HNB Assurance Hosts Second Consecutive International Partnership Awards in Malaysia

HNB Assurance PLC once again marked a historic milestone by hosting its Partnership Awards 2025 on an international stage for the second consecutive year. Held at the prestigious Royal Signature Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, the gala event welcomed guests from HNB, HNB Assurance staff, Bancassurance Officers and their families, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the company’s partnership channel.

The Partnership Awards, a flagship annual event for HNB Assurance, serves as a platform to honor and recognize the exceptional contributions of its partnership channel, which continues to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth. Following the success of last year’s international debut in Thailand, this year’s event in Malaysia further signifies the company’s expanding vision and growth momentum.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lasitha Wimalarathne, Executive Director / CEO of HNB Assurance, expressed his thoughts, stating, ‘This is truly a special occasion as we bring together our teams here in Malaysia to celebrate the achievements of our partnership channel. Over the years, this channel has grown into one of our strongest pillars, contributing significantly to our Gross Written Premiums and overall success.

These milestones are a direct reflection of the commitment, innovation and customer-centric mindset that define our people. As we celebrate tonight, I encourage all of you to continue pushing boundaries and setting new standards in the industry. Congratulations to all the award winners and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this gala event a reality.’

The past year has been one of exceptional achievements for HNB Assurance’s partnership channel, which continues to set benchmarks in the industry. With an ever-growing pool of top performers, the team recorded a remarkable number of MDRT qualifiers, along with highest ever COTs and TOTs. HNB Assurance also maintained its position as Sri Lanka’s Best Life Bancassurance Provider, a recognition earned for the fifth consecutive year by the Global Banking and Finance Review.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Mr. Sanesh Fernando, Chief Business Officer / General Manager – Partnerships, shared, ‘The Partnership Awards are not just about celebrating numbers, they are about celebrating our people, the heart and soul of our success. To witness the growth and accomplishments of our Bancassurance Officers year after year has been truly inspiring.

Hosting our gala in Malaysia this year is a reflection of how far we have come, and I firmly believe the best is still ahead of us. I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in our partnership network. With the guidance of our parent company, Hatton National Bank, and the continued support of our partner banks, financial institutions, and broker network, we are confident of reaching even greater achievements in the years ahead.’

Sri Lanka woos Japanese investors for neutral South Asia AI Data Centre

Sri Lanka this week wooed Japanese investors to be part of the proposed neutral AI Data Centre to be set up for the benefit of South Asian countries.

The plans were shared and invitation was extended by Chief Presidential Adviser on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya at a business and investment promotion forum in Tokyo presided by President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

He said that the neutral AI Data Centre will be a virtual Special Economic Zone offering data sovereignty for countries using it whilst making the venture attractive for investors including concessions on use of energy.

The proposed initiative is part of the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to scale up infrastructure in a bid to grow the digital economy by five times to $ 15 billion by 2030.

‘We invite Japanese companies to invest and help Sri Lanka realise the value creation in the digital economy sphere,’ Dr. Wijayasuriya added in his presentation titled ‘Sri Lanka’s digitalization eco-system and investment opportunities.’

According to him, among Sri Lanka›s digital ambitions were enhancing digital exports by three times to $ 5 billion and expanding the digital workforce to 200,000.

Protecting Children from Online Harassment and Cyberbullying

The rise of digital technology has created new spaces for children to learn, connect and grow. From online classrooms to social media and gaming platforms, the digital world has become an integral part of childhood. However, with these opportunities comes a growing risk-online harassment and cyberbullying. On World Children’s Day, it is essential to spotlight the importance of protecting children in virtual environments and ensuring their voices, emotions and safety are not compromised.

Cyberbullying takes many forms, including threatening messages, mockery, impersonation, spreading rumours, posting embarrassing photos or excluding someone from online groups. Unlike physical bullying, digital abuse can happen anywhere, anytime-even from behind a screen-and often goes unnoticed by adults. A single harmful post can reach hundreds within seconds, leaving lasting emotional scars.

