What Sri Lanka tourism needs now: Clarity, credibility and confidence - Not sentiment

This is a follow-up to my article ‘Rebuild Sri Lanka: Are we fixing the damage or building better?’ in Daily Mirror of December 10 (https://www.dailymirror.lk/amp/business-news/Rebuild-Sri-Lanka-Are-we-fixing-the-damage-or-building-better/273-327388).

Cinnamon Grand Colombo welcomes festive season

Cinnamon Grand Colombo ushers in the most magical time of the year with An Old World Christmas, a celebration filled with timeless traditions, festive flavours and heartwarming moments for all ages.

Hayleys Mobility unveils premium Delivery Centre

Hayleys Mobility Limited has elevated premium automotive experiences in Sri Lanka with the opening of its state-of-the-art Delivery Centre at No.75, Arnold Ratnayake Mawatha, Colombo 10.

Lanka Business TV’s Gampaha ‘Vyavasayakaya’ summit receives overwhelming response

Lanka Business TV, in collaboration with Lankadeepa FT, successfully hosted its highly popular ‘Vyavasayakaya (The Entrepreneur) Business and Investment Summit in grand style, attracting over 250 enthusiastic participants, including entrepreneurs and individuals eager to gain economic knowledge.

Oceanpick selected as Top 4 Finalist in UNIDO ONE World Sustainability Awards

A moment of immense national pride was celebrated recently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Oceanpick, South Asia’s trailblazing oceanic fish farm and a true champion of responsible aquaculture, was honoured as a Top 5 Finalist in the prestigious UNIDO ONE World Sustainability Awards for the Sustainable Supply Chains Category.

Finfluencing can positively shape capital markets if used responsibly, says SEC Chairman

Finfluencing should not be looked at negatively; investors and potential investors should look at its positives and learn how to overcome the negatives, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Senior Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara stated at a recent online discussion on the stock market and social media.

Union Bank reopens Gampola branch for customers

Union Bank reopened its Gampola branch on December 17, following the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah-related floods that severely affected the businesses and residents in the area.

GRI’s ULTIMATE GREEN XT earns major sustainability award at Automechanika Dubai

GRI Tires announced that its innovative ULTIMATE GREEN XT tyre has been recognised at the Automechanika Dubai Awards, held last week in Dubai, where it was named Winner – Sustainable Product of the Year and also received the Highly Commended recognition – Innovative Product of the Year.

Pyramid Wilmar donates Rs.50mn for flood and landslide relief

Pyramid Wilmar, one of Sri Lanka’s most progressive and influential corporate entities in the food manufacturing and marketing sector, has donated a sum of Rs.50 million to the Presidential Secretariat to aid the government’s relief effort towards the victims of the recent Cyclone Ditwah.

Defender upgraded: Unstoppable 4X4 now even more distinctive and easy to use

The unstoppable Defender 4x4 line-up is now more distinctive and ready for adventure than ever, thanks to upgraded finishes, design and technology enhancements across 90, 110 and 130 body designs – including Defender OCTA.

Dialog Partners Starlink to Deliver Ubiquitous Enterprise Connectivity Across Sri Lanka

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, announced its partnership with Starlink to bring high-speed satellite internet solutions to empower businesses, institutions and underserved communities across the island. As an authorised agent for Starlink in Sri Lanka,

Local malware incidents top Rs.3.9mn in 3Q as offline threats persist: Kaspersky

Sri Lanka recorded over 3.9 million local malware incidents in the third quarter of 2025 alone, with nearly a quarter of users encountering offline threats, new data from global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals.

OCC clears proposed settlement for SriLankan Airlines borrowings

The Official Creditor Committee (OCC) has formally granted a “no objection” clearance, enabling Sri Lanka to proceed with its proposed settlement arrangements for foreign borrowings guaranteed by the government for SriLankan Airlines.

Cartoon of the Day 20 -12-2025

SLT-Mobitel ushers in a new era of internet connectivity with launch of 5G internet

SLT-Mobitel yesterday officially launched its 5G network for the public at an event held at One Galle Face (OGF) Mall in Colombo 1.

