Category: Daily Financial Times

The Export Development Board last week bid farewell to Renuka Weerakoon who retired as the Director General of the Board of Investment. Here EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Mangala Wijesinghe (right) presents a memento to Weerakoon at a ceremony at the EDB.

Neranjan Dissanayake is the owner and Managing Director/CEO of TechNeura Labs, building on a distinguished career that includes leadership roles as CTDO and CEO at Just in Time Group. His extensive professional background spans industry giants such as Trend Micro, NAble, Stretchline, and Dialog Axiata. An alumnus of the University of Moratuwa, he has furthered his expertise through elite institutions including Oxford, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, and Sri Lanka Institute of Directors. As a recognised expert in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, Dissanayake holds numerous professional certifications and maintains active memberships in prestigious bodies like SLASSCOM, ISACA, and the Cloud Security Alliance. He also contributes to the Digital Trust Alliance and the Sri Lanka Singapore Business Council, leveraging his deep technical knowledge to drive innovation across the regional tech landscape.

Antigua: West Indies were battling towards respectability at 168 for 4 after lunch on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Shai Hope (10*) and Justin Greaves (13*) were at the crease looking to rebuild the innings after three wickets fell during the day.

Prabath Jayasuriya (2/38) claimed two wickets either side of lunch, while Asitha Fernando took the only wicket of the morning session to improve his match figures to 2 for 48. Jayasuriya dismissed Kavem Hodge for 31 and Amir Jangoo for 9.

Resuming on 58 for 1, the hosts made steady progress through an 89-run second-wicket stand between John Campbell and Hodge.

The pair negotiated the opening hour with disciplined batting before Sri Lanka claimed the only wicket of the morning session shortly before lunch. Campbell top-scored with a patient 72 before becoming Fernando’s second wicket of the innings.

Sri Lanka had declared on 549 for 9 on the second day, built around Lahiru Udara’s superb 188. Sonal Dinusha made 92, Kamindu Mendis scored 84 and Kusal Mendis contributed 69, while Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph claimed two wickets each for the West Indies.

An early wicket at the start of the second day’s play would have given West Indies an opportunity to break into Sri Lanka’s lower order. However, Dinusha made his intentions clear by dispatching the third ball of the day to the boundary. Kusal also got going at the other end, driving Alzarri Joseph to the fence before taking two more boundaries off the same bowler.

Dinusha welcomed Shamar Joseph into the attack with another boundary, but Kusal caused the greater damage, smashing the paceman for a six and a four to keep Sri Lanka firmly in control. West Indies were also let down in the field when John Campbell dropped a straightforward chance that would have dismissed Kusal on 23.

The pair then negotiated a testing period cautiously before accelerating in the second session. A flurry of boundaries brought up their respective half-centuries, with Kusal reaching the milestone with a six before taking another maximum off Roston Chase. Against the run of play, West Indies finally made the breakthrough after the drinks interval when Kusal chopped onto his stumps for 69 off 115 balls, including eight fours and three sixes.

Milan Rathnayake offered stubborn resistance after Kusal’s dismissal as Sri Lanka moved past the 500-run mark. Dinusha, who struck consecutive boundaries to move into the 90s, narrowly missed out on a century when he was dismissed for 92 off 166 balls, with 12 fours, after edging a leading catch. Sri Lanka added useful runs after tea before eventually declaring on 549 for 9.

Given 24 overs to bowl before stumps on the second day, Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough when Fernando had Brandon King caught at second slip. However, West Indies held firm thereafter, with Campbell remaining unbeaten on 31 from 77 balls while Hodge survived two dropped chances to finish the day unbeaten on 6 from 41 deliveries.

Seylan Bank PLC recently announced a major advancement in Sri Lanka’s digital payments landscape through the integration of all Seylan Credit and Debit Cards with Google Pay, enabling customers to make seamless, secure, and contactless transactions directly from their Android devices.

This latest development positions Seylan Bank at the forefront of Sri Lankan financial innovation, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to enhancing customer convenience while driving the adoption of digital payment solutions across the country. The integration is supported by global payment networks Visa and Mastercard, further ensuring wider acceptance and reliability for local and international users.

The service enables faster, safer, and more convenient transactions for Seylan Cardholders, replacing the need for physical cards. The solution, in line with Seylan Bank’s promise of delivering value on ‘heartfelt essentials’, is designed to support everyday purchases, from groceries and dining to festive shopping, while also allowing customers to focus on what truly matters.

