Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

A new chapter in Sri Lanka’s forest restoration journey begins with a landmark partnership between Alliance Finance Company PLC (AFC) and Preserving Land and Nature (Guarantee) Ltd., (PLANT).

Formalised through a recent MoU, this multi-year collaboration integrates sustainability into AFC’s core products, supports the planting of 100,000 trees across PLANT sites, and initiates community programs near restoration areas. The first engagement unfolds at Radella Estate in Nuwara Eliya, managed by Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC, where AFC will help establish a forest corridor- part of a 13 km stretch being developed by WNPS PLANT with multiple partners.

This initiative unites finance and conservation in a shared mission to restore native forests, enhance climate resilience, and deliver lasting benefits to local communities. AFC will fund the initial phase and aims to scale efforts over five years, combining ecological recovery with community development, nature education, and inclusive financial strategies to create a replicable model for sustainable restoration.

Radella: From degraded grassland to living forest

Radella Estate, bordered by the Nanu Oya stream and dominated by invasive grasslands, is part of PLANT’s Emerald Trails Initiative, an effort to reconnect fragmented habitats in Sri Lanka’s biodiversity-rich southwest. Restoration will focus on planting native pioneer species to stabilise stream banks, improve microclimates, and boost biodiversity. Crucially, the project models how ecological restoration can align with community stewardship and climate adaptation, aiming to link restored areas with the Great Western mountain reserve, home to many threatened species.

PLANT Chairman Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne said, ‘This partnership shows what can happen when stewardship replaces sponsorship. Alliance Finance is not just funding a project; they are investing in a living, breathing system. Together, we are bringing forests back, empowering families, and giving communities a tangible stake in nature’s future. AFC is leading the way in demonstrating that sustainability efforts are long term oriented, and they were willing to provide longer term funding solutions for our work, once they understood our vision around Emerald Trails.’

New financial model for sustainability

AFC commit to the UN’s Principles for Responsible Banking, brings more than capital to the table. Through this partnership, AFC is helping shape a new model of conservation- one that integrates environmental regeneration with long-term social and economic resilience. This collaboration reflects AFC’s dedication to Triple Bottom Line values: People, Planet, and Profit. It signals a transition from transactional CSR to embedded sustainability, where financial inclusion and ecological accountability go hand in hand.

AFC Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Romani De Silva said, ‘At Alliance Finance, we believe sustainability means uplifting communities while restoring ecosystems. This partnership reflects our long-term commitment to financing regeneration, not just for nature, but for the people who depend on it. Together with PLANT, we are investing in a future that balances prosperity with planetary well-being. Through this initiative, we also aim to empower the next generation by linking tree planting with financial literacy via our Hapannu Savings Scheme – giving children a chance to grow their savings alongside the trees they help protect.’

Community-centred, locally led

At the heart of PLANT’s mission is the belief that restoration must be community-driven. Across 33 locations, PLANT prioritises native biodiversity and science-based methods while empowering those closest to the land. The organisation is building over 25 km of forest corridors and works with local residents, especially women, youth leaders, and smallholder farmers, to lead restoration efforts. Through community nurseries, training, and income-generating opportunities, PLANT transforms degraded areas into thriving ecosystems. By rooting conservation in local hands, PLANT fosters shared ownership and responsibility, ensuring restored landscapes are protected for generations and that ecological revival goes hand in hand with community resilience.

Beyond Radella: Growing vision

The broader vision is to embed restoration into the cultural and economic fabric of the region. Planned efforts include partnerships with local schools for climate education and student-led planting, digital tools for monitoring tree survival, and community engagement for long-term forest stewardship. By aligning conservation with inclusive development and responsible finance, the AFC-PLANT partnership offers a scalable model for climate-smart restoration in Sri Lanka and beyond. As native saplings take root in Radella, they represent more than reforestation; they symbolise a cross-sector, intergenerational commitment to a future where both forests and communities can thrive together.

