Business

WCIC canvasses the importance of safe workplaces for women free from GBVH, and the importance of ILO Convention C190

Published

4 weeks ago

2026/01/9

Women face Gender Based Violence and Harassment at Corporates and in Entrepreneurial businesses.

Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) has been actively working to create workplace environments that are free from Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH), enabling women to thrive and contribute meaningfully. Over the past few years, in collaboration with the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), WCIC undertook extensive research to understand the realities faced by professional women and women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

“Working on the latest project of CIPE – the WCIC will strive to move forward meaningful action to make some head way” Stated the Project Chair Tusitha Kumarakulasingam on behalf of the WCIC

The research revealed that awareness of GBVH and experiences of harassment in the workplace are widespread. While GBVH has appeared on the agendas of many organizations, the study found that no formal, conclusive actions have been implemented to address the issue effectively.

Based on the survey findings, WCIC sought to create a forward-looking pathway toward a better tomorrow, guided by the objective:

“Break the Bias for a Better Tomorrow: Promote and Invest in a Decent Workplace for Women – Ratify ILO Convention 190.”

Gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace affect both men and women; however, women experience it disproportionately. Until now, there has been limited documentation or evidence to understand the scale and magnitude of the issue. Many women are also unaware of what constitutes GBVH. Through this survey—conducted for WCIC by Kantar Sri Lanka—the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce aimed to bridge this knowledge gap and educate working women about GBVH, while empowering them with information on the steps they can take if they face such incidents.

The survey outcomes revealed several critical gaps and challenges faced by working women in Sri Lanka in relation to gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH). Overall awareness of harassment remains limited, with many women not fully understanding that such behavior constitutes an offence or being aware of the full range of actions that amount to harassment. Awareness was highest in relation to bullying, followed by discrimination and sexual or physical harassment. Women reported experiencing GBVH across all categories, with bullying emerging as the most prevalent, while women entrepreneurs reported higher levels of sexual and physical harassment compared to professional women. Although some respondents were aware that complaints could be lodged through human resources mechanisms, there was little confidence that these would be addressed fairly. A significant majority lacked awareness of existing laws, legal processes, or support organizations, and among those who experienced GBVH, 80% took no action. Fear of negative career repercussions, victim-blaming, and not being believed were key reasons for remaining silent. While a few organizations had policies and procedures in place, in most cases these were not implemented in a fair or effective manner.

The “cost of GBVH” in Sri Lanka refers to the broad social and economic impact of gender-based violence and harassment, rather than a specific monetary value. Research shows that GBVH places a significant burden on individuals, businesses, and the national economy through both direct and indirect costs.

Key insights include:

Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) carries significant economic and social costs at the workplace, national, and global levels. A 2022 International Finance Corporation (IFC) study covering nine companies in Sri Lanka estimated that workplace violence and harassment resulted in the loss of approximately six working days per employee per year, translating into a total cost of at least USD 1.7 million for those organizations. In parallel, institutions such as the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka (FPA Sri Lanka), together with the World Bank, are assessing the costs of delivering GBV response services through healthcare facilities, including Mithuru Piyasa centres. Beyond these direct costs, GBVH undermines productivity through absenteeism and presenteeism, increases staff turnover, and generates additional healthcare and legal expenses, alongside substantial intangible costs such as pain, trauma, and loss of dignity. At a broader level, the United Nations estimated in 2016 that violence against women accounts for approximately 2% of global GDP—around USD 1.5 trillion—highlighting the magnitude of its national and global economic impact.

(Source: IFC and FPA Sri Lanka)

The Way Forward

To address these issues in a systematic and sustainable manner, ILO Convention 190 (C190) is widely recognized as a critical pathway forward. While many organizations, including WCIC, have actively advocated for the ratification of the Convention, meaningful progress has yet to be achieved. As ratification requires government facilitation, the commitment and conviction of relevant authorities are essential for advancing this agenda and ensuring decent, safe, and inclusive workplaces for women.

For more details on the WCIC visit: https://www.wcicsl.lk

The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Sri Lanka (WCIC) was inaugurated in 1985 by a group of entrepreneurs with a visionary mindset. Each of them were already successful in their own business ventures, together with a few professionals they created an organization which has today, reached high standards. They envisaged that the organisation could be a pivotal force in leveraging women entrepreneurs into the mainstream of business activity in the country, encouraging greater economic contribution to the country from women. We work on the principles of Engage, Empower, Enrich

The organization is steered with a clear vision, sharp mission, and a strategic plan which delivers on the identified expectations.

