Category: Daily Financial Times

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved steps to introduce legislation regulating virtual asset service providers (VASPs), bringing cryptocurrency-related activities under a formal regulatory framework in Sri Lanka.

Tharinda Nirmal captured six wickets while Ron Chandraguptha smashed 83 off 66 balls and Vinuka Rubasinghe chipped in with an unbeaten 44 of 75 balls to steer David Pieris Group of Companies to an eight-wicket win in their MCA Premier League match against Nawaloka Hospitals, played at the MCA ground on Tuesday.

Nawaloka Hospitals electing to bat first were restricted to 137 by Tharinda Nirmal (6/28) and Dilanka Anwardt (2/15). Sameen Kandanarachchi and Dilshan Arambegedara were the top scorers for Nawaloka with 34 and 31 runs respectively.

In the chase, Ron Chandraguptha smashed 83 off 66 balls with nine boundaries and four sixes while Vinuka Rubasinghe contributed an unbeaten 44 off 75 balls with three hits to the ropes to steer the David Pieris team to an eight wicket win in the 26th over.

David Pieris Group lead the points table with two wins in two outings.

Scores:

Nawaloka Hospitals 137/10 in 35.5 overs (Sameen Kanadanarachchi 34, Dilshan Arambegedara 31; Tharinda Nirmal 6-28, Dilanka Anwardt 2-15) vs. David Pieris Group of Companies 139/2 in 25.4 overs (Ron Chandraguptha 83, Vinuka Rubasinghe 44*; Prasad Rathnayaka 2-37)

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 has welcomed Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza to the Dambulla Sixers, headlining a series of player changes across the tournament as franchises strengthen their squads for the business end of the competition.

Raza joins the Dambulla Sixers as a replacement for Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has been called up for national duty. One of the world’s leading white-ball all-rounders, Raza brings a wealth of international and franchise cricket experience to the Sixers as they continue their push for the LPL 2026 title.

The Colombo Kaps have also announced two changes to their squad. Ashen Bandara has been drafted in to replace Kusal Mendis, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to injury.

In addition, Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has returned home for national duty, with fellow Bangladeshi Ripon Mondol joining the Colombo Kaps as his replacement.

The Kandy Royals have signed Kavija Gamage to replace Vishen Halambage, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament through injury.

Earlier, the Jaffna Kings confirmed that Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed would not travel to Sri Lanka after receiving a national team call-up. The franchise has named Tawhid Hridoy as his replacement, with the Bangladesh batter already having joined the squad.

IPG Group Founder and Chairman Anil Mohan said, ‘The arrival of a player of Sikandar Raza’s calibre further enhances the quality of this year’s tournament. Alongside the other squad additions, these changes demonstrate the depth of talent available to the franchises and ensure fans can continue to enjoy highly competitive cricket throughout the remainder of LPL 2026.’

As the tournament enters its decisive phase, the latest squad updates ensure all five franchises remain well-equipped to compete for the LPL 2026 title, with an exciting mix of Sri Lankan talent and international stars continuing to showcase high-quality T20 cricket.

PALLEKELE: Colombo Kaps led by Kamindu Mendis joined Galle Gallants and Jaffna Kings for Play-offs of the Lanka Premier League sixth edition when they beat Dambulla Sixers by four wickets in the second match played at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium yesterday.

The result saw Colombo Kaps move to third place in the standings leaving Kandy Royals (6 points) and Dambulla Sixers (4 points) to fight it out for the fourth Play-off place.

What was quite evident in Colombo Kaps’ run chase for 175 was the approach of their entire batting line-up. They unleashed a brutal assault on the Dambulla Sixers bowlers and despite losing wickets kept finding the boundaries consistently so that their asking rate was never out of reach.

Player of the Match Rubin Hermann (48 off 26 balls, 8 fours, 1 six) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (26 off 16 balls) put on 47 for the first wicket off 27 balls. But it was the partnership of 70 off 44 balls between Ben McDermott (33 off 22) and skipper Kamindu Mendis (39 off 28) that really put the lid on the run chase.

Colombo Kaps suffered a mild hiccup when they lost four wickets for eight runs but it didn’t dent them psychologically and what we witnessed was a plethora of eye-catching stroke-play that saw them home with an over to spare.

Dushmantha Chameera, Sonal Dinusha and Sikander Raza tried their best to curtail the run rate and pick up some wickets but in the final analysis Dambulla Sixers found that they were probably 20-30 runs short.

