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Amuna Ayurveda and Wellness Retreat has been honoured with the title of ‘Sri Lanka’s Best Wellness Retreat 2025’ at the World Spa Awards.

This distinguished accolade places Amuna among the most revered wellness sanctuaries in the world, underscoring its unwavering commitment to authentic Ayurveda, transformational guest experiences, and exceptional standards in holistic healing.

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, near the tranquil Kandalama Lake in Sigiriya, Amuna is an oasis of serenity where nature, culture, and ancient healing traditions converge. Designed with sustainability and mindfulness at its core, the retreat offers a deeply immersive experience with traditional Ayurveda treatment rooms, Shirodhara therapy spaces, herbal baths, and steam rooms-all guided by experienced Ayurvedic doctors and therapists. Each guest receives a personalised program with treatments for detoxification, rejuvenation, stress and insomnia management, immune support, yoga, meditation, and nutrition – prepared using locally sourced ingredients.

Guests from across the globe consistently praise Amuna’s authenticity, genuine care, and peaceful ambiance, describing it as more than just a wellness retreat-a soulful journey of renewal and self-discovery. This international recognition from the World Spa Awards validates Amuna’s position as a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s wellness tourism sector, and as a destination that seamlessly fuses ancient wisdom with modern comfort.

Hayleys Leisure Managing Director Rohan Karr said, ‘This award is not just a win for Amuna, but for Sri Lanka as a whole. It reflects our belief in Ayurveda’s power to heal, to transform, and to connect people to something deeper-and it motivates us to continue nurturing sustainable, purpose-driven travel.’

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, during his official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Government, held discussions yesterday with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, marking a fresh chapter in bilateral cooperation.

President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for Japan’s steadfast support, particularly through the resumption of concessional yen loans via JICA, which he noted was playing a vital role in Sri Lanka’s national development drive.

JICA President Dr. Akihiko reaffirmed Japan’s long-term commitment to Sri Lanka and announced that the long-delayed Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion project in Katunayake will soon resume, alongside continuous monitoring of Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic reforms.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening the private sector, industry and agriculture as engines of sustainable economic growth.

The two sides also reviewed progress on the Waste Management Plan in the Western Province, while Sri Lankan representatives sought Japanese assistance in advancing the country’s digital economy, particularly in research on artificial intelligence and the establishment of an AI Neutral Centre.

The meeting was capped by the signing of a Grant Agreement for the Project for the Enhancement of Productivity in the Dairy Sector, underscoring Japan’s continued investment in Sri Lanka’s long-term development.

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and a group of other officials participated in this event.

HNB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Damith Pallewatte has been appointed to the Governing Board of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka (IBSL), the country’s apex body for banking education and professional development.

Founded in 1964 and incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1979, IBSL has been at the heart of advancing banking knowledge, certification, and professional standards for over six decades. Its Governing Board includes representatives from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, state commercial banks, and licensed financial institutions, reflecting its pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry.

HNB Managing Director and CEO Damith Pallewatte said: ‘I am honoured to serve on the Governing Board of the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka. For more than six decades, the Institute has been central to building the skills and integrity of our profession. At a time when banking is being reshaped by digitalisation, sustainability, and new customer expectations, the role of professional education has never been more critical. I look forward to working with my colleagues at IBSL. With my experience spanning risk management, corporate and wholesale banking, credit, and operations to expand learning opportunities and ensure that Sri Lankan bankers are equipped to thrive in the years ahead.’

Appointed as HNB’s Managing Director/CEO in November 2024 after serving as Acting CEO earlier that year, he has been instrumental in strengthening HNB’s wholesale banking franchise, having previously served as Deputy General Manager of the Wholesale Banking Group. Before joining HNB in 2015, he was Chief Risk Officer at Nations Trust Bank, where he led the development of robust risk frameworks during a period of global financial turbulence.

An accomplished professional, Pallewatte holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and a BSc. Management (Hons.) from the London School of Economics (University of London). He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and a Certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) from GARP.

