 promises an engaging evening for participants and guests, with an after-party featuring live music, unlimited food, and beverages creating an ideal space to network, celebrate, and unwind.

For further information and team registrations, please contact Charundika – 077 7280 028, Shanika – 076 305 6691 or Dinusha – 076 431 6907.

Hutch Sri Lanka recently won six awards at SLIM Digis 2.5, making it one of the most awarded brands at this year’s digital excellence forum.

This achievement is especially meaningful as Hutch stood out as the only telecom operator to receive an accolade.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), SLIM Digis is the country’s most renowned platform for recognising innovation and digital excellence. Hutch’s recognition reflects its ability to combine creativity with measurable results, staying deeply connected to the everyday needs of its customers while setting high benchmarks in the industry. Evidently, Hutch is staying ahead in the evolving digital landscape, guided by data-driven decision-making and fuelled by novel creativity. The honours reaffirm that those approaches are not just relevant but impactful.

In the category of Best Use of Digital in the Telecommunication Sector, Hutch won for its ‘There’s Always an Option’ campaign, which has come to define its renewed brand journey. Hutch was also awarded for the pioneering 2X product, which combines home broadband and mobile data into a single plan, and for ‘Ratatama Hutch ,’ an agile campaign during the election period that connected with the audience through culturally relevant storytelling. Under Best Performance Marketing, Hutch was recognised for its eSIM services, which redefine connectivity without physical SIMs, and for its Roaming campaign, which was praised for improving overseas connectivity via data-driven optimisation.

Hutch Sri Lanka Chief Marketing Officer Hamdhy Hassen said: ‘These awards reflect the commitment of our teams to make great work that resonate with Sri Lankan audiences in the digital age. We are humbled to be amongst the most awarded brands and the only telecom to be recognised this year. We believe this recognition is truly deserved as it mirrors the efforts we have made to deliver real value, innovation, and growth to our customers and the industry.’

This year’s edition, SLIM Digis 2.5, was the most competitive yet, with over 450 entries submitted. The judging process was led by a distinguished panel of more than 50 experts including leading brand custodians, digital strategists, and representatives from global digital platforms ensuring every recognition reflected the highest standards of creativity, effectiveness, and innovation in digital marketing.

Against this backdrop of fierce competition and rigorous evaluation, Digibrush’s performance stood out, clinching the coveted Grand Prix for the third consecutive year along with 23 other awards across categories. With this milestone, the agency cemented its position as the only one in SLIM Digis history to achieve a tally of four Grand Prix wins.

This year, Digibrush’s award haul comprised the Grand Prix, three Golds, and five Silvers: part of 23 awards won across a wide range of categories. Highlights included standout wins for Emerald, HUTCH, Zesta, Keells,Harris By Jat and Milady reflecting strength in best use of Agile Moment Marketing, Small Budget, Performance Marketing, E-commerce, Social Platform Integration, Digital Bravery, Cross-Media Integration, and more: showcasing the agency’s ability to deliver impact across diverse industries and categories.

A defining feature of Digibrush’s journey at SLIM Digis has been its consistent strength in Performance Marketing. This year alone, four different brands from four industries were awarded in the category, maintaining a streak of recognition for Digibrush since the category’s inception. This consistency underscores the agency’s reputation for driving measurable outcomes through data-driven creativity.

Digibrush Co-Founder Hisham Zulfiqar said: ‘To win the Grand Prix three years in a row and to be the only agency to claim four in total, is a testament to the culture we’ve built at Digibrush. We believe in empowering our teams, challenging ourselves to think beyond the obvious, and focusing on work that doesn’t just win awards but drives real impact for brands and consumers alike. None of this would be possible without our amazing clients, who are brave enough to push boundaries with us and work in true collaboration to make bold ideas a reality.’

Design Innovation Co-Founder and Head Fazaal Naufer added: ‘Awards come and go, but what stays with us is the drive to keep creating work that matters. These wins remind us how far we’ve come, and how much further we can go when we stay curious, humble, and committed to experimenting and shaping what’s next in digital.’ From its humble beginnings to becoming one of Sri Lanka’s most awarded agencies, Digibrush continues to expand its footprint both locally and internationally. With a client portfolio spanning telecom, apparel, FMCG, finance, real estate, and more, the agency has proven its ability to create meaningful digital impact across industries. On the global stage, Digibrush partners with multinational giants such as General Mills, working with iconic brands including Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, and Old El Paso, further reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner beyond Sri Lanka.