Category: Daily Financial Times

Set along Sri Lanka’s southern shores, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort announces the introduction of its new Panoramic Ocean View Room, an enhanced accommodation category designed for travellers seeking refined comfort, refreshed interiors, and uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

The launch responds to growing demand for spacious coastal retreats that bring guests closer to nature without compromising on luxury. Positioned to capture some of the resort’s most inspiring ocean vistas, the Panoramic Ocean View Room offers a fresh perspective of Tangalle’s coastline, where endless blue horizons, gentle sea breezes, and the soothing rhythm of the Indian Ocean become part of the stay.

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors invite natural light into the room, while a private balcony opens out to sweeping Indian Ocean panoramas. Inside, refreshed interiors blend contemporary elegance with subtle Sri Lankan touches, creating a tranquil sanctuary for guests to slow down, reconnect, and savour the serenity of the island’s southern coast.

‘At Anantara, we believe luxury is constantly evolving through thoughtful enhancements that elevate our guests’ experiences,’ said Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort General Manager Frederik Van den Borre. ‘The Panoramic Ocean View Room reflects our commitment to continually refining the guest experience while celebrating the extraordinary natural beauty that surrounds us. Every detail has been carefully considered to enhance comfort, creating a space where guests can truly unwind and feel connected to the unique spirit of Tangalle’.

Nestled within a lush coconut plantation overlooking a secluded stretch of beach, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort is also home to the largest collection of luxury pool villas in the region. This distinctive accommodation offering gives guests an exceptional choice of stays, from spacious ocean view rooms to expansive private pool villas. Together with award-winning wellness, destination dining, surfing, wildlife encounters, and authentic cultural discoveries, the resort invites guests to experience the richness of Sri Lanka’s southern coast at their own pace.

The new Panoramic Ocean View Room is now available to book through the resort’s website, www.anantara.com/en/peace-haven-tangalle/rooms/panoramic-ocean-view, and global reservation channels as well.

President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Erton Carlos Köhler, has urged ministers and church leaders to remain faithful witnesses wherever God has called them to serve.

He said this when he addressed leaders of the church during the launch of the OneVoice27 at the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) Bible Conference and Leadership Summit at Babcock University in Nigeria.

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church’s OneVoice27 is a worldwide evangelism and unity initiative focused on proclaiming the gospel by connecting large-scale media outreach with on-the-ground engagement by local congregations so that interest generated online and on air leads to Bible study and membership pathways.

Pastor Köhler said that all Christians have a vital role to play in proclaiming the gospel and, therefore, called on delegates to be faithful witnesses in their respective communities in order to contribute meaningfully to the fulfillment of the church’s mission.

He also encouraged participants to embrace the OneVoice27 initiative in their various local dialects while also expressing appreciation to the four Union Presidents for commitment demonstrated in their work and during the launch.

‘I want to express appreciation to the four Union Presidents; Pastor Col. (Rtd.) Peter Kwabena Nyarko Duodu, President, South East Ghana Union Mission (SEGUM), Tema, Pastor Adeefe Yaw Kwakye, President, South West Ghana Union Conference (SWGUC), Osu, Accra.

‘The rest are Pastor Jonathan Owusu, President, Mid-Ghana Union Conference (MGUC), Kumasi, and Pastor Dr. Edward Nyarko, President, North-Central Ghana Union Mission (NCGUM), Techiman,’ he stated.

The four Union Presidents also joined the leaders of the church across the West-Central Africa Division and affirmed their commitment to the OneVoice27 initiative, pledging to work together in advancing the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with renewed unity, purpose, and dedication.

The launch, led by President of the General Conference, Pastor Erton C. Köhler, brought together General Conference officers, Division leaders, union presidents, and institutional heads with a shared vision to evangelise.

The South East Ghana Union Mission (SEGUM) was also represented by its President, Pastor Col. (Rtd.) Peter Kwabena Nyarko Duodu, with other delegates from the union which, according to the church, reflected the Seventh-day Adventist Church, South East Ghana Union Mission’s (SEGUM) commitment and impact to the global mission of the church.

The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak-Mohammed Muntaka, has a few days ago spoken about important issues with far-reaching consequences.

Important and varied as the disclosures were, we have chosen to dwell on the ‘one Alhaji’, fake dollars and bars of gold issue which subject made intriguing headlines when it was reported on both mainstream and social media in the early days of the incumbent government. It was instructive how at the time appointees, excited about their new roles, sought to make political mileage with the story.

The story, like others which popped up at the time, evaporated into thin air, popping up occasionally only when the performance of the government came up in street corners or in political circles.

