Business
LOLC General Insurance debuts trading on CSE
The shares of LOLC General Insurance (CODE: LGIL-N-0000) commenced trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The shares have been listed on the Diri Savi Board of the CSE under the “Property & Casualty Insurance” sector. The occasion was marked with a special Bell Ringing Ceremony.
Representing LOLC General Insurance Limited (LGIL), Chief Executive Office Mr. Kithsiri Gunawardena, Deputy General Manager Mr. Imaz Iqbal, Head of Underwriting Mr. Karthigun Silva and Head of Corporate Sales Mr. Sanjaya Attanayake attended the event. Financial advisors and joint managers to the issue, PW Corporate Secretarial (Pvt) Ltd Director Ms. Lasanthi Abeykoon, Capital Trust Securities (Pvt) Ltd Head of Research Mr. Hasitha Leanage and Head of Corporate Finance Ms. Divya Casie Chetty Alles represented the event.
The CSE was represented at the event by Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Chief Regulatory Officer, Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CEO of the CSE, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, congratulated LGIL on its initiative to go public. “2021 is a record year for the CSE’s primary market, and over Rs. 118 billion in terms of capital has been raised from debt equity, rights issues, and private placements. We have had 13 equity issues this year, raising nearly Rs. 12 billion. The CSE is seeing a healthy appetite among local investors for equity IPOs, and the demand for LGIL was no different. LGIF had a very successful IPO and was oversubscribed on the opening day itself. The CSE believes that it is important to have companies in the insurance industry with a strong track record, with a commitment to excellence in our listed portfolios so that they can offer more diversified opportunities for the growing base of investors.
Commenting on the listing history of 2021, Mr. Bandaranaike added, “As we close the year, December has been a record month where we are seeing seven equity IPOs. This not only shows the confidence that investors have in our listed companies, but also, increasingly, we are seeing listed companies coming into and making use of the capital market for their funding requirements. We are happy to welcome LGIF as our 296th listed company.”
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of LOLC General Insurance Limited, Mr. Kithsiri Gunawardena, commented, “LGIL, in the recent past, has seen tremendous growth despite the severe challenges faced by the company and the industry at large due to the pandemic. The remarkable results over the past couple of years stand witness to the company’s grit towards challenges faced then, now and in the future. The insurance industry in Sri Lanka in 2020 had a negative growth of 2.24% whereas LGIL witnessed a growth of 13%. This statement says it all in terms of the kind of team that we have, the kind of culture that we have instilled as being part of LOLC Group, and the kind of growth strategy that we are looking at. This is not only in Sri Lanka, but outside as well, as LOLC group already has business presence in 17 countries and plans to expand into three more countries in the near future including Rwanda. From an insurance perspective, we believe there is great opportunity for global expansion. As a company, we already own 45% of Serendib insurance company in Cambodia and we aspire to expand further. The motto in general insurance has always been “It’s not the price that we compete with, but it’s the service.” There is absolutely no compromise when it comes to serving our customers. “
Commenting on the event, Mr. Gunawardena thanked the CSE, PW Corporate Secretarial (Pvt) Ltd, Capital Trust Securities (Pvt) Ltd and the colleagues at LGIL for the support extended during the IPO.
LOLC General Insurance is a subsidiary of one of Sri Lanka’s largest diversified conglomerates namely LOLC Holdings PLC.
Business
AIA delivers strong first half results in 2026; double-digit growth across key financial metrics
The Board of AIA Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the Group’s financial results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Growth rates are shown on a constant exchange rate basis unless otherwise stated:
New business performance and embedded value
Value of new business (VONB) of US$3,212 million, up 10 per cent overall and 14 per cent excluding Thailand(1)
Record high annualised operating ROEV of 18.0 per cent, up from 15.8 per cent in full year 2025
EV Equity of US$83.4 billion, up 6 per cent per share over the first half on an actual exchange rate basis
IFRS earnings
Operating profit after tax (OPAT) of US$4,163 million, up 13 per cent per share
AIA now expects to exceed OPAT per share CAGR target of 9 to 11 per cent from 2023 to 2026(2)
Record high annualised operating ROE of 17.5 per cent, up from 15.5 per cent in full year 2025
Cash generation and capital returns
Underlying free surplus generation (UFSG) of US$3,935 million, increased by 10 per cent per share
Net free surplus generation (net FSG) of US$2,758 million, up 12 per cent per share
US$3.6 billion returned to shareholders in the first half through dividend and share buy-back
Interim dividend increased by 10 per cent to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share
Lee Yuan Siong, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President, said:
“AIA has delivered another strong performance in the first half of 2026, with double-digit growth across our key financial metrics, while continuing to return substantial capital to shareholders. VONB reached a record high of US$3.2 billion with growth across all distribution channels, and all reportable segments excluding Thailand. The Group has achieved 17 per cent CAGR since the first half of 2023(3), demonstrating consistently strong demand for AIA’s professional advice and differentiated products.
