News

SDC conducts workshop on Inclusive Business Accreditation

Published

2 years ago

2025/02/27

The Sustainable Development Council (SDC) successfully conducted a workshop on ‘Establishing an Inclusive Business Accreditation System’ for Sri Lanka in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Resident Coordinators Office on 24th February 2025, bringing together government officials, industry experts, and passionate entrepreneurs dedicated to building a more inclusive business ecosystem in Sri Lanka.

The Workshop focused on the establishment of an Inclusive Business (IB) Accreditation System and the transformative power of IB models to contribute not only to economic growth but also towards a more just, stable, and resilient society. Accreditation would play a pivotal role in distinguishing credible IBs from those engaging in superficial social responsibility efforts.

The Guidelines for Promoting Inclusive Businesses adopted by the ASEAN member states proposes IB Accreditation as a core policy instrument to promote inclusive businesses in the region. An IB Accreditation would offer significant benefits to both the government and businesses. For the government, it would drive solutions addressing the needs of low-income populations by encouraging businesses to adopt inclusive business models. The system would also enable more effective promotion and recognition of inclusive businesses, inspiring others to follow suit. Additionally, it could help the government to identify businesses eligible for both financial or non-financial incentives. For businesses, IB Accreditation would help gain enhanced visibility and brand recognition, boosting access to investment and new market opportunities, while attracting impact investors to support their growth. In addition, a well implemented IB Accreditation System could provide accredited businesses opportunities to access a range of advantages, including financial and non-financial incentives and businesses support services which would help scale operations and increase social impact.

The workshop focused on areas such as the Inclusive Business Landscape in Sri Lanka, IB Accreditation Process and Steps in the implementation of an IB Accreditation System and Financial and Non-Financial Incentives that can be linked to an IB Accreditation System. Several ASEAN member states have put in place IB Accreditation systems based on the IB Accreditation Principles advanced by the ASEAN Secretariat and the workshop facilitated participants to learn from comparative experiences and good practices from IB Accreditation Systems implemented in Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and South Korea.

The Workshop kicked off with a presentation on the Inclusive Business Landscape in Sri Lanka and recommendations for driving inclusive business growth by the Director General of the Sustainable Development Council Chamindry Saparamadu, followed by a panel discussion with inclusive business leaders on their challenges, successes, and opportunities in leveraging IB Accreditation. Vihagun Ariyaratne, the Founder of Owita Naturals Pvt Ltd, Asitha Jayasinghe, Founder of Blackpool Coffee, and Dushmantha Dissanayake, Agri Entrepreneur/ SME Finance Specialist, elaborated on the importance of accreditation and how it will enhance brand value, accountability, transparency, and help businesses adopt a holistic approach to inclusivity and ethics.

The Workshop Participants delved into the vital steps required to establish an IB Accreditation System in Sri Lanka that will drive sustainable growth, innovation, and equal opportunities for all under the expert guidance of Marta Perez Cuso from the Trade, Innovation and Investment Division of UNESCAP who brings forth extensive experience in promoting inclusive enterprises throughout the Asia Pacific Region, including in India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, Ms. Pham Hong Ngan, Research Consultant from Vietnam shared insights from the Vietnam Accreditation Pilot, and Mr. William Baxter, Project Lead, Inclusive Business at the European Chamber of Commerce, presented key learnings and recommendations for developing an IB Accreditation System in Sri Lanka.

The workshop was successfully concluded, obtaining important feedback and suggestions from relevant government agencies such as the Ministry of Industries, Export Development Board, Industrial Development Board, Sri Lanka Accreditation Board, Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Board of Investment, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Development Finance Department, business chambers, and other relevant stakeholders regarding the way forward for establishing an IB Accreditation system through the facilitation of resource persons Ms. Ganga Iddamlgoda, Ms. Sheron Hewawaduge and Mr. Navaka Navarathne.

An Outcome Report with recommendations for establishing an IB Accreditation System is expected to be presented to the Government in due course.

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Italian Naval Vessel ‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ arrives in Colombo

Published

6 hours ago

2026/09/9

Priyan

The Italian Naval Vessel ‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ arrived in Sri Lanka today, 9 September 2026, on a replenishment visit.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in accordance with naval traditions at the port of Colombo.

‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ is a 180m long Landing Helicopter Aircraft Vessel commanded by Captain Marco GUERRIERO.

During the ship’s stay in Sri Lanka, the Commanding Officer of ‘ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi’ is scheduled to call on the Commander Western Naval Area.

