SDB bank names Manoj Akmeemana as Deputy CEO

SDB bank appointed Manoj Akmeemana as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership appointment, as the bank continues to strengthen its executive capacity to support long-term growth, sharper execution and stronger institutional resilience.

Samsung wins Superbrands Sri Lanka’s Choice award

Samsung has been conferred the prestigious Superbrands – Sri Lanka’s Choice 2025 award, reaffirming the brand’s position as one of the most trusted and admired technology brands in the country.

Dr. Dhanushi Hettiarachchi shines at WCIC Prathibhabhisheka 2025

Sri Lanka’s rising health-technology innovator Dr. Dhanushi Hettiarachchi has brought pride to the nation by winning two prestigious honours at Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka (WCIC) Prathibhabhisheka Women Entrepreneur Awards 2025, held recently in Colombo.

Abans Auto wins Golden Strategic Partner Award

Abans Auto, Sri Lanka’s premier automotive company and the exclusive distributor of Yadea electric vehicles in the country, was recently recognised on the global stage with the prestigious Golden Strategic Partner Award 2025, at the Yadea Global Distributor Conference held in Wuxi, China.

Best Workplaces for Women sets new benchmarks for inclusion in SL

The Best Workplaces for Women in Sri Lanka 2025 event, held recently, brought together business leaders, HR professionals and change-makers united by a shared commitment to advancing gender equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Pyramid Wilmar helps build next generation of professional chefs

Pyramid Wilmar, a leading name in the food manufacturing and marketing industry in Sri Lanka, successfully concluded its islandwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative ChefsHunt, a comprehensive programme aimed at identifying, nurturing and empowering young culinary talent across the country.

Sun Match Company’s Soorya Brand supports JITF 2026

Sun Match Company, a 42‑year‑old heritage company from the Central province, announced Soorya as a Silver Sponsor of Jaffna International Trade Fair 2026.

NDB Bank joins Revive Sri Lanka initiative

NDB Bank reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to empowering Sri Lanka’s SME and MSME sectors by participating in the Revive Sri Lanka, Rising Stronger initiative, held recently at Kandy City Centre.

National Educator Awards honours outstanding educators

National Educator Awards 2025, held recently at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, recognised the exemplary educators from Sri Lanka’s higher and general education sectors in appreciation of their intellectual and innovative contributions and their dedication to uplift the educational standards of Sri Lanka’s future generations.

Local aluminium fabricators warn BOI policy gaps threaten local industry

Sri Lanka’s aluminium door, window and façade fabrication industry is being undercut by policy gaps that allow finished products to be imported duty-free, threatening jobs, foreign exchange savings and domestic manufacturing capacity, an industry body said.

Binance Research: Crypto crosses US $ 4tn in 2025 as market prepares for institutional-led expansion in 2026

Binance Research has released its Full-Year 2025 and Themes for 2026 report, detailing a year of historic milestones for the global crypto market alongside heightened volatility driven by macroeconomic forces.

IRCSL bars outside employment for insurance principal officers

The Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) has issued a fresh directive significantly tightening the employment standards for the principal officers of insurance and brokering companies, effectively barring these top executives from holding any outside employment, consultancy or professional engagements.

IMF to assess cyclone damage in Sri Lanka as talks on programme resumption loom

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team will visit Sri Lanka from January 22 to 28, to assess the economic damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the findings expected to feed into the subsequent discussions on the island’s IMF-supported programme, the IMF said on Wednesday.

Cartoon of the Day 17-01-2026

Tea auction sees fair demand at easier rates as Middle East pullback weighs on prices

The auction offering totalled 6.0 million kilogrammes (M/Kgs).There was fair demand mostly at easier rates. Less activity was seen from the Iran and Middle Eastern markets, following the recent restrictions in trading conditions.

Crossings boost turnover

The ASPI edged up as a result of price gains in counters such as Commercial Bank, DFCC Bank and C T Holdings with the turnover crossing Rs. 4.7 Bn. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 closed in green.

Mixed sentiment prevails as long-term tenures attract buyers

The secondary market yield curve experienced heightened trading activity and elevated volumes, with sentiment remaining mixed.

SLIIT and global partners launch ‘ENSURE’ to strengthen NetZero Skills in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), together with a consortium of leading Sri Lankan and international partners, officially launched the Empowering Net Zero Skills for Sri Lanka’s Sustainable and Resilient Future (ENSURE) project at a national stakeholder event at Waters Edge Hotel recently.

People’s Bank celebrates Thai Pongal

People’s Bank conducted Thai Pongal celebrations at its Kotahena and Pettah branches under the patronage of People’s Bank Chairman Narada Fernando and Chief Executive Officer/General Manager Clive Fonseka.

Hemas opens 75th Piyawara Preschool in Homagama

The Hemas Outreach Foundation announced the opening of its 75th Piyawara Preschool, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s early childhood development landscape.

Barberyn Resorts go chemical-free for mosquito control

World’s first Ayurveda Resort chains’ Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort Hospital has replaced traditional chemical pesticides with gentle, insecticide-free Biogents mosquito traps to prioritize eco-conscious travelers and the environment.

DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort offers ‘A Staycation with Nature’

DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort invites families to step away from the everyday and reconnect with the natural world through ‘A Staycation with Nature’, a thoughtfully curated escape where discovery, learning, and relaxation unfold side by side.

The Body Shop’s End of Season Sale is back

The global beauty brand’s much-awaited End of Season Sale is back, with prices slashed up to 50 percent on everything you love - Skincare, Bath & Body, Fragrances, Makeup, Hair Care, and Value-Packed Combo Sets - up until the 2nd of February.

Jaffna Hindu College earns regional praise at ‘AIA Healthiest Schools Competition’

Jaffna Hindu College was named as one of the winner sat the regional award ceremony of the prestigious AIA Healthiest Schools Competition, a flagship initiative by AIA Group aimed at promoting healthier habits among students across Asia-Pacific region through innovative school-based projects.

NOLIMIT expands to the North opening 28th store in Jaffna

Fashion Retail Brand NOLIMIT announced the opening of its 28th store in the heart of Jaffna, a city celebrated for its distinct Northern identity, deep-rooted traditions, and a culture shaped by heritage, learning, and close-knit community life.

Perera & Sons provides clean water to Medabedda Maha Vidyalaya

Perera & Sons (P&S) recently installed a state-of-the-art Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant to Medabedda Maha Vidyalaya in Galewela.

NDB Bank elevates festive experience at Splash Shopping Fiesta 2025 at KCC

NDB Bank partnered with Kandy City Centre as the Official Banking Partner of Splash Shopping Fiesta 2025, the biggest shopping festival of the season, held from 24th to 28th December.

Nihon Kohden empowers JICA Sri Lanka with lifesaving skills training

Nihon Kohden Sri Lanka recently held a lifesaving skills training session for staff personnel at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

FHIIT celebrates stellar 2025 with historic award win

FHIIT functional fitness brand has had an extraordinary 2025 marked by historic achievements, community momentum and strategic foundations for future expansion with its next location slated to open in Wattala next month.

SLICGL powers ‘Colombo Motor Show 2025’ as Official Insurance Partner

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Limited (SLICGL) partnered the Colombo Motor Show 2025 as the Official Insurance Partner.