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Expolanka Leisure has become one of the first Sri Lankan companies to secure top honours in both Inbound and Outbound Travel categories at the World Travel Awards 2025.

The group’s subsidiaries Classic Travel was named Sri Lanka’s Travel Agency of the Year 2025 for the second consecutive year, while Classic Destinations was recognised as Sri Lanka’s Destination Management Company of the Year 2025.

Expolanka Leisure Director/Chief Commercial Officer Sabry Bahaudeen said: ‘This recognition is a proud moment not only for our team but for Sri Lanka as a whole. Winning at the World Travel Awards reflects the passion, hard work, and unwavering commitment of every member of the Expo Leisure family’.

‘Both Classic Travel and Classic Destinations have worked tirelessly to elevate the travel experience for our clients and showcase the best of Sri Lankan hospitality to the world,’ he added.

The World Travel Awards, often regarded as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry,’ honour excellence across all sectors of global travel and tourism.

All trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday decided to suspend the trade union action they launched on 4 September following discussions with Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.

CEB Engineers’ Union Executive Committee Member Dhanushka Parakramasinghe said the decision was reached after the Minister agreed to all 24 proposals submitted by the unions. He noted that the unions will call off their action once a written assurance is received from the Minister.

‘The Minister has accepted our 24 proposals and agreed to provide a written commitment. Once we receive that, all unions will suspend their ongoing trade union action,’ Parakramasinghe said, adding that the written assurance was expected shortly.

Gold prices reached a new peak yesterday, with the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign rising to Rs. 337,600 in the Colombo Pettah market.

Traders said the price had climbed from Rs. 319,000 recorded the previous day, marking the first time it has crossed the Rs. 330,000 level.

Meanwhile, the price of a 24-carat gold sovereign, which was Rs. 345,000 on Sunday, has now increased to Rs. 365,000.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a subsidiary under Hemas Holdings PLC, recently announced the arrival of its latest hair care product with the launch of Hair Buddy. Developed in partnership with Oproma Cosmetics Ltd., as a botanical fusion hair masque, Hair Buddy marks a milestone for Hemas Pharmaceuticals as its first-ever direct-to-consumer, digital-first launch.

NMRA approved and dermatologically tested, and 100% BPA free, Hair Buddy works rapidly to deliver visible growth. Designed to be a ‘forever friend’, Hair Buddy works to prevent hair loss, reduce dandruff, and strengthen hair from root to tip. Hair Buddy is uniquely positioned to build long-term scalp health through deep nourishment. Recommended for ages 16 and above, Hair Buddy’s ‘forever friend’ factor stems from its status as a safe, inclusive, and effective hair growth partner developed from time-tested Sri Lankan traditions based on plant powered formulas.

Hair Buddy’s launch aligns with Hemas Pharmaceutical’s priority pillars by driving growth through entry into the fast-expanding hair care market. The launch of Hair Buddy represents both Hemas Pharmaceuticals’ diversification into personal care and cements its digital transformation agenda with a dedicated e-commerce platform offering convenient island-wide delivery.

Central to this latest milestone is Hemas Pharmaceuticals’ long-standing distribution partner for over two decades, Chandrasiri and Sons, who will serve as the exclusive distributor for Hair Buddy. With several years of partnership behind them, the collaboration underscores Hemas Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to building on trusted relationships as it explores new markets and consumer segments.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Dr. Mahesha Ranasoma said, ‘As we continue to expand into new markets and healthcare categories, we’re not only pleased to renew and reaffirm longstanding and trusted partnerships, but we’re also eager to bring our customers a product that’s rooted in responsibility and free from harsh chemicals. Furthermore, Hair Buddy reflects Hemas Pharmaceutical’s focus on innovation, purpose, and ethically sustainable responsibility. Through Hair Buddy, Hemas Pharmaceuticals takes a meaningful step beyond healthcare into the realm of personal well-being.’

Oproma Cosmetics Managing Director Pradeep Mapalagama added, ‘With Hair Buddy, we aim to introduce customers to a holistic and carefully curated product that will ensure long-term hair care and profound customer satisfaction. Partnering with Hemas Pharmaceuticals ensures we not only bring this vision to life, but that it upholds and aligns with the same values of responsibility and innovation that we both share.’

Ananda College has announced the appointment of Anuranga Walpola as their Head Coach of their 1st XV rugby team for the 2026 season.

