Business
Medical equipment and other vital assistance from the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka

President Moon Yong-Jo of IIDA, Dr. Mendis and other senior most officials of the IIDA, with samples of the sanitary products, at the briefing session of the ceremony
With the intervention and coordination of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Seoul, the Sri Lankan community and well-wishers in the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the KEB Hana Bank, one of the largest money center banks, have gifted new 32 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds to Sri Lanka at the height of the COVID pandemic.
These state-of-the-art ICU beds, which were handed over to Ambassador Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis and Head of Chancery Ms. Nilanthi Pelawaththage, would be air lifted to Sri Lanka, courtesy of SriLankan Airlines, this week to reach Colombo at the earliest. These ICU beds are valued at over USD 12,000 (SLRs. 2.4 million). It may further be noted that the E9-PAY Company Ltd. in the Republic of Korea facilitated the sourcing of the aforementioned ICU beds in close coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Further, the Embassy has raised funds, primarily from the Sri Lankan community and migrants in the RoK, in excess of SLRs. 2 million, which would be used to purchase 50 Oxygen Cylinders with the capacity of 10.2L. These would be air lifted to Colombo at the earliest.
The Embassy successfully negotiated and interceded with International Interchange Development Association, known as IIDA, headed by Mr. Moon Yong-Jo in order to receive a gift of Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine and a large quantum of sanitary products such as shampoos, tooth brushes, toothpaste and soaps, amongst others, to the peoples of Sri Lanka. This initiative was effectuated by the Commercial Division of the Embassy along with Ambassador Dr. Mendis. The listed price of the Cancer Machine is USD 365,000 and total cost of sanitary products is USD 318,000 thus making the total gift amounting to USD 683,000 or SLRs. 135 million respectively. Since this consignment is very large, it would be shipped to Sri Lanka as soon as IIDA and the Embassy source a competitively priced freight forwarding agent.
This Agreement was signed by Dr. Mendis and the Commercial Division of the Embassy with the President of the IIDA to receive the Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine and other sanitary products to be shipped to Sri Lanka. “The Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine, which is one of the most state-of-the-art machines used in the world, would be of immense usage and utility to patients suffering from cancer and cancer related sicknesses in Sri Lanka”, added Dr. Mendis during the gifting ceremony. Ambassador Dr. Mendis further stated “according to the WHO and Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the US, cancer is one of the primary causes of untimely deaths of peoples in developed and developing countries including in Sri Lanka. On any given day, approximately 30,000 people in the world die due to cancer, which is far higher than any other cause of death except of heart diseases”.
Some of the deadliest and most difficult cancers to be medically treated are prostate, pancreatic, breast and lung cancer, amongst others, and in Sri Lanka, Dr. Mendis added that a substantial number of people die each year due to cancer. President Mr. Moon of IIDA had visited Sri Lanka in the past and the International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) conducts altruistic and philanthropic functionaries in a number of developing countries around the world. The President of IIDA stated that in due course once the COVID pandemic is over, the IIDA would dispatch a couple of experts and technicians to Sri Lanka to familiarize the operational aspect of the aforementioned Cancer Detection and Prevention Machine.
The Embassy on close coordination with Sri Lanka Air Force, intervened and negotiated with the International Fire Safety Association of the RoK, a reputed INGO, which has gifted a Water Tank Vehicle and two Fire Pump Trucks to the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Agreement on the gift of fire engines was signed by the Chairperson of International Fire Safety Association and Dr. Mendis and the fire engines, which were scarcely used and are in very good condition. These highly advanced fire engines would be shipped to Sri Lanka in the immediate future. During the recent past, the aforementioned Association has gifted fire engines and ambulances to a number of countries and the Chair assured to the Embassy and to Dr. Mendis that in the future, the Association would gift more fire engines and ambulances to Sri Lanka.
Business
Stealer malware leaked over 2 million bank cards

Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence estimates that 2.3 million bank cards were leaked on the dark web, based on an analysis of data-stealing malware log files from 2023-2024. On average, every 14th infostealer infection results in stolen credit card information, with nearly 26 million devices compromised by infostealers, including more than 9 million in 2024 alone. Kaspersky released its report on the infostealer threat landscape while the technology world gathers at MWC 2025 in Barcelona.
Kaspersky experts estimate that approximately 2,300,000 bank cards have been leaked on the dark web. This conclusion is based on an analysis of the log files from data-stealing malware, dated 2023-2024, that were leaked on the dark web market. While globally the share of leaked cards is well below one percent, 95% of the observed numbers appear technically valid.
Infostealer malware is not only designed to extract financial information, but also credentials, cookies and other valuable user data, which is compiled into log files and then distributed within the dark web underground community. An infostealer can infect a device if a victim unknowingly downloads and runs a malicious file, for example one disguised as legitimate software, such as a game cheat. It can be spread through phishing links, compromised websites, malicious attachments in emails or messengers and various other methods. It targets both personal and corporate devices.
On average, every 14th infostealer infection results in stolen credit card information. Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence experts found that nearly 26 million devices running Windows were infected with various types of infostealers in the past two years.
“The actual number of infected devices is even higher. Cybercriminals often leak stolen data in the form of log files months or even years after the initial infection, and compromised credentials and other information continue to surface on the dark web over time. Therefore, the more time passes, the more infections from previous years we observe. We forecast the total number of devices infected with infostealer malware in 2024 to be between 20 million and 25 million, while for 2023, the estimate ranges between 18 million and 22 million,” says Sergey Shcherbel, expert at Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence.
In 2024, Redline remained the most widespread infostealer, accounting for 34% of the total number of infections.
The most significant surge in 2024 was in infections caused by Risepro, whose share of total infections increased from 1.4% in 2023 to almost 23% in 2024. “RisePro is a growing threat. It was first discovered two years ago but seems to be gaining momentum. The stealer primarily targets banking card details, passwords and cryptocurrency wallet data, and may be spreading under the guise of key generators, cracks for various software and game mods,” explains Sergey Shcherbel. Another rapidly growing stealer is Stealc, which first appeared in 2023 and increased its share from nearly 3% to 13%.
Business
ComBank’s 2023 Annual Report tops Banking sector at ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards

The Commercial Bank of Ceylon’s prowess in comprehensive disclosure of sustainability-related information to stakeholders has won its 2023 Annual Report two top awards at the 2025 Sustainability Reporting Awards presented by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
The Bank was adjudged the overall runner-up and the winner in the Banking category at these awards, repeating the achievement of its 2022 Annual Report which was similarly honoured by the ACCA last year.
The ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards recognise Annual Reports that clearly acknowledge and explain the economic, environmental and social impacts of the business to internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating the organisation’s policies, targets and long-term objectives towards the goal of sustainable development.
Commercial Bank’s 2023 Annual Report also won two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze at CA Sri Lanka’s ‘TAGS’ Awards 2024, excelling in the key aspects recognised by the awards programme which is dedicated to Transparency, Accountability, Governance, and Sustainability – TAGS.
The Bank won the Gold for ‘Corporate Governance Disclosure’ in the Financial Services sector, the Gold for the Best Annual Report among the private sector banks, the Silver for ‘Digitally Transformative Reporting’ across all sectors, and the overall Bronze award for Excellence in Corporate Reporting.
Business
UTE Delivers Sri Lanka’s Largest Cat D8 Tractor to NEM Construction

Caterpillar equipment dealer UTE has delivered the country’s largest Cat D8 Track-Type Tractor to NEM Construction Pvt. Ltd., marking a significant milestone in heavy machinery. This delivery strengthens the long-standing partnership between UTE and NEM Construction, which spans over 45 years. The Cat D8 is expected to boost operational efficiency in large-scale projects. As the sole authorized dealer for Caterpillar in Sri Lanka, UTE continues to provide top-tier machinery and after-sales support. The handover is particularly notable as Caterpillar celebrates its 100th anniversary. NEM Construction’s Chairman, Raja Nanayakkara, praised the Cat D8’s superior performance and UTE’s unmatched service and parts support, which have been key to the company’s long-term collaboration. This purchase highlights the continued trust in both Caterpillar and UTE’s expertise in supporting Sri Lanka’s construction industry.
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