Business
Sri Lanka Insurance Suba Pathum Scholarship awards 375 scholarships to schoolchildren
A total of Rs. 50mn worth of scholarships
The Nations’ protector, over the years had contributed to the betterment of the future generation of the country. Sri Lanka Insurance (SLIC) is not only one of the most profitable state owned enterprises but also a responsible corporate citizen that enriches the community it operates in.
SLIC initiated the ‘Sri Lanka Insurance – Suba Pathum Scholarship’ program in 2014 for the children of its Life policy holders across the country. This scheme has awarded 1800 scholarships, worth of approximately 200mn up to date. This year the scholarship scheme will be rewarding 375 students, who excelled in the 2020/21 Grade 5 Scholarship, 2020 GCE Ordinary Level and 2020/21 GCE Advanced Level examinations. 75 top ranking students were selected from each of the three examinations totaling up to 375 students. Grade 5 Scholarship and GCE Ordinary Level, qualifiers were selected based on the district achievement and for GCE Advanced Level applicants, selections were based on the national level achievement.
A Financial scholarship of Rs. 20,000 for five years, Rs. 40,000 for two years and Rs. 50,000 for three years is awarded to the students who are eligible for the Suba Pathum scholarship from Grade 5 Scholarship, GCE Ordinary Level and GCE Advanced Level examinations, respectively. A total of Rs. 50mn has been allocated for the 2020/21 Suba Pathum Scholarship program which will continue for the next five years.
In his speech to the guests, Mr. Ronald C. Perera, PC, Chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance, said, “The right to education is a fundamental human right that every child should have. There are 4.4 million school children in Sri Lanka who are primary and secondary school age, however not every child is fortunate enough to receive an education in an environment with the same degree of facilities. Having an educated populace is very important for a nation, thus kids should have access to uninterrupted primary and secondary education that enables them to access university education. Sri Lanka has 15 National Universities and we need to encourage and support our children to obtain university education. The objective of ‘Sri Lanka Insurance Suba Pathum Scholarship’ program is to extend the required support to our children to obtain the education they deserve without any interruption. As a responsible state sector corporate giant it is our responsibility to assist the future generation’s access to quality education.
Speaking at the Suba Pathum Scholarship program Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama – Chief Executive Officer of SLIC said, “over the years as an organization we have contributed for the betterment of the future generation of this country through numerous initiatives. The Minimuthu range and the ‘School Fee Protector’ policies were introduced for the benefit of the children. Both these products support towards a guaranteed uninterrupted education support and highly beneficial returns for the children and provides both parents and kids a peace of mind. By going above and beyond the call of duty, SLIC has been involved with the “Pasal Piriyatha Surakimu” CSR program in creating a suitable educational environment for underprivileged schools. furthermore, to mark the International Children’s Day, we have offered parents of children born on October 1st a free Life Cover. We as a state owned organization believes in transformation and adapting to the status quo. Therefore, as a responsible corporate citizen we will continue to transform the next generation’s future with a secure education in order to uplift the future of this country”.
The scholarship awarding ceremony was held at Nelum Pokuna – Mahinda Rajapakse Theater, Colombo on the 28th of February 2023 with the participation of the Board of Directors, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and the senior management team along with the students and their parents.
Business
IceWarp expands into Sri Lanka, fostering European innovation in collaboration with FentonsIT
IceWarp, a global leader in business communication solutions, has officially launched its cutting-edge platform in Sri Lanka, bringing European expertise in email and collaboration solutions to support the country’s evolving business landscape.
This expansion is driven by a strategic partnership with Fentons Information Technology (FIT), the Information Technology arm of Hayleys Fentons Limited.
The grand launch event held at The Kingsbury Colombo on 4th April, 2025, was graced by several distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mohan Pandithage, Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC.
The presence of Adam Paclt, Global CEO of IceWarp, and Pramod Sharda, CEO for India and the Middle East of IceWarp, along with their global team, highlighted the significance of this expansion. Industry experts, government officials, corporate leaders, and CIOs from the banking, financial services and insurance sectors were in attendance as well, reflecting strong local interest in IceWarp’s European expertise.
With this launch, Sri Lankan businesses now have access to an affordable, scalable and secure alternative to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. IceWarp’s advanced Collaboration Suite integrates a wide range of tools into a single, unified platform designed to streamline communication and boost productivity. Offering flexible hybrid deployment options and cost-efficient solution, IceWarp enables organisations to optimise their operations without compromising security or functionality.
Eventistry Sports, a trailblazer in innovative sporting events, has unveiled the Sri Lanka Padel League (SLPL), the nation’s first franchise-based padel tournament, set to debut in June 2025. This groundbreaking league promises to redefine Sri Lanka’s sports landscape by creating a dynamic national platform for athletes while fostering unity among fans, brands, and communities.
The SLPL will showcase six franchise teams, each embodying the spirit of iconic Sri Lankan locales: the Colombo Chargers, Yala Rangers, Hikkaduwa Riders, Ella Hawks, Arugambay Vipers, and Trinco Warriors. These teams will not only ignite regional pride but also unite the country through a shared passion for padel—a fast-paced racquet sport merging tennis and squash, played on enclosed courts.
“The SLPL is more than a league; it’s a movement,” declared Karin Wijeratne, Director of Eventistry Sports. “By blending franchise sports with Sri Lanka’s vibrant culture, we’re creating a platform where players gain national recognition, fans rally behind their hometown heroes, and brands engage with communities in meaningful ways.”
The league’s launch on June 21–23, 2025, at Colombo’s Padel House courts (CR&FC) will kick off with three days of high-octane matches, preceded by a star-studded player auction on May 16th at The Vault, Colombo City Centre. Local talent—both professional and intermediate—will be drafted by franchise owners, with international registrations now open to elevate the competition’s global appeal.
Please log in to: www.slpadelleague.com and social media: @SriLankaPadelLeague (Facebook & Instagram) for more information.
Ceylon Energy and HJT China have successfully completed the Mahiyangana-Kappalthurei 33kV power distribution lines and the Uhana Gantry as part of Sri Lanka’s Supporting Electricity Supply Reliability Improvement Project (SESRIP). Funded by the Asian Development Bank ($42 million), SESRIP aims to expand energy access in underserved regions, including conflict-affected areas and provinces like Uva and North Central.
The project’s infrastructure spans over 270 km of 33kV lines, 13 switching gantries, and 2,372 km of low-voltage extensions.
The projects connect 35,000+ households and improve reliability for 493,000+ consumers; integrates renewables to reduce losses.
The projects’ notable components include: Mahiyangana-Bibila Line: 36 km with 147 steel towers and Kappalthurei-Sixth Mile Post Line: 14 km with 58 towers.
Ceylon Energy Chairman Madushanka Fernando hailed it as a ‘new beginning of a brighter era’, emphasising the project’s role in uplifting rural communities and driving sustainable development.
The initiative underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to inclusive, reliable energy and climate resilience.
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