Business
99x unveils Product Central, boosting developer productivity and streamlining software development
99x has announced the launch of Product Central, a pioneering development workbench designed to revolutionise how software teams build, deploy, and manage cloud applications. In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, developers are often overwhelmed by repetitive operational tasks that divert attention from creative and value-driven work. Product Central addresses this challenge by automating routine processes, allowing development teams to focus on delivering exceptional digital experiences to their customers.
Product Central is designed to boost developer productivity and reduce human error by providing a unified platform that standardises reference architectures and platform configurations. This end-to-end solution not only streamlines operations but also scales efficiently to meet the demands of modern software development, enabling developers to focus on innovation by eliminating time-consuming setup and deployment tasks and freeing them from the burden of non-value-adding work.
Business
Janashakthi Finance appoints Sithambaram Sri Ganendran as CEO
Janashakthi Finance PLC, formerly known as Orient Finance PLC and a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group), announces the appointment of Sithambaram Sri Ganendran as the Chief Executive Officer.
Sri Ganendran, who has held the position of Chief Operating Officer since September 2024, stepped in as Acting Chief Executive Officer during the past four months.
He brings with him almost 27 years of extensive experience in banking. Throughout his extensive career, he has held senior management roles in multiple local and international banks, where he acquired in-depth knowledge in operations, branch banking (across retail and SME sectors), operational risk, business continuity management, business integration, process reengineering, operational excellence, sales governance and credit card operations. He holds a plethora of qualifications including an MBA from American City University. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in the United Kingdom, and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI), and a member of the Association of Professional Bankers of Sri Lanka.
Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairman of Janashakthi Finance PLC, said, “We are delighted to welcome Sithambaram Sri Ganendran to this important leadership role at a pivotal moment in our journey. His wealth of experience, proven track record, and people-focused leadership style make him well suited to strengthen and guide Janashakthi Finance, ensuring efficient continuity in all ongoing operations.”
The appointment of Sri Ganendran as Chief Executive Officer, reinforces Janashakthi Finance’s deep commitment to seamless operations and growth. It also underscores its dedication to vision of delivering trusted financial solutions, while continuously exploring opportunities for innovation and expansion to serve its customers and communities more efficiently.
Business
Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka reviews performance and unveils Strategic Roadmap for 2026
The Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka (DMASL) reviewed its annual performance and unveiled its Strategic Roadmap for 2026 following its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025, held on 10th December 2025 at the Radisson Hotel, Colombo.
The AGM presented a comprehensive review of the Association’s activities during the year, along with the audited financial statements, which confirmed that DMASL recorded its strongest financial performance to date. The Association reported healthy revenue growth, a positive net profit, and a stable financial position, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and strong governance.
The meeting confirmed the continuation of the existing Board of Directors for the upcoming term. The Board comprises Arjun Jeger (President), Ms. Gayathri Seneviratne (Vice President), Shalendra Mendis (Vice President), Udara Dharmasena (Secretary), and Muhammed Gazzaly (Treasurer).
In addition, the Executive Committee (ExCo) for the 2025/2026 term was confirmed, bringing together a diverse group of experienced industry professionals to support the Board in driving the Association’s strategic priorities, overseeing programme execution, and strengthening member engagement across the digital marketing ecosystem.
The AGM also reflected on a year of key milestones, including flagship industry events, professional development initiatives, strategic partnerships, and community-focused programmes that strengthened Sri Lanka’s digital marketing ecosystem.
Building on this momentum, DMASL unveiled its ROADMAP 2026, outlining several new strategic initiatives aimed at advancing the industry and creating sustainable impact. These initiatives include:
DMASL Academy: Focused on upskilling the nation’s digital workforce through expert-led education and training programmes.
Digital Services Fair: A national platform designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s digital capabilities, solutions, and service providers.
DMASL Resident Bootcamps: Intensive programmes aimed at developing high-performance digital talent aligned with industry needs.
The Steering Committee (SteerCo) will support the implementation of the 2026 roadmap by facilitating partnerships, guiding research initiatives, identifying skills gaps, and strengthening collaboration across the digital marketing community.
Commenting on the year ahead, Arjun Jeger, President of DMASL, stated that the Association remains focused on raising professional standards, investing in skills development, and positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive digital services hub.
Business
Sampath Bank powers PickMe with cutting-edge payment tech
Sampath Bank PLC has officially partnered with Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC, the legal entity behind PickMe, Sri Lanka’s leading technology platform facilitating mobility, delivery and experiences, to successfully integrate Visa’s CyberSource internet Payment Gateway. This milestone reinforces Sri Lanka’s ongoing transition toward a more secure and cashless digital economy by enabling fast, reliable, and secure card payments across PickMe rides and PickMe delivery services.
The integration marks a strategic collaboration between one of Sri Lanka’s top financial institutions and a pioneering tech platform, aiming to streamline mobile payments, enhance digital security, and deliver frictionless customer experiences. It also reflects Sampath Bank’s broader commitment to empowering local digital businesses through world-class financial technology.
“This integration reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s digital payment systems,” said Chirath Samarasekara, Head of Card Centre at Sampath Bank PLC. He further stated, “We’re proud to support PickMe through Visa’s CyberSource payment Gateway, making payments more secure and convenient for users, while helping our partners grow confidently.”
“At PickMe, we’re committed to driving Sri Lanka’s digital transformation by making everyday transactions faster, safer, and more accessible. This partnership with Sampath Bank and Visa’s CyberSource payment Gateway is a major step forward in delivering seamless payment experiences to our users. Together, we’re building a more connected, cashless, and inclusive digital economy,” says Jiffry Zulfer Hassen, CEO at PickMe.
-
Business7 days agoCabinet approves establishment of two 50 MW wind power stations in Mullikulum, Mannar region
-
Features7 days agoCliff and Hank recreate golden era of ‘The Young Ones’
-
Features7 days agoSri Lanka and Global Climate Emergency: Lessons of Cyclone Ditwah
-
Editorial7 days agoExperience vs. Inexperience
-
Features4 days agoWhy Sri Lanka Still Has No Doppler Radar – and Who Should Be Held Accountable
-
News7 days agoWFP scales up its emergency response in Sri Lanka
-
Features6 days agoDitwah: A Country Tested, A People United
-
Opinion7 days agoDitwah wake-up call demands a national volunteer community service for rebuilding Sri Lanka