Head of Cards Ruchith Liyanage said: ‘Seylan Bank continues to prioritise innovation that enhances customer experience. With the integration of Google Pay, we are enabling our Cardholders to embrace a smarter, more secure way of transacting. This is not just about convenience; it’s a revolution initiated to bring value into the lives of our Cardholders while simultaneously allowing them to enjoy the benefits of modern financial technology.’

It is noteworthy that the solution leverages advanced tokenisation to secure every transaction. Rather than sharing actual card details, the solution replaces them with encrypted digital tokens, ensuring sensitive information is neither exposed to merchants nor stored on devices. The enrolment of each and every Card is authenticated through one-time passwords and bank verification, delivering a service that unites global security standards with everyday ease and peace of mind. It is designed to support a wide range of daily transactions, from retail and dining to commuting and online payments.

The integration underscores Seylan Bank’s broader strategy to promote cashless transactions, improve payment security, and deliver an effortless banking experience. By leveraging mobile technology, the Bank continues to support Sri Lanka’s transition towards a more digitally connected economy.

Currently, the Google Pay functionality is available for Android users, with further enhancements expected as adoption grows. Seylan Bank invites all Seylan Credit and Debit Cardholders to activate Google Pay and enjoy exclusive offers, enhanced security, and a seamless payment experience.

The Design Consortium International (DCIL), one of Sri Lanka’s leading architectural and building consultancy firms, has broken ground on another flagship residential development, the Rs. 4 billion JAT Astera Residencies project in Thalawathugoda.

Design Consortium, Managing Director Migara Alwis said piling work commenced last week by Sincon Piling, marking the start of construction on the 12 storey luxury apartment complex.

The development will comprise 104 apartments and six penthouses, offering premium resort style living in a tranquil setting overlooking uninterrupted paddy fields.

‘The design provides every bedroom with its own private balcony, allowing each residence, starting from just under 1,200 sq. ft., to open outwards and maximise both space and panoramic views while delivering state of the art living,’ Alwis said.

A key highlight of the project is its rooftop, spanning more than 14,000 sq. ft., which has been designed as a landscaped communal space rather than a conventional amenity deck. Facilities include a rooftop garden with open green spaces, a calisthenics and movement area, an amphitheatre, an entertainment zone, and dedicated spaces for residents to sit, walk, and relax.

The development will also feature a swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium with sauna, a children’s playground, a temperature controlled garbage disposal room with a separate garbage lift, 100% backup power through a 630 KVA generator, comprehensive CCTV coverage in all common areas, 24-hour security, smoke alarm systems, and rainwater harvesting, with rainwater collected in a basement storage tank.

Founded in 1987 by veteran architect Dr. Prof. Lakshman Alwis, Design Consortium International provides fully integrated design solutions spanning architecture, structural engineering, quantity surveying, and urban development planning. Over the past four decades, the firm has delivered numerous landmark commercial, residential, hospitality, and mixed use developments across Sri Lanka.

Developed by JAT Living, Astera Residencies will offer a mix of two bedrooms and three bedroom apartments, with penthouses and residences starting from Rs. 49 million upwards.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, marks 40 years of service to Colombo, Sri Lanka this year.

Since its inaugural flight in April 1986, Emirates has transported over 15 million passengers on more than 97,000 flights to and from the country. Additionally, in the last two decades alone, Emirates’ flights have uplifted more than 403,000 tons of cargo between Sri Lanka and the rest of the airline’s expansive network.

Emirates currently operates three daily flights, connecting Sri Lanka’s largest city to over 135 destinations on its vast network and supporting trade and tourism. On flights to and from Colombo, passengers enjoy the ‘Fly Better’ experience aboard the Boeing 777 as well as the latest aircraft to join the Emirates fleet, the A350. The mix of both aircraft types offer seats in four cabin classes including Premium Economy.

In the past year, most passengers arriving into Sri Lanka embarked on their journeys from Europe, most notable of which included the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Outbound travel from Colombo has primarily been to destinations including Dubai, and points in Saudi Arabia, the UK, Italy, France, and Madagascar.

