Business
SEC, CSE and CA Sri Lanka to capitalize on synergies to encourage and advance non-financial reporting
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage and advance non-financial reporting in Sri Lanka.
Through the MoU, the three institutions aim to capitalize on mutual interests and synergies to jointly deliver awareness on Integrated Reporting, Corporate Governance, Sustainability and other ESG focus areas. Furthermore, the MoU also paves the way for broader cooperation on ESG, including dialogue and consultations on driving progressive ESG policies & frameworks and the introduction of ESG focused new products in the capital market and joint stakeholder engagement on advancing ESG.
Chairman of the SEC Viraj Dayaratne PC commenting on the development stated “The MoU with CA Sri Lanka brings together three like-minded institutions, with the common goal of establishing more elaborate and transparent reporting of non-financial information in Sri Lanka. The MoU lays a long-term foundation for the SEC and CSE to work with CA Sri Lanka to introduce policies to ensure that Sri Lankan corporates report more progressively and in-line with international standards, especially in relation to the meaningful disclosure of non-financial information.”
Chairman of CSE Dilshan Wirasekara commenting on the MoU said “Through this MoU, the CSE aims to work with the SEC and CA Sri Lanka to encourage more Sri Lankan corporates to use non-financial reporting as a means to deliver trust and confidence to the market on long term value creation. Our joint efforts also will focus on aligning the interests of institutions that report on non-financial performance with those who use such information such as investors, analysts and others, which will result in further enhancing the quality of non-financial information and encourage informed decision making.”
President of CA Sri Lanka Mr. Sanjaya Bandara said “Along with financial information, non-financial information is essential for presenting a more comprehensive picture of corporate performance, and CA Sri Lanka is dedicated to promoting both financial and non-financial reporting in our position as the national body of accountants and as the sole standard-setter. Therefore, we are happy to partner with SEC and CSE in this landmark endeavor in our joint efforts to encourage and advance non-financial reporting in Sri Lanka.”
Chairman Viraj Dayaratne PC and Director General Chinthaka Mendis were signatories to the MoU from the SEC while Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara and CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike signed on-behalf of the CSE. President Sanjaya Bandara was the signatory from CA Sri Lanka. SEC Commission Member and Immediate Past President of CA Sri Lanka Manil Jayesinghe, CA Sri Lanka CEO Ms. Dulani Fernando and other senior officials from the SEC and CSE were also present at the event.
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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