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South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) Research Study at Dilmah’s Queensberry Estate

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L to R: Dr Gothami Weerakoon-Lichen Expert Natural History Museum, London; Prof Mark Sutton-Hub Lead of UKCEH; Prof S P Nissanka- University of Peradeniya; Patricia Woolsey- Retired Lichen Curator of Natural History Museum, London; Tharindu Prabashwara - Dilmah Conservation, and Shalika Welewani-Research Assistant

Working to Understand the Impact of Nitrogen Pollution from Ammonia on South Asian Forest Ecosystems

Since 2020, the UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH), in collaboration with Dilmah Tea, Dilmah Conservation, and the University of Peradeniya, has been conducting a study on the impact of ammonia pollution within a tropical forest ecosystem.

A news release on the subject from Dilmah explained emissions of ammonia to air represent a form of nitrogen waste, which is mainly lost from fertilizers and manures, reducing productive output in agriculture.

The project partners established an experimental site within the Rilagala Forest Sanctuary, adjacent to the Dilmah Queensberry Estate. Notably, South Asia has become a hot spot for nitrogen waste, leading Sri Lanka to lead international ambition to halve nitrogen waste by 2030, as declared during the Colombo Declaration of UN Day in 2019. The experimental site has now become a permanent monitoring plot.

Nitrogen, essential for food and protein production, poses a significant threat due to the excessive nitrogen waste generated from fossil fuel burning and the overuse of fertilizers. One key form of nitrogen release into the environment is ammonia, which can have adverse impacts on natural ecosystems and formation of fine particulate matter air pollution, which is damaging for human health.

The SANH research project addresses the pressing need for baseline data on the consequences of nitrogen pollution in much understudied South Asian Forest ecosystems, aiming to provide crucial insights for sustainable nitrogen management policies.

An integral part of this research involves the innovative use of a controlled ammonia enhancement system in forests, making it one of only two such sites globally. In this system the atmospheric ammonia pollution equivalent to a small farm is simulated. A system was developed to release ammonia only under specific wind conditions, ensuring it reaches designated areas where lichen and vegetation research plots are located.

The UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) collaborates with 32 leading research organizations across South Asia and the UK. In Sri Lanka, the research team is led by Professor S.P. Nissanka of the University of Peradeniya, in partnership with the Hub lead Prof. Mark Sutton, of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh. Specific expertise is provided by Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon, an internationally renowned lichen expert based at the Natural History Museum, London who previously collaborated with Dilmah Tea on a book about lichens and Dr. Ajinkya Deshpande, an environmental ecologist at UKCEH.

Professor Nissanka commented: “This is a superb opportunity for Sri Lanka to demonstrate its international leadership in both nitrogen science and policy. The Rilagala experiment on ammonia is the first of its kind in the whole of Asia”.

Professor Sutton added, “We are looking at work to raise awareness by better understanding the key threats. For example, seeing how nitrogen pollution is damaging coral reefs, exacerbating the problem of climate change with coral bleaching, seeing how nitrogen is affecting forest biodiversity, which is little studied, and finally we are looking at bringing those fluxes and flows together.”

Dr. Deshpande, emphasized “This experiment serves as a platform on which other institutes can build, using it as an example of the critical importance of data collection. Our methodology can be replicated elsewhere, broadening the impact of our work.”

In 2020, a research site was established at 1600 meters within the Rilagala Forest Reserve, which had been surrounded by Queensberry Estate tea plantations for nearly two centuries. This site offered ideal conditions and a rich biodiversity of lichen species, serving as effective bioindicators for monitoring nitrogen pollution.

Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon, said “The conclusions drawn from this data are crucial for sustainable farming, crop development, and improved livelihoods. If other corporate sector organizations who support such research, like Dilmah, come forward, it will illuminate the future of Sri Lanka and South Asia.”

Dilmah’s Climate Change Research Centre at Queensberry Estate in Nawalapitiya, the only privately owned climate change center in Sri Lanka, has provided unwavering logistics support to the SANH team, even during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises, demonstrating their dedication to climate change research. Local student researchers working on the project are supported by Dilmah through the Climate Research Centre, offering them valuable exposure to international collaborators, and raising awareness about the impact of climate change.



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AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics

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The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:

New business performance and embedded value

Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)

Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025

EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis

IFRS earnings

Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share

AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)

Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025

Cash generation and capital returns

Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share

Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share

US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back

Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share

Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:

“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.

“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.

“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.

“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”

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British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication

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The British Council team answering questions on Corporate English Solutions from leading corporates about professional development skills courses

The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.

The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.

CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.

Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.

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Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026

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Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.

Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.

Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.

Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”

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