Business

The importance of protecting migrant workers

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/2

Sahan Weerasooriya

Speeph by Piyankara Jayaratne, State Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Market Diversification,

Sri Lanka at the Abu Dhabi Dialogue Sixth Ministerial Consultation, 26th October 2021 in Dubai as Troika Chair.

Allow me to address you all in the opening session of the 6th Ministerial Consultation of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue. I’m talking here with great honour and pleasure in this pleasant morning as the Troika member in this hybrid meeting, in the first physical gathering in the post-covid new normal.

First of all, I would like to appreciate and congratulate the Government of United Arab Emirates, the current chair of ADD, for organizing this hybrid event for 6th ministerial consultation while we all are combating against the Global Pandemic of COVID-19. I am happy to be in person here and too see you all gathered here together for this important consultation.

As we are aware, Migration today, as it has always been, is a function of the search for greater opportunities. It is of course, related to the economic development through trade and labour migration while ensuring rights of the people and national and regional security.

On one way, labour migration provides an opportunity for the migrants to find fruitful employment and improve their socio-economic status. On the other hand, this allows growing nations to seek out the required expertise and talent from rest of the world. However, it poses risks such as those encountered during recruitment, in the workplace and throughout the migration process in the country of origin, transit and destination.

Development gains of labour migration depends upon the degree, to which migrant workers are protected and empowered, by the country of origin as well as the country of destination.

Therefore, migration today is a multi-dimensional process, countries of origin and destination has the potential for both benefits and challenges. In light of the COVID 19 pandemic, it has resulted in many socio-economic challenges for migrant workers. In order to address these challenges, we as Country of Origin and Country of Destination have to consult each other for the successful and sustainable solutions.

Sri Lankan Government was able to take several measures that contributed to the national Covid 19 response plan for migrant workers. I believe that all other countries have their own plans. However, I would like to highlight that ADD platform is an excellent opportunity for all of us to share our experiences, best practices especially in areas that are important for migrant workers. This would enable us, to have a good understanding as to which areas we need to improve and strengthen in the future.

We, as member states of ADD, have just completed twelve years in the journey since the inception in 2008 and therefore, I strongly believe that it is high time to review and evaluate our collaborative efforts how we act in the current pandemic period and in future. This will certainly help all member states to develop future plans of ADD more meaningfully. I know that ADD can Play a vital role in bringing together labour sending and receiving countries and fostering the dialogue and trust that is central to the governance of Migration. Further, I’d like to highlight the need for regional corporation to enhance the resilience of safe labour migration in future to meet global event like that of Covid-19 pandemic.

Further, Migrant workers face various challenges in accessing quality training and decent employment opportunities, and lack of information and exploitation of low-skilled workers. To reap the benefits of migration, countries thus need to ensure that migration is demand-oriented, while migrant workers’ rights are protected. The access to education and training with right information and employment opportunities would enable proper integration of workers with the labour market and society. Certification and Joint Recognition of skills is another important factor that we have to be discussed.

We are all aware, there are three pillars of effective governance guides that are initiated by the ADD.

1) Ensuring the protection of migrant workers;

2) empowering workers to fulfil their goals and aspirations; and

3) affording workers the opportunity to benefit equitably from the outcomes of temporary labour migration.

Under this, the four thematic areas were designed and outlined during the last Senior Officials Meeting with these principles in mind. Namely,

Anticipated changes in the employment landscape in the GCC and their impact on labour supply and demand in ADD corridors

Leveraging advanced technology to improve labour mobility governance

Pre deployment testing of workers in Asia GCC Corridors

Global Governance of Migration

At this juncture, as ADD member countries, I would like to request you to continue our efforts with collaborative actions, because, I believe that productive, safe and harmonious migration can only be achieved if there is wider and deeper inter-state co-operation among the sending and receiving countries. It is the key to a better functioning of International Labour Migration Process. It will provide us with more positive results through a voluntary and cooperative efforts based on shared recognition of the benefits while enhancing the resilience.