To boost connectivity for its customers, Emirates expanded its partnership with SriLankan Airlines in 2023 to encompass 30 routes on an interline basis. The collaboration provides valuable benefits for customers travelling to popular destinations in the Far East, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, including seamless travel on one-ticket itineraries and greater connectivity to points on the network of both airlines.

Last year, Emirates reinforced its commitment to delivering premium travel experiences for travellers to and from Colombo by introducing its Premium Economy cabin on the airline’s latest A350 aircraft, featuring industry-first technologies, and also on the retrofitted B777 operated on flights EK650/651 with four refurbished cabin classes to provide its latest signature experience with its ultra-modern and premium aesthetic.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) returned to net purchases of foreign exchange in June, buying a net $ 70.5 million as pressure on the rupee eased after the local currency came under strain in May.

Official data showed the CBSL purchased $ 96.3 million and sold $ 25.8 million during the month, reversing May’s net sale of more than $ 211 million, when it became a net seller of foreign exchange for the first time in 22 months.

The June purchases lifted the CBSL’s cumulative net foreign exchange purchases to $ 556.4 million in the first six months of 2026, following record net purchases of $ 2 billion in 2025.

The CBSL on Friday said gross official reserves were provisionally estimated at $ 6,881 million as at end-May 2026 and includes proceeds from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) swap arrangement.

The World Bank classifies countries every year based on their level of development.

This year, Sri Lanka moved up one step, from lower middle-income to upper middle-income. Why did the World Bank do this? It pointed to Sri Lanka’s recovery story.

Three years ago, in 2022, the country was in a severe economic crisis. Now, it has turned around. In 2025, the World Bank noted, based on official statistics, that Sri Lanka recorded real economic growth of 5%. Real economic growth means the economy has produced 5% more goods and services than in the previous year. For instance, if coconuts were the only commodity produced, and Sri Lanka produced 100 coconuts in 2024, production would have increased to 105 in 2025. Thus, in measuring real production, the effect of price changes on value has been removed, and only the actual quantity of goods and the volume of services have been taken into account.

The World Bank, again based on official data, says this growth was driven by a rebound across industries. Financial services and tourism also grew strongly. The World Bank complimented Sri Lanka, saying the current upgrade was a ‘marker of (economic) resilience’ for the country. That means the country has shown it can bounce back from hardship.

But the World Bank also added a note of caution. Sri Lanka crossed the threshold only narrowly. The required Gross National Income per person was $ 4,636. Sri Lanka’s level was just $ 4,670, a very small margin of only $ 34 above the threshold. In other words, it just managed to qualify. The new classification is valid from 1 July 2026 to the end of June 2027. After that, the World Bank will review it again.

Five other countries also attained the same status this year. They are Vietnam, the Philippines, Micronesia, Jordan, and Togo. Sri Lanka had been there before. In 2019, it also became an upper middle-income country, based on its performance in 2018. But that status was short-lived. The very next year, it was downgraded. Why? Because it could not sustain that higher income level. So, this is the second time Sri Lanka is entering this club. The question is: can it stay this time?

Manage debt carefully. Even with the upgrade, Sri Lanka must live within its means. Excessive borrowing must be avoided

Method of classification

Every year, the World Bank places all countries into four groups. These are low-income countries, lower middle-income countries, upper middle-income countries, and high-income countries. How does it decide which country goes where? It uses a simple measure called Gross National Income per person, calculated according to a method it has adopted, known as the World Bank Atlas method.

Atlas refers to a graphical method used by the World Bank to present countries on a world map. For this purpose, the Bank does not use the raw growth data published by individual countries. That is because such data are not internationally comparable due to the use of inappropriate exchange rates, which may have been deliberately manipulated by governments to present a more favourable set of economic data.

Therefore, the Bank uses a calculated exchange rate based on domestic inflation, measured by the GDP deflator used in compiling national income data, and global inflation, measured by the deflator for the Special Drawing Rights (SDR), which is considered a relatively stable currency. Even then, instead of using the calculated exchange rate for the current year, it uses the average for the previous three years. This average exchange rate is then used to convert the GNI calculated by individual countries in their own currencies into US dollars.

This GNI is then divided by the country’s mid-year population to assess its income status. That is why GNI per person, according to the Government’s statistical bureau, amounted to $ 4,910, while the figure used by the World Bank for 2025 was only $ 4,670. Gross National Income, or GNI, is the total income earned by a country’s people and businesses located both within Sri Lanka and abroad. Thus, the income generated by foreigners producing goods and services within Sri Lanka is not counted. This total is then divided by the mid-year population. The result is GNI per person.

