Business
Ceylinco Life invests in a substantial stake in Kings Hospital
Ceylinco Life has entered into an exciting partnership with Kings Hospital (Private) Ltd, one of the newest and most modern private hospitals in Sri Lanka, through a major equity investment, thereby significantly enlarging the Company’s footprint in the healthcare sector and diversifying its investment portfolio.
The Company said this strategic investment has been made via a private placement with an option to further increase its holding in the 120-bed hospital.
Ceylinco Life will take up proportionate representation in the Kings Hospital Board which will catalyse its next growth phase. Synergies between Ceylinco Life and Kings will enhance value for all stakeholders, the Company said.
Ceylinco Life is the market leader in the country’s life insurance sector and is already a pioneer in the healthcare sector. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) set up the first private sector radiation therapy centre in Sri Lanka for the treatment of cancer, and installed the country’s first Linear Accelerator as well as the first TomoTherapy unit, which is to date the only facility of its kind in Sri Lanka. Ceylinco Life also manages the Golden Key Eye and ENT Hospital.
Commenting on this latest milestone in the Company’s evolution, Ceylinco Life Chairman Rajkumar Renganathan said: “Globally, life insurers and healthcare providers have established strategic partnerships with each other to reap the inherent and complementary synergies. This strategic investment capitalizes on synergies, thus creating additional value for all stakeholders including Ceylinco Life policyholders.”
“Ceylinco Life is already a leader in cancer treatment, with major investments in infrastructure and equipment and an impeccable record of success. We have established strong links, affiliations and collaborations with numerous healthcare institutions including Apollo Hospitals of India and now Kings Hospital, Colombo, to widen access to affordable treatment and diagnostics,” Renganathan added. “The acquisition of equity in Kings Hospital signals our serious intentions to increase Ceylinco Life’s presence in healthcare for the benefit of the people of Sri Lanka and as an investment strategy.”
Dr Palitha Abeykoon, Chairman of Kings Hospital said: “We are delighted to welcome Ceylinco Life as a key partner in our Hospital and look forward to working closely with the Company’s management team to execute the next phase of our development. Kings Hospital was established with a vision of bringing high quality, value- based patient, family and community centric health care to the country. Ceylinco Life too is deeply involved in community-centric healthcare initiatives and hence we believe there is an excellent strategic and synergistic fit between our two institutions.”
“We hope to benefit from the extensive experience and expertise of Ceylinco Life in the establishment, expansion and management of healthcare facilities and in the marketing of such facilities and building strong brands. Additionally, the Ceylinco insures more than a million lives, and this would enable us to provide them with the best possible health care that is available to enrich the quality of their lives.”
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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