On behalf the Government of Sri Lanka and as a Troika Member, would like to express our sincere gratitude to Abu Dhabi Dialogue Secretariat for their trust that kept with Government of Sri Lanka to initiate consultations among Abu Dhabi Dialogue Member States of Labour Origin and to identify a consensus candidate to chair the next cycle of the ADD.

I am happy that we were be able achieve that task diplomatically. Thank you very much for Government of Nepal and Pakistan. I take this opportunity to congratulate Government of Pakistan as the upcoming chair of Abu Dhabi Dialogue for the next two years. In this juncture, I also would like to extend my thanks to Government of United Arab Emirates for the esteemed corporation given during their period of chairmanship despite the challenges brought by COVID 19 pandemic.

Finally, I request active participation of the member countries for this 6th Ministerial consultation and in future in order to strengthen the migration management, both in labour origin and destination countries through this excellent platform of ADD.

We will have a collective voice together for the betterment of Migrant workers and the Countries of Origin and Destination as a whole.

I hope and believe we would have a very productive consultation toward enhancing the resilience of safe labour migration.

All News Advertisement

Business

CEAT Kelani crowned ‘Best Tyre Manufacturer’ at inaugural Automobile Industry Awards

Published

10 hours ago

2026/06/21

Thilina Walpola

CEAT Kelani General Manager – Institutional Sales & OE Mr Indika Ellepola and members of CEAT Kelani team accept the award from the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi in the presence of the Chairman of the Automobile Industry Council Mr Ravith Silva and other dignitaries

CEAT Kelani Holdings has been adjudged the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the ‘Component Manufacturer’ Category at the country’s inaugural Automobile Industry Awards presented by the Automobile Industry Council (AIC) of Sri Lanka, in a significant endorsement of the company’s leadership in the country’s fast-evolving vehicle assembly sector.

The awards were presented at Temple Trees at a ceremony attended by government ministers, senior public officials, industry leaders and stakeholders from across Sri Lanka’s automobile ecosystem. Conceived as a national platform to recognise excellence, innovation and sustainability, the awards evaluate performance across criteria including technology, market impact, customer satisfaction and industry leadership.

CEAT Kelani’s recognition reflects its commanding position in the Original Equipment (OE) tyre segment, where the company supplies tyres for more than 90% of the vehicles assembled in Sri Lanka. Having entered the local vehicle assembly industry in 2012 with its first OE tyre supply, CEAT has rapidly established itself as the preferred tyre partner for assemblers, supplying over 150,000 OE tyres annually across a diverse range of vehicles including cars, SUVs, motorcycles, scooters, buses and commercial vehicles.

Today, CEAT tyres are fitted as original equipment on more than 30 locally assembled vehicle models spanning 11 global brands, underscoring the confidence placed in the company’s product quality, consistency and performance.

The company’s leadership in this segment is reinforced by its achievement of IATF 16949:2016 certification, making it the first tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka to secure this globally recognised automotive quality standard. This certification affirms CEAT Kelani’s capability to meet the stringent requirements of international automotive OEMs while optimising supply chain efficiency and reliability.

CEAT tyres supplied to vehicle manufacturers undergo rigorous validation processes and have demonstrated superior performance across key parameters such as safety, durability, braking efficiency, ride comfort and noise reduction. Low rolling resistance and minimal vibration further enhance driving efficiency and user experience, aligning with global expectations of modern mobility solutions.

Beyond its industrial impact, CEAT Kelani also contributes significantly to the national economy. By manufacturing tyres locally, the company helps conserve valuable foreign exchange through import substitution, while sourcing 100% of its natural rubber requirements domestically, supporting the livelihoods of more than 10,000 rubber cultivator families.

The Automobile Industry Council, the apex body representing Sri Lanka’s automobile sector, was established under the joint leadership of key government ministries and operates as a private-sector-led, not-for-profit organisation. Its mandate includes driving sustainable growth, strengthening industry competitiveness and fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders.

