Business
Christmas at the Boulevard
The Crescat Boulevard of Colombo, with its exquisitely refurbished interior and exterior, will compensate for all the missed Christmas cheer in the past year with its grand reopening which took place on the 19th of November inclusive of many fun-filled activities and competitions which will carry on, all the way until the 24th of December. With an ultimate goal of providing you with the best seasonal shopping experience of your life, the newly restructured and redecorated Crescat Boulevard presents, not only an aesthetically pleasing modernized interior but also a plethora of trending shopping and dining opportunities that you do not want to miss out on.
Adopting the theme “Christmas at the Boulevard”, the boulevard is ready to rekindle the blissful Christmas spirit in the hearts of you and your family with a wide range of exciting and thrilling activities to partake in that will most definitely enhance the festivities of this season.
Crescat, renowned for being one of the oldest shopping malls in Colombo, is managed by John Keells Properties and has transformed into one of the most exclusive shopping malls in the area with a selection of designer, high end stores and also commonly loved brands by the populace. The Christmas tree light up ceremony which took place on the 3rd of December, was graced by the presence of Mr. Nayana Mawilmada, Sector Head of John Keells Properties and Executive Vice President of the John Keells Group, Mr Ravi Wijewantha, Sector Financial Controller of John Keells Properties and Executive Vice President of the John Keells Group and Mr Theekshana Jayarathna, Head of Asset Management of John Keells Properties and Assistant Vice President of the John Keells Group. The extravagant Christmas tree light up ceremony was only a minute taste of what is yet to come at the Boulevard this Christmas season.
The 11th of December will be a day filled with fun and games for kids of all ages. Rightly named, ‘Jingle all the way’, kids will be offered a variety of activities including fun quizzes with exciting gifts, storytelling sessions at 12pm and 3pm, karaoke for kids and even a cosplay competition from 4pm to 6pm which your child will undoubtedly talk for months to come.
‘Jingle bell rock’ will take place on the 18th of December, all day from 11am to 7pm, to give kids of all ages a rocking time. With magic shows happening from 12pm to 1pm and 3pm to 4pm, your kids will be too engrossed in fun activity to disturb you while you shop. Moreover, your kids will have the opportunity to test their vocal skills during the karaoke session for kids and they will also be able to participate in fun quizzes and games standing a chance to walk away with valuable prizes.
Crescat Boulevard also presents to you a Christmas carol festival like no other on the 22nd of December from 5pm to 7pm so that you could feel the true spirit of Christmas. If your Christmas wish this year was a sensational evening of song, music and a stellar shopping adventure with outstanding bargains and deals, Crescat has got you covered. With a line up like never before, don’t forget to visit Crescat this Christmas season.
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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