For 10th consecutive year

Seylan Bank PLC, the Bank with a Heart, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s automotive industry by partnering with the 20th edition of the Colombo Motor Show 2026 as the Official Banking & Leasing Partner for the 10th consecutive year. This makes Seylan Bank the longest-standing partner of the Colombo Motor Show, further reflecting its longstanding association with one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent automotive exhibitions. The four-day exhibition is scheduled to take place from 20th to 23rd November 2026 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), marking the first time the Colombo Motor Show will be held as a four-day event.

As one of Sri Lanka’s leading international motor and motor accessories exhibitions, the Colombo Motor Show will bring together vehicle enthusiasts, prospective buyers, industry professionals and automotive service providers. The 2026 edition is expected to feature over 200 trade stalls covering motor vehicles, accessories, spare parts, lubricants, tyres, batteries, leasing facilities and other motor-related services.

Through its continued partnership, Seylan Bank will showcase a comprehensive range of financial solutions designed to support customers in meeting their personal and business needs, with a particular focus on Seylan Leasing facilities. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to receive on-the-spot leasing evaluations and expert guidance from Seylan Leasing Specialists, helping them explore vehicle financing options conveniently during the event.

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) is sharpening its focus on helping women entrepreneurs move beyond business creation towards sustainable growth, as it expands its membership, partnerships and advocacy footprint.

WCIC Chairperson Gayani de Alwis, concluding her second tenure, highlighted the Chamber’s efforts had increasingly centered on creating pathways for women to translate entrepreneurial ambition into viable enterprises and, importantly, build those businesses for the longer term.

“Ultimately, our impact is not measured by the number of programmes we conducted, but by the women whose businesses grew, whose voices became stronger, whose horizons expanded and whose contribution to the economy became greater,” she said addressing the WCIC 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 22 September for which the Chief Guest was Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Isabelle Martin.

The focus has included a special initiative for female university students with an entrepreneurial mindset, regional chapter initiatives in the Northern Province, capacity-building programmes and the inaugural ‘Beyond Ramp Up’ workshop.

The Chairperson said these initiatives were designed to move women “from aspiration to enterprise, and from enterprise to sustainable growth”, signaling a broader focus on strengthening the progression of women entrepreneurs beyond the initial stages of business formation.

WCIC recorded a 20 percent increase in membership during the period with membership crossing 460 and expanded its ecosystem through a series of strategic partnerships.

Internally, WCIC moved to strengthen its governance framework, revising its Articles of Association to ensure regulatory compliance and introducing a Code of Conduct and Board self-assessment. Clearer organisational roles, job descriptions and performance targets were also introduced as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and professionalise its operations.

Reflecting on her tenure, the Chairperson said the period had been about building a stronger, more connected and professionally governed organisation, while converting its wider ambitions into tangible opportunities for women in business.

SLT-MOBITEL reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive education and empowering the next generation through a series of initiatives to mark World Children’s Day. Benefiting over 1,000 students at Gamini Primary College in Kalawana and Sidhartha Vidyalaya in Walikadamulla, Wattala, the initiatives combine technology-enabled learning with essential educational support, expanding opportunities for children to learn, grow and reach their full potential.

Strengthening access to digital education in rural Sri Lanka, SLT-MOBITEL gifted a state-of-the-art Smart Classroom facility to Gamini Primary College in Kalawana. Equipped with a high-speed SLT-MOBITEL fibre connection and an advanced interactive Smart Board, the facility introduces modern digital learning capabilities into the classroom, creating an enriched and interactive learning environment.The facility benefits over 900 students and their teachers by providing access to digital learning platforms, interactive educational content and a wealth of online educational resources.

SLT-MOBITEL donated essential school supplies to 150 students at Sidhartha Vidyalaya in Walikadamulla, Wattala. Bringing together students from diverse communities in a shared learning environment, the school provides an important foundation for inclusive education. The donation aims to support students’ day-to-day learning needs, enhance their educational experiences and encourage them to pursue their academic aspirations.