Sri Lanka completed a 5-0 series sweep of the women’s Under-19 T20 series against touring Australia when they won the fifth and final match by six wickets at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Choosing to bat first Australia managed only 114-6 with the main contributions coming from Emily Powell (33 off 40 balls, 4 fours) and Lucy Finn (35 off 33 balls, 3 fours) who were involved in a 53-run stand for the third wicket. Left-arm spinner Chamodi Praboda was the pick of the Lankan bowlers finishing with 3/16.

Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara played a crucial knock of 34* off 35 balls (5 fours) to steer her team home with 15 balls to spare.

Australia also lost the one-off 50-over match against Sri Lanka and will return home empty handed without a single win on the tour.

Scores: Australia Under-19 Women 114-6 (20) (Emily Powell 33, Lucy Finn 35, Chamodi Praboda 3/16)

Sri Lanka Under-19 Women 115-4 (17.3) (Manudi Nanayakkara 34*, Shashini Gimhani 19*, Shiloh Julien 2/20)

We live in a world built for those who can see. From reading street signs to checking our phones, vision shapes almost everything we take for granted. It’s easy to forget how much of life relies on it, until it’s gone. Those who navigate the world without sight do so with a combination of skill, patience, and resilience that most of us rarely recognise.

Tuan Rushdi is not a celebrity. He is not a public figure many would know. He is a representative of a community whose strength often goes unnoticed, someone whose life story offers a window into both the challenges and the possibilities of living and working without sight.

A week into his first job, Tuan lost his eyesight. For most people, such a moment would feel like the end of a dream. For Tuan, it became the start of a mission. Rather than retreating, he leaned into the world, learning to navigate it in new ways, refusing to let his vision define his potential. Today, he works as a consultant for engagement and inclusion at BConnected Pvt Ltd., combining his personal experience, academic training as an Australia Awards scholar, and international exposure to create pathways for blind and low vision professionals in Sri Lanka. This blend of academic knowledge, international exposure, grounded work through the BEmpowered initiative, and lived experience navigating the corporate world positioned him uniquely to speak at a global stage.

In September 2025, Tuan stood at the World Blindness Summit in São Paulo, Brazil. It was the first global meeting on visual impairment held in Latin America, bringing together thousands of participants from 190 countries to discuss advances in inclusion, public policies, accessibility, and new assistive technologies. He presented a model for disability employment built on four pillars: sourcing, training, connecting, and supporting. Drawing on his work with the BEmpowered initiative, which creates real pathways to employment for persons with disabilities, he shared insights into how blind and low vision professionals can be prepared for meaningful corporate careers.

‘Technology is powerful, but it is not enough,’ Tuan said. ‘You can have the best AI tools and screen readers in the world, but if people are not trained to use them in real workplaces, opportunities remain out of reach. Our goal is to make professionals confident, skilled, and ready to work alongside anyone else.’

He also addressed a challenge beyond tools or skills. While many countries have formal strategies and toolkits for inclusion, in Sri Lanka, the bigger hurdle remains societal attitudes. People often underestimate what blind and low vision individuals can do. ‘It is not about disability, it is about ability. When given support and opportunity, blind professionals can lead, innovate, and inspire,’ Tuan said.

Tuan’s own journey reflects this principle. He recalls moments early in his career when colleagues doubted what he could accomplish, and moments when small adjustments and training transformed what seemed impossible into everyday achievement. Each experience became part of his mission to make workplaces more inclusive, practical, and fair.

Standing in São Paulo, addressing a global audience, Tuan was not just sharing a model or an initiative. He was giving a voice to those who rarely get heard, showing that inclusion is not theoretical. It is tangible. It requires training, preparation, and belief in the talent that exists beyond what is visible.

Tuan’s story is a reminder that limitations do not define potential. For workplaces, it is a call to recognise untapped skills and create opportunities for everyone. For society, it is a challenge to rethink assumptions about ability. And for individuals, it is proof that resilience, determination, and the right support can turn a life-altering challenge into a mission that inspires change far beyond oneself.

