Business
Hayleys Advantis’ partnership with India’s Cordelia Cruises to bring direct tourist income of US$ 18 million in 4 months
By Sanath Nanayakkare
The MS Empress which made its maiden port of call at the Port of Hambantota with 1,600 passengers and crew onboard, is scheduled to make voyages Sri Lanka every week, and is estimated to contribute USD 18 million to the country’s economy in the next four months.
This was revealed by the owner of the cruise ship’s Jurgen Bailom who is an Austrian businessman.
The business plan for the time after the four months will be drawn depending on the upcoming monsoon season.
Jurgen who had been with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for 30-years and now operates his own luxury cruise liner said that he has immense confidence in the potential of Sri Lankan cruise tourism sector and the success of his operations especially because Hayleys Advantis is his face in Sri Lanka.
” I anticipate 80,000 tourist arrivals in the first 4 months alone our operation here in Sri Lanka is forging ahead with Hayleys Advantis appointed as General Sales Agent and Port Agent in Sri Lanka for Cordelia Cruises,” he said.
Leveraging the newly forged partnership with India’s top cruise line Cordelia Cruises, the Advantis team warmly welcomed 1,600 tourists from Chennai, as they made their inaugural stop at the Hambantota International Port.
A mesmerizing dance being perfomed by the cruise ship’s troupe at its state of
the art Marquee Theatre. Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha
Jurgen Bailom especially thanked the Sri Lankan Immigration officials for seamlessly facilitating the disembakation process to allow the visitors to take on their short excursions in and around Hambantota including Udawalawa.
Commenting on the partnership, Advantis Managing Director, Ruwan Waidyaratne said, “As an island nation, Sri Lanka has attracted maritime trade and travel for centuries. However, in the modern age, our nation is yet to leverage its natural advantages to the best of our ability. Through our alliance with Cordelia Cruises, we are able to facilitate the first-ever cruise sailing operation around the island, offering a remarkable opportunity for travellers to explore the rich heritage, breathtaking natural beauty, and vibrant cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. We look forward to working in close partnership with the Cordelia team to attract at least 80,000 visitors within the next four months alone.”
Dr. R. A. D. Jeewantha was honoured as the Most Innovative Dentist of the Year at the Business World International Awards, 2025. Organised by the Business World International Organisation, the award ceremony was held recently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. A graduate of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Dr. Jeewantha has built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected and forward-thinking dental surgeons. After gaining vital experience in Government hospitals, including the Teaching Hospital in Karapitiya, he also served at a leading private hospital before launching his own practice—Doctor J Premium Dental Care in Delkanda, Nugegoda.
His dental clinic is known for offering advanced, patient-focused treatments in restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and implantology, using state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Jeewantha is especially skilled in dental implants, having completed the American Residency Course in Dental Implantology at Roseman University, accredited by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Dr. Jeewantha holds fellowships from the International College of Continuing Dental Education (FICCDE) and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (USA). His advanced skills include modern root canal treatments using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) for both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
He has completed international trainings in digital dentistry, full-arch implantology techniques like All-on-Four and Zygomatic Systems, and smile design using digital 3D scans. He has participated in global dental events such as the Asia-Pacific Dental Congress and completed training at institutions including the University of Manchester and North Western State Medical University in Russia. His courses have covered everything from intraoral scanning to managing tooth wear. He has previously received many local and international awards. Dr. Jeewantha also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace for All Island.
The Foundation in Biological Studies at IIHS provides a unique alternative for students looking to fast-track their health careers after their Ordinary Level (O/L) exams. This programme offers a direct route to global health careers, bypassing traditional A/Ls. With over 1,000 students already advancing to universities in Australia, the UK, and Finland, IIHS has positioned the course as a reliable launchpad for careers in fields like medicine, nursing, biomedical sciences, and digital health. “This programme is a game-changer, offering a transformative journey into global healthcare education,” said IIHS CEO Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe.
Seylan Bank has recorded a Profit before Tax (PBT) of LKR 4,199 million in Q1 2025, marking a 13.36% growth compared to LKR 3,704 million in Q1 2024. Profit after Tax (PAT) rose by 20.29%, reaching LKR 2,761 million, up from LKR 2,295 million in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite a decrease in net interest income by 8.37% due to market interest rate reductions, the bank’s net fee-based income grew by 13.83%, driven by fees from loans, cards, remittances, and other services. Total operating income for the quarter was LKR 11,258 million, a 3.83% decrease from the previous year, while operating expenses rose by 4.62%, largely due to increased personnel and other operating costs.
Impairment charges were significantly reduced by 83.17%, totaling LKR 262 million, reflecting the bank’s solid credit quality and proactive provisions. The bank’s impaired loan ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.10% in Q1 2024, with a provision cover ratio of 80.74%.
Seylan Bank’s total assets grew to LKR 785 billion, with loans and advances reaching LKR 469 billion and deposits totaling LKR 647 billion. The bank’s capital adequacy ratios remained strong, with the Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio at 13.67% and Total Capital Ratio at 17.64%.
In addition to its financial performance, Seylan Bank continued its commitment to education, opening 16 more “Seylan Pahasara Libraries,” bringing the total to 281 libraries across the island.Fitch Ratings upgraded Seylan Bank’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(lka)’ with a Stable Outlook in January 2025, further underscoring the bank’s financial stability and growth trajectory.
-
Features5 days agoRuGoesWild: Taking science into the wild — and into the hearts of Sri Lankans
-
News5 days agoOrders under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruptions Act No. 9 of 2023 for concurrence of parliament
-
Features6 days agoNew species of Bronzeback snake, discovered in Sri Lanka
-
News4 days agoProf. Rambukwella passes away
-
News6 days agoPhoto of Sacred tooth relic: CID launches probe
-
Opinion5 days agoSri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part IX
-
Features6 days agoSri Lanka’s Foreign Policy amid Geopolitical Transformations: 1990-2024 – Part VIII
-
Features2 days agoThe Truth will set us free – I