Think of it as the average annual income per person in that country if the total income were distributed equally among everyone. The World Bank updates the income thresholds every year. For the 2026-2027 classification, the thresholds are: $ 1,175 or less for low-income countries; $ 1,176 to $ 4,635 for lower middle-income countries; $ 4,636 to $ 14,375 for upper middle-income countries; and above $ 14,375 for high-income countries.

As noted earlier, Sri Lanka’s GNI per person has now crossed the $ 4,636 threshold by a very narrow margin of $ 34. Imagine a student who scores exactly the pass mark. Yes, the student has passed. But there is no room to relax. That is Sri Lanka’s situation.

The upgrade is good news. It shows that the painful reforms are working. But it is not the end of the road. It is just a milestone. What must Sri Lanka do to stay in this category? And, more importantly, how can it make sure ordinary people feel the benefits?

Upper middle income, an average

Now, there is something important to understand. GNI per person is an average. And averages can be misleading. Let’s consider an example.

Suppose there are ten people in a room. One person earns Rs. 1 million. The other nine earn Rs. 10,000 each. The average income is over Rs. 100,000. But does that average reflect the reality of the nine people? No. They are still earning only Rs. 10,000. The same thing happens with countries. A country can have a high average income. But if the wealth is concentrated in a few hands, as in the case of Sri Lanka, many citizens may still be poor. So, when we say Sri Lanka is now an upper middle-income country, we are talking about the average. It does not mean every Sri Lankan has become better off. We must keep this in mind when accepting the upper middle-income country status.

The dark era of economic crisis

To understand today’s news, we must go back a few years.

The year 2022 was a dark time for Sri Lanka. The country faced its worst economic crisis since independence. What happened? Sri Lanka ran out of foreign currency. It could not pay for essential imports. Remember the queues? People waited for hours, even days, to get fuel. Cooking gas was scarce. Electricity was cut for many hours every day. Prices of food and medicine shot up. Inflation reached levels never seen before. Many families fell into poverty. There were protests. The political leadership changed. The World Bank thinks that Sri Lanka has recovered from this dark era.

Benefits of elevation

You may ask: does this classification really matter? Is it just a label? No. It has real consequences. Some are good. Some are not so good. Let us look at both sides.

On the positive side, first, the upgrade improves Sri Lanka’s image. International investors look at these classifications. They see an upper middle-income country and think: this country is moving forward. This can bring in foreign investment. Companies may set up factories, hotels, and service centres.

More investment means more jobs. More jobs mean more income for families. Second, it can boost national pride. After the shame of the crisis, this is a moment of recognition. The world is saying: Sri Lanka is not a failed State. It is rebuilding. That lifts the spirits of the nation. Third, tourism may benefit. Travellers from rich countries feel more comfortable visiting places that are seen as stable. Sri Lanka is already a beautiful destination. The new label makes it even more attractive.

A significant plus point for Sri Lanka is that it is still classified under the World Bank’s low-income country financing window, the International Development Association (IDA), for receiving World Bank and ADB loans. This was done at the request of the Government in 2023, and these loans are highly concessional, with low interest rates, longer grace periods, and longer maturities.

So, the current elevation is just a number on paper. For practical purposes, Sri Lanka remains a low-income country for receiving concessional loans. It is like a person who has done well at the GCE O/L but poorly at the degree level asking that only his O/L qualifications be considered when applying for a job.

Prepare for future shocks. The world is becoming more uncertain. Climate change is bringing more floods, droughts, and storms. Global economic conditions can change quickly. Sri Lanka must build buffers: foreign currency reserves, savings, and diversified export markets

Risks of elevation

Now, the other side of the coin. Upper middle-income countries are expected to borrow on commercial terms from international markets. This means higher interest rates and shorter repayment periods. For Sri Lanka, which already has a heavy debt burden, this is a concern. If borrowing becomes more expensive, there is less money for schools, hospitals, and roads. The Government may have to raise more taxes. That burden could fall on ordinary citizens. Also, some international aid is meant only for lower-income countries. Those doors may now start to close. Sri Lanka will have to stand more on its own feet. That is the price of progress. But it must be managed carefully.