Global fintech platform, Pine Labs Ltd., has announced its partnership with Bank of Ceylon in Sri Lanka. This banking-fintech partnership will enable the bank to issue and manage prepaid multi-currency travel cards to its customers.

Powered by Pine Labs Ltd.’s Credit+ platform, the card issuance technology for the bank built on modular architecture will offer an integrated issuing stack for the bank for issuance of these cards at scale and adhere to the security requirements. This card is a physical card which is issued under the Mastercard scheme and allows Bank of Ceylon to cater to an overseas traveller’s foreign exchange requirements.

The Credit+ platform offers an API-first software solution for issuers to offer debit cards, credit cards, forex cards, prepaid cards, and manage the life cycle of their customers. The platform takes care of end-to-end issuer processing services including consumer onboarding, card issuance, transaction processing, fraud prevention, and collections.

Pine Labs Ltd., CEO B Amrish Rausaid said: ‘From seamlessly managing chargeback processing to tokenisation safeguards, comprehensive authorisation rules, and more, our card issuance Credit+ technology platform for banks and financial institutions is built to comply with the stringent regulatory requirements across various jurisdictions. We are delighted to partner Bank of Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s largest state-owned commercial bank, and power a robust tech-first card issuance experience, for issuance of prepaid multi-currency travel cards to their customers.’

Bank of Ceylon Assistant General Manager (International) Upul Wijayathunga said: ‘Being a Bank who objectively adds values to its customers’ life, Bank of Ceylon introduced the BOC Multi-Currency Travel Card that offers the convenience and safety of carrying multiple currencies in one digital card, allowing the customer to travel overseas freely and transact with confidence at a lower expense than having to bear currency exchange loss. As at date we have successfully issued more than 20,000 cards and we are truly grateful for the services provided by Pine Labs as the Card Management System vendor to manage and control the card operations. Their unwavering commitment to quality and professionalism has significantly contributed to our success. We look forward to continuing this fruitful relationship to enhance the Travel Card issuance globally.’

Credit+ is an API-first, issuing, acquiring and processing technology infrastructure by Pine Labs Ltd., that serves as an open-loop solution for both issuers and acquirers. Its modern technical architecture allows Pine Labs Ltd., to provide a one-stop solution for issuers and acquirers to manage the complete consumer lifecycle, including effortless onboarding, smooth processing, ongoing operations management and engagement. As of 31December 2024, 28 Issuers in 16 countries (including India, Malaysia, Australia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Egypt) have used this platform to issue 71 million accounts for Credit, Debit and Prepaid.

Acting as a unified issuing platform, Credit+ platform offers processing for credit, debit, prepaid, forex and loyalty, enabling a 360-degree view of the end consumer which supports different use cases, including domestic and international cards, travel cards, corporate cards, open loop gift cards, general purpose cards, co-branded cards, and EMI plans. Credit+ enables Issuers and their partners to integrate financial services within their digital platforms to create a single smooth end-user experience to enable numerous Fintech infrastructure workflows for diverse use cases, such as expense management, credit program management, gig economy, digital wallet, rewards, fuel and fleet management, teen and campus cards, travel cards. These APIs can support the entire journey including instant digital onboarding, underwriting, KYCs, physical and virtual card issuance, transactions, card controls, risk management, rewards and customer support workflow.

The 17th Annual General Meeting of the Indo Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI), affiliated to The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held on 26 September, at the Taj Samudra, Colombo.

The proceedings were followed by a fireside chat moderated by ILCCI Immediate Past President Romesh David. The distinguished panel included Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, and Brandix Apparel Ltd. Managing Director Hasitha Premaratne.