The psychological impact of cyberbullying on children is profound. Victims may experience anxiety, loneliness, fear, humiliation and depression. Their confidence can drop, affecting academic performance, friendships and family relationships. In severe cases, cyberbullying has led to self-harm, school refusal and long-term trauma. Because children often hesitate to speak up, many suffer in silence while trying to navigate complex emotions alone.

Parents have a crucial role in safeguarding their children. Creating a safe space for open conversations is the first step. Instead of reacting with blame or anger, parents should encourage children to discuss their online experiences freely. Setting age-appropriate screen time limits, monitoring privacy settings and staying informed about the apps children use can help prevent harmful situations. Parents should also watch for signs such as irritability, withdrawal, mood swings, sleep disturbances or sudden disinterest in digital devices or schoolwork.

Schools are equally responsible for prevention and intervention. Digital citizenship education should be part of the curriculum, teaching students about respect, empathy, privacy and the consequences of harmful online actions. Anti-bullying policies must include cyberbullying, with clear steps for reporting and addressing incidents. Teachers and counselors should be trained to identify victims and respond sensitively, ensuring that the child does not feel blamed or isolated. Student-led peer support groups and awareness campaigns can create safer school cultures and empower children to stand against digital bullying.

Community involvement adds another layer of protection. NGOs, youth organizations and child protection agencies can conduct workshops, helplines and outreach programmes. Public awareness campaigns through media and social platforms can educate parents, children and teachers about cyber safety, mental wellbeing and responsible online conduct.

Technology companies must also take accountability. Social media platforms, messaging apps and gaming networks should invest in stronger monitoring systems, AI moderation tools and quick-response mechanisms to report and remove abusive content. Child-friendly settings, privacy controls and age verification processes should be mandatory. Clear communication channels for complaints can help victims feel supported and heard.

Governments can support these efforts by strengthening legal frameworks that criminalize cyberbullying and protect children’s rights online. Collaboration between ministries of education, justice and telecommunications can result in practical guidelines and enforcement mechanisms. Hotlines, support services and data protection policies must be available at national and community levels.

Children themselves need awareness and confidence to protect their digital wellbeing. They should be encouraged to speak up if they feel threatened, harassed or uncomfortable online. Teaching them to block unsafe contacts, report abuse, avoid oversharing personal details and use secure privacy settings is essential. Empowering children to be upstanders-not silent bystanders-helps create safer online communities.

Emotional resilience also plays a key role. Children who feel supported, loved and understood are better equipped to handle challenges. Families can promote hobbies, outdoor activities and social interaction beyond screens to ensure children are not overly dependent on digital validation.

Protecting children from cyberbullying requires teamwork-parents, schools, communities, tech companies, policymakers and children themselves must work together. It is not enough to react after harm occurs; proactive measures, education and empathy are essential to prevention.

On this World Children’s Day, let us commit to building digital spaces rooted in kindness and safety. Every child deserves the freedom to learn, play and connect without fear of humiliation or harassment. By listening, guiding and acting together, we can ensure that technology becomes a tool for progress-not pain-in a child’s life.

Athapaththu confident team will bounce back

A famous quote in cricketing parlance is ‘catches win matches.’ But that was not to be the case for Sri Lanka in their opening ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match against India at Guwahati on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka had India fighting with their backs to the wall at 124-6 after 27 overs, but a spate of dropped catches let the host off the hook and they recovered to post a challenging score of 269-8, to which Sri Lanka could match up with only 211 to lose under the DLS method by 59 runs.

World Cup debutant Amanjot Kaur was given three lives at 18, 37, and 50, and she made Sri Lanka pay for it dearly by scoring a half century (57 off 56 balls) and featuring in a match defining stand of 103 with Deepti Sharma, who also scored a fifty and took three wickets for 54 runs, including the prize wicket of Chamari Athapaththu for 43.

Athapaththu was left to rue her side’s three dropped catches of Amanjot, but she remained confident that her team will bounce back.

