Business

EKTC prepares for growth in the hospitality sector with new GM appointments

Published

5 years ago

2022/01/11

(L-R): Euro-Kitchens Trading and Contracting (EKTC) General Manager-Engineering Ajantha Vitharanage, Managing Director Adil Mansoor and General Manager-Sales and Business Development EKTC and Corporate Chef Rational AG in Sri Lanka Thushara Gunawardhana

The folks at Euro-Kitchens Trading and Contracting (EKTC) live by the Bauhaus philosophy of ‘form follows function’- because nowhere does this count more than in a commercial kitchen. This month, EKTC announced two new appointments that embody the company’s mission to blend this commitment to functionality with a smooth and stylish workflow in commercial spaces; Thushara Gunawardhana assumes his responsibilities as General Manager-Sales and Business Development while Ajantha Vitharanage takes on the role of General Manager-Engineering.

Since its inception in 2012, EKTC (a member of the Promolanka Group) has offered solutions for best in class commercial kitchens, cold rooms and laundries which have found a home with high-profile clients in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals and other commercial buildings based in Sri Lanka and the region. The company’s vision is to be the largest in Asia to assemble such spaces, which it does with a singular focus on functionality and style. EKTC kitchens, for example, are designed with the functional, budgetary and aesthetic design needs of clients in mind.

EKTC’s unique capabilities include consultancy services that guide clients to improve the design, efficiency and quality of their kitchen operations. These capabilities proved to be especially relevant over the last two years as commercial spaces grappled with an unprecedented change in both demand and service norms. EKTC was ready to meet the challenge, closely supporting hospitality companies to keep their commercial kitchens running smoothly and cost-efficiently. The most significant challenge faced by those at the helm of commercial kitchens was related to staff shortages and cost efficiencies- with EKTC solutions, clients were able to re-engineer their operations to stay lean and flexible to manage the changing demands of the environment. Additionally, EKTC has built the largest maintenance team in the country which stepped up to their task admirably, servicing well-known clients in the industry with Annual Maintenance Contracts.

To ensure that the company is able to meet the strong demand for its solutions, especially those needs arising as a result of the current business environment, EKTC has advanced two key staff members well suited to position the company for the anticipated growth of the sector in the immediate future.

Ajantha Vitharanage assumes responsibilities as General Manager-Engineering. Ajantha is a qualified electrical engineer with extensive experience in the hospitality sector, including roles as the Chief Engineer at properties such as Cape Weligama, Ani Villas, Calamander, Avani Kalutara and more and previously Chief Engineer-Maintenance at EKTC. “During the last two years our team has delivered excellent, customized solutions to clients who were seeking to manage their workflow efficiency whilst catering to a new environment,” he said. “Our clients are able to work with us closely from the planning stage onwards, and we will be with them long after the purchase stage to ensure that their kitchens continue to run very smoothly.”

Thushara Gunawardhana was appointed General Manager-Sales and Business Development EKTC and Corporate Chef Rational AG in Sri Lanka. Thushara has worked as a consultant chef in Sri Lanka, India, Australia and New Zealand over a career spanning 16 years, graduating to working with well-known clients to deliver complete restaurant solutions including the design of state-of-the-art kitchens that meet HACCP, GMP and ISO standards. Thushara has been leading the Sales and Business Development team at EKTC since (2019). He said of his plans, “I’m an industry insider, along with many others on the highly skilled EKTC team. Because we know what it’s like to both work in and lead a commercial kitchen, our clients trust our expertise-especially when they experience the results.

“We are grateful to clients such as Le Meridien in the Maldives, Spar Supermarkets, William Angliss Hotel School, and Giga Foods – the largest cloud kitchen chain in Sri Lanka, along with many other standalone restaurants and hotels that have given us their support and confidence over the last two years. This has helped weather the turbulent times and we are now stronger than ever to cater to the industry requirements going forward. We are encouraged by the growth EKTC has experienced and plan to expand our capabilities and operations even further. We have some exciting projects in the pipeline which we look forward to announcing over the next few months.”

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Business

PM ‘Rings the Bell’ at CSE to champion financial literacy and investor education

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

P.M. Dr.Harini Amarasuriya

As part of World Investor Week (WIW) 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) joined stock exchanges around the world in ringing the market opening bell for financial literacy on 5 October 2026, under the patronage of Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

World Investor Week is an annual global campaign led by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to raise awareness of the importance of investor education and investor protection. The “Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy” initiative, pioneered by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), brings together stock exchanges and other stakeholders worldwide to promote greater financial literacy and encourage individuals to make informed financial decisions.

The ceremony also marked the 40th anniversary of the CSE and the joint launch by the SEC and the CSE of the Stock Market Game, an online stock market simulation based on the ATrad trading system.

The Stock Market Game enables participants to gain practical experience of how the stock market works, make investment decisions and construct portfolios of listed shares without using real money. The platform is accessible through the websites of the SEC and CSE and is expected to serve as an important practical tool for promoting financial education. It is envisaged that the Stock Market Game will also be used to conduct simulation competitions among universities and the 100 Capital Market Clubs established in schools across the country.

