Business
Sri Lanka Tourism to request debt and interest waivers from Central Bank
With the tourism sector being one of the most severely impacted industries in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism has continued to support the industry stakeholders through a host of measures to help tide over the crisis. In its latest initiative, the tourism authorities have extended the validity period of licenses of all tourism establishments registered with the SLTDA until the 31st December 2021 with the hope that it will decrease the burden facing tourism establishments presently. The validity of Tourist Guides licenses has also been extended until later on this year.
When the borders initially opened in January 2021, in order to ensure both large and small tourism establishments and stakeholders are supported, Sri Lanka Tourism introduced the Safe and Secure certification in adherence to health protocols after an audit by KPMG and Ernst & Young. This certification which was offered as a complimentary service to the industry has helped even smaller establishments and travel guides benefit from tourism activities conducted under the bio bubble concept.
With the third wave of the pandemic severely effacting the Industry, tourism authorities have requested new relief from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in addition to the extended debt moratorium from banks and finance companies, as well as concessionary working capital which was arranged for the industry in 2020/2021. In order to extend this support, Sri Lanka Tourism is further requesting the Central Bank to write-off of outstanding debts or interest waivers in order to sustain stakeholders who would otherwise have to shut down operations in the absence of tourists.
Further, the authorities secured VAT exemption for the tourism industry by lobbying for tourism to be classified as an export industry; 12 month instalment facility for utility payments and six month grace period for vehicle lease rentals was obtained; provisional registration to support informal sector was structured; loan and refinancing schemes to the value of Rs. 150 billion for affected industries which included tourism was provided and a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) to provide island-wide training for Tourist Drivers was facilitated. The authorities additionally provided the opportunity to convert existing accommodations to Safe and Secure Level 1 and Level 2 hotels and intermediary care centres while the liquor license fee was waived off for 2021.
With the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, Sri Lanka Tourism took the initiative to expand the support provided to stakeholders previously overlooked, and reached out to Tour Guides, including National guides, Chauffer Guides, Area Guides and Site Guides, trained and registered with the SLTDA and provided relief totaling LKR 40.52 million. Additionally, as COVID-19 support; Sri Lanka Tourism recognized that there were many unregistered guides who were not able to garner the support extended during a time of crisis hence steps were taken to register Provincial Guides and grant them a one-off payment of Rs. 15,000.00. Further, Provincial licenses were issued to the accommodation providers for the first time.
Sri Lanka Tourism will continue to assist all stakeholders who have been gravely affected by the onset of the pandemic by liaising with relevant line agencies while continuing to explore new markets and promotional channels to attract the ‘new normal’ traveller to ensure the revival and sustainability of the industry. Concurrently the tourism authorities are taking measures to ensure that all tourism industry employees are vaccinated by October as part of the concentrated and systemic vaccination drive carried out by the government.
Business
SriLankan Airlines records revenue increase with AI and ML-powered Revenue Management System
SriLankan Airlines has recorded a revenue increase following the implementation of a next-generation, AI and Machine-Learning (ML) powered Origin and Destination (O&D) revenue management platform. The system enables dynamic pricing and smarter inventory optimisation, while delivering a superior passenger experience across all sales channels through real-time seat availability and predictive analytics.
Kshanaka Saparamadu, Head of Revenue Management at SriLankan Airlines, remarked, “Embracing the latest revenue management technology is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and digital transformation. With the introduction of PROS Revenue Management Advantage and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation, we are not only refining our current processes but also positioning ourselves for long-term success in modern airline retailing, ensuring we stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.”
Chamara Perera, Group Head of IT at SriLankan Airlines, added, “This transition to a dynamic, integrated revenue management system reflects our strategic focus on remaining agile in an increasingly competitive and fast-evolving airline industry. As the aviation sector undergoes rapid digital transformation, SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its ability to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and meet the evolving demands of today’s travelers.”
Powered by PROS’ AI-driven Revenue Management Advantage (RMA) and Amadeus Revenue Availability and Active Valuation (RAAV), the platform leverages AI algorithms and ML models to improve alignment of capacity and demand, optimise premium seat allocation and respond swiftly to market shifts. These capabilities deliver unmatched agility and scalability, boost yield and position SriLankan Airlines at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation.
