Business
We can learn from each other in providing best urban services: Smart Cities Mission India
Public-private partnership has been the focus of Indian smart city projects
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Without any doubt, we all can learn from each other in providing efficient urban services in our cities in order to make them more liveable and truly sustainable, Vikash Chandra, Team Leader, Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt. of India told The Island in New Delhi recently.
Responding to a question on what are the lessons the City of Colombo can learn from Smart Cities Mission in India, Vikash said, “Colombo City has a population of less than 1 million, and thus I feel that best practices of Indian Smart Cities Mission in the use of technology in providing urban services can surely enhance in the quality of life in Colombo. Every city needs to use technology for its preparedness for the challenges of tomorrow. However, every solution or idea needs to be customized as per the needs of that city. This is what we have learnt in Indian Smart cities,”
Elaborating on Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in India he said,” The Government of India has selected 100 cities under this mission. It has been a path-breaking intervention in the urban sector because, among other reasons, it introduced the concept of competitive selection of cities for the first time. A two-stage national challenge was organized to get selected for development as smart cities in the country. The first round at State/UT level, thereafter through 4 rounds of National competition from January 2016 to June 2018, the 100 cities were selected in Smart Cities Mission. Citizen engagement, processes followed for arriving at project prioritization, implementation frameworks including feasibility, results orientation formed a substantial component of the evaluation criteria delineated for selection of smart cities. The intent of these criteria was clearly to keep citizens and stakeholders at the core of the planning process which was to be focused on meeting needs and aspirations espoused by them.”
“As on 31 March 2023, work orders have been issued in 7,853 projects worth around ₹1,81,500 crore, of which 5,536 projects worth ₹ 1,03,772 crore have been completed. As per SCM guidelines, Government of India (GoI) is providing financial support to the extent of ₹ 48,000 crore to these 100 cities i.e., on an average ₹ 500 crore per city. An equal amount on a matching basis is being contributed by the State Government/ Urban Local Body (ULB), apart from North-eastern and Hilly States where the sharing ratio has been revised to 90:10. Apart from these grants, comprising around 47% of funding, close to 21% funding has been proposed through convergence with other Missions/ programs, 21% from Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), around 5% from loans, and remaining from other sources. The GoI share to each city will be a maximum of ₹ 500 crore. This entire mission is being developed by funds from Government of India alone.”
“The cities were given 5 years to complete their entire projects under the mission, till June 2023. As on 31 March 2023, out of the total 7,853 projects, 75% of the total projects i.e., 5,536 projects have been completed. Due to COVID pandemic and the situations therein, some cities might require some additional months to complete their remaining projects.”
“Urban infrastructure development has an intense process of negotiation between diverse stakeholders at the city level. By executing projects as per evolving needs and aspirations of their people, smart cities have created a unique template of bottom-up planning. This template is acting as a lighthouse for other cities in the country. For example, realizing the problems faced by people during the COVID pandemic, several cities undertook transformative initiatives in the fields of health, education, walkability, neighborhood planning, public transport improvement etc.”
“The intent of the Mission from the challenge stage has been to champion needs and aspirations of citizens. These needs and aspirations are not static, they evolve and by building in mechanisms to adapt their plans to emerging realities, smart cities have successfully adhered to the core value of the citizen-centricity.”
“The cities can only become smart if they innovatively plan their financing of projects. Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been the focus of our mission, since its inception. We can proudly say that it has been as remarkable success. Around 240 PPP projects which have been completed/grounded are across multiple urban sectors. Moreover, these projects are spread across 60 cities, which also include many smaller cities,” Vikash said.
Smart city projects in India include: Multi-modal Transit Hubs , Market Redevelopments, Multi-Level Car Parking, Common Mobility Cards, Smart poles & Street lights, Public Bike Sharing, Affordable Housing, Energy Efficient Lighting, Solid Waste Management, Rooftop solar, Waste to Energy plants and Public Utilities.
The above interview was made possible during a tour in New Delhi by a group of Sri Lankan journalists, which was sponsored by StratNewsGlobal.com and BharatShakti.in at the request of the Sri Lanka High Commission in India.
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Continuing its mission to drive inclusive economic recovery and empower Sri Lanka’s grassroots business sector, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC has actively accelerated the disbursement of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Finance Project line of credit.
As Sri Lanka’s premier private sector lender, Commercial Bank drives regional development by bridging financial gaps outside the Western Province. Jaffna and the broader Northern Province remain pivotal focus areas due to their immense potential for industrial regeneration, vibrant agricultural output, and entrepreneurial resilience in the post-crisis economic landscape.
