Category: Daily Financial Times

Emeric Solutions beat English Tea Shop by 39 runs to win the inaugural MCA Ladies Sixes played at the Mercantile Cricket Association grounds on Saturday.

Emeric Solutions defeated Link Natural and Mobitel to lead group H in the league stage, Pizza Hut in the Pre-quarterfinal, Hemas Group in a tied quarterfinal match decided by a Super Over and Senija Fertilizer in the semi-final.

In the playoff for third position Senija Fertiliser defeated Sampath Bank by five wickets.

The winners received a cash award of Rs. 75,000, the Runners-up received a cash award of Rs. 50,000 and the second runners-up received a cash award of Rs. 35,000.

Future Life Holdings defeated Abans by six wickets to win the Plate Championship.

Twenty four ladies teams representing 22 affiliated firms of the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) entered for the inaugural ladies softball six-a-side cricket tournament.

Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with France and the European Union (EU) in key areas including sustainable development, trade, investment, and climate action, as the French development agency-Agence Française de Développement (AFD) marked 20 years of engagement in the country.

Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra attended the 20th anniversary celebration of AFD in Sri Lanka, alongside French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert, EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Carmen Moreno, and AFD Country Director for Sri Lanka Yazid Bensaïd.

Addressing the event, Hemachandra noted that AFD’s engagement with Sri Lanka began in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when the country was rebuilding from one of the most challenging periods in its recent history.

He said the partnership has since evolved into a strong and practical development relationship between Sri Lanka and France.

He highlighted AFD’s contributions to sectors such as water and sanitation, urban development, green energy, and climate-resilient development, describing them as investments that improve livelihoods, strengthen communities, and support long-term national development.

The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka values partnerships that are practical, principled, and future-oriented at a time when challenges relating to climate change, water security, food security, and sustainable development are becoming increasingly interconnected.

He also expressed Sri Lanka’s interest in expanding collaboration with France and the EU in areas including sustainable development, digital transformation, maritime cooperation, and institutional strengthening.

Hemachandra conveyed appreciation to the Government and people of France, the EU, and AFD for their continued support, expressing hope that the next phase of AFD’s engagement in Sri Lanka would be even more people-centred, impactful, and transformative.

A globally recognised character, Hello Kitty, visited Sri Lanka on 19 May 2026, and participated in the awareness-raising event of responsible plastic use and the importance of environmental conservation at the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), together with around 150 students.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with CEA, is implementing the technical cooperation project called the ‘Project for Strengthening Plastic Management Capacity,’ with an aim to enhance the country’s ability to address plastic waste challenges. This project also contributes to the ‘Clean Sri Lanka Initiative’ promoted by the Government of Sri Lanka.

As part of this project activities, JICA has partnered with Sanrio Co., Ltd., a Japanese entertainment company, and the owner of Hello Kitty, to produce the ‘Plastic Smart Song’ in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English. The song is designed to raise public awareness of responsible plastic use and the importance of environmental conservation, particularly among children and young audiences.

Hello Kitty will visit a series of awareness-raising events and outreach activities at several schools this week. Through these engagements, the project seeks to inspire positive behavioral change and encourage communities across the country to adopt more sustainable practices and minimise environmental impact.

The opening event brought together more than 150 schoolchildren and was hosted by CEA, with the presence of CEA Chairman Prof. Tilak Hewawasam, CEA Director General Kapila Rajapaksha, Sanrio Co., Ltd. Managing Executive Officer – Global Sustainability Department Yuko Tsuji, JICA Sri Lanka Chief Representative Kenji Kuronuma, and representatives of Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and a number of JICA experts and JICA volunteers.

During the event, students sang the ‘Plastic Smart’ song with Hello Kitty. In addition, two JICA volunteers also interacted with students to raise environmental awareness in Sinhala.

The event concluded with the highlight of reaching out to the communities on the shared commitment to a cleaner and more sustainable future for all. Irrespective of whether it is a student, teacher, policy maker or simply a community member passionate about the environment, we all have a role to play in reducing plastic pollution.

Saracens SC won the Governor’s Trophy 50 Over cricket tournament when they defeated Sandalanka CC by 22 runs (DLS method) in the final played at the CCC Grounds on Friday.

Last year, Saracens SC had to share the title with Unichela SC when the final was ruined by rain and ended in a no-result. On this occasion, luckily for Saracens SC, the side batting second had faced more than 20 overs after which a result can be obtained if the game is halted.

Sandalanka CC, choosing to bat first after winning the toss, scored 237-9 in their allotted 50 overs. Saracens SC, in reply, reached 132-3 in 27 overs when rain put an end to the contest.

At the stoppage, Saracens SC, led by Chathura Hemakumara Peiris, were well ahead of the DLS par score of 110 after 27 overs and were declared the winner.

A 73-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Rishma Amarasinghe (27) and top scorer Janith Rathnasiri (60 off 76 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) saw Sandalanka CC reach a respectable score after they lost their first four wickets for 71.