Impact on common people

Now, let us be very clear about a few things. This upgrade is good. But we must not misunderstand it. It does not mean everyone has become richer. As I explained earlier, the classification is based on an average. Many Sri Lankans are still struggling. Many families still find it hard to make ends meet. It does not mean poverty has disappeared. Even before the crisis, there were pockets of poverty. The crisis pushed more people below the poverty line.

Growth takes time to reach the poor. It does not happen automatically. Good policies are needed. Nor does it mean the crisis is fully behind us. The country’s debts are still high. Large repayments are due in the coming years. The economy is still fragile. A global recession, a natural disaster, or a sudden loss of investor confidence could cause problems. Since the margin by which Sri Lanka crossed the threshold was narrow, slipping back is possible.

It also does not measure everything that matters. GNI does not measure the quality of education, clean air, and safe drinking water, how long people live in good health, or how fairly they are treated. A country can move up the income ladder and still have serious problems in all these areas. Development is about more than income.

Finally, this status is not permanent. It is valid for only one year. The World Bank will review the 2026 data next year. If growth slows or the currency weakens, the country could be downgraded again. We have seen this happen before. This classification is a snapshot, not a permanent medal.

Make sure growth reaches the poor. Every child, rich or poor, must have a chance. It must invest in healthcare. It must build roads, electricity, and internet infrastructure in rural areas. Businesses must be able to grow outside Colombo. Social safety nets must be strengthened. Families hit by shocks must not fall into poverty

Way forward, and strategies

The upgrade is good news. It shows that the painful reforms are working. But it is not the end of the road. It is just a milestone. What must Sri Lanka do to stay in this category? And, more importantly, how can it make sure ordinary people feel the benefits? Here are five priorities.

First, make growth sustainable. Five percent growth in 2025 is good. But it must continue year after year, at a higher level, if the country wants to become a rich country within a generation.

This requires more reforms. It needs a better business environment. It needs more investment. It needs higher productivity. We cannot rely on borrowing to fuel growth, as we did in the past. Growth must come from producing goods and selling them to the world, providing services the world values, and using our resources wisely.

Second, manage debt carefully. The Government is talking to foreign creditors. It is trying to restructure its debts. That means stretching repayments over a longer period and reducing interest rates. These talks are slow and difficult. But they are essential. Without debt relief, the recovery will remain weak. Even with the upgrade, Sri Lanka must live within its means. Excessive borrowing must be avoided.

Third, make sure growth reaches the poor. Growth that benefits only the already rich is not real development. The Government must invest in education. Every child, rich or poor, must have a chance. It must invest in healthcare. It must build roads, electricity, and internet infrastructure in rural areas. Businesses must be able to grow outside Colombo. Social safety nets must be strengthened. Families hit by shocks must not fall into poverty.

Fourth, prepare for future shocks. The world is becoming more uncertain. Climate change is bringing more floods, droughts, and storms. Global economic conditions can change quickly. Sri Lanka must build buffers: foreign currency reserves, savings, and diversified export markets, so that it can withstand shocks without collapsing again.

Fifth, rebuild trust. The 2022 crisis was not just an economic failure. It was a failure of governance, transparency, and accountability. Citizens lost trust in institutions. Rebuilding that trust is essential. This means committing to good governance, fighting corruption, and ensuring that the rules apply equally to all. Without trust, people will resist reforms. With trust, the country can move forward together.

So, where does this leave us? Sri Lanka has achieved something.

Three years after the darkest days, the country is recovering. The queues for fuel are a memory. The lights are back on. Tourists have returned. The economy is growing. The World Bank has recognised this. The people of Sri Lanka, who suffered so much, can take a moment to feel proud. But we must also be realistic. The threshold was crossed narrowly. Many families still struggle. Many young people still cannot find good jobs. The debt burden remains. Cheap loans will become harder to obtain. And we have lost this status once before.

The 2022 crisis was not just an economic failure. It was a failure of governance, transparency, and accountability. Citizens lost trust in institutions. Rebuilding that trust is essential. This means committing to good governance, fighting corruption, and ensuring that the rules apply equally to all. Without trust, people will resist reforms

True test

Therefore, the true test is not what the World Bank calls us. The true test is whether ordinary people feel their lives improving, whether their children have opportunities they did not have, and whether the future looks brighter than the past.