Directing targeted, affordable financing enables local enterprises to overcome historical financing barriers, expand production capacity, and stimulate employment across regional supply chains.
Quality at the Source: ADB Country Director Shannon Cowlin inspects a bottle of premium sesame oil at the New V.S.P. Gingelly Oil factory floor in Jaffna. Working capital facilities extended through Commercial Bank under the ADB line of credit enable manufacturers like Harish Industries to meet growing wholesale and retail demand across Sri Lanka while securing long-term economic resilience.
The dedicated credit scheme offers affordable interest rates to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rebound from recent macroeconomic shocks, maintain employment stability, and build long-term sustainability. Designed to target underserved segments, the funding line prioritizes viable enterprises located outside the Colombo district, women-owned and women-led businesses, and ventures incorporating strong climate finance components. Eligible sectors span manufacturing, agriculture, animal husbandry, technology, tourism, and direct export industries.
A standout beneficiary showcasing the transformative impact of this regional focus is Harish Industries, a flourishing manufacturing firm located within the purview of Commercial Bank’s Manipay branch in Jaffna. Owned and operated by proprietor Ponnuchamy Prabakaran, Harish Industries manufactures premium sesame oil under the popular brand name “New VSP Gingelly Oil”.
The working capital facility extended by the line of credit to Harish Industries helped to cater to short-term liquidity needs, ease out cash flow pressure, and operate the business in a sustainable manner.
Additionally, this financial backing helped create more employment opportunities, strengthen its supply chain, and expand business operations to meet growing wholesale and retail demand across Sri Lanka.
by Sanath Nanayakkare
True corporate leadership extends far beyond financial metrics and market dominance. For the Commercial Bank of Ceylon – recognised as Sri Lanka’s top-ranked bank in the 2026 edition of The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks and the country’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank—true progress means investing directly in the nation’s ecological health.
On 19 September, the Bank demonstrated how a massive institutional infrastructure can be mobilised for the greater good.
Marking International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026 under its “Forward Together for a Cleaner Future” platform, the Bank brought together employees, corporate management, customers, and volunteers for a coordinated national conservation initiative spanning 20 locations.
What sets this effort apart is its deliberate breadth. The campaign moved far beyond a conventional beach cleanup by integrating 16 coastal sites – including prominent Colombo locations like Mount Lavinia, Wellawatte, and Galle Face, alongside regional spots from Point Pedro to Dondra – with four vital inland waterways, such as the Mahaweli River at Polgolla Dam and Parakrama Samudraya. This structural reach ensured that even inland communities could actively participate in a unified national environmental mission.
This massive undertaking was anchored by robust partnerships, working alongside the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) as the technical partner and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Network Sri Lanka. By translating its formal 2025 adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and its role as a UNGC Patron into boots-on-the-ground volunteerism, the Bank bridged high-level environmental policy with grassroots action.
Ultimately, Commercial Bank’s nationwide mobilisation proves that when a premier financial institution harnesses its expansive network, corporate responsibility stops being a theoretical framework and becomes a tangible, community-driven force for a cleaner future.
The grand halls of the Taj Samudra in Colombo buzzed with a distinct energy on the morning of September 25, 2026, as leaders gathered for the National Celebration of World Tourism Day.
Yet, beneath the formal discussions on digital agendas and artificial intelligence, a deeper, more vibrant narrative was quietly unfolding. This was not merely a story of algorithms and automated efficiency; it was a human story – a tale of Sri Lanka’s youth stepping forward to redesign the future of hospitality.
For generations, Sri Lanka’s allure has been rooted in its timeless landscapes, golden shores, and the legendary warmth of its people. But as global travel evolves, a new generation of tech-savvy local innovators is finding ways to weave cutting-edge technology into the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan culture. This shift took center stage during the Tourism Start-Up Competition 2026, held under the theme “AI-Driven Innovation for the Future of Tourism”.
Out of 52 competitive applications spanning tertiary and commercial levels, young minds proved that technology and tradition can go hand in hand.
The twenty-five shortlisted teams stood before expert panels to defend visions that bridge the gap between ancient heritage and modern data intelligence.
Behind every submitted AI solution was a young entrepreneur eager to protect local destinations, enhance visitor experiences, and elevate service delivery.
When the twelve winners were finally honoured, the celebration transformed into something much greater than an awards ceremony.
It served as a powerful reminder that the true engine of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation is its youth. Armed with code, creativity, and a profound love for their country, these young visionaries are ensuring that when travelers explore Sri Lanka, they do not just witness the future – they feel the heartbeat of a new, digitally empowered era of hospitality.
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