The said ‘one Alhaji,’ who government promised to nab eventually, is still at large, compelling many to conclude he was associated with officialdom and so would never be identified, not for the public anyway.

The said fake dollars, we have been told from the great disclosures of the minister, went up in flames recently, a process supervised by state agents even as the principal suspect remains at large.

While we do not know what goes into a final decision to incinerate fake dollars, we expected that given the public interest in the so-called fake dollars and the ‘one Alhaji’ associated with the story and the fact that the suspect is said to be still at large, the incineration should not have been done in secrecy.

It would be appropriate that all details regarding such processes are laid bare to avoid opaqueness which takes away from the image of government.

As we have, and indeed most Ghanaians, given up on the said ‘one Alhaji’ ever being located, we are hit with another worrying development about government officials linked to the Australia $208 million meth bust.

It is an admission which should have been shared with Ghanaians long before now.

Perhaps had the Assurance Committee of Parliament not touched on the subject, the said government officials whose details we shall never know, especially if they are protected, would not have been told us.

This delay comes on the heels of the earlier delayed announcement about the bust until the international media broke it.

It was so embarrassing that the Narcotics Control Commission’s (NACOC) belated quick announcement about it, terse as it was, raised further questions about government’s sincerity in the drug conundrum.

We do not doubt the importance of keeping certain details under wraps so investigations are not compromised, but we shall be quick to state that many things as the minister told the Assurance Committee of Parliament are not adding up.

They did not even add up when the strange aircraft landing at the Accra International Airport had authorities explaining it on burst tyre.

We shall have cause to pose further questions as the days elapse.

Smart Quest Ltd., marked its 20th anniversary with an intimate evening at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, bringing together clients, partners, faculty and leaders from more than 30 organisations across Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape.

The milestone event reflected on two decades of leadership development, coaching and organisational transformation, while introducing Smart Quest’s next chapter through the launch of The Growth Circle and the pre-launch edition of ‘Rooted: In Stillness He Taught Me Everything About Leadership’, the first book by Smart Quest Founder and Director Andrea Jayatilleka.

The evening opened with a welcome address by Chief Operating Officer Oshana Dias, setting the tone for a celebration that honoured Smart Quest’s legacy while looking ahead to the evolving needs of leaders and teams in today’s workplace.

A key highlight of the event was the inaugural Growth Circle, a facilitated team experience designed to build trust, shared language and conscious leadership. Co-facilitated by Andrea Jayatilleka and Murshid Munshif, the session invited participants into a reflective conversation structured around five layers of growth, inspired by neurological levels of thinking and the concept of the ‘Still Point’ referenced in ‘Rooted’.

Using picture cards, post-it notes and thread, participants explored questions around automatic responses, inner stillness, learning and conscious choice. The experience created space for open, honest conversation across industries, demonstrating the impact The Growth Circle is designed to bring into working teams.

‘Twenty years ago, we started with a belief that the right development, at the right time, changes people. Tonight reminded us why that belief is worth everything. Over the years, we have seen individuals grow into stronger leaders, teams find new ways to work together and organisations unlock potential they may not have fully recognised before. As we mark this milestone, we are deeply grateful to every client, partner, faculty member and team member who has been part of our journey. The next chapter for Smart Quest is about continuing to create spaces where people can reflect, connect and grow with greater intention,’ said Smart Quest Founder and Director Andrea Jayatilleka.

The evening also marked the pre-launch of ‘Rooted: In Stillness He Taught Me Everything About Leadership’, presented by Michelle de Silva. In a deeply personal moment, Andrea handed the first copy of the book to her mother, in tribute to the late J. Claude Baldsing, whose life and values inspired the book.

‘Rooted’ explores leadership through twenty reflections drawn from Andrea’s father’s quiet and deeply human way of leading. The book looks at principles such as competing only with yourself, leading with a big heart, showing up fully and continuing to grow, offering readers a personal yet practical reflection on the kind of leadership that leaves a lasting legacy.

The formal program concluded with reflections by Andrea Jayatilleka and Director Anil Bandara on Smart Quest’s journey over the past twenty years, its relationships with clients and partners, and its continued belief that when people are developed well, organisations thrive.

Following its successful inaugural edition, The Growth Circle is now available for working teams. Facilitated by Smart Quest’s ICF-credentialed coaches and tailored to each team’s context, the experience moves away from presentations and slides to create structured conversations that support trust, alignment and lasting momentum.

Emirates said yesterday it has introduce a second daily A350 service between Dubai and Colombo from 8 August, further elevating the travel experience for customers with more options to experience the airline’s latest-generation aircraft and Premium Economy cabin.

The A350 aircraft will replace the current Boeing 777 aircraft operating the flight.