Reeza Hendricks led Dambulla Sixers charge with a scintillating knock of 80 off 54 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) sharing an 83-run stand off 56 balls with Sikandar Raza (23). Gulbadin Naib’s 13-ball cameo for 33 (4 fours, 2 sixes) gave them a decent total of 174-5 to defend.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman was right on top of his game, barely giving an inch away and keeping things exceptionally tight with his crafty spin – his four overs going only for 16 runs and a wicket. Wanuja Sahan and Malsha Tharupathi also held up their end with disciplined spells.

Scores:

Dambulla Sixers 174-5 (20) (Reeza Hendricks 80, Sikandar Raza 23, Gulbadin Naib 33*, Shahnawaz Dhani 2/41) vs. Colombo Kaps 177-6 (19) (Rubin Hermann 48, Sadeera Samarawickrama 26, Ben McDermott 33, Kamindu Mendis 40, Dushmantha Chameera 2/32, Akila Dananjaya 2/32)

A new £2.34 million UK-funded initiative, ‘Resilient Waves’, was launched last week aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of Sri Lanka’s coastal fishing communities, while protecting the country’s rich marine biodiversity.

The initiative is funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) through the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) grant under the Blue Planet Fund, will be implemented by Acted and other partners till March 2029 in the coastal districts of Batticaloa and Mullaitivu. The stakeholders described the move as a step towards sustainable fisheries, ecosystem restoration, and climate adaptation.

The program seeks to restore critical marine habitats, promote climate-smart fisheries, diversify livelihoods through aquaculture, strengthen fisher governance and increase the participation of women in coastal economies, which can contribute to reducing multidimensional poverty.

Launching the program alongside Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi, British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick said the initiative builds on the strong environmental partnership between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.

Recalling the recent conclusion of the Ocean Country Partnership Program, the High Commissioner said the new initiative reinforces the UK’s long-term commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s marine conservation efforts.

Describing Sri Lanka as one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, the High Commissioner said many people underestimate the natural wealth the country possesses.

‘Sri Lanka is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You really are gifted this extraordinary legacy of biodiversity,’ he said.

The High Commissioner also stressed that the program has been designed in line with Sri Lanka’s own environmental priorities.

‘We are trying to support the lead given by the Government,’ the High Commissioner said, thanking the Environment Ministry and its officials for their close collaboration.

Acted Country Director Ciaran Lavery said the award represents another milestone in the organisation’s longstanding partnership with the Environment Ministry, following earlier collaboration on plastics recycling under an EU-funded programme.

He disclosed that the Resilient Waves Program was selected from over 370 applications worldwide, with only four projects ultimately receiving funding. ‘I think that is really down to the quality of its design, something we can all be very proud of,’ Lavery said.

The project is being implemented through a consortium comprising Humanity and Inclusion, Blue Resources Trust Green Movement of Sri Lanka, and Biodiversity Sri Lanka bringing together expertise in biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, inclusion and community development.

Lavery said implementation has been aligned with Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plan, the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan and other national environmental priorities.

He also pledged close coordination with Government agencies, academia and other development partners to maximise the programme’s impact.

Providing an overview of the initiative, Acted Programme, Operations and Grants Manager Pindi De Silva said the project responds addresses to three core priorities identified by the UK funding agency; multidimensional poverty, climate change, and responding to exclusion.

He said Batticaloa and Mullaitivu were selected because fishing remains the backbone of local livelihoods, while communities face growing challenges from poverty, degraded coral reefs and mangroves, climate change and declining fish stocks.

Noting that Sri Lanka ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, De Silva said the ultimate objective is to help coastal communities build long-term resilience ‘on their own terms’, while safeguarding the country’s marine ecosystems for future generations.

He also said women engaged in coastal livelihoods continue to face significant barriers to economic participation, making inclusion a central component of the programme.

He said the project will focus on three main pillars. ‘The first involves restoring degraded coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems through scientific assessments and targeted rehabilitation activities. The second and largest component will promote aquaculture, as an alternative livelihood, reducing dependence on traditional marine fishing. Potential livelihood options include cage culture, sea bass, tilapia and sea cucumber farming, with activities tailored to local conditions following community consultations and collaboration with relevant Government agencies. The third pillar aims to strengthen community participation in coastal governance by enhancing the role of Fisheries Cooperative Societies and newly established aquaculture groups in policy discussions and local decision-making,’ he explained.

