Business
ACL Cables supports electricians to enhance skill set with NVQ Level 4 certification
ACL Cables PLC, the No. 1 cable manufacturer in Sri Lanka commenced another novel concept recently supporting electricians enhance skillsets, contributing to their personal growth and the industry.
ACL Cables has partnered the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) to ensure electrical technicians island wide are awarded the NVQ level 4 certification.
This programme is aligned to the regulations enforced by the Government and Public Utility Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) which aim to certify and create licensed electricians.
According to local authority regulations all electricians are required to be certified and obtain a license to conduct any electrical construction activity in the future.
This is mainly to establish a professional status for electricians in the country by accrediting their qualifications and experience.
Towards this objective, ACL Cables together with VTA Centers will sponsor and conduct knowledge sharing sessions for electricians to ensure they are prepared for theoretical and practical examinations to obtain the NVQ level 4 Certification. This project was put into action by ACL Cables under the CSR theme of “Divimaga Denuma” (Knowledge for lives).
Specifically targeting electricians who are registered under the Electricians Club of ACL Cables, individuals will be selected in batches of 25 and the programme will be conducted over a period of 6-months around 217 VTA centers islandwide. The certification which usually takes two and a half years for completion has been fast-tracked to ensure a larger number of electricians benefit. This special scheme was maneuvered and guided under the supervision of Dhamitha Wickramasinghe the president of VTA.
ACL Cables also aims to continue this initiative throughout the next few years to ensure all partner electricians receive this valuable qualification.
Commenting on this worthy programme, ACL Managing Director Suren Madanayake said, “We have continuously empowered our stakeholders for their betterment. This has been part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives. In this programme, we have identified Electricians as among our major stakeholders in making our business operations a success. As the No. 1 cable company in Sri Lanka, we undertook the responsibility to step in and transform these individuals into qualified professionals by helping them obtaining the necessary license and certifications as directed by local authorities.”
“Our initial step was to educate electricians on existing regulations, which we did through our island wide seminars. Now we have commenced the next stage to ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowledge. I thank the VTA, PUCSL and all local authorities who partnered with us to make this overall programme a success. I also invite all electricians who are yet to partner ACL to call our agents and register with the ACL Electricians’ Club,” he added.
The proposed licensing mechanism was developed by PUCSL in collaboration with the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), Tertiary, Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) and Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Lanka Electricity Company (PVT) Limited (LECO).
During the initial stage of this programme, ACL together with PUCSL conducted several sessions island wide to educate electricians on the necessary licensing procedure.
ACL Cables is the leading cable company in Sri Lanka with a market share of 70% and annual turnover of 18 billion as a group. Diversifying its operation ACL has moved into the distribution of electrical switches, circuit protection devices (MCB, RCD and isolator), ceiling fans and a wide range of electrical accessories.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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