During the discussion, the High Commissioner emphasised the importance of India and Sri Lanka investing in each other’s economies-not as competitors but as partners in regional growth and expansion. He also discussed Sri Lanka’s role as a transshipment hub and underscored the need to broaden cooperation in the energy sector through joint investments and initiatives.

M. Raghuraman was re-elected as President of the Indo Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI). Addressing the membership, he stated that, ‘Over the past year, the relationship between India and Sri Lanka has reached unprecedented heights. The historic visits of President Disanayake to India and Prime Minister Modi to Sri Lanka have reaffirmed our deep bonds and ushered in a new era of cooperation in energy, defence, digital infrastructure, and trade.’

At the AGM, Carson Management Services Director Krishna Selvanathan, and Lanka IOC PLC Managing Director Dipak Das were elected as Vice Presidents, while South Asia Gateway Terminals CEO Romesh David continues as Immediate Past President.

The current Committee of ILCCI comprises Hemas Holdings PLC, Indian Bank, John Keells Holdings PLC, Lanka Ashok Leyland PLC, MAC Holdings Ltd., PGP Glass Ceylon PLC, Sunshine Holdings PLC, TAL Lanka Hotels PLC, together with ILCCI Founder President Mano Selvanathan, the Counsellor – Commercial a

Fabric and Apparel Accessory Manufacturers Association (FAAMA) held its Annual General Meeting recently, with Husni Salieh of Noyon Lanka appointed as the new Chairman. He will be supported by Vice Chairmen Niroshan Samarasinhe of Stretchline Ltd., and Shahid Sangani of Dynawash Ltd.

The Chief Guest at the event was Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Arjuna Herath, while Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.

FAAMA represents a diverse membership of key suppliers to the apparel export industry, including manufacturers of fabric, lace, zippers, elastics, bra cups, and packaging materials, etc. In support of Sri Lanka’s ambition to build a robust backward supply chain, the sector has made significant investments in local manufacturing capabilities. Today, FAAMA members contribute close to $ 1 billion in direct and indirect exports and play an essential role in value addition, which currently exceeds 55% in the apparel industry.

In his address, outgoing Chairman Samal Dissanaike raised the growing concerns of his members regarding the impact of the new VAT Act and the scheduled withdrawal of the Simplified VAT (SVAT) system on 1 October. He also stressed on the point that both the BOI and EDB should make every effort to look after the interests of the exporters and the supply chain in the country if the Government’s ambitious export growth targets are to be met in the future.

Dissanaike highlighted two major implications for FAAMA members. Firstly, significant amounts of cash would now be tied up in VAT payments to the IRD as payment for any particular month would now be due on or before the 20th day of the following month. He pointed out that given most companies have their prior agreed customer settlement credit periods of 60, 75, 90 days, etc., the system change would further strain working capital issues and increase financing costs.

Secondly, local suppliers risk becoming less attractive compared to direct imports sourced by apparel manufacturers as this method would prevent their cash being blocked with IRD for a minimum 45-day period. If this trend catches on the locally sourced portion of approx. $ 1 billion could drastically reduce and could also hamper employment in the country in the future.

FAAMA has been in continuous dialogue with both the EDB and BOI on this matter, seeking an equitable resolution.

Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe, while acknowledging the concerns raised by Dissanaike emphasised that FAAMA should focus on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) already available and try to boost exports. He also mentioned of ongoing efforts for a new FTA with Japan.

Also addressing the gathering, BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath indicated that the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is giving positive consideration to the inclusion of indirect exporters in the ‘eligible exporter’ category. He emphasised that such a move would be critical to sustaining operations and ensuring the continued viability of businesses within the sector.

With the removal of the SVAT scheme just days away, exporters remain anxious about the IRD’s readiness to process refunds efficiently – a delay that could pose significant challenges to industry cash flow.

However, Herath’s remarks offered FAAMA members a glimmer of hope.

The World Tourism Day 2025 celebrations and Colombo Travel Mart 2025 were inaugurated at One Galle Face, Colombo on 27 September 2025 with participation of Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe.