Deepti Sharma spun her magic with the ball to notch a three-wicket haul as India beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs in DLS method in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opener.

Having played a vital role with the bat earlier in the game, Sharma managed to get rid of Sri Lanka Captain Chamari Athapaththu, Kaveesha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani.

Removing Sri Lanka’s star opener for 43 during their pursuit of 270, Deepti’s display allowed India to tighten their grip on the contest, paving way for other bowlers to benefit, with Sree Charani and Amanjot Kaur nabbing a wicket each in quick succession.

Meanwhile, Kranti Gaud had opened the floodgates for India with their first wicket in the tournament by cleaning up Hasini Perera.

Making her tournament debut, Gaud deceived the Sri Lanka opener with a delivery that kept low and crashed into the off stump.

Earlier, Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma helped India pull their way back into the contest at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.

After the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side was pinned down to 124/6, thanks to Sri Lanka’s prolific effort with the ball, the duo combined 103 runs for the seventh-wicket partnership.

Sneh Rana also constructed a vital cameo – 28 off 15 deliveries – producing two fours and as many maximums to help India past the 250-run mark.

For Sri Lanka, Inoka Ranaweera had turned the game in Sri Lanka’s favour by removing Harleen Doel, Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur in quick succession to leave India reeling at 121/5.

The Sri Lankan tweaker became the second oldest player to take a four-wicket haul in Women’s ODIs, and the oldest to do so at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu then added to India’s troubles in the by dismissing Richa Ghosh with Udeshika Prabodani taking a sharp catch at cover.

The surge of wickets came after the contest was reduced to 48 overs a side after persistent drizzle kept players off the field for over an hour.

Shortly after resumption, Pratika Rawal’s steady knock of 37 from 59 balls came to an end as she stepped out to Inoka Ranaweera but got picked out deep midwicket. Vishmi Gunaratne held on to the catch at the second attempt, breaking India’s 50-run partnership.

Sri Lanka Captain Chamari Athapaththu had won the toss and elected to field first in their tournament opener against in Guwahati.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry recently hosted a dynamic workshop at EDB Head Office to boost the international visibility of Sri Lanka’s creative textile sector.

The program aimed to enhance awareness among government institutions operating under the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development about domestic and international market opportunities and to facilitate easier market access for creative textile products mainly handloom and batik industries.

Sharing their expertise, Buddhi Batiks Ltd., Chief Executive Officer Darshi Kirthisena shared her insights on ‘Presenting Batik Products to the Modern Fashion Market’, demonstrating how traditional batik art can be adapted for global consumers.

University of Kelaniya Department of Marketing Management Senior Lecturer Dr. G. Nilantha Roshan Perera conducted a session on ‘Developing a Global Textile Brand’ where he shared valuable insights on branding strategies, market positioning, and the importance of storytelling in building internationally competitive textile brands.

Adding a practical dimension, Loom and Bean (ApiHappi) Co-Founders Itosha Lankathilaka and Aparna Samarakoon shared their inspiring export success story showcasing how traditional Sri Lankan products can capture international markets.

Meanwhile, Dr. Thushari Vanniarachchi from the University of Moratuwa emphasised stronger collaboration between fashion design institutions and government textile centres, while Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) Senior Technologist Sarath Wijayabahu outlined SLITA’s critical role in skills training, product innovation, and certification.

The event drew the participation of senior officials including Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Additional Secretary – Traditional Industry Development Subhadra Walpola, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (SLITA) Director General Tharanga Nalan Gamlath, EDB Acting Additional Director General – Development Kumuduni Mudalige and Director – Industrial Products Manoja Dissanayake, alongside provincial industry directors, textile centre managers, and EDB officers.

This initiative marks an important step in linking Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage with global fashion trends, paving the way for enhanced exports, sustainable livelihoods, and a stronger international presence for the island’s creative textile sectors including the handloom and batik industry.