The upper middle-income label is a guidepost. It is not the destination. The destination is a country where every citizen can live with dignity, where growth is shared by all, and where prosperity is built on solid foundations. This upgrade is a step in that direction. There are many more steps to take, and that should not be forgotten.

Petitioners appeared before the Commercial High Court last week seeking leave to bring a derivative action against the Board of Directors and external auditors of National Development Bank (NDB), arguing that it was lack of due oversight, and not just the fraud itself, which caused the bank’s losses.

President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, appearing with Shaheeda Barrie, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Mehran Careem, N. Arulpragasam, and Dithya Senaratne, told Court that proving fraud was not even necessary to establish liability.

He said receivables tied to CEFT transactions rose roughly eight-fold in two years, from about Rs. 1.4 billion in 2023 to over Rs. 12.2 billion in 2025, a pattern he argued experienced bankers and auditors should have caught. The fraud, he said, totals approximately Rs. 13.2 billion, about 15.3% of the bank’s Rs. 86 billion net asset base.

Musthapha argued that a derivative action was the only route available, since the Board would not sue itself or the auditors it appoints.

He also questioned the independence of NDB’s forensic audit, noting the Audit Committee Chair’s past ties to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Sri Lanka, which has since been absorbed into Deloitte, the firm now conducting that review.

Evidence from the bank’s own IT department showed staff could log into colleagues’ accounts from personal laptops, pointing to a password-sharing culture the Board failed to control despite having a Code of Conduct on paper.

Musthapha further argued the bank’s public assurance that its position ‘remains strong and stable’ was undercut days later by a Fitch Ratings downgrade, citing weak internal risk controls.

He argued the Board breached its statutory duties of care and good faith under Sections 187-189 of the Companies Act, while auditors face parallel obligations under Section 163.

The matter remains before the Commercial High Court and will resume on 8 July.

President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva with Niran Anketell appeared for the Directors. President’s Counsel Ali Sabry appeared for the Auditor. President’s Counsel Dr. K. Kanag-Isvaran appeared for the bank.

Atlas, Sri Lanka’s leading learning brand trusted by parents for decades, has supported children’s growth and development through products that make learning fun and help unlock their full potential. As a brand that has been part of Sri Lankan childhoods for generations, Atlas has consistently focused on creating products that inspire creativity, encourage curiosity and make learning a positive experience for children. Building on this legacy, Atlas has introduced Sri Lanka’s first SLS certified water bottle, extending that commitment beyond learning by offering parents a trusted and certified choice for one of their children’s everyday essentials.

The launch comes at a time when greater attention is being placed on product safety, quality assurance and consumer protection. Achieving SLS certification involves a rigorous evaluation process, including extensive testing and strict compliance with the newly introduced national standard for plastic water bottles established by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). The certification assures parents that the Atlas water bottle meets recognised requirements for safety, quality and reliability, while reflecting the brand’s continued commitment to upholding high standards of safety, quality and reliability across its product portfolio.

The official launch, held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, brought together representatives from regulatory authorities, healthcare professionals, industry experts, media representatives and the Atlas leadership team to discuss the growing importance of certified products, nationally recognised quality standards and informed consumer choices.

Speaking at the event, Atlas Axillia Sales and Operations Director Indrajith Binduhewa said, ‘At Atlas, everything we do begins with a simple question: Is it good for the child? As a brand trusted by generations of Sri Lankan families, we believe safety should never be left to chance. Becoming the first brand in Sri Lanka to obtain SLS certification for a water bottle reflects our commitment to setting higher standards while giving parents greater confidence in the products their children use every day. We are proud to support this important step towards a safer future for children.’

The event also featured an expert panel discussion with representatives from key stakeholder groups, highlighting the role of quality standards, certification and consumer awareness in strengthening product safety and protecting children and families.

Commenting further, Atlas Axillia Marketing General Manager Kasuni Bandara said, ‘Parents have trusted Atlas to be part of their children’s lives for generations. This launch is about honouring that trust by offering a safer, certified choice for one of the most frequently used everyday essentials. We hope this milestone encourages greater awareness of certified products while helping parents make informed decisions with confidence.’

With the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first SLS certified water bottle, Atlas continues to champion higher product standards while supporting national efforts to promote safer, quality-assured products for Sri Lankan families, reinforcing its commitment to putting children’s wellbeing at the heart of everything it does.