Spinners Dilshan Mendis, Janaka Sampath, Deshan Fernando, and Dellon Peiris bowled excellent spells to contain the run rate, while seamer Chamath Gomez, the most successful bowler with three wickets, conceded more than seven an over.

In Saracens SC’s reply, openers Janaka Sampath (32 off 23 balls, 6 fours) and Anushka Perera (47 off 52 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) got them off to a flying start, posting 65 inside the first powerplay. Amitha Dabare (23* off 48) and Nayana Fernando (27* off 29) maintained the tempo, keeping Saracens SC ahead of the required run rate so that when play was eventually called off due to rain, the score was well above the DLS par score.

As champions, Saracens SC received Rs. 750,000, while Sandalanka CC collected a cheque for Rs. 500,000 as runner-up. Anushka Perera of Saracens SC received a cheque for Rs. 100,000 as Player of the Final, Binara Sanketh of Sandalanka CC Rs. 150,000 for Best Batsman, Sahan Kaushalya of Lankan CC Rs. 150,000 for Best Bowler, and Viranga Yeshan of Old Dharmapalians SC Rs. 250,000 for Most Valuable Player. The awards were presented by Sri Lanka Cricket Senior Manager – Cricket Administration Suresh Bulankulame.

Scores:

Sandalanka CC 237-9 (50) (Hasindu Perera 23, Amila Dayanaka 31, Rishma Amarasinghe 27, Janith Rathnasiri 60, Ramith Bandara 22, Ayesh Harshana 27, Chamath Gomez 3/65, Deshan Fernando 2/38)

Saracens SC 132-3 (27) (Janaka Sampath 32, Anushka Perera 47, Amitha Dabare 23*, Nayana Fernando 27*, Pasindu Ushettige 2/38)

Marking a significant milestone in its journey as it celebrates 25 years of trust and transformation, HNB Life has introduced Privileged Protect, a novel universal life insurance solution designed to meet the evolving financial and protection needs of modern Sri Lankans.

Developed as an evolved protection offering, Privileged Protect combines short-term premium commitments with long-term financial security, giving customers the flexibility to build wealth while safeguarding their future and loved ones.

Designed for individuals seeking comprehensive life protection with greater financial convenience, the product offers a shorter premium paying term while ensuring continued long-term coverage and investment growth opportunities. The policy also includes six compulsory protection benefits, dividend and loyalty dividend entitlements, partial withdrawal facilities after five years, and the ability to convert the maturity value into a monthly income stream. Customers are also provided the flexibility to continue optional riders beyond the premium paying term and enhance their investment through top-up premiums.

Executive Director/CEO Lasitha Wimalaratne said: ‘As we embark on a bold new chapter as HNB Life, the introduction of Privileged Protect reflects our commitment to continuously evolve alongside the changing aspirations of our customers. Today’s customer seeks greater flexibility, stronger protection, and smarter financial planning solutions that align with their lifestyle and long-term goals. This product has been thoughtfully designed to address those expectations while delivering the security and confidence our policyholders value. As we celebrate 25 years of excellence, we remain focused on shaping the future of insurance through innovative solutions that are relevant, accessible, and future-ready.’

Executive Vice President/Chief Technical Officer Dinesh Udawatta said: ‘The modern customer is increasingly looking for insurance solutions that go beyond traditional protection. Privileged Protect is an evolved offering built around convenience, flexibility, and long-term value creation. It is designed for individuals who want to secure their future with shorter payment commitments while continuing to enjoy meaningful protection and wealth accumulation benefits. As HNB Life, we are committed to introducing customer-centric innovations that empower Sri Lankans to confidently plan for the future.’

With the launch of Privileged Protect, HNB Life continues to strengthen its portfolio of future-focused insurance solutions, reinforcing its commitment to protecting lives while empowering customers to achieve long-term financial wellbeing in an ever-evolving world. HNB Life PLC is licensed by the IRCSL and all policyholders are advised to read the policy document before concluding a sale to understand benefits, exclusions, terms and conditions.

Amana Takaful Life PLC has announced the appointment of Pradeep Dilshan Rajeeva Hettiaratchi and Dev Nissanka Wijewardane to the Board as Independent Non-Executive Directors.

Dilshan Hettiaratchi is a finance professional with over 30 years’ experience. He has held senior roles both in organisations in Sri Lanka and Overseas. He is a Managing Director of Faber Capital Ltd., which is an investment banking firm headquartered in Dubai. The firm specialises in Capital Markets, Renewable Energy and Advisory opportunities. He was intricately involved in the establishment of Sri Lanka’s first Utility Scale Solar PV project. Prior to joining Faber Capital, he was the Managing Director and Head of Debt Capital Markets-MENA and Pakistan for Standard Chartered Bank. In this role he was instrumental in advising many high profile issuers from the Middle East such as The Governments of Dubai, Bahrain and Ras Al Khaimah, and other Corporates and Financial Institutions from the Middle Eastern region to tap the International Capital Markets. He is also the Chairman of Sampath Securities Ltd, as Board Member of Sampath Bank PLC was a Board Member of Amana Bank PLC and Windforce PLC.