Walpola played for Isipathana and later at CR and FC and Kandy SC clubs representing the national youth and senior teams for number of years before taking up coaching. His last assignment was at S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia.

Supporting Walpola will be an experienced and well-balanced coaching panel that includes former Kingswoodian kicking sensation, Dev Anand as Assistant Coach (Backs), Dinesh Kumara handling Backs and Strength and Conditioning while Prashanth Hettiarachchi as Assistant Coach (Forwards).

Representing a dismal assessment, the World Bank in its recent Sri Lanka Public Finance Review report had observed that the island’s public sector employees earn less than their peers in the private sector as well as counterparts in comparable economies. Furthermore, as per the report, the public sector workforce is higher than that of similar countries and the Bank had opined the bloated workforce needs to be trimmed gradually through proper planning and well-targeted attrition strategies.

Sri Lanka perhaps had one of the finest and impressive public/civil services in the Asian region during the bygone era. Sadly, the deterioration and decay of the country’s public sector is quite gut-wrenching apart from being distressing. Even career Central Bank officials, a minority of semi-government employees who enjoy highly lucrative remuneration benefits, have been disgraced for their unprofessional and unworthy conducts in certain instances. Prominent special grade Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) officers have been jailed and remanded quite regularly by the courts in the recent past, reflecting the considerable erosion of the nation’s public service.

The descent of the public service began with the abolition of the Ceylon Civil Service (CCS), which was the premier public service under British colonial rule and during the early post-independence era, in 1963. Modelled after the British Civil Service, the CCS was known for its high standards and professionalism. Impressive and erudite CCS officers like Ronnie de Mel, Bradman Weerakoon, and Nissanka Wijeyeratne were considered as colossal figures, and none of the contemporary SLAS officers can come even close to their grace and stature. The examination to join the CCS was considered extremely tough and rigorous, with only a small number of candidates chosen from a very large pool of applicants. The prestigious service attracted aspirants hailing from respectable family backgrounds who were educated from the best schools in the country.

In contrast, the SLAS – the successor to the CCS – is quite broad, with about over 2,500 officials, and the service is manned by individuals from the middle class with even top SLAS officials not having the capacity to converse in English language. Today, the public service is no longer perceived as a career path by the ambitious and academically brightest young individuals in the country. At the time of gaining independence, there were quite a number of educated Tamils holding prominent positions in State organisations. However, with the Governments in the South exercising racial prejudice against the minority community systematically over the years in addition to the escalation of the civil war, many of them left the shores, thus, contributing towards the degeneration of the public service.

According to the World Bank publication, in cumulative real terms, average public sector wages and pensions decreased by 33% and 26% from 2020 to 2023. The international development agency also states that government wages are least competitive for highly skilled workers, as they earn 8% to 22% less than private sector peers. Such gross under remuneration contributes towards apathy and dissatisfaction among government employees, resulting in low productivity.

Due to the fiscal constraints, the Government’s ability to spend on the training and development needs of workers has been severely constrained. On the other hand, top companies in the private sector place a special emphasis on the capacity development of junior and middle-level employees to foster their career progression. Although individuals in the private sector can progress through the career ladder rapidly, employees in departments and statutory boards have to spend a considerable amount of time to gain promotions, which further aggravates their frustration.

Going forward, policymakers should strive to develop a leaner and meaner public service through meticulous human resources planning. A smaller public sector with excellent financial and non-financial benefits which attracts competent and talented individuals would boost the progress of the nation.

Sri Lanka produced their best batting performance in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, racking up an impressive 258-6 against New Zealand, but their fine effort with the bat ran into weather so foul that only one innings was completed at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday when the umpires decided to call off the contest, forcing a No-Result.

Heavy rain, which began during the innings break, left certain sections of the outfield inundated with pools of water despite the ground staff’s valiant attempt to have the entire ground covered.

The result meant that Sri Lanka and New Zealand shared the two points. For Sri Lanka, it was the second time they had suffered this calamity. They had their match against Australia washed out without a ball bowled at the same venue 10 days ago.

Sri Lanka remained in seventh position with 2 points from four matches, and New Zealand in fifth with 3 points from the same number of matches.