‘We executed our plans but we dropped a couple of catches, especially [Amanjot] Kaur’s catch. We made three mistakes and it cost us,’ said Athapaththu after the match.

‘As a batting unit, we lost a couple of wickets early and in the middle overs, and that is where we lost this game. After losing my wicket, our batters struggled a little bit. Chasing is not easy, but we need to execute our right plans at the right time. If we keep losing wickets, it is not easy to chase,’ she added.

Athapaththu praised the bowling of Inoka Ranaweera (4/46), whom she said bowled really well, and Udeshika Prabodhani (2/55) because of her experience. The rest struggled a little bit.

Ranaweera, in particular, caused some sort of panic in the Indian dressing room when she dismissed the heart of their batting – Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur – in one over as they slid from 120-2 to 124-6.

‘I had good support from the wicket-keeper, Captain, and the bowling unit in taking those wickets,’ said Ranaweera.

On Sharma’s knock and their fielding, Ranaweera said: ‘We knew her [Deepthi’s] strength and we planned how to bowl to her, but in the execution, some changes took place and she was able to come on top today. We did well in our fielding, but in some areas, we made mistakes. I don’t think that was the turning point, but if we had done what we were expected to do, that would have given us the opportunity to win.’

Sri Lanka’s next opponents will be defending champions Australia at home. Ranaweera said: ‘A lot of positives came out of the match for us both in the batting and bowling to move forward. We have to take the positives to our next game against Australia. To win, you need only moment in the game. We will go with the determination of winning it.’

Athapaththu said: ‘We have to think about our performance today. We have to talk [with the coaches] and maybe reset our plans. We are calm, and I still have faith in my youngsters because they have won more games for us. I know the mistakes we made. If we can reset these plans, I know we can bounce back.’

‘[Our partnership] was a turning point,’ said Player of the Match Sharma. ‘Back-to-back wickets were falling so we wanted to have a long partnership. The things that we had planned, we executed it. There was no pressure at all because I am used to these types of innings and situations. I have played it in the past, and that partnership with Amanjot was important. I do not feel pressure, I enjoy my batting.’

Sri Lanka and India travelled back to Colombo where they have matches at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium. On Saturday, Sri Lanka meets Australia and on Sunday, it will be the big clash between India and Pakistan.

Nurturing Emotional Wellbeing and Creativity in the Digital Age

World Children’s Day serves as a reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and dream in a safe, supportive environment. In today’s digital age, the way children experience the world is vastly different from previous generations. While technology offers access to knowledge and creative tools, it also brings challenges that can impact emotional wellbeing, social behavior and cognitive development. The responsibility now lies with parents, educators and communities to strike a balance that encourages healthy digital interactions while preserving childhood creativity and emotional resilience.

Digital platforms have become integral to children’s education and recreation. Online learning tools, educational apps and interactive games help develop language, problem-solving and analytical skills. However, excessive screen time can affect attention spans, sleep patterns and emotional stability. Children may become more withdrawn, anxious or overstimulated if they do not have the right guidance on how to use technology in moderation. Therefore, establishing healthy screen time boundaries is essential. Structured schedules, offline hobbies and supervised usage can help children reap the benefits of digital access without losing touch with reality.

Creativity is another area deeply influenced by the digital world. On one hand, children can design art, animations and stories using online tools that were not available to earlier generations. They can express ideas globally and learn from diverse cultures and perspectives. On the other hand, constant exposure to fast-paced media may limit imaginative thinking if children are only consuming content rather than creating it. Encouraging activities like drawing, role play, reading and outdoor exploration fosters innovative thinking and emotional expression. Schools can integrate both digital and traditional creative methods to enhance learning experiences.

Emotional wellbeing is at the heart of healthy childhood development. Children need supportive relationships and positive environments to understand and manage their feelings. With cyberbullying, unrealistic online comparisons and social media pressures increasing, open communication between adults and children has become more important than ever. Parents and teachers must observe behavioral changes and create safe spaces where children can talk about their fears, challenges and dreams. Schools should incorporate emotional literacy programmes that teach children empathy, resilience, conflict resolution and self-awareness.