The deployment of the additional A350 on flight EK648/649 will double the number of Premium Economy seats on the route, reinforcing Emirates’ commitment to delivering enhanced comfort for travellers to and from Sri Lanka. Emirates currently operates four daily flights to Colombo with a mix of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Emirates’ second A350 service departs Dubai International Airport at 16:10hrs daily and arrives at Bandaranaike International Airport at 22:10hrs. The return flight EK649 departs CMB at 02:55hrs and reaches Dubai at 05:50hrs. All times are local.

The introduction of a second daily A350 service builds on the successful debut of the aircraft on the Colombo route in March 2025, when Emirates launched its Premium Economy experience in Sri Lanka. The enhanced deployment underscores the airline’s continued investment in the market.

Emirates offers three non-stop daily flights on the Colombo-Dubai route with a range of timings in addition to one daily service via Male.

Marking 40 years of operations to Colombo this year, Emirates connects Colombo to almost 140 destinations across its global network, supporting tourism and trade while offering customers its signature ‘Fly Better’ experience.

The 14th World Construction Symposium and the Sustainability Awards Scheme 2026, organised by the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB), will be held at the Hilton Colombo, Sri Lanka on 10 and 11 July, bringing together the nation’s and the region’s leading minds in the built environment.

Jointly organised with the University of Moratuwa, the World Construction Symposium has become Sri Lanka’s premier international forum where research, professional practice and industry converge. Now in its 14th edition, this year’s symposium has attracted over 100 research paper submissions from around the world, reaffirming its reputation as a leading platform for advancing knowledge, innovation and professional excellence in the construction sector.

Complementing the symposium, the Sustainability Awards Scheme 2026 will honour organisations and professionals whose achievements are setting new benchmarks for excellence, innovation and responsible leadership within Sri Lanka’s construction industry.

These landmark events provide an exceptional opportunity for researchers, academics, contractors, consultants, developers, policymakers, and students to gain insights from internationally recognised experts, discover the latest research and industry innovations, build valuable professional networks, and be part of the conversations shaping the future of the built environment.

Musician, Mzbel, has responded to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after the facility appealed to her to provide information to support investigations into claims she made about the death of her sister, Laila.

The hospital, in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, said it had taken notice of a video in which the singer alleged that her sister did not receive the emergency care she needed before her death.

Korle Bu said it treats all complaints relating to patient care seriously and has attempted to contact Mzbel and her family to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

According to the hospital, it wants to determine whether Laila was referred to the facility, whether she arrived there, and the circumstances under which she was treated.

The hospital also stressed that it has reinforced the government’s directive that no public hospital should refuse emergency patients and warned that any staff found to have deliberately denied emergency care would face investigation.

Responding in an Instagram post on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Mzbel said her sister was first taken to Ussher Clinic in Jamestown, where she was treated and later referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for emergency care.

She claimed that after arriving at Korle Bu, the family was told there were no beds available, forcing her sister to remain without admission until she died the following day.

According to Mzbel, her sister was initially given a plastic chair but later had to lie on the tiled floor because she was too weak to remain seated.

The musician further alleged that her niece was asked to buy prescribed medication and pay for blood, but despite complying with those requests, her sister was never given a hospital bed.

She also claimed that after her sister’s death, the family was asked to pay mortuary fees and that the medication and blood purchased for her sister were not refunded.

Mzbel said she decided to speak publicly because no family should have to experience such circumstances, insisting that her comments were not intended to damage the reputation of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

She added that the issue goes beyond her family’s loss, saying many Ghanaians have shared similar experiences of being turned away or waiting for treatment because of a lack of beds at public hospitals.

The musician called for improvements in Ghana’s healthcare system, saying every citizen deserves timely, dignified and compassionate medical care regardless of their social status.

Meanwhile, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has extended its condolences to Mzbel’s family and reiterated its commitment to conducting a fair and transparent investigation once it receives the necessary information from the family.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIIT) has, in partnership with Ecobank, launched the Membership Value Programme (MVP) to give contributors and pensioners benefits beyond statutory pension.

The programme offers discounts on healthcare, retail, travel, hospitality and other essential services.

According to SSNIT, it is designed to make membership more rewarding during a worker’s active years and to encourage more people, especially those in the informal sector, to join the scheme.

Speaking at the launch in Accra yesterday, Director-General of SSNIT, Kwesi Afreh Biney, said the MVP forms part of the Trust’s broader transformation agenda to make social security more responsive to Ghanaian workers.

‘Social Security must evolve with the changing nature of work. It must improve experience, deepen trust and deliver practical value across every stage of life,’ he said. ‘Today, contributors want more than an institution that will show up at retirement. They want one that remains relevant throughout their working lives.’