News

Bangladesh bank on bowlers in bid to bring India down

Published

10 hours ago

2026/09/9

Priyan

Bangladesh will look to curb Shafali Verma's aggression [cRICINFO]

If Bangladesh take the route of seeking inspiration from the past to bring down heavyweights India on Thursday, they will have to squint their eyes and go back to pre-Covid times for their last victory against them in the Women’s Asia Cup. India have had the better of their neighbours over their last eight meetings, and last lost to Bangladesh in a T20I three years ago, when a very similar-looking Indian batting line-up was kept to 102 for 9.

Before that, Bangladesh had shocked India with back-to-back wins that culminated in their maiden Asia Cup title, by again stifling India to an underwhelming 112 for 9.

The Bangladesh team of today – as their recent fights have shown over the last two World Cups – is a version far improved from the ones of 2018 and 2023. They have scared teams like Australia and England (ODI World Cup) and India (T20 World Cup) in the last 12 months and they recently beat the higher ranked Pakistan in the UK by keeping them to 100 for 8.

It is this bowling strength that Bangladesh must bank on to try and bring down India, whose batting has stuttered every now and then, including a collapse of 8 for 46 against Thailand earlier in the tournament. India have had middle-order issues for a while now – it’s one of the things that kept them from a knockout berth in the last T20 World Cup – and Bangladesh will be itching to strike while the iron is hot.

They have laid the foundations in the last 10 days by routing Indonesia for 58, making Sri Lanka sweat in a chase of 115, and suffocating UAE’s batters to 69 for 9 with semi-finals qualification on the line.

Pratika Rawal, India’s No. 3 for this tournament in place of the injured Jemimah Rodrigues, hasn’t quite shown the promise in this format that she has in ODIs. Her 36 runs in three innings have come at a strike rate of just 109.09, against some of the lower-ranked teams in the world. Now into the knockouts, the time is ripe for Rawal to step up against one of the stronger bowling attacks of the tournament, especially if one of the openers doesn’t get going.

Swing bowler Marufa Akter is doing Marufa Akter things at this Asia Cup. She has struck in her opening spell in each of her three games so far – including the big scalp of Chamari Athapathuthu for 1. She has made the ball talk with her prodigious swing, and is the top wicket-taker in this Asia Cup among pace bowlers, with an economy rate of 3.27. She will hold the key for Bangladesh as they come up against a top order comprising Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Rawal.

Team news

After constant chopping and changing during the T20 World Cup in the UK, India have gone unchanged in the three games of this tournament. They will be expected to field the same XI again.

India (probable): Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk), Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma.

Bangladesh have used 14 players, in comparison, including a debut for 17-year-old allrounder Farjana Easmin. They may not make too many changes this time as the two players who came into the XI on Tuesday – Rabeya Khan and Sharmin Akter – played starring roles in beating UAE.

Bangladesh (probable): Juairiya Ferdous, Nigar Sultana (capt & wk), Sobhana Mostary, Dilara Akter, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sharmin Akter, Nahida Akter, Sultana Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fahima Khatun.

[Cricinfo]

News

Establishment of National Trade Negotiation Committee (NTFC) and Trade Policy Consultation Committee.

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/9

Priyan

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 24-08-2026 to implement the recommendations submitted by the committee appointed to review Sri Lanka’s current Free Trade Agreements and future course of Free Trade Agreements in Sri Lanka.

Taking into account these recommendations, it has been
recognized the necessity of establishing a National Trade Negotiation Committee and Trade Policy Consultation Committee enabling Sri Lanka to follow a more targeted, sequential, and evidence-based approach in conducting negotiations for Sri Lanka’s future Free Trade Agreements and to ensure a sustainable and meaningful stakeholder consultation process.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Trade, Commercial, Food Security, and Cooperative Development to act as follows.

• Establishment of a National Trade Negotiation Committee to guide trade discussions conducted with potential bilateral or regional trade partners
• Appointment of the Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development as the Chairman of the National Trade Negotiation Committee and
the Chief National Trade Negotiator.
• Establishment of 12 subject specific sub- committees with the required technical working groups under the National Trade Negotiation Committee
• Appointment of Trade Policy Consultative Committee comprising of trade experts, researchers engaged in research relevant to trade field, business community, unions, civil societies and relevant public officers to instruct the National Trade Negotiation Committee on active and technical sectors, to submit the policy recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the matters relevant to the trade agreements, to inquire sustainable ideas regarding the Free Trade Agreements, and to ensure the communication mechanism.
• The Minister in charge of the Subject international trade and the Minister in charge of the subject of Industry to serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Trade Policy Advisory Committee.