World Tourism Day celebrations begin in partnership with the Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), and the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM). The Colombo Travel Mart 2025 was opened on 27 September at One Galle Face, bringing together the tourism industry and the young professionals to mark The World Tourism Day 2025.

Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka David Pine, SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, SLITHM and SLCB Chairman Dheera Hettiarachi, UN World Tourism Organisation Director of International Development and Cooperation Jaime Mayaki, AATEHM President Nihal Muhandiram, SLAITO Vice President Nishad Wijethunga, THASL President M. Shanthikumar, and industry stakeholders of tourism attended the opening ceremony.

The program began with a welcome address by Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management President Nihal Muhandiram. He said that the University of Colombo had been central in shaping leaders for the tourism industry and stressed that academic partnerships must continue if the sector is to grow.

SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam said that the Travel Mart had matured into an important fixture in the tourism calendar. He called for closer collaboration between the state and private stakeholders and urged the industry to keep pace with innovation and sustainable practices. He added that Sri Lanka’s brand must be strengthened through service quality and unique visitor experiences.

UN Tourism International Development and Cooperation Director Jaime Mayaki, followed with his remarks. He said that Sri Lanka had a clear opportunity to lead South Asia in sustainable tourism and reminded the audience that global partnerships can bring new markets and shared knowledge. He added that Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural assets already give it a strong base to compete internationally.

High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka David Pine delivered the keynote speech. He said that tourism is a central part of New Zealand’s engagement with Sri Lanka, alongside education, sports, and culture. He noted that tourism is vital for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery as it generates foreign exchange while other sectors continue to develop. He added that New Zealand visitors arriving in the country would significantly increase in the coming months. He observed that this growth fits with Sri Lanka’s national tourism policy, which promotes sustainability, community involvement, and environmental protection. The High Commissioner also pointed to growing interest from New Zealand investors, ranging from boutique hotels to wellness retreats, as well as strong enthusiasm from the Sri Lankan community in New Zealand. He stressed the importance of building skilled people for the industry, highlighting partnerships with institutions such as the University of Colombo to support training, research, and capacity building. Recalling a recent visit, he said that he was encouraged by the creativity and dedication of young students gaining practical experience in hospitality. He added that New Zealand is committed to working with the Sri Lankan Government, the tourism sector, and educational institutions to help bring more international travellers to experience the country’s culture and natural beauty.

SLAITO Immediate Past President Nishad Wijetunga, said that inbound tourism had shown resilience despite global challenges. He urged operators to maintain service quality and adapt to new travel trends, pointing to opportunities in adventure, eco-tourism, and cultural experiences.

Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe addressed the gathering last. He said that the Government was committed to supporting the industry through policy reforms and investment. He noted that tourism had the potential to create thousands of jobs for the younger generation and stressed that the link between education and employment must be strengthened.

After the ceremony, dignitaries proceeded to officially open the Colombo Travel Mart, which continued throughout the day with business-to-business and business-to-consumer exchanges. The Travel Mart demonstrated how tourism could drive economic opportunity by linking international partnerships with local futures.

ACS Capital, a licenced capital markets firm in Sri Lanka, has announced a strategic partnership with the Edinburgh University Trading and Investment Club (EUTIC), founded in 1998 and recognised as Scotland’s largest student-led investment fund.

Through the strategic partnership with EUTIC, ACS Capital enhances its role in advancing frontier market expertise and building international awareness of Sri Lanka’s investment landscape, while highlighting Sri Lanka as a key case study within global capital markets.

ACS Capital Strategy Head Ryan Thineth said: ‘This partnership provides a valuable platform to highlight Sri Lanka’s position within frontier markets and to advance academic-industry engagement, supporting the development of future financial leaders with a stronger understanding of under-researched economies.’

The initiative is expected to strengthen academic-industry engagement and highlight opportunities in frontier markets, reinforcing ACS Capital’s commitment to positioning Sri Lanka within the global investment dialogue.