“At the core of our unrivalled distribution platform is our market-leading Premier Agency. I am delighted that AIA has once again been ranked the number one Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) multinational company globally. We have held this position for a record 12 consecutive years and we have more than double the number of MDRT members of our nearest competitor. In the first half of 2026, our Premier Agency achieved strong VONB growth of 11 per cent excluding Thailand(1). Our extensive network of strategic distribution partners further expands our market reach and generated an 18 per cent increase in VONB, supported by very strong performance in both the bancassurance and independent financial adviser (IFA) and broker channels.
“Strong new business, together with disciplined management of our in-force portfolio, has supported sustained growth in recurring earnings with OPAT per share up by 13 per cent in the first half. As a result, we expect to exceed our 9 to 11 per cent OPAT per share CAGR target for 2023 to 2026(2). UFSG, the Group’s core measure of operating cash generation, increased by 10 per cent per share. After allowing for new business investment, net FSG increased by 12 per cent per share. In accordance with our prudent, sustainable and progressive dividend policy, the Board has declared a 10 per cent increase in the interim dividend to 53.90 Hong Kong cents per share. These achievements demonstrate that our financial strategy is working as intended.
“Asia remains the most compelling growth opportunity for life and health insurance. Powerful structural tailwinds across the region continue to create substantial demand for our professional advice and differentiated products and underpin the exceptional long-term prospects for AIA’s business. I am confident that AIA’s disciplined execution of our strategic priorities will continue to deliver long-term sustainable value for all our stakeholders.”
Business
British Council Sri Lanka launches soft skills workshops to elevate learning and empower communication
The British Council Sri Lanka has launched Corporate English Solutions (CES), tailored to the Sri Lankan corporate and education ecosystem, aimed at helping organisations strengthen workplace communication and professional development.
The launch event took place recently at the NH Collection, Colombo 3, gathering corporate partners, clients and education stakeholders throughout the country.
CES extends the British Council’s long-standing work in English language education and teacher training into a dedicated offering for the corporate sector. The launch introduced two new components to the British Council’s presence in Sri Lanka such as public workshops and teacher training programmes, open to learners and educators beyond the organisation’s existing corporate and academic partners. Guests at the event were shown a short video introducing Corporate English Solutions before the formal proceedings began.
Talal Meer, British Council Regional Business Development Director, South Asia, welcomed guests and introduced the British Council’s team in Sri Lanka. In his remarks, Meer set out the scope of the CES launch, covering the introduction of public workshops in Sri Lanka, the rollout of teacher training programmes, and an overview of the CES product portfolio. Meer’s role covers educational partnerships in the South Asia region, and his address framed the Sri Lanka launch within the British Council’s broader regional strategy.
Business
Ogilvy Group tops award tally at ‘Dragons of Sri Lanka’ 2026
Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka delivered a standout performance at the recently concluded Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026 Awards, securing a total of nine awards comprising two Gold Dragons, one Silver Dragon and six Black Dragons, among the festival’s highest overall award tallies. Gold Dragon wins for Phoenix Ogilvy and Ogilvy Digital, together with the seven additional recognitions across multiple categories, highlighted Ogilvy’s ability to combine creativity, strategic thinking and commercial effectiveness to deliver business results.
Organised by the 4As Sri Lanka, the third edition of Dragons of Sri Lanka shortlisted more than 50 agencies and corporates, making it one of the country’s most competitive marketing communications awards. These local awards, along with the chapters in Malaysia and Pakistan are part of the Dragons of Asia platform, one of the region’s leading programmes for marketing communications effectiveness, with entries being judged on strategy, originality, execution and measurable results.
Ogilvy Digital accounted for eight awards in total, including a Gold Dragon in the Business & Trade Marketing category, and a Silver Dragon in the Innovative Idea or Concept category. The Agency additionally received six Black Dragons across the categories of Innovative Idea or Concept, Business & Trade Marketing, Content Creation, Small Budget, Event or Experiential, and Brand Trial or Sales Generation.
Commenting on the achievement, Sajith Weerasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy Digital, said, “These recognitions reflect the breadth of capabilities we’ve built across strategy, creative, content, experience design, technology and performance marketing. The fact that the work was recognised across so many different disciplines demonstrates our ability to apply creativity to a wide range of business challenges and objectives. We’re proud that this achievement spans multiple clients, categories and types of work, reflecting both the versatility of our people and our commitment to delivering results.”
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