The ceremony also featured the commemorative issuance of a stamp and First Day Cover to mark the 40th anniversary of the CSE. Issued in collaboration with the Department of Posts and the Philatelic Bureau of Sri Lanka, the commemorative stamp and First Day Cover were presented to Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, by the SEC Chairman Snr. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara and Ray Abeywardena, Director CSE and Chairman of Central Depository Systems (CDS).

Welcoming the gathering, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Chief Executive Officer of the CSE, highlighted the importance of obtaining reliable information when making investment decisions.

“We operate in a digital world where a vast amount of information and data is disseminated through social media. While some of this information is factual, some may be inaccurate or misleading. When investing in the stock market, it is essential to make informed and prudent investment decisions. Therefore, investors should obtain information and data from reliable and responsible sources and persons before making investment decisions.”

Addressing the gathering, SEC Chairman Snr. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara emphasised that the SEC’s role extends beyond regulation to facilitating the further development of the capital market.

“The SEC needs to determine how best to introduce the stock market to Generation Alpha, Generation Beta and generations beyond. When it comes to investors, we need to build confidence in the market, because people will invest only when they have confidence in the market.’’

Business

Rs. 5 million worth of prizes to be given at 8th edition of CSE Masterminds Quiz Competition

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has announced that the eighth edition of the CSE Masterminds Quiz will be held on 9th October 2026, from 3.00 p.m. onwards, at the Main Ballroom, Shangri-La Colombo.

Recognised as Sri Lanka’s premier capital market quiz competition, CSE Masterminds brings together teams from the public and private sectors. Participants will be tested across international business, global markets, current affairs, the Sri Lankan economy and business, the Sri Lankan stock market, and sports and entertainment, before a concluding rapid-fire round.

This year the winning team can win up to Rs. 2,000,000, the runners-up up to Rs. 1,000,000, and the second runners-up Rs. 750,000. Sector awards will also be presented to the highest-performing team from each participating sector. Guest participants will also be able to compete in rounds of Audience questions, and will have the opportunity to participate a raffle draw for three free return tickets provided by Fits Aviation (Pvt) Ltd.

The evening will also include an exclusive after-party with live music provided by the band ‘Doctor’ featuring guest performer Umara Sinhawansa, fine food and beverages, providing an opportunity for networking and celebration. Every participant will receive a premium goodie bag made possible by the support of the event’s sponsorship partners. Collectively, the event will feature over Rs. 5 million worth of prizes, rewards, and giveaways, encompassing championship prizes, sector awards, audience engagement prizes, raffle draw offerings, and goodie bags.

Sponsorship partners include:

Platinum Sponsors: Hatton National Bank PLC and Bartleet Religare Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd.

Gold Sponsors: Ex-Pack Corrugated Cartons PLC, Asha Securities Ltd., and Lanka Securities (Pvt) Ltd.

Silver Sponsors: Barista Coffee Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Capital Trust Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., LOLC Holdings PLC, Arpico Ataraxia Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd., IronOne Technologies (Pvt) Ltd., and LankaPay (Pvt) Ltd.

Co-Sponsors: Access Engineering PLC, Bank of Ceylon, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, CryptoGen (Pvt) Ltd., Deloitte Lanka (Private) Limited, Dialog Finance PLC, Efutures (Pvt) Ltd., People’s Leasing & Finance PLC, Senfin Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd., and Softlogic Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd.

Business

NCCSL to conduct practical workshop on food labelling and advertising regulations in Sri Lanka

Published

15 hours ago

2026/10/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) is organizing a one-day practical workshop on “Food Labelling & Advertising Regulations in Sri Lanka” on Thursday, 8th October 2026 from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the National Chamber of Commerce, Colombo 10. The workshop has been organised to provide a practical understanding of the latest regulatory requirements governing the food products labelling and advertising of food products in Sri Lanka, with particular attention to regulatory developments applicable in 2026, compliance requirements, and the potential legal and financial implications of non-compliance.

As food products increasingly compete not only with quality and price but also on packaging, labelling and promotional claims, businesses must ensure the information they communicate to consumers is accurate, transparent and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. Understanding these requirements is therefore essential for businesses seeking to protect their brands, maintain consumer confidence, and minimize regulatory and legal risks.

The practical workshop will go beyond an overview of regulations and focus on how businesses can apply regulatory requirements in their day-to-day operations. Participants will be guided through key areas of food regulatory compliance, including the national food regulatory framework, recent food labelling regulations and key changes, mandatory approvals and prohibitions relating to food labelling, and the litigation process associated with regulatory violations. The programme will also cover several areas of growing importance to the food industry, including the EU EMPCO Directive, food colour coding regulations, regulations relating to food trans-fatty acids and the importance of compliance in the use of food additives. Practical exercises will further enable participants to apply their knowledge to real-world compliance situations and strengthen their ability to identify potential regulatory concerns.

For further information and registration, please contact the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka on 011 4741788 – Nethmi or Udula – 071 403 4775.