Business
“Seeing is Believing” featuring multiple collaborators
With the objective of accelerating the tourism arrivals from India, leading hospitality and travel entities in the island including Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Walker’s Tours, Aitken Spence Hotels, Aitken Spence Travels, Jetwing Hotels, and Jetwing Travels, have joined forces with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau and National Carrier SriLankan Airlines to unveil a groundbreaking influencer campaign titled “Seeing is Believing.” This strategic collaboration aims to showcase the beauty and wonders of Sri Lanka as an unrivaled travel destination for Indian tourists.
The “Seeing is Believing” campaign represents a powerful synergy between industry leaders who recognize the immense potential of influencer marketing in the digital age. By harnessing the popularity and reach of Indian influencers, this campaign seeks to capture the attention of millions of potential travellers and ignite their desire to experience the enchanting sights and experiences Sri Lanka has to offer.
A total of 50 influencers/content creators are scheduled to tour the island in batches during the year, on specially curated itineraries, to suit their travel interests and followership. These influencers were selected by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau through a stringent process from among 150 potential influencers.
Sri Lanka has long been renowned for its diverse landscapes, captivating heritage, and warm hospitality. The “Seeing is Believing” campaign aims to highlight these unique attributes through the lens of influential Indian personalities across various social media platforms. These influencers will embark on an immersive journey, sharing their authentic experiences as they explore Sri Lanka’s iconic landmarks, rich culture, tantalizing cuisine, and breathtaking natural beauty.
This unprecedented collaboration signifies a collective commitment to drive tourism growth in Sri Lanka by targeting the Indian market. India has consistently been one of the largest sources of visitors to Sri Lanka, and this campaign aims to further strengthen the ties between the two nations while creating unforgettable memories for Indian travelers. Accordingly, all partner entities will provide complimentary accommodation, ground transportation and air tickets with the only aim of creating destination visibility.
Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism and Lands, expressed his excitement about the campaign, stating, “We are thrilled to receive such a proposal from heads of such esteemed organizations with the objective of promoting Sri Lanka as a dream destination for Indian travelers. It is commendable that National carrier and private sector is coming forward with this campaign to solely promote Sri Lanka. Through ‘Seeing is Believing,’ we hope to showcase the hidden gems, extraordinary experiences, and warm Sri Lankan hospitality that awaits them. This campaign is a testament to our collective efforts to reignite tourism and foster stronger ties between India and Sri Lanka and will be an excellent model to carry forward with rest of the partners. “
“As the National carrier, we have always supported destination promotional endeavors and we are happy to collaborate with all the like-minded entities in the latest initiative, ‘Seeing is Believing’ campaign. India is our single largest market with 9 connecting points and we have always valued its stature as a leading tourism generating market for Sri Lanka. We are hopeful that a program of this scale would have immense positive impact in positioning Sri Lanka as a viable short haul destination to Indian leisure travelers.” stated Richard Nuttall, the Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.
The “Seeing is Believing” influencer campaign is expected to generate substantial buzz and engagement among Indian audiences, inspiring them to embark on their own adventures in Sri Lanka. The campaign will unfold across various digital platforms, including social media channels, travel blogs, and video-sharing platforms, ensuring a broad reach and captivating storytelling to entice potential travelers.
Business
Ceylinco Life agent among three global finalists for award
Ceylinco Life’s Ambalantota branch agent AIP Manjula has been named one of three global finalists for the prestigious Insurance Agent of the Year award at the 11th Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards (ATLAA) 2026.
The recognition places a Sri Lankan insurance professional among the finalists in a regional field spanning South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Ceylinco Life said the achievement reflected the calibre and customer-focused approach of its agency force, while recognising Manjula’s professionalism and commitment to policyholders.
The award evaluates insurance agents on criteria extending beyond sales performance, including ethical conduct, client service, policy persistency, digital adoption, innovative practices and contributions to the insurance industry and community.
The awards are organised by Asia Advisers Network and Asia Insurance Review, with LIMRA as co-organiser. An independent judging and balloting process is monitored by KPMG as the official scrutineer. The judging panel comprises senior insurance executives, association presidents and industry experts from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Business
CEAT Kelani retains AA+ rating for sixth year
CEAT Kelani Holdings (CKH) has retained its National Long-Term Rating of ‘AA+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook from Fitch Ratings for the sixth consecutive year, reflecting the company’s financial resilience and leading position in Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre market.
The ‘AA+(lka)’ rating, the second-highest on Fitch’s national scale, indicates a very strong capacity to meet financial commitments.
Fitch said CKH’s established market leadership and resilient financial profile remained key strengths, while noting its exposure to price-sensitive, cyclical and highly competitive markets.
The Stable Outlook reflects expectations that the company will maintain its market position despite rising input costs and increasing competition from imported tyres, while preserving adequate credit metrics during periods of weaker earnings and higher investment.
Fitch expects CKH’s established brand, extensive dealer network and adaptive pricing strategies to support its market position. Planned production facility upgrades are also expected to improve product quality, particularly in the radial tyre segment.
The rating agency expects near-term pressure on margins from higher raw material and energy costs but said the company’s low leverage and sound liquidity would provide a cushion.
CKH Chairman Chanaka De Silva said the rating reinforced the company’s focus on disciplined financial management, operational adaptability and long-term investment.
Business
Commercial Bank leads nationwide aquatic clean-up drive
Commercial Bank of Ceylon mobilised employees, customers, volunteers and community members for a nationwide coastal and aquatic clean-up campaign across 20 locations on September 19 to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026.
Conducted under the bank’s sustainability platform, themed ‘Forward Together for a Cleaner Future’, the initiative covered 16 coastal locations and four inland waterways, bringing together stakeholders for a coordinated environmental conservation effort.
The flagship programme was held at Mount Lavinia Beach, with additional activities at Wellawatte and Galle Face beaches. Similar initiatives were conducted by the bank’s regional offices at locations including Kalutara, Negombo, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Jaffna, Galle, Dondra, Tangalle and along the Mahaweli River.
Employees, management, Future Force volunteers, customers and their families participated alongside the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), United Nations Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, government and local authorities, environmental organisations and community members.
The bank said the initiative reflected its commitment to water stewardship after adopting Sustainable Development Goal 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation — as a priority goal in 2025.
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