Business

ComBank’s ‘Max Loyalty Rewards’ soars to new heights with airline miles option

Published

11 hours ago

2026/06/21

Thilina Walpola

Reinforcing its commitment to delivering premium lifestyle value and rewarding experiences to its customers, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has unveiled a significant enhancement to its Max Loyalty Rewards platform, enabling its cardholders to convert reward points into airline miles through a strategic integration with the national carrier’s ‘FlySmiLes’ programme and the frequent flyer programmes of other airlines.

Effective immediately, holders of Commercial Bank Premium and Platinum credit cards and Elite debit cards can seamlessly convert their accumulated Max Loyalty Rewards Points into FlySmiLes miles, unlocking faster access to flights and travel privileges with SriLankan Airlines.

The upgrade also encompasses other international frequent flyer programmes, broadening the global travel options available to eligible cardholders by extending the reach of the platform across multiple international travel networks, the Bank said.

The move represents a decisive step in elevating the everyday utility of credit and debit card spend, allowing routine transactions to translate directly into meaningful travel rewards. With SriLankan Airlines expected to be the preferred choice for the majority of customers, the partnership with the national carrier anchors the proposition, offering both familiarity and tangible value in the conversion of points to miles.

To mark the launch, Commercial Bank is offering a highly competitive promotional conversion rate of six Max Loyalty Rewards Points to one FlySmiLes mile, valid through 31st December 2026. The Bank said this market-leading rate significantly accelerates the journey from daily spend to international travel, enhancing the appeal of the Bank’s card portfolio.

Commenting on this latest development, Hasrath Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Commercial Bank, said the enhancement reflects the Bank’s continued focus on delivering differentiated value to its customers. “Max Loyalty Rewards points are among the most valuable benefits offered to our cardholders, turning everyday spending into rewarding experiences,” he said. “Commercial Bank is also the first and only Bank to offer Max Loyalty Rewards points to both credit and debit cardholders, extending these benefits beyond credit cards. By partnering with SriLankan Airlines and other global carriers, we have significantly strengthened the Max Loyalty Rewards platform. Our cardholders can now think beyond conventional rewards and convert their everyday spending into memorable travel experiences. This is about enabling them to go further, more often, with greater ease.”

The airline miles conversion feature is available at no additional cost to eligible cardholders, with no enrolment or processing fees. Access is fully integrated into the existing Max Loyalty Rewards platform, allowing users to log in with their current credentials, view balances, and convert points instantly alongside standard merchant redemptions.

Business

Mangala Perera appointed C.W. Mackie Group CEO

Published

11 hours ago

2026/06/21

Thilina Walpola

Mangala Perera

C.W. Mackie PLC has appointed Mangala Perera as its new Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO), strengthening its senior management team with an experienced corporate leader with over 26 years of cross-industry experience.

Perera, who has served as a Director of C.W. Mackie PLC since April 2, 2012, currently holds the position of Executive Director – Group Chief Operating Officer of the company. He has held senior roles in marketing and general management both locally and internationally.

In addition to his responsibilities at C.W. Mackie PLC, Perera serves as Managing Director of Sunquick Lanka (Private) Limited and holds directorships at Sunquick Lanka Properties (Private) Limited, Kelani Valley Canneries Limited, Ceymac Rubber Company Limited and Ceytra (Private) Limited. He is also a Non-Executive Director of Phoenix Industries Limited.

Perera’s academic and professional credentials span multiple disciplines, including a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from the University of Colombo, a BSc (Hons.) Special Degree in Marketing Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business and Financial Management from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

He is also a visiting lecturer in Postgraduate Studies in Management at the University of Colombo and the University of Kelaniya, and contributes to several national-level project committees and professional judging panels as an active marketing practitioner.

Beyond the corporate sector, Perera has been involved in sports administration and previously served as President of the Sri Lanka Mercantile Volleyball Federation, where he played a key role in promoting volleyball and beach volleyball in Sri Lanka.

The company said the appointment reflects its continued focus on strengthening leadership and driving future growth.