De Silva said the project will also work closely with the private sector and financial institutions to ensure beneficiaries remain connected to markets and access financing beyond the program’s completion.

‘When the project ends, we want these enterprises to continue. The goal is to ensure these community groups are connected to private sector value chains and banking systems so they become sustainable,’ he said.

During the first half of 2026, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), through its Research, Development and Training Division, successfully implemented a series of capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. These programs focused on enhancing the knowledge and skills of students, undergraduates, educators, tourism professionals, and industry stakeholders, supporting the long-term development of a competitive and sustainable MICE sector.

The MICE Tourism Workshop 2026, held on 16 May at the BMICH, introduced more than 250 Ordinary and Advanced Level students to career opportunities in the MICE industry, while highlighting the economic importance of business tourism and strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.

On 20 May, the SLCB conducted a MICE Tourism Training program for over 160 undergraduates at Uva Wellassa University, equipping students with knowledge of global MICE trends, emerging technologies, and stakeholder engagement to prepare them for careers in business tourism.

To strengthen regional industry capacity, a Regional MICE Training program was held on 10 June at NH Bentota Ceysands for around 60 hoteliers and venue providers from the southern region. The program enhanced participants’ knowledge of sales, marketing, pricing strategies, and venue standards, contributing to the development of more MICE-ready destinations across the country.

On 25 June, the SLCB, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), conducted a MICE Handling Training program for 60 National Tourist Guides at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM). The program strengthened the professional skills of guides through training in guest handling, cultural awareness, and service excellence for international business travellers.

The Knowledge Sharing and Networking Session for the MICE Industry, held on 30 June at the BMICH, brought together 90 industry stakeholders and corporate clients. Featuring both international and local experts, the session explored AI-driven marketing, sustainability, and emerging industry trends while reviving an important networking platform for Sri Lanka’s MICE sector.

The series concluded with a Train the Trainer program for approximately 40 university lecturers and academic professionals at SLITHM. The program updated educators on global MICE trends, sustainability, digital marketing, and AI applications, ensuring that future graduates receive industry-relevant education aligned with evolving market demands.

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau continues to dedicate itself to supporting educational programs that strengthen the skills of industry professionals and enhance Sri Lanka’s reputation as a leading hub for MICE and business events. Through these six initiatives, the Bureau has reinforced industry-academia collaboration, improved professional competencies across multiple sectors, and contributed significantly to positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive, knowledge-driven, and sustainable destination for international MICE tourism.

This Friendship Day, Nutmeg, the gourmet shop at ITC Ratnadipa, invites guests to celebrate the joy of friendship with a specially curated collection of friendship-themed cakes, available up to 1 August 2026.

The Friendship Day collection at Nutmeg features four specially created cakes available in 1 Kg and 500g sizes, offering a selection of flavours including Caramel Chocolate, Vanilla, Ribbon, and Chocolate varieties. Guests can also personalise their cakes with a custom message, making each celebration even more memorable.

The Friendship Day collection includes:

The One with Ribbon – 500g | Rs. 3,000 Nett

The One with Vanilla – 1kg | Rs. 6,000 Nett

The One with Chocolate – 500g | Rs. 4,000 Nett

The Caramel Fix – 1kg | Rs. 8,000 Nett

Adding an exclusive benefit for members, Club Culinaire Sri Lanka members can enjoy 15% savings on their Friendship Day cake purchases at Nutmeg. Located at Level R, ITC Ratnadipa, Nutmeg continues to offer an elevated selection of gourmet creations, handcrafted delicacies, and thoughtful gifting options for every occasion.

The Friendship Day cake collection will be available up to 1 August 2026 at Nutmeg Gourmet Shop, located at Level R, ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo.

A total of 104 new Metro buses imported to improve the efficiency and quality of Sri Lanka’s public transport service arrived in the country on Wednesday (29).

Seylan Bank recently celebrated the successes of its employees who won acclaim at recent national-level Mercantile sports competitions, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to elevating holistic employee development, teamwork, and well-being beyond the workplace.

The Seylan Rugby Team’s long-awaited return to the Mercantile Rugby 7’s Tournament, after a 13-year hiatus, was met with a resounding victory. Emerging as the unbeaten champions of the 2025 Bowl Championship with a commanding 33-0 final victory, the team’s achievement builds on a proud legacy of landslide triumphs that began with historic Cup victories in 2006 and 2007.