Industry benchmarks show that O&D-based revenue optimisation models typically deliver a 3%-5% increase in passenger revenue, underscoring the new revenue management system as a key driver, among other strategic factors, to the 13% growth recorded by SriLankan Airlines during the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.
This initiative has not only enhanced SriLankan Airlines’ agility, scalability, and competitiveness in a dynamic global aviation market, but also strengthened collaboration between pricing, demand and flight analyst teams, earning two awards in the process. It was recognised with the Growth Catalyst Award at the Outperformer Customer Awards 2025 in Las Vegas by PROS, as well as the Silver Award in the AI and Data Science category at the National Project Management Excellence Awards 2025 in Colombo by the Project Management Institute Sri Lanka Chapter.
As SriLankan Airlines continues its modernisation journey, the new integrated revenue management platform will significantly improve SriLankan Airlines’ global market position, its ability to attract and retain high value connecting passengers, and competitiveness in the global aviation landscape.(SriLankan Airlines)
Business
CCC delegation completes prestigious International Trade Facilitation Programme
A delegation of 30 professionals from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently completed a specialised residential training programme on International Trade Facilitation at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in New Delhi.
Hosted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a premier institution established under India’s Ministry of Commerce and widely regarded as a leading centre of excellence in international trade education and research, the programme also included engagements with several of India’s most prominent trade and diplomacy institutions. These included the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), the government authority responsible for shaping and implementing India’s foreign trade policy; the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, the country’s premier training institution for diplomats; the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body representing India’s exporting community; and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India’s most influential industry associations. Together, these engagements offered participants valuable insights into how policy, diplomacy, and industry interact in a robust manner to facilitate trade and economic progress.
Over nine days, participants explored key aspects of global commerce, including the international trading system, trade negotiations, economic intelligence, trade finance, and emerging issues such as AI, cyber risk, and digital transformation.
The programme offered valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of international trade and the systems that support it, while highlighting ways in which chambers of commerce can further leverage their existing role in supporting businesses navigate global markets, contributing to policy discussions, and strengthen the broader trade ecosystem.
The programme was designed and overseen by Dr. Rohit Mehtani, Dean at IIFT and a widely respected expert in international trade diplomacy and negotiations, whose academic work and advisory experience have contributed to international trade discourse.
Business
LOLC Life Assurance hosts MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 honouring top performers
LOLC Life Assurance recently hosted its MDRT Summit & Recognition Night 2026 at the Hilton Colombo Residences, celebrating its 2025 MDRT qualifiers while aspiring the team to achieve even greater milestones in the year ahead. The event brought together senior leadership and top performing advisors in a distinguished forum focused on recognising performance excellence, sharing industry insights, and setting the strategic direction for continued success.
In 2025, the Company produced 89 MDRT qualifiers, including six Court of the Table (COT) and two Top of the Table (TOT) achievers, along with one Lifetime MDRT member. Representing Agency and Bancassurance channels, these professionals demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering responsible financial guidance and long-term protection solutions to individuals and families across Sri Lanka.
The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) is globally recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the life insurance and financial services profession. Membership is reserved for individuals who meet rigorous production targets and uphold strict ethical standards. Achieving MDRT status is widely regarded as a mark of credibility, trust, and advisory distinction.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Chandana L. Aluthgama, Executive Director and Principal Officer of LOLC Life Assurance stated, “It is with great pride that we recognise our MDRT qualifiers for their dedication, discipline, and integrity, which set a benchmark of excellence for our advisory force and reflect the customer-first values that define LOLC Life Assurance. These achievers deserve recognition not only for meeting targets or selling policies, but also for safeguarding families, empowering individuals to build their legacies, and supporting financial independence, providing certainty and confidence in an unpredictable world. In acknowledging their exceptional contributions, I congratulate all our MDRT qualifiers and am confident they will continue to deliver meaningful financial protection while creating lasting value for our clients and communities.”
Further echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jayantha Kalinga, Chief Operating Officer of LOLC Life Assurance added, “This Summit not only celebrates the outstanding performance of our MDRT achievers in 2025 but also acknowledges the resilience, consistency, and customer dedication demonstrated by our teams throughout the year. As we move forward, we will continue to strengthen capabilities through structured development initiatives, advanced training tools, and robust operational support, empowering our advisors to serve clients with confidence and professionalism while further expanding our MDRT presence in the years ahead.”
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