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Business

GREAT 2025–2030: Sri Lanka’s Green ambition meets a grid reality check

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/7

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka’s Renewable Energy Project Development Plan, branded GREAT 2025–2030 (Green Energy Acceleration Targets), reads like a confident pivot toward a cleaner, cheaper power system. With more than 2,600 MW of new renewable capacity planned—dominated by solar and wind—and a strong push on storage and grid stabilisation, the strategy signals intent. Yet beneath the headline numbers lies a harder business truth: generation is racing ahead of the grid, and unless infrastructure and control catch up fast, value will leak from an otherwise compelling transition.

At the core of GREAT is scale. Solar leads with 1,571 MW across multiple zones, while wind contributes 1,004 MW, primarily from Mannar, Kilinochchi and the North-Western belt.

Smaller but steady additions are planned in mini-hydro (51 MW) and biomass (38 MW). On paper, the mix lowers marginal costs, cuts imports, and insulates the economy from fuel price shocks—outcomes financiers and policymakers both welcome.

But a senior retired electrical engineer, who spent decades inside Sri Lanka’s power system, cautions that capacity alone doesn’t create reliability—or returns.

“We are adding megawatts faster than we are adding visibility and control,” he said. “Rooftop solar has already exceeded 1,350 MW, much of it invisible to operators. From a grid perspective, that is unmanaged generation, and unmanaged generation is risk.”

The business implications are immediate. Transmission bottlenecks, particularly delays in 220 kV and 400 kV lines, are constraining renewable evacuation. Projects commissioned on time can still face curtailment, eroding project IRRs and shaking investor confidence.

At the same time, electricity demand has softened amid economic pressures, compressing the system’s ability to absorb intermittent power—especially on Sundays and holidays, when demand dips but solar output peaks.

“Low demand days are now the stress test,” the engineer noted. “Without storage and grid-forming assets, you’re forced to back down renewables or keep thermal units running for stability. Both options cost money.”

GREAT attempts to address this with 650 MW / 2,250 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and 600 MW of pumped storage at Maha Oya by 2034, alongside synchronous condensers to maintain inertia. These are not optional add-ons; they are value enablers. Storage smooths volatility, captures excess midday solar, and shifts energy to peak hours—turning stranded electrons into bankable revenue.

Yet timing matters. Storage, controls, and transmission must arrive before or with new generation. Otherwise, developers face curtailment risk, lenders price in uncertainty, and tariffs fail to fall as promised.

The plan’s institutional fixes are equally commercial. A Renewable Energy Control Desk (from 2026), Distribution Control Centers in high rooftop solar areas, smart meter mandates, and grid digitalisation are designed to restore operational visibility. Time-of-use tariffs, paired with daytime EV charging and industrial load-shifting, aim to reshape demand—turning a system problem into a market opportunity.

“Tariffs are signals,” the engineer said. “If you want power used at noon, price it right. If EVs and factories move load to the day, solar becomes an asset, not a headache.”

For investors, the message is nuanced but clear. Sri Lanka’s renewable pipeline is real and sizeable.

The policy direction favours clean energy, and the cost curve is attractive. However, project bankability will increasingly hinge on grid-readiness—access to storage, firm evacuation paths, and participation in smart, controllable networks.

For policymakers, GREAT’s success will be measured not by megawatts announced, but by megawatt-hours delivered reliably and profitably. Accelerating transmission approvals, fast-tracking BESS procurement, and enforcing smart metering for distributed generation are the difference between a virtuous transition and a congested one.

“The transition is inevitable,” the engineer concluded.

“The question is whether we do it cheaply and safely, or pay twice—once for generation, and again for the fixes we delayed.”

GREAT 2025–2030 sets Sri Lanka on the right path. The business case now depends on execution—where grids, markets, and management must move at the same speed as ambition, he added.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

Zone24x7 enters 2026 with strong momentum, reinforcing its role as an enterprise AI and automation partner

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/7

Thilina Walpola

Zone24x7 team

Zone24x7 concluded 2025 with significant industry recognition, securing seven awards across three leading technology competitions—marking one of the strongest years in the company’s 22-year journey. The awards recognized the Industrial Vending Machine solution developed for a client in Australia. It earned both national and regional honors, including Second Runner-up at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2025.

More than accolades, the recognition showcases Zone24x7’s ability to deliver practical, enterprise-ready solutions that create measurable business impact. Competing against leading technology companies across the Asia Pacific region, the wins highlight the company’s growing global footprint and its focus on translating innovation into operational value for customers.

Neschae Fernando, CEO of Zone24x7

Zone24x7’s award run began at the SLASSCOM National Ingenuity Awards 2025, where the company secured National Winner for Best Innovative Product in Manufacturing, National 1st Runner-up for Best Innovative Product (General), and two Provincial Winner titles in the Western Province. This success continued at the National ICT Awards (NBQSA 2025), with Gold in Manufacturing, Engineering & Construction, and the IoT Technology of the Year Award.