The farcical comedy that took place during the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the 17th Asia Cup tournament in Dubai on Sunday where India refused to accept the winner’s trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi who is also Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Interior Minister of Pakistan, just goes to show how much times have changed over the years where politics creeping into sports is ruining everything that sports stands for.

Going back to February 1996, the year Sri Lanka won the cricket World Cup, India and Pakistan players showed solidarity by coming together to play for the Wills Combined XI which was an India-Pakistan Combined side against Sri Lanka to prove to the world that Sri Lanka was a safe place to play cricket after Australia and West Indies had declined to tour citing security concerns.

Australia’s opening match of the 1996 World Cup was set to be played at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo which had witnessed a bomb explosion the previous month, and West Indies were due to face the host country a week later.

Sri Lanka who was joint hosts with India and Pakistan faced an uncertain future of hosting the World Cup matches due to the decisions taken by Australia and West Indies.

It was then that Pakistan and India came together in solidarity combining to form a dream team called the Wills India and Pakistan Combined XI with top stars from both teams ready to feature in a 40-over warm-up match against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium and clear any doubts over players’ safety. It was played for the Wills Solidarity Cup.

The match took place a day before the start of the World Cup that saw the Wills Combined India-Pakistan XI led by Mohammed Azharuddin take on Arjuna Ranatunga’s Sri Lankan side.

The Wills Asian XI had some dream combinations with Sachin Tendulkar and Saeed Anwar opening the batting and Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis bowling in tandem with Anil Kumble. Aamir Sohail, Ijaz Ahmed, Ajay Jadeja, Rashid Latif and Aashish Kapoor completed their eleven.

Batting first, Sri Lanka managed 168-9 in 40 overs, with Asanka Gurusinha and Ranatunga scoring 34 and 32 respectively and leg-spinner Anil Kumble ending with figures of 8-1-12-4 which eventually won him the Player of the Match award. Waqar and Wasim picked up Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana cheaply. The opening pair was to become the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s World Cup win a few weeks later.

Sri Lanka spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan and Upul Chandana, picked up a couple of wickets each, but the Combined Wills XI cruised home by four wickets following notable contributions from each of their batsmen, notably Tendulkar 36 and Azharuddin 32.

Despite the show of strength, Australia and West Indies refused to change their stance. Sri Lanka won a walkover in their matches against both teams. Interestingly, both Australia and West Indies faced each other in one semi-final in Chandigarh, where Australia emerged victorious. The other semi-final played at Kolkata saw Sri Lanka being awarded the match against India by default after spectator riots.

Sri Lanka went onto eventually win their maiden World Cup defeating Australia in the final at Lahore.

Intikhab Alam, manager of the Wills Combined XI said: ‘This is the first time that India and Pakistan are playing as one team in its history. I sincerely hope with this match India and Pakistan will resume cricket ties. I hope it is the turning point. It was a tremendous sight to have both Indian and Pakistan cricketers get together at the airport. I don’t think you can achieve any better goals than that. We are happy to be here and it is the least we can do for our countries.’

Such was the solidarity that existed between India and Pakistan which over the years has sadly eroded due to politics.

Scores: Sri Lanka 168-9 (40) (Asanka Gurusinha 34, Arjuna Ranatunga 32, Aashish Kapoor 2/34, Anil Kumble 4/12)

Wills Combined XI 171-6 (34.3) (Sachin Tendulkar 36, Mohammed Azharuddin 32, Ajay Jadeja 28, Rashid Latif 21*, M Muralitharan 2/46, Upul Chandana 2/35)

LB Finance PLC has taken a landmark step in its sustainability journey by becoming a signatory of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), a global initiative that enables financial institutions to measure and disclose greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to their lending and investment portfolios.

This milestone adds to LB Finance’s proud history of climate leadership. In 2013/14, the company became Sri Lanka’s first carbon conscious finance company, followed by another industry-first in 2015/16, when it was certified as the first carbon neutral company in Sri Lanka. Over the past few years, the company has steadily advanced its sustainability reporting, integrating GHG accounting into its disclosures.

