Business
Kapruka’s Sub Brand SOLDOUT.LK launching online marketplace for second-hand goods
Kapruka, the pioneering e-commerce platform that has evolved into Sri Lanka’s largest locally owned global e-com platform, announced its plans to launch a ‘used goods marketplace’ as a fully owned new sub-brand – ‘Soldout.lk’. The marketplace will serve as an e-com platform for pre-owned goods, connecting buyers and sellers seamlessly, with added features such as home delivery and order fulfillment. The market stands to significantly benefit the local automobiles and property sales trade industries, which have an active second-hand market.
‘Soldout.lk’ will be developed to be similar to ‘Craigslist’, the globally famous marketplace for trade and second-hand goods. To enhance the effectiveness of the marketplace, Kapruka plans to establish a grassroots-level social dealer network across the island, under the new venture.
Kapruka aims to fund its growth plans through a share issuance from the upcoming IPO, which will include the development and launch of Soldout.lk. The e-com site plans to launch the specialized used goods marketplace which would be one of the first of its kind in Sri Lanka – a timely intervention given the significant increase in public interest towards using purchasing second-hand goods through online resale platforms to meet their needs throughout the pandemic.
Soldout.lk will be initiated as a separate business unit under Kapruka E-commerce (Pvt) Limited which is a fully owned subsidiary of Kapruka Holdings Limited, and would later be carved out to form a separate business. Kapruka will invest a sizable portion of IPO proceeds towards the latest initiative, commencing from 2022.
Commenting on Soldout.lk and the future of Kapruka’s services, Founder and Chairman, Dulith Herath stated, “We are excited to announce our upcoming used goods marketplace, ‘Soldout.lk’, which we hope will transform the second-hand sales in Sri Lanka. The idea of this initiative is to explore why consumers should pay a premium price for something new when anyone could get almost the same just as functional and beautiful. Maybe it’s not directly out of a box, or maybe it’s barely been used, but anyone could get it at an affordable price. Also, there is a sustainability aspect to it where we encourage people row re-use which is good for our planet, while enabling customers to easily fulfill their needs. The platform is part of our long-term investment plan further to the IPO, with the central goal of providing a pathway to easier purchases, and a greater sense of affordability for customers, thereby elevating our ability to create economic value for all stakeholders. Soldout.lk, which will draw inspiration from online trade giant Craigslist, has the potential to transform the online resale market in Sri Lanka, and is something we look forward to greatly.”
Having launched Kapruka back in 2002 as a start-up by founder Dulith Herath, with a capital of less than $1,000, Kapruka has transformed into the largest locally-owned ecommerce company in Sri Lanka. It is now a multi-billion-rupee enterprise, without any external investors, using a non-marketplace e-commerce model with fully integrated delivery, serving a wide variety of both local and expatriate Sri Lankan clientele. The company has since been benchmarked and recognized by global giants such as Amazon.com, IKEA, eBay etc. Being a local e-com ‘master-seller’ in Sri Lanka, Kapruka has also enabled an abundance of aspiring local producers and sellers to vend their products on the site. Kapruka stocks over 135,000 products, has partnerships with 500+ renowned brands and serves over 1.1 Mn expat clients.
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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