Another key aspect is parental involvement. Children often imitate adult behavior, especially regarding technology use. When families set aside tech-free times-such as during meals or before bedtime-they create an atmosphere of connection and conversation. Reading stories, spending time outdoors or playing board games strengthens bonds and enhances communication skills. Parents can also use digital platforms creatively by exploring educational content together with their children rather than leaving them unsupervised.

Communities and governments also play a vital role. Policies that ensure access to safe content, protect children’s data and regulate harmful media exposure are crucial. Public campaigns can raise awareness about the importance of emotional wellbeing and responsible digital habits. Schools and community centers can organize workshops for parents, teachers and students on cyber safety, creativity and mindfulness.

Ultimately, technology should be viewed as a tool-not a substitute-for human connection, imaginative play and emotional development. Children deserve environments where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are accepted as learning opportunities and mental wellness is prioritized. On this World Children’s Day, let us commit to guiding the next generation with empathy and intention. By nurturing emotional wellbeing and creativity in a balanced digital landscape, we can empower children to grow into kind, confident and innovative individuals who will shape the future.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (C)

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY

FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (C)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1800 02/10/2025 UNTIL 1800 03/10/2025

Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.

Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1010hPa (hectopascal)

Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 26°C

Warnings: NIL

Goal is energy adequacy and affordable prices, Minister says analysing at Cyprus Forum energy developments

Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou, said on Thursday that the government’s goal is energy adequacy and affordable prices of electricity for the consumers, adding that the Vasilikos natural gas Terminal should be completed as soon as possible and operate safely for many years to come.

Speaking at the Cyprus Forum, in Nicosia, the Minister said that that “this Government must and will finish the Terminal.”

He noted that the Natural Gas Infrastructure Company (ETYFA) which is the owner of the project, has appointed a French energy firm to advise it on how to complete the project. The most critical report, he said, is the gap analysis, that is, to check the design of the project with the construction of the project and with the materials that are ready to be installed. If there is a large gap between design and construction, then the project should be redesigned so that it can be completed as soon as possible but also operate safely, Papanastasiou continued.

The project, the Minister continued, consists of three parts. The first is the vessel, the floating regasification unit, secondly the pier and thirdly the site on land. He explained that the ship “which is the most important asset and which has cost approximately 180 million euros to date, is 99% complete, so it is ready, which gives us very good prospects for having the natural gas as soon as possible.” The pier, he said, and the land part are 45 to 50% complete. These are not difficult projects, he said, noting though that procedures in the public sector create delays.

“The ship is ready and can be used at any time” Papanastasiou noted, adding that there are thoughts of using it with temporary arrangements.

Asked whether the competitive electricity market that was introduced in Cyprus yesterday will reduce prices, he said that the Cyprus market is very small, which often does not create healthy conditions for competition. Whether prices will decrease or increase, or remain the same, he said, will depend largely on the participants. If consumers do not have demands and remain with their traditional supplier, then competitive conditions will not be created, he stressed. For the consumer, the Minister said, a competitive market means that they will be able to choose a supplier that offers the best price at the times they need it. Papanastasiou pointed out that if there are any distortions then the state can regulate the market.

The Minister also spoke about the penetration of Renewable Energy Sources into the electricity mix and said, among other things, that what is needed is production storage such as batteries. We decided, he said, that we will create a central storage system for the stability of the network. In addition, he said that by the end of the year there will be a plan to subsidize batteries for homes so that the power from the photovoltaics can be used back to the homes when needed. For those who cannot install a photovoltaic system, e.g. apartment buildings, he said that there will be energy communities, with the first one in the community of Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias with a subsidy from the European Commission.

The Minister also referred to the electrical interconnection, the Great Sea Interconnector, saying that it is a European project noting that it is not up to us if it is sustainable or not.