He noted that while SSNIT remains committed to safeguarding retirement incomes, it must also create value before retirement. Under the MVP, members will be linked to a network of trusted partners offering discounts and other benefits to make membership more attractive and expand pension coverage.

‘If workers entrust SSNIT with their future security, then their membership should also feel valuable in the present,’ he added.

Managing Director of Ecobank, Abena Osei-Poku, said the partnership is a transformative step. Eligible members will receive a co-branded Visa prepaid card accepted in Ghana and abroad, with no issuance, annual or maintenance fees.

‘For young professionals, it creates opportunities to save while building a future. For families, it helps reduce the cost of living, and for pensioners, it offers greater purchasing power and convenience,’ she said.

Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who represented the Finance Minister, described the initiative as forward-looking.

‘Pension is much like planting a tree. We nurture it patiently so that in the years ahead, it will provide security, protection and peace,’ he said, noting that the programme aligns with government efforts to strengthen the pension system and expand coverage.

Global oil prices surged more than 5% yesterday while stock markets retreated after renewed hostilities between the US and Iran shattered hopes that tensions in the Middle East were easing, prompting investors to reassess geopolitical risks and the outlook for global energy supplies.

Brent crude futures for September delivery climbed 5.3% to $ 78.10 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for August delivery rose 5.4% to $ 74.31 after US President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire with Iran was ‘over’ following fresh attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Global equity markets came under pressure as investors shifted away from risk assets. Dow Jones futures fell 351 points, or 0.7%, while S and P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures lost 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively. Europe’s STOXX 600 declined 1.5%, with oil and gas stocks the only sectors to post gains as higher crude prices boosted energy shares.

Asian markets were also broadly weaker. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.1%, South Korea’s KOSPI tumbled 5.4% to enter bear market territory, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index bucked the regional trend with a 3.2% gain. Mainland China’s CSI 300 slipped 0.3%.

The latest market turmoil followed a series of US strikes against Iran after attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Washington also revoked a licence that had allowed Iran to continue selling oil internationally, while Tehran condemned the strikes as a violation of last month’s ceasefire understanding and vowed to defend its sovereignty.

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has called on the Government to honour its election pledge to release military-occupied civilian lands in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, arguing that demilitarisation and land restitution are essential to reconciliation, resettlement, and long-term peace.

In a statement yesterday, Rasamanickam said that although 17 years had passed since the end of the armed conflict, significant extents of privately owned civilian land remained under military occupation, delaying the restoration of normal civilian administration and undermining confidence among affected communities.

He noted that the National People’s Power (NPP), in its election manifesto, had pledged to expedite the release of civilian lands occupied by the military and facilitate the resettlement of displaced communities, and said the Government must now fulfil that commitment.

Rasamanickam welcomed the recent release of two military camps in Batticaloa following concerns he raised at the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Defence, chaired by President Dissanayake in his capacity as Defence Minister, but said the overall pace of land releases remained too slow.

He said continued protests in areas including Palaly, Myliddy, and Keppapilavu demonstrated that military occupation of land remained one of the country’s most significant unresolved post-war issues. He added that communities continued to stage peaceful protests demanding the return of their ancestral lands.

The MP also pointed out that voters in a Local Government ward in Palaly had backed NPP candidates at the recent Local Government Election largely on the Government’s promise to release occupied civilian lands, and said those expectations should now be met without further delay.

Rasamanickam said he had requested the Defence Minister to inform Parliament of the total extent of private and State land occupied by armed forces in each district of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the extent of land released since the present Government assumed office, the balance that remains under military occupation, and a timeline for the release of all remaining occupied lands.

He also sought details of measures to complete land releases in Valikamam North, address ongoing protests in Myliddy and Palaly, restore public access to religious sites, schools, and other public institutions, release lands in Kilinochchi District, including those required for the expansion of the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha and the Department of Agriculture, and return the remaining civilian lands in Keppapilavu.

The MP further claimed that several longstanding grievances remained unresolved, including military occupation of land in Myliddy Harbour affecting around 700 families, lands in Palaly affecting about 300 families, land required for the expansion of the Karachchi Public Library, the Iranamadu Agricultural Research Institute, and 59.5 acres of civilian land in Keppapilavu.

He also disputed claims that alternative lands had been provided to affected residents in Keppapilavu, stating that only 44 individuals had been allocated temporary land at Seniyarmottai, while the Hindu cemetery at Kurumbaichitty also remained under military occupation.

Rasamanickam said he expected comprehensive, transparent, and time-bound responses from the Government, urging it to accelerate the release of occupied civilian lands and advance the demilitarisation of the Northern and Eastern Provinces in line with its electoral commitments.