Browns Investments completes US $ 57.5mn sale of Maldives resort

Browns Investments PLC announced its subsidiary Browns Ari Resort (Private) Limited has completed the sale of the assets and business of Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives Resort to ASB Hotel Properties Maldives (Private) Limited for US $ 57.5 million.

Construction services business delegation builds up trade ties in Mumbai

Marking the first-ever focused initiative to promote Sri Lanka’s construction services in the Indian market, a sector-specific business delegation visited Mumbai from November 25-28, 2025.

Nestlé Lanka chief says Sri Lanka can boost coconut exports to US $ 3bn

Sri Lanka has the potential to export coconut products worth US $ 2-3 billion, Nestlé Lanka Chairman and Managing Director Bernie Stefan emphasised at a recent panel discussion.

Week ends in red

The ASPI closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Colombo Dockyard, Melstacorp and Hemas Holdings with the turnover crossing Rs. 3.4 Bn.

Low volumes persist as belly segment faces selling pressure

The secondary market yield curve saw mild selling pressure in the belly segment, leading to a slight uptick in yields amid low trading volumes.

SLT-Mobitel aligns marine conservation with digital resilience at ‘Seashells’ calendar launch

SLT-Mobitel unveiled its 2026 corporate calendar under the theme ‘Seashells of Sri Lanka’ this week, utilizing the occasion to draw a sharp parallel between the protection of marine ecosystems and the stability of the country’s digital infrastructure.

Colombo 3 witnesses ‘Lighting Up The Avenue’

The hospitality landscape in Colombo 03 witnessed a warm resurgence on December 10 as The Avenue opened its doors for ‘Lighting Up The Avenue.

Union Bank choir performs at ‘Sounds of the Season’

Union Bank partnered with Port City Colombo and the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors to present ‘Sounds of the Season’, an evening of Christmas Carols in aid of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and made possible by the Soul Sounds and Union Bank Choirs with guest performances by Alston Koch and the De Lanerolle Brothers

Hemas Pharmaceuticals launches diabetes screening and awareness with Medihelp Hospitals

Hemas Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd recently partnered with Medihelp Hospitals and conducted Suwajeewa Diabetes Screening and Awareness Programmes.

One Galle Face celebrates Retail Employees Day

One Galle Face marked ‘Retail Employees Day (RED)’, honouring the dedication, passion, and hard work of the mall’s employees who make the customer experience special day in, day out. Celebrated globally on the 12th of December, RED first began as an initiative in India and has since grown into a movement embraced by over 30 countries.

Regen Renewables completes 450 kW solar power project in Colombo

Regen Renewables (Pvt) Ltd has completed a 450 kW solar power initiative implemented across 47 community, religious, educational, and public service institutions.

HNB Assurance marks major milestones in technological transformation journey

HNB Assurance PLC successfully completed all major phases in its multi-year transformation programme, an integral component of the Technological Transformation Pillar under the company’s SET Framework – (Sales Force Expansion, Exceptional Customer Service and Technological Transformation), introduced in 2022 when the company introduced its strategy to achieve 10 percent market share by 2026.

IQ Global partners with Fonia to launch AI-driven mobile advertising platform

IQ Global, a leading Sri Lankan-based Digital, Tech, and Business Design solutions provider, and global data-driven marketing powerhouse Fonia, have announced a landmark partnership to introduce ‘Fonia Digital’, a cutting-edge AI-powered advertising tool to the Sri Lankan market, effective 1st October 2025.

‘Subway’ and ‘Segafredo’ outlets expand in Sri Lanka

International Lifestyle Brand (Private) Limited announced its expansion in its leading brands Subway Sri Lanka, the American fast-food chainand Segafredo Caffè, Italian Espresso brand while opening novel venues to its food lovers and coffee lovers, indulging themselves in premium and internationalflavoursat affordable prices in the heart of Colombo.

Seaspan and Ceyline Shipping celebrate 20 years of partnership excellence

Seaspan Corporation Pvt. Ltd., the world’s largest independent charter owner and operator of containerships and Ceyline Shipping Limited, Sri Lanka’s market leader in Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Services recently celebrated 20 years of transformative partnership at an event held at Hotel Taj Samudra.