In addition to securing 11th place among 44 competing companies, Seylan Bank set new milestones in its extensive history of excellence in athletics. Thisath Movindu was recognised as the Best Athlete in the Novices Men’s category of the 40th Mercantile Athletics Championships, setting a new meet record in the High Jump, while Chamika Weerawardena established a new meet record in the 400m Championship category. Furthermore, Seylan’s 25-member athletics contingent achieved an impressive overall medal tally, securing 8 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals.

Seylan Bank Sports Club President and Chief Transformation and AI Officer Varuna Koggalage praised the athleticism demonstrated by Seylan’s employees.

‘It is a core belief at Seylan Bank that integrating team spirit and perseverance in the face of challenges results in exceptional personal growth. The successes of our employees at both the Athletics and Mercantile Rugby 7’s mirrors how our internal values drive our victories as an organisation,’ he said.

‘Recognising excellence in the striking of a balance between career mobility and competitive sports, our Director/CEO, Ramesh Jayasekara, celebrates these victories as symbols of Seylan’s culture of high performance, resilience, and shared purpose,’ Koggalage added.

The Bank’s support for employee participation in sports forms part of its broader ‘people-first’ philosophy, which prioritises work-life balance, personal growth, and overall well-being. By encouraging participation in competitive and collaborative pursuits outside the workplace, Seylan Bank highlights its continued investment in employee engagement and holistic development, reinforcing its position as an organisation that values talent, passion, and achievement in all forms.

PALLEKELE: In a must-win game for Kandy Royals, Lahiru Udara who has been their batting star in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) came out with all guns blazing to score a maiden T20 century to see his team beat table-toppers Galle Gallants for the second time this season (by six wickets) and keep their hopes alive of reaching the Play-offs in the first of back-to-back matches played at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium yesterday.

No doubt the match was the Lahiru Udara show who began the run chase of hunting down a daunting target of 209 by smashing three fours in the very first over to make his intentions quite clear. From that point onwards he never looked back and seized on the dropped chance at 40 by Chamika Karunaratne at deep square leg to put the Galle Gallants bowling to the sword. The lapse proved immensely costly as Udara raced to his half-century off just 21 balls dominating the power play by scoring 68 out of 83 off his own bat.

The opening stand yielded 103 off 47 balls with Pawan Sandesh (23). At the halfway mark Kandy Royals were cruising at 124-1 with Udara dominating the bowling.

Right-arm leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage who got the initial breakthrough put a break temporarily on the run rate when following the dismissal of Wanindu Hasaranga, he struck twice in one over to send back Moeen Ali (7) and Dale Phillips for a duck.

The fall of these wickets in quick succession slowed down the run rate. But Udara who took the Player of the Match award built a crucial partnership of 48 off 30 balls with skipper Angelo Mathews (14) to put the chase back on track.

Udara eventually reached his maiden T20 century off 54 balls with back to back boundaries off Tharindu Rathnayake and receiving another reprieve from Karunaratne who put him down again at 101 at deep cover steered his team home with an unbeaten 132 off 63 balls (15 fours, 7 sixes) sealing victory in grand style with a flat six over long-on to reclaim the orange cap as the leading run-getter in the tournament with 354 runs surpassing Sam Harper who had briefly worn the cap before him.

In the process Udara made the highest individual score by a batsman in the LPL surpassing Pathum Nissanka’s innings of 119 for Jaffna Kings v Kandy Falcons in 2024. Galle Gallants were left to rue their poor bowling discipline and sloppy fielding that gave them no chance of defending their total.

Galle Gallants got off to a cautious start on a pitch offering variable bounce, reaching 42 in the powerplay, before Sam Harper upped the tempo by reaching his 50 off 28 balls in an opening stand of 81 off 58 balls with Nurul Hasan (33).

Harper’s innings came to an end on 72 off 38 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) when he was trapped lbw attempting a reverse sweep to give Zahir Khan his second wicket. Charith Asalanka who looked in sublime touch from the outset raced to the fastest half-century of LPL 2026 off 24 balls capping it with a massive six over cover off Asitha Fernando.

Asalanka remained unbeaten on 70 off 32 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes), marking the highest score of his LPL career. Zahir Khan was the pick of the attack, taking two wickets whilst keeping things tight. Nuwan Thushara who picked up a single scalp became the highest wicket taker of this edition and received the purple cap.