Business

Dilum vows to break free from ‘prolonged illusion’ of one-stop-shop

Published

3 years ago

2022/10/24

Thilina Walpola

BOI unveils Investor Facilitation Centre

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The one-stop- shop or single window approval system for investors coming to Sri Lanka has been a pie in the sky over a long period of time and the Investor Facilitation Centre unveiled today will not be yet another one-stop shop that doesn’t serve its purpose, Dilum Amunugama, State Minister of Investment Promotions assured in Colombo last week.

“We had several rounds of discussions with the President who is also the Minister of Investment Promotions and he suggested that we name a competent official from the BOI and the President’s Secretary would appoint him/her as an official from the President’s Office so that this official will have the authority to go and discuss with any line ministry or agency and reconcile matters relating to FDI projects without creating undue delays. This is all about accelerating and streamlining the approval process. Any line agency can express their point of view in line with stipulated regulations and can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a project proposal. But it has to be logical and swift. It shouldn’t take six months to respond to a proposal. And when there are issues relating to environment, land allocation, waste water management etc., let me know and then I will take it up at ministerial level and see if conflicting issues can be reconciled and give the project the green light or not. I request all officials from different departments and line agencies present here to support the BOI in accelerating the approval process and attract much needed FDI to the country. We might not be able to swiftly change the way of state correspondence, but the IFC will directly involve in taking the documents forward without letting them dust on someone’s desk,” he said.

The minister said that if currently stuck FDI proposals are given the green light, it will bring the country about USD 3 billion and that will be an amount of foreign exchange Sri Lanka can raise more than from the expected IMF loan.

BOI Chair Eng. Raja Ediruisuriya said that IFC alone wouldn’t be able to bring in foreign exchange. “The only thing IFC can do is coordinating with the relevant agencies for fast-tracked approval of BOI projects. We are competing with countries like Vietnam and Cambodia because they are also trying to attract FDIs. So we have to be very competitive in this sphere. Our goal is to increase the FDI share to GDP by 2.6% between 2022-2026. Our target is to realize FDIs till 2026 by about 3 billion USD per annum. We can’t meet this target unless investors are not encouraged to come in. BOI is not only a service-oriented organization. We have targets to achieve. I therefore appeal all line-agencies to help us achieve these targets and help boost the national economy. Minister Amunugama went through 77 projects and found that about 10 line agencies were holding up these projects for a couple of years or even more. We need to improve our communication and collaboration to fast-track these FDIs. The collaboration between the IFC and your line-agencies is critical at this hour to increase our foreign exchange reserves,” he pointed out.

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Business

SLT-MOBITEL turnaround signals new era for SOEs, says deputy minister

Published

41 mins ago

2026/03/30

Thilina Walpola

The panel discussion led by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne (centre) with SLT MOBITEL’s top management Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha

The era of privatising loss-making state-owned enterprises may be drawing to a close, with SLT-MOBITEL emerging as proof that strategic management can deliver profitability without a change in ownership, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eng. Eranga Weeraratne said.

“There was a massive public outcry asking the previous governments to sell the loss-making state-owned enterprises. Now it is not there as it was used to be heard,” Weeraratne said. “SLT-MOBITEL has proven that the proper management strategy can turn any loss-making SOE into profit. Gone are the days we heard ‘sell, sell, sell’.”

The remarks came as Sri Lanka’s national ICT provider reported a decisive financial turnaround in FY 2025, driven by disciplined cost management, operational efficiency, and steady growth across fixed and mobile businesses.

The company has simultaneously rolled out a pioneering 24/7 operational model – the industry’s first – with 14 Outside Plant Maintenance Centres operating round-the-clock in metro areas, Kandy, and Jaffna to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.

“Our strong financial results reflect the resilience of SLT-MOBITEL and the trust customers place in us,” said Dr. Mothilal de Silva, Chairman, SLT Group. “With the roll-out of the 24/7 OPMC operations, we are raising the bar for service reliability.”

SLT-MOBITEL has also made 5G publicly available in Sri Lanka and continues to support the Ministry of Digital Economy with secure data centre infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a catalyst of national development.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Business

Kia Tasman arrives in Sri Lanka: A pickup built for work and comfort

Published

42 mins ago

2026/03/30

Thilina Walpola

Kia Motors Lanka has launched the all-new Kia Tasman, the brand’s first-ever pickup truck – engineered to redefine the double cab segment by combining rugged capability with SUV-like refinement.

Built on a robust body-on-frame platform, the Tasman offers best-in-class strength with a payload capacity of 1,151kg, towing up to 3,500kg, and water wading up to 800mm. Advanced 4WD systems and terrain modes ensure unmatched off-road performance.

Inside, the cabin surprises with best-in-class rear legroom, sliding and reclining rear seats – a segment-first – and a panoramic display with premium Harman Kardon sound.

“This is a vehicle conceived without compromise,” said Kia Motors Lanka Chairman Mahen Thambiah. “For customers who demand durability, capability, and everyday comfort, the Tasman delivers on every front.”

Business

Chief Risk Officers rise globally to drive smarter risk-taking while Sri Lanka’s boardrooms remain silent

Published

46 mins ago

2026/03/30

Thilina Walpola

As geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, and technological disruption reshape global markets, the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) is emerging as a strategic pillar in boardrooms worldwide. In Sri Lanka, however, the role remains largely absent.

Once confined to major banks, the CRO is now gaining traction across industries including finance, logistics, technology, and manufacturing. According to the 2025 Global Risk Survey by EY, nearly 78% of organisations now place risk management at the heart of strategic planning, signalling a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive risk leadership.

The CRO is tasked with identifying and preparing for threats to financial stability, operations, reputation, and compliance – ranging from cyberattacks and supply-chain disruptions to regulatory shifts and climate risks. “The CRO is no longer just the person who says ‘no’ to risky decisions,” a Singaporean banking executive said. “Today, the CRO helps companies take smarter risks and build resilience.”

The role’s growing importance will be highlighted at the upcoming Chief Risk Officer Conference (20–21 May 2026 in Singapore), organised by the Asian Bankers Association in partnership with Trueventus. Key topics include AI-driven risk modelling, geopolitical shocks, and ESG integration.

For Sri Lankan firms where risk functions are often distributed across finance, compliance, and audit – the rise of the CRO offers a clear signal. As an Indian risk consultant noted, “Companies today don’t just compete on profits. They compete on how well they manage uncertainty.”

By Sanath Nanayakkare