“2025 validated our approach of building technology around real business needs,” said Neschae Fernando, CEO of Zone24x7. “As we move into 2026, our focus is on helping enterprises improve productivity, visibility, and decision-making by applying AI, automation, and connected systems in ways that go far beyond standalone tools or chat-based solutions.”

Headquartered in the United States with a world-class technology hub in Sri Lanka, Zone24x7 serves over 50 enterprise customers across multiple industries. The company specializes in integrating artificial intelligence, IoT, and enterprise platforms to solve complex operational challenges at scale.

Its portfolio includes Generative AI capabilities that enhance workflows, system intelligence, and human productivity; AI-powered automation platforms that connect digital and physical data sources; and a Cognitive Vision Analytics Platform that delivers real-time insights from video and image data. In addition, Zone24x7 provides RFID-enabled solutions and Warehouse Management Systems that improve inventory accuracy, asset visibility, and supply chain performance.

“The value we bring lies in how we combine hardware, software, and AI into cohesive solutions that fit seamlessly into existing enterprise environments,” said Vipula Liyanaarachchi, General Manager at Zone24x7. “As organisations look ahead to 2026, we are focused on helping them scale efficiently, modernise operations, and unlock greater value from their data without disruption.”

The award-winning Industrial Vending Machine reflects this approach, integrating IoT hardware, intelligent software, and analytics to automate inventory control and enhance efficiency in manufacturing and industrial settings. Rather than being a standalone product, it demonstrates how Zone24x7 partners with clients to design solutions aligned to specific operational goals.

With more than two decades of experience and a strong research and development foundation, Zone24x7 is now investing further in advanced AI-driven automation, intelligent analytics, and system-agnostic architectures. As businesses navigate rapid technological change, the company is positioning itself as a long-term partner—helping enterprises adopt AI responsibly, enhance workforce productivity, and build resilient operations into 2026 and beyond.

Business

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders makes mandatory offer to buy remaining shares of Colombo Dockyard

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/7

Thilina Walpola

India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has made a mandatory offer to buy the remaining shares of Colombo Dockyard at Rs 40 each, following a 41.73 percent stake acquisition last month.The mandatory offer targets 58.27 percent of the company.

At the recent rights issue, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders bought 164,916,229 ordinary shares of Colombo Dockyard from the unsubscribed rights entitlement of previous stakeholder Onomichi Dockyard Company.

Mazagon paid Rs 40 per share amounting to a total Rs 6,596,649,160 .

Both indices moved upwards. The All Share Price Index went up by 67.5 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 23.57 points. Turnover stood at Rs 9.1 billion with 16 crossings.

Top seven crossings were reported as follows: Commercial Bank 9.7 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 1.2 billion and its shares traded at Rs 224.50, TJ Lanka 14.3 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 549.7 million; its shares sold at Rs 38.50, Renuka Hotels one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 250 million; its shares sold at Rs 250, Melstacorp one million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 178 million; its shares fetched Rs 179, Sampath Bank 930,000 shares crossed for Rs 145 million and its shares traded at Rs 150, Sierra Cables two million shares crossed for Rs 74 million; its shares sold at Rs 37 and Lanka Milk Food one million shares crossed for Rs 71 million; its shares fetched Rs 71.

In the retail market companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Colombo Dockyard Rs 514 million (3.3 million shares traded), Ceylon Land Equity Rs 349 million (15.6 million shares traded), Sierra Cables Rs 339 million (1.4 million shares traded), Commercial Bank Rs 307 million (1.4 million shares traded), TJ Lanka Rs 247 million (6.5 million shares traded), Luminex Rs 232 million (19.6 million shares traded) and Renuka Foods Rs 180 million (11 million shares traded). During the day 311 million share volumes changed hands in 50661 transactions.

It is said that the market showed mixed reactions. The banking sector actively participated, especially Commercial Bank. The manufacturing sector also performed well.

Yesterday the rupee was quoted at Rs 309.30/40 to the US dollar in the spot market, stronger from Rs 309.45/50 the previous day, while bond yields continued to edge lower on the the mid- to long end of the yield curve, dealers said.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 9.45/50 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.50/55 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.52/58 percent, down from 9.55/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.68/71 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.10.2032 was quoted at 10.21/24 percent, down from 10.23/25 percent.

A bond maturing on 01.06.2033 was quoted at 10.55/60 percent, down from 10.57/60 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2034 was quoted at 10.77/80 percent.

A bond maturing on 15.06.2035 was quoted at 10.80/86 percent, down from 10.82/87 percent

By Hiran H Senewiratne