Sri Lanka’s batting, which has been found wanting in the matches against India and England which they lost, finally came good with Nilakshika Silva lighting up the stage with the fastest fifty of the tournament off just 26 balls, beating the 34-ball mark set by Shorna Akter of Bangladesh against South Africa on Monday. She also broke her own Sri Lanka record for the fastest fifty in WODIs off 28 balls against India at the same venue in May this year.

Silva came in at the fall of the fifth wicket at 198 and started hitting the ball beautifully from the word go, ending up with 55* off 28 balls (7 fours, 1 six). She ran riot in the final 10 overs that produced 81 runs against New Zealand, who had a sloppy day on the field, missing more than a couple of opportunities.

The platform for Silva was set by the batters who came before her. Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu set the stage for the innings with the second opening partnership in the current tournament – 101 off 139 balls. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal put together 155 for India against Australia on Sunday.

Athapaththu went on to complete her 20th WODI half-century before being dismissed for 53 off 72 balls (7 fours), 12 short of reaching 4,000 runs in WODI. Gunaratne made a patchy 42 off 83 balls (3 fours), being dropped twice at 26 and 31.

There were contributions from Hasini Perera (44 off 61 balls, 6 fours) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (26 off 31) as well. With wickets in hand, it provided the ideal stage for Silva to unleash her attack on the New Zealand bowlers.

Sri Lanka’s total of 258-6 was their second highest total in Women’s ODI World Cups and the highest total of the World Cup in Colombo.

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet has approved several key medical procurements valued at around Rs. 2.5 billion to ensure the steady supply of essential medicines and equipment across State hospitals.

Among the approved procurements are two major contracts awarded to Reliance Life Sciences Ltd., of India for the supply of 2.25 million epoetin pre-filled 4,000 IU syringes used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease. The first order covers 650,000 syringes valued at $ 574,600, while the second covers 1.6 million syringes worth $ 1.414 million. Both awards were made based on the recommendations of the Procurement Appeal Board as the lowest responsive bids.

The Cabinet also approved the purchase of 218,000 vials of Colistimethate Sodium, an antibiotic used to treat severe Gram-negative bacterial infections, from Ceyoka Ltd., the local representative of Indian manufacturer Ciron Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., for a total cost of Rs. 32.48 million.

In addition, approval was granted to George Steuart Health Ltd., for the supply of 500,000 rolls of 10cm x 10m soft cloth liner tape used in medical bandaging, at a cost of Rs. 270.56 million (excluding VAT).

A further $ 3 million contract was awarded to Celltrion Inc. of South Korea for the supply of 24,000 vials of infliximab, a biological drug used to treat Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and certain forms of arthritis.

Meanwhile, A. Baur and Co. Ltd., was selected to supply 448,000 IU of Human Growth Hormone (Somatropin) manufactured by Merck Serono SPA of Italy for Rs. 860.5 million. The hormone is used to treat growth deficiencies in both children and adults.

Dr. Jayatissa said all procurements were approved following international competitive bidding and evaluation by the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board, ensuring transparency and timely delivery to strengthen the country’s public health supply chain.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said the Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Power and Energy Minister to begin procurement for a Rs. 1.45 billion project to modernise fuel filling facilities at Zone 7 of the Kolonnawa Terminal operated by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., (CPSTL).

The project, approved by the CPSTL Board of Directors and endorsed by the Department of National Planning, will be implemented in three stages under an engineering, procurement, and construction contract.

The first phase will cover the construction of new filling facilities for petrol at the Zone 7 site, forming part of a broader plan to introduce state-of-the-art systems for petrol, diesel, and kerosene handling.

The Government said the project is intended to enhance fuel distribution efficiency, safety, and capacity at one of Sri Lanka’s key petroleum storage terminals.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya yesterday reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls, underscoring the need to turn equality principles into concrete action.

Speaking at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025 in Beijing, she said that despite global progress since the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action-including female literacy gains, a near-halving of maternal mortality, and a rise in global life expectancy from 69 years in 1995 to 76 years in 2023-major gaps persist.

She noted that women’s labour-force participation remains at 48.7% compared with 73% for men, women represent only about 35% of science and technology graduates, and 47.8 million more women than men face food insecurity.

The Prime Minister outlined Sri Lanka’s policy priorities, including expanding women’s participation in leadership and decision-making, and implementing the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2023-2027). She said Sri Lanka aims to ensure that women from all social and economic backgrounds are represented across sectors.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya was welcomed to the event by Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan before delivering her remarks at the opening ceremony.