Business
INSEE Cement spearheads innovation and growth in Sri Lanka’s construction sector
INSEE Cement is powering the local construction industry’s steady recovery with a portfolio of value added services, offering performance-based design solutions, technical capabilities and industry expertise to contractors and construction companies, enabling industry stakeholders to expedite projects and meet construction schedules impacted by the pandemic.
“Our foresight enabled us to focus on developing highly innovative and sustainable-performing construction solutions that create value for stakeholders who invest in our cements and concrete solutions portfolio,” Dr. Moussa Baalbaki, Head of Products and Solutions Portfolio at INSEE Cement commented.
“Now, as we recover as an industry, we must focus on existing capabilities and capacities that can expedite the recovery process. INSEE Cement is happy to invite our industry stakeholders to leverage our expertise and collaborate to gain the momentum and confidence our industry lost during the pandemic.”
A strong advocate of open collaboration and knowledge sharing, INSEE Cement established the INSEE i2i Innovation to Industry Collaboration Space as a dedicated state-of-the-art centre to engage industry stakeholders in collaboration driven by openness, speed and connectivity. The centre focuses on creating shared value and collaboratively developing innovative and efficient sustainable construction solutions for Sri Lanka.
Located in Peliyagoda, the i2i Collaboration Space is a knowledge exchange hub and idea incubator for engineers, researchers, innovators, architects, construction companies, contractors and also competitors looking to collaborate on industry transforming construction solutions. Equipped with over 50 testing and measurement tools including 15 tests that are new to the Sri Lankan construction sector, the INSEE i2i Collaboration Space enables contractors, builders and construction companies meet stringent economical, structural and performance criteria for construction projects.
When it comes to optimizing concrete mixes, INSEE i2i offers comprehensive solutions using simulations, advanced technologies, testing equipment and expertise to evaluate numerous parameters for concrete mix designs. The Space offers pre-project mix design evaluations during planning stages, consulting site engineers, architects and contractors to develop the mix design that will best meet their construction needs. INSEE’s i2i team of expert consultants also offer recommendations for improvements of on-going constructions, based on modelling, testing and result evaluations, achieving the perfect balance between performance and cost-optimization.
INSEE’s i2i trademarked INSEE ConTemp™ thermal modelling simulation software creates thermal mock-ups of mass pouring projects prior to the mixing, benefiting contractors by enabling critical decision making that greatly cuts down on budget and construction times. Contractors and construction companies are also offered personalized workshops to address project-specific construction challenges, ranging from basic technical presentations to tailored concrete mix design trainings.
Stakeholders are also set to benefit from INSEE’s environmental investments and commitment to reduce emission levels and lower the collective industry carbon footprint. From acres of quarry rehabilitation and reforestation, to producing Sri Lanka’s first superior blended composite cement that is currently one of the most environmentally friendly cement products in the market, INSEE Cement’s eco-friendly initiatives guarantee contractors, builders and construction companies resulting high-performing sustainable structures with lower carbon footprints.
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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