He was also a Steering Committee member of the Gulf Bond and Sukuk Association (GBSA), and the Chair of the Government Bond issuance committee in 2011.

He holds an MBA from the University of Colombo, is a CFA Charter Holder and is an ACMA (UK). He also completed Leading Across Boundaries which is a High Performance Leadership Programme offered by Said Business School of the University of Oxford.

Dev Wijewardane is a seasoned technology executive and strategic leader with over 20 years of robust experience across the information technology, digital transformation, and enterprise governance sectors. He currently serves as a Senior Director and Field CTO at WSO2, where he operates at a senior executive level advising telecommunications, government, banking and financial services institutions on the design, oversight, and evolution of large-scale digital, integration, and identity platforms. In this capacity, he directly engages with leadership teams to align complex technology initiatives with organisational strategy, long-term operating models, and strict regulatory obligations, ensuring sustainable platform investment and risk mitigation. Additionally, he is the Founder and Director of a technology startup, where he is involved in steering the end-to-end commercial and technical governance, product vision, and operational scale-up of a SaaS application focusing on the logistics industry.

His prior professional tenure includes high-level consultancy roles, notably as Principal Consultant, Lead Consultant, and Senior Consultant at Versent Pty Ltd, where he managed specialised engineering teams and spearheaded identity and digital platform strategies for market-leading financial institutions. He also served as a Solutions Architect for global infrastructure platforms at Transfield Services, driving corporate productivity and authentication framework strategies. Academically, he holds a Master of Science in Internetworking from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Bachelor of Computing majoring in Networking and Database Technology from Monash University, Australia. With an expert command over digital trust, enterprise risk management, identity security, and technological governance, he brings invaluable strategic oversight to the Board as the company navigates digital innovation and modernisation within the highly regulated insurance sector.

Sri Lanka Emerging and West Indies Academy will commence a two-match 4-day series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium from today.

Both teams are giving opportunities to emerging players to experience competitive international environments and further develop their technical, tactical and mental skills required to take the next step which is to the highest level of the game.

Sri Lanka Emerging is led by its former Under19 captain Dinura Kalupahana while West Indies Academy is captained by Rivaldo Clarke who scored consistently (42 and 36, 57*, 51 and 74) against Sri Lanka Emerging when they toured the West Indies in June 2025.

Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd., has entered the next phase of its strategic partnership with Dedigama Group Ltd., reaffirming its commitment to customer convenience, accessibility, and choice.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently, dedicated personnel at Dedigama branches countrywide will be available to support interested customers to collect information and premium and facilitate printing of temporary insurance certificates .

This milestone reflects Allianz Lanka’s continued focus on meeting customers where they are, making insurance simpler, more accessible, and centered on customer needs.

Dedigama Group, a diversified conglomerate established in 1950, operates across financial services, jewellery, gem trading and exports, hospitality, plantations, and real estate. The Group maintains a strong islandwide footprint through over 350 pawning outlets, enabling broader access to essential financial services for communities across Sri Lanka.

The partnership launch was attended by Dedigama Group Directors Rashmi Dedigama and Isha Dedigama, and Allianz Insurance Lanka Head of Corporate Sales Malik Peiris, Senior Cluster Manager – Corporate Sales Amila Liyanaarachchi, and Assistant Business Promotion Manager Mihiran Kaushalya Fernando.

This collaboration reinforces Allianz Lanka’s customerfirst philosophy by offering more access points, greater flexibility, and meaningful choice.

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) undertook an official visit to Hong Kong recently, with the objective of further strengthening its regulatory capabilities and relations through exposure to internationally recognised best practices and evolving supervisory frameworks.

During the visit, the IRCSL delegation engaged in a series of high-level discussions with the Hong Kong Insurance Authority (HKIA), the regulator overseeing one of Asia’s most advanced insurance markets. The meetings focused on contemporary regulatory approaches and emerging trends shaping the global insurance industry. During the visit, the delegation also engaged with senior representatives from Hong Kong’s Health Bureau, the Hong Kong Actuarial Society, the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, and the Hong Kong Confederation of Insurance Brokers, to gain broader insights into regulatory, actuarial, health care, and distribution-related developments within the Hong Kong insurance ecosystem.

The IRCSL delegation was led by IRCSL Chairman Dr. Ajith Ravindra De Mel, and included IRCSL Director General Damayanthi Fernando, and IRCSL Assistant Director – Information Technology Dirrel Fernando. During the visit, the IRCSL delegation met with AIA Group President and Group Chief Executive Lee Yuan Siong. They also took time to engage with many senior leadership members of AIA Group to better understand various global best practices and operational standards within AIA, Asia’s leading life insurer.

The insights gained from Hong Kong are expected to support the continued enhancement of supervisory practices, ensuring alignment with global standards while addressing local market dynamics.

Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa recently inaugurated the upgraded Neurology Institute at the National Hospital following a Rs. 99 million reconstruction project aimed at enhancing neurological care services in Sri Lanka.