In the financial year 2024/25, LB Finance made history in the local financial sector by publishing the financed emissions from its motor vehicle loan portfolio, calculated using the PCAF methodology and it was independently verified by Control Union Sri Lanka, ensuring credibility and transparency. The assessment confirmed a total carbon footprint of 36,934.07 tCO2e for 2024/25, with 27,245.12 tCO2e attributable to financed emissions from motor vehicle loans. Notably, this was achieved even before LB Finance became an official member of PCAF, reflecting its forward-thinking approach.

This year also marked another milestone, as LB Finance became the first financial institution in Sri Lanka to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) near-term and net-zero targets, aligning its strategy with the 1.5°C global warming pathway.

By joining PCAF, LB Finance gains access to a collaborative global platform of over 600 financial institutions worldwide, working together to standardise and enhance financed emissions accounting. This membership will allow LB Finance to deepen its GHG reporting, benchmark against global best practices, and accelerate its path towards meeting its ambitious climate goals.

LB Finance Managing Director Niroshan Udage said: ‘Our membership in PCAF marks a new chapter in LB Finance’s sustainability journey. Strengthening our GHG accounting practices is essential to aligning our financing activities with Sri Lanka’s climate commitments and the global transition to a low-carbon economy.’

PCAF APAC Coordinator Srinagesh Mavilati said: ‘We are excited for LB Finance to be part of the signatory community, and we are looking forward to continuing to collaborate with LB Finance on driving the standardisation of portfolio emissions accounting in Sri Lanka.’

The overnight net liquidity surplus in the inter-bank money market surged to Rs. 198.79 billion yesterday, reaching the highest level since 05 June. An amount of Rs. 203.36 billion was deposited at Central Banks SDFR (Standing Deposit Facility Rate) of 7.25%, while an amount of Rs. 4.57 billion was withdrawn from Central Banks SLFR (Standard Lending Facility Rate) of 8.25%.

The weighted average rates on call money and repo were registered at 7.87% and 7.88% respectively.

Meanwhile, the Treasury Bills auction scheduled to be conducted today will have a total offered amount of Rs. 43 billion, an increase of Rs. 5.00 billion over the previous week. The auction will consist of Rs. 8.00 billion on the 91-day, Rs. 25.00 billion on the 182-day and Rs. 10.00 billion on the 364-day maturities.

For context, at the previous weekly Treasury Bill auction (held on 24 September) the weighted average yields remained unchanged. Accordingly, the rate on the 91-day, 182-day and 364-day tenors remained at 7.57%, 7.89% and 8.02% respectively. This marks the 10th week where T-Bill weighted averages have stayed mostly unchanged at auctions. In terms of subscription, 90.41% of the total offered amount was raised, with successful bids amounting to Rs. 34.35 billion against the Rs. 38.00 billion on offer in the first phase of competitive bidding. This marked the fifth consecutive auction that fell short of fully raising the targeted amount. Subsequent to the T-Bill auction an additional amount of Rs. 275 million was raised at the second phase.

The secondary Bond market remained largely subdued for a second consecutive day. Market participants adopted a watchful stance, leaving conditions at a virtual standstill for much of the session. Yields, however, edged up marginally during trading, with two-way quotes closing the day slightly up.

The 01.02.26 maturity traded at the rate of 8.00% and the 15.09.27 maturity was seen trading at the rate of 8.77%. The 15.03.28 and 01.05.28 maturities were seen trading at the rates of 9.05% and 9.10% respectively. The 15.06.29, 15.09.29 and 15.12.29 maturities were seen trading at the rates of 9.48%, 9.50% and 9.60% respectively. The 01.07.32 and 01.10.32 maturities were seen trading at the rates of 10.65% and 10.40% respectively. The 15.09.34 maturity traded between the rates of 10.82%-10.80%.

