David Pieris Group distributes seed capital to promising Northern start-ups

David Pieris Group Chairman and Managing Director Rohana Dissanayake, Northern Entrepreneurial Consultant and Project Consultant Jekhan Arulliah and David Pieris Holdings Thalir Project Lead and Group Chief Information Officer Jeyaraj Sayanthan officially hand over the funds to young entrepreneurs at the event in the presence of David Pieris Renewable Energy Chairman and Managing Director Jayantha Ratnayake, Assetline Finance Director and CEO Ashan Nissanka and David Pieris Infotech Chairman and Managing Director Chamilka Ambagahawatte

Thalir Seed Fund recipients with David Pieris Group officials

In a milestone celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship and regional empowerment, David Pieris Group awarded over Rs.20 million in seed funding to selected young entrepreneurs at Thalir Seed Funding Award Ceremony 2025, held at North Gate Hotel in Jaffna. 

This event marked the next phase of the group’s visionary Thalir initiative, launched just a few months ago to uplift the aspiring entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka’s Northern region under the Northern Development Programme of David Pieris Group.

Meaning ‘sprout’ in Tamil, Thalir reflects the spirit of growth and fresh beginnings—an apt symbol for the energy and ambition of the young business minds now poised to make their mark. Designed to provide both capital and mentorship, the programme aims to support scalable business ventures across key sectors, including automotive, logistics, information technology, agriculture, tourism and exports.

The ceremony saw four individuals each receiving grants of Rs.500,000 to kickstart their business ideas, while three standout ventures secured convertible funding totalling approximately Rs.20 million. These entrepreneurs were selected from over 100 applicants, with 26 shortlisted for the second round workshop designed to assess the project viability, innovation and community impact.

Speaking at the event, David Pieris Holdings (Private) Limited Thalir Project Lead and Group Chief Information Officer Jeyaraj Sayanthan noted, “We were impressed by the sheer creativity and commitment shown by these young visionaries. Thalir is not just a funding programme—it’s a platform to inspire long-term economic growth in the North through sustainable, forward-thinking entrepreneurship.”

The occasion was graced by David Pieris Group Group Chairman and Managing Director Rohana Dissanayake, who served as the chief guest. The event also welcomed Jekhan Arulliah, Northern Entrepreneurial Consultant and Project Consultant and senior leadership from the group and its companies.

Thalir is part of a broader Northern development strategy initiated by David Pieris Group in 2021, under the guidance of Pieris. Over the years, the group has introduced a range of impactful initiatives in the region—from launching an automotive workshop in Jaffna and introducing a pioneering electric three-wheeler taxi service under the e-Drive brand, to advancing women’s empowerment programmes and establishing a modern IT Development Centre in Jaffna.

In parallel, the group’s financial services arm, Assetline Finance Limited, has provided critical support to the small and medium enterprises, agriculture and fishing sector, while the community-driven projects have enhanced access to education, health, sports, clean water and sanitation—elevating the quality of life for thousands in the North.

Thalir stands as the group’s latest pledge to nurturing homegrown enterprise by blending financial backing with strategic mentorship. The selected entrepreneurs will now begin their journey with guidance from industry experts, ensuring their ventures have the structure and support needed to thrive—not only for profit but for a long-lasting community impact.