Whatever we say, he continued, the project is a European one, it receives 657 million in funding from the Commission. Whether we will be shareholders in this project this is another decision, Papanastasiou said.

The electrical interconnection, he noted, has three challenges. The first is funding. If the project is currently estimated at 2 billion euros, the EU has provided 657 million and provided access to another 100 million, so 757 million, he said, adding that the rest will have to be found from other sources of funding. The second challenge is the technical issue, he said, as the sea between Cyprus and Crete, is 892 kilometers long and 3 kilometers deep. The third challenge is a geopolitical one. This issue requires management and not the cancellation of the project, the Minister stressed.

In relation to developments in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Papanastasiou said that the two mature projects, are in the gas fields of Aphrodite and Kronos that are in development. Kronos is on fast track, he noted, as there is infrastructure next to the Zohr field in Egypt and it is very easy to connect the field to the infrastructure. He said that they have with Egypt a “most crucial agreement”, the host government agreement, according to which the Kronos gas will enter the Zohr infrastructure then go to a processing point in Egypt and from there by a pipeline the gas will be transported to the Egyptian city of Damietta for liquefaction and export. The alternative, he said, “is to pump gas into the local market of Egypt if the parties decide so.”

Regarding Aphrodite, he said that the unit will be located in the sea on the field and the pipeline that will connect it to the land in Egypt (Port Said) will transfer clean gas that can go to the local market and for liquefaction.

Asked if export from Kronos will begin in 2027, the Minister said that it is a realistically optimistic scenario and that all parties are working for that goal but noted that it is a goal that is not easy to achieve.

Cyprus Comic Con to take place on October 4-5 in Nicosia

This year’s Cyprus Comic Con will take place on the weekend of October 4-5 at the State Fair Grounds, in Nicosia.

Cyprus Comic Con said in a press release that American singer Jason Paige will be one of its special guests.

The opening ceremony will be held on Friday, October 3, which will also include concerts by the Japanese J-Rock band ?eaL as well as FUSE.

The ceremony will include special appearances from Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, Japanese Ambassador, Yoshio Yamawaki, and President of the District Self-Government Organization, Konstantinos Yiorkadjis.

Tickets for this year’s event are already on sale at: www.cypruscomiccon.org

The event is supported by the Municipality of Nicosia and the Deputy Ministry of Culture.

Countries that violate sovereignty of EU member states can not take part in SAFE, President stresses

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has stressed that countries that violate in any way the sovereignty and territorial integrity of EU member states can not participate in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument.

The President participated on Wednesday in the informal European Council Summit in Copenhagen and on Thursday in the Summit of the European Political Community. In the context of the consultations, the President of the Republic stressed three key points, firstly the principle that countries that violate the sovereignty or territorial integrity of EU Member States cannot participate in the SAFE instrument. Secondly, he supported the strengthening of cooperation between the EU and NATO, without imposing restrictions on the 27 Member States, ensuring Europe’s independence in matters of defence. Thirdly, he stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy, where the EU will not focus only on Ukraine, but will also have a leading role in other regions, such as the Middle East, strengthening Cyprus’ defence infrastructure.

According to a press release by the Presidency, in statements upon his arrival at the European Political Community Summit in Copenhagen, President Christodoulides said that they held a very interesting and constructive discussion yesterday, starting with the issues of defence and security, noting that significant work was done by the previous Presidencies, both the Polish and the Danish Presidency.”

Referring to the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, President Christodoulides noted that the Republic of Cyprus will institutionally further promote the issue and added that it is important that the European Union has moved forward with concrete actions.

“This is also a priority of our Presidency. So, institutionally, we will further strengthen the EU’s efforts’, he went on to say.

Regarding the SAFE instrument, the President stressed that at the national level, the goal of strengthening the defence and security of the Republic of Cyprus, the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus is a key priority. “And within this framework our country will utilize both the SAFE instrument, for which an amount exceeding one billion euro has been determined for the Republic of Cyprus, as well as other collaborations that we have with strategic partners, such as the USA.’

