News
ThirdShift wins Silver at Campaign of the Year Awards for second consecutive year
Independent, Young & Trailblazing
ThirdShift, the Independent Media Agency of SHIFT, has done it once again, by winning the Silver award for Media Agency of the Year for the ‘Rest of South Asia’ category, at the recently concluded Campaign – Agency of the Year Awards for the second consecutive year.
It is important to note that this win is undoubtedly a remarkable feat for the ThirdShift team who worked tirelessly towards navigating through an extremely unpredictable year.
Bearing in mind that the Media Agency ventured into the competitive media landscape in Sri Lanka only a mere three years ago, being the recipient of such a distinguished title within a short span of time is truly a tremendous achievement, and one that warrants due recognition and high praise. While acknowledging this award, the CEO of ThirdShift, Prasanga Jayatunga delved into the success story of his agency and the reasons for its steady upward trajectory.
“We stepped into the media business landscape back in 2017. By that time, I had done my stint in the international media agency business and had been Leader, Mindshare & CEO of Media Factory. I was enriched by those experiences, and the idea of venturing out on my own had crossed my mind, specifically because I believed that I could tailor-make solutions and work with clients on Hand-Crafted Media Solutions”, he said.
“At the time this was just an idea. But, before long the opportunity came my way and I stepped out with the belief that the market needed an agency that would look beyond mere scheduling and planning. Looking back, I realised that it was a vacuum that existed, and I stepped in to fill it. But then, what I really wanted to focus on was to give my clients ROI beyond just reach and frequency. Perhaps the yearning to be creative within the Media business is what drove me to agree with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shift, Chrishani Kotalawela and Sujeewa Samarasekera, when they invited me to join them and start ThirdShift”, he noted.
“Sujeewa & Chrishy were veterans of the industry but had never handled media, however, I took the opportunity that was given to me and went ahead with it. I didn’t think it all through. I decided and gave my word and it has been a rocking ride. It’s been a lot of hard work, sweat, tears and sleepless nights. But awards like this really reminded me that as a team, we have done justice to our Clients and Client Brands; the real reason behind this company’s success”, he added.
ThirdShift also bagged two Golds, one Silver and finalist awards at the coveted Effie Awards in 2019. While this achievement at the Effie’s is of great significance in itself, it must also be recognized that ThirdShift received one of this Silver award in the capacity of a Primary Agency considering that it is usually a Creative Agency that takes home such an award in addition to most Media Agencies being classified as Secondary Agencies.
News
Timely and accurate data essential for effective decision making – PM
A meeting was held to discuss post-disaster planning and the reconstruction process, with special focus on flood-prone areas on Monday [8 th of December] at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and attended by representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the critical importance of timely and systematic information and data collection to support timely and effective decision-making on a daily basis following the post disaster situations. The Prime noted that accurate data flows are essential for guiding recovery efforts in the short and long term.
The Representatives outlined the need assessment process using RAPIDA and Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE), the UNDP’s post-crisis assessment initiated by integrating GIS technology, satellite imagery, and ground-level data, to deliver real-time, actionable insights after a crisis to helps identify affected locations, communities, infrastructure damage, debris estimates, and land use changes-providing crucial data.
The representatives of UNDP reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government and they expressed their readiness to collaborate closely and to strengthen ongoing partnerships to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of post-disaster response and reconstruction activities.
The discussion was attended by the Country Manager for World Bank Dr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Resident Representatives for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ms. Azusa Kubota, South Asia Director for United Nations Office for Project Services ((UNOPS), and Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary (Development) Ms Sagarika Bogahawaththa and officials from the Department of National Planning.
[Prime minister’s media division]
News
Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation donates Rs. 250 million to the Government for national recovery after the emergency situation
The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation has donated Rs. 250 million to the Government to support the rebuild of the country following the emergency situation caused by the Ditva cyclone.
Chairperson of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, together with the Board of Directors, handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 08 th of December at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Subsequently, a cordial discussion was held between the Foundation’s Chairperson, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The occasion was attended by the secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and representatives of the Board of Directors of the Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Level III landslide warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] have been extended until 1600hrs tomorrow [10th December 2025].
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Panvila, Udapalatha, Minipe, Poojapitiya, Gangawata Korale, Thumpane, Doluwa, Pathadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Harispattuwa, Akurana, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Deltota, Medadumbara, Udunuwara, Kundasale and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Mawanella and Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Rideegama and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Ukuwela, Pallepola, Rattota, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula, Ambanganga Korale and Wilgamuwa in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Division and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, Kegalle and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Alawwa and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district and Nuwara Eliya, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Kothmale West, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha, Walapane, Kothmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district have also been extended.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama, Divulapitiya and Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Openayake, Nivithigala, Kaltota, Pelmadulla, Kalawana, Eheliyagoda, Elapatha, Ayagama, Imbulpe and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
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