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Renowned British publisher calls on govt. to reconsider clamping 18% VAT on books

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John Beaufoy at an event in Singapore.

By Ifham Nizam

Renowned British publisher John Beaufoy has made an impassioned plea to Sri Lanka’s government to reconsider the 18% Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on books, citing its detrimental effect on the country’s literary market, education system and cultural development.

Speaking exclusively to The Island Financial Review during his recent visit to Colombo to promote his latest publications, Beaufoy emphasized the adverse impact of the tax on both readers and the publishing industry.

He added: “The 18% VAT is very hefty, especially during tough economic times. Books should be treated as an educational item, as they are in the UK, where no VAT is imposed on books.”

Beaufoy, whose publishing house specializes in natural history titles across the Indo-Pacific region, expressed concern on how the tax discourages reading and limits access to knowledge.

“Sri Lankans have a deep love for reading and learning about their country, especially in areas like wildlife, ecology and conservation. This tax creates an unnecessary barrier, he added.

“Sri Lanka has long been a nation of readers, with a rich literary heritage and a strong tradition of storytelling. However, booksellers and publishers across the country have reported that the VAT has led to reduced sales and diminished accessibility for readers.

“Books are essential for spreading knowledge and preserving culture. The imposition of VAT on books is counterproductive for a country that values education, Beaufoy stated.

He pointed out that many countries, including the UK, recognize books as educational tools and exempt them from such taxes.

Booksellers like M.D. Gunasena, Vijitha Yapa and Barefoot, whom Beaufoy met during his visit, had also voiced their concerns. They noted that the VAT not only burdens readers but also hampers their ability to promote and distribute important publications, particularly those focusing on conservation and local heritage.Beaufoy added: “To speak to Vijitha is an absolute pleasure, always. He has so much knowledge and experience. I would say not just of the book business, but of the world.

“He is such an interesting man to talk to. I have known Vijitha for probably 30 years, I think. And I have been privileged to get to know him and his family over that period.

“And I always enjoy very much listening to his stories, his opinions and his knowledge of the book business is really pretty unsurpassed, I think, in Sri Lanka. Vijitha has seen it all. Of course, he was brave and entrepreneurial enough to have a bookshop at the airport in Colombo for many years, somewhere that most people, everybody who’s travelled out of Sri Lanka will be familiar with that shop.

“And it used to be a great outlet for books on Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan wildlife.”

One of the highlights of Beaufoy’s visit was the launch of A Photographic Guide to the Wildlife of Sri Lanka by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne. The book, featuring over 1,100 species and photographs, is a celebration of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity.

“This book is a visual treasure. Gehan has done an incredible job compiling a comprehensive guide to Sri Lanka’s wildlife, ranging from birds and mammals to reptiles, insects, and marine fish, Beaufoy said. “It’s the kind of publication that fosters pride and awareness about conservation.”

Beaufoy also discussed plans for future books focusing on marine life, seashore habitats, and insects in Sri Lanka, which he believes will resonate with both locals and tourists. “Sri Lanka’s natural beauty is unparalleled. There’s so much potential to highlight the country’s biodiversity through high-quality publications,” he remarked.



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Business

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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