Within this framework, he added, ‘we will work to strengthen the very good, promising Cypriot defence industry, which has enormous prospects for cooperation with both EU member states and countries in the region”.

He noted that it was within this framework that they have decided that the purchase of armament programs of the Republic of Cyprus must also require the participation of Cypriot defence industries at a rate of at least 15%.

‘In the discussions, we raised three issues for which there is a general understanding among the member states. Firstly, countries that violate in any way the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states of the European Union cannot participate in the SAFE instrument and benefit from the financial resources of the European Union’, he stressed.

The second issue, he continued, is the cooperation between the European Union and NATO, that the Republic of Cyprus supports, but without any restrictions for the 27 Member States of the European Union.

The third issue, he noted, is the need for the European Union to have an overall perspective and explained that the issues of Ukraine are particularly important, but at the same time in the defence and security field in particular, the EU should be a protagonist in other regions as well. He went on to say that he made a specific reference to the wider Middle East, but also to the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to strengthen both the Andreas Papandreou Air Base and the naval base in Mari, in Cyprus.

As regards the Naval Base in Mari, the President said that he held a discussion with the President of the European Investment Bank who was in Cyprus recently.

He welcomed the fact that the EIB has included issues related to defence and security for financial support of EU member states.

Referring to the meeting he had with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the President said that they discussed EU-NATO relations adding that the NATO official asked to be informed about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue.

‘We discussed the issue of the participation of NATO member states in the European Union’s SAFE instrument and I reiterated the common position of the European Union that NATO member states that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states cannot in any way benefit from this specific instrument” he said.

President Christodoulides added that with regard to Turkey, it is up to Ankara to participate in the SAFE instrument provided that there are positive, specific developments in the Cyprus issue, noting that it is up to Turkey to take the next steps.

Concluding, he said that in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU, that will begin in January 2026, he will have meetings with heads of government, specifically of Ukraine, Moldova and other states, who have requested to advance issues related to their relations with the European Union.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

Cyprus President highlights importance of Readiness 2030 and SAFE for European Security

President, Nikos Christodoulides, stressed the vital importance of key EU initiatives such as Readiness 2030 and the SAFE Regulation for the security of Europe, during Wednesday’s session of the informal European Council, held in Copenhagen.

According to a written statement by the Director of the President’s Press Office, Victoras Papadopoulos, the President made his remarks during an intervention at the Council’s session on Defence and Security.

President Christodoulides condemned Russia’s recent airspace violations over EU territory, expressing solidarity with the affected member states, stressing that such actions pose a threat to the overall security of the Union.

He underlined that initiatives such as Readiness 2030 and the SAFE Regulation are key tools for achieving the objectives set by the EU in the area of defence and security, Papadopoulos said.

The President further stated that the Cypriot Government is committed to maintaining momentum and achieving further progress in these areas during Cyprus’ upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.

He stressed that states posing a threat to the security of EU member states cannot be allowed to participate in EU security mechanisms.

Referring to the Readiness 2030 initiative, President Christodoulides noted that although the Republic of Cyprus is not a NATO member, it supports efforts for closer cooperation and joint action with NATO under this initiative. However, he emphasised that such cooperation must be based on equal treatment for all EU member states.

He also highlighted that the EU must not shift its focus away from other critical regions, such as the Middle East. Cyprus, he said, will do its utmost to strengthen key strategic actors in the context of the Military Mobility initiative.

President Christodoulides further noted that, under the SAFE Regulation, Cyprus plans to upgrade its naval infrastructure and air bases to enhance the EU’s collective security and readiness.

On the war in Ukraine, the President strongly condemned the continued Russian missile attacks and the targeting of civilians.

He underscored the urgent need for a peaceful resolution that respects the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, including the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

President Christodoulides reiterated that Cyprus stands ready to contribute constructively to the development of a comprehensive European security framework, Papadopoulos concluded.