The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI; Base 2021=100) for the month of September was recorded at a positive + 1.5% on its point to point. This is as against its previous month’s figure of + 1.20%, which was incidentally the first instance of positive inflation in 11 months up to that point. The annual average was registered at -1.4% as at September.

The total secondary market Treasury Bond/Bill transacted volume for 29 September was Rs. 2.30 billion.

Forex market

In the Forex market, the USD/LKR rate on spot contracts closed the day steady Rs. 302.55/302.60 unchanged against the previous day.

The total USD/LKR traded volume for 29 September was $ 103.05 million.

Ganga Addara isn’t just another concert; it’s a celebration of Sri Lankan music with a powerful blend of tradition and innovation, taking place on 2 October at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

At the heart of the evening is the specially expanded DLB Squared Band, featuring sitar, tabla, along with contemporary instruments. Together, they will give beloved local classics a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation, promising audiences an exhilarating musical journey.

For a visual complement to the music, the brothers will perform in outfits designed exclusively through a collaboration between Sonali Dharmawardena and Asanka de Mel of LOVI. Created especially for the concert, the designs embody a unique blend of heritage and modernity.

‘With Ganga Addara, we wanted to honour Sri Lanka’s musical roots while daring to present them in a new way,’ said Ishan De Lanerolle. ‘The sitar, the tabla, the band, and even our stage wear are all about blending heritage with innovation for one unforgettable night. We’ll also be performing completely unamplified-which is a rare challenge with so many instruments on stage-but that’s the thrill of the journey! The stage itself will be set very differently to create a truly immersive experience, and we’re deeply grateful to Sonali Dharmawardena and Asanka of LOVI for coming together to design these special outfits.’

The evening promises a colourful, vibrant, and immersive atmosphere, making Ganga Addara a celebration of Sri Lankan music and style.

Tickets, priced from Rs. 1,500 (balcony) to Rs. 10,000 (premium stalls), are moving fast with stalls nearly sold out. For reservations, call, text or WhatsApp 0777 996 991.

At the landmark 50th Annual General Meeting of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), held on 9 September aboard the Genting Dream Cruise, history was made when Delair Travels of Delmege Group Chief Operating Officer Sonali Ranasinghe, was appointed as the first female President of TAASL.

This milestone is a moment of immense pride for the Delmege Group, which is celebrating 175 years of business excellence in 2025. It reflects the Group’s ongoing commitment to investing in talent, empowerment, and professional development, while further strengthening its leadership across diverse industries.

With over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, Sonali brings a wealth of expertise, insight, and leadership to her new role. Her tacit knowledge and proven track record positions her to not only guide TAASL effectively but also to chart a bold course for growth and innovation in the sector.

Sonali Ranasinghe said: ‘It is both an honour and a responsibility to step into this role as TAASL’s first female President. TAASL has always been the unifying voice of the travel industry, bridging communication with the Government, airlines, and other stakeholders. During my tenure, I will focus on expanding training and knowledge-sharing opportunities for industry employees, strengthening collaboration with airlines, and working closely with embassies and consulates to streamline processes. Together, I believe we can elevate the travel industry to new heights.’

She emphasised that training, professional development, and stronger stakeholder collaboration would be key priorities to ensure better service standards and industry advancement. She will be supported by a dynamic executive team committed to delivering a productive year for the industry.

Delmege Group Managing Director Dinusha Bhaskaran said: ‘We are incredibly proud of Sonali’s groundbreaking appointment as the first female President of TAASL. This achievement is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and expertise, and it also reflects the Delmege Group’s ethos of empowering leaders to make a meaningful impact across industries. We are confident that under her leadership, TAASL will continue to grow stronger and play an even greater role in shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s travel sector.’

‘Sonali’s historic appointment marks a defining milestone for the travel industry in Sri Lanka, one that not only celebrates progress, inclusivity, and visionary leadership, but also transcends traditional gender barriers to inspire a new era of leadership.’