Malaysian duo Duncan Lee and Zoe Foo were crowned 2025 Reliance PSA

Challenger Open champions after Zoe Foo defeated Raifa Yattaqi from Indonesia and Duncan Lee got the better of Omar El Torkey of Egypt in a fiery encounter in the finals.

The Reliance PSA Challenger Championship 2025, a 6K Men’s/3K Women’s

Challenger event on the PSA Squash Tour, took place recently at Air Force Squash Complex in Ratmalana. Finals and award ceremony took place with Singer Finance PLC CEO Thishan Amarasuriya attending the occasion as Chief Guest.

Third seed, Duncan Lee and unseeded Omar El Torket who downed second seed home favourite Ravindu Laksiri in quarter finals were the two stand out performers at the top of the Men’s game, and look set to enjoy a fierce fight for the top position.

Omar made a perfect start to the match, taking a 1-0 lead at 11/6.

Malaysian national Champion Duncan fought back strongly to win the second set 12/10 to tally the set scores at 1-1. Duncan kept the momentum to win the last two games at 11/3 and 11/4 to take the 2025 Reliance PSA Challenger Men’s Open title.

Women’s open final saw fifth seed Zoe Foo being given a tough fight by Rafia Yattaqi. Zoe took the first set quite easily at 11/6 before conceding the second set at 11/7. Zoe managed to take the last two sets although the last set went down to the wire at 13/11 to win the 2025 Reliance PSA Challenger Women’s Open title.

The tournament was organised by Sri Lanka Squash under the guidance of

Professional Squash Association (PSA) and sponsored by Reliance logistics with participation of 27 participants from 10 countries.

Reliance Logistics was the main sponsor while Rajat Agro commodities, Sana Lanka Trading, SP Agro, Venus Commodities and Amro sugars supported as co-sponsors. PEO TV was the official broadcast partner for the tournament.

NCINGA yesterday announced that the global technology solutions provider has secured a landmark deal with one of Sri Lanka’s leading banks to implement the country’s first Customer Data Platform (CDP) for hyper-personalised banking experiences.

The project will move into the build and deployment phase in the coming months. Upon completion, the CDP will empower the bank to deliver targeted services, offers, and content; improve digital customer engagement; and drive higher customer lifetime value.

This strategic mandate is a historic first for Sri Lanka’s banking industry and its digital transformation trajectory. Demographic shifts and increased mobile adoption are changing consumer behaviour. CDPs provide banks with the technological foundation to keep abreast of these changes and cultivate more valuable, long-lasting customer relationships. These solutions leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to unify data from omni-channels, build customer personas, analyse the entire customer journey, and provide personalised experiences across all customer touch points in real-time.

As CDP adoption is a key step in becoming a true AI-powered bank, a majority of CMOs across industries have marked CDPs as a priority in their two year plans. Any business that has invested in a data warehouse, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, a mobile app, super app, or even a social listening tool, is already on a CDP journey. NCINGA, with its emphasis on delivering future-oriented technology solutions, has been one of the earliest advocates of CDP adoption in multiple industries. This project will serve as a benchmark for banking industry innovation in Sri Lanka and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

NCINGA Cloud Practice VP Isuru Ponnamperuma said: ‘NCINGA is creating history in Sri Lanka’s CDP adoption journey. We were ahead of the curve, educating the market on AI-driven marketing technologies that drive hyper-personalisation. Earlier in the year, we organised an industry event together with our partners to share more insights about CDP-driven hyper-personalisation. CDPs are the next frontier for B2C businesses, and most importantly, these platforms are never static; they will evolve, and with that, so will your business.’

NCINGA’s comprehensive CDP solutions include custom plug-ins for additional data streams, generative AI integration, and hybrid cloud and on-premise deployments. We also work with businesses to build customised data warehouses, analytical models, and dashboards.