Business
Nalin Sri Tikiri Bandara: forging discipline and character through martial arts
After nearly three decades on the mat, Sri Lankan martial arts instructor H. M. Nalin Sri Tikiri Bandara has built a career that stretches from local dojos in Kandy to international training arenas in the United Arab Emirates, shaping a growing generation of students through what he describes as “a lifelong journey of discipline and self-development.”
With more than 28 years of experience, Bandara has emerged as a prominent figure in martial arts education for children, youth and adults, particularly across Sri Lanka and the UAE, where he is currently based in Abu Dhabi.
Bandara’s martial arts journey began at a young age and has since spanned multiple disciplines, including Kyokushin Karate, Ashihara Karate, Mumonkai Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and yoga.
He holds several international dan rankings, including 3rd Dan in Kyokushin Karate (Japan), 4th Dan in Ashihara Karate (Australia), 2nd Dan in Mumonkai Karate (Japan), and 1st Dan under Josui Kai Kan Karate (Japan). Years of training camps, seminars and competitions abroad, he says, have helped refine both technical skill and teaching philosophy.
Bandara is the founder and chief instructor of Nalin Dojo, which operates across multiple locations, including a main branch in Abu Dhabi and an established centre in Kandy. He also runs expansion programmes in schools and fitness centres in the UAE.


Collectively, his programmes have trained more than 2,000 students, ranging from children as young as four to adults.
He also serves as branch chief and representative of the World Karate Alliance Kyokushin Bugakukai, and contributes to the development of full-contact karate at national level in Sri Lanka.
At the core of his teaching is a hybrid approach he calls “Yoga Martial Arts”, blending karate discipline, yoga-based mental conditioning, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu principles and sports science.
The focus, he says, extends beyond physical combat to character formation, emphasising discipline, respect, confidence-building and mental resilience.
“Martial arts is not just about fighting, it is about building better human beings,” Bandara said.
Much of his work is directed at children and adolescents, particularly in an era he describes as increasingly dominated by digital distractions.
He argues that structured martial arts training can reduce screen dependency, improve concentration, and strengthen emotional stability, while promoting healthier lifestyles.
“Children’s future is the future of the community,” he said, underscoring his belief that early discipline shapes long-term social outcomes.
Beyond regular training, Bandara organises grading examinations, workshops, school programmes and community fitness initiatives in both Sri Lanka and the UAE.
He has continued such activities even during periods of global disruption, maintaining regular engagement with students and instructors.
Looking ahead, Bandara plans to expand his dojo network across the UAE and internationally, while developing structured youth development programmes and training future instructors.
His long-term ambition is to build a sustainable martial arts ecosystem that integrates physical excellence with character education.
In a career defined by discipline and continuity, Bandara represents a generation of martial arts instructors blending traditional combat systems with modern wellness principles — and, in the process, attempting to shape not just fighters, but future citizens.
by SK Samaranayake
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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