Business
‘Gal Oya – critical pillar of social upliftment in Ampara’
‘Although the factory had been abandoned for over a decade, the Browns Group evinced an interest in reviving the erstwhile Hingurana Sugar Factory. Now known as Gal Oya Plantations, it was revived 15 years ago in 2007 as a joint venture between the Government and a consortium of private sector investors, comprising Brown and Company PLC and LOLC Holdings PLC in a unique Public-Private Partnership. Apart from the mammoth investment that went into resuscitating the factory, a key challenge for Gal Oya Plantations was to convince local farmers to revert to sugarcane cultivation, not an easy task considering their previous negative experience, an LOLC press release said.
‘However, encouraged by the trustworthy LOLC brand and the viable plan from the management to revive the factory, many farmers came onboard. Even though finding skilled labour in the area was a challenge, LOLC managed to hire skilled labourers and restart the factory. Making steady progress year after year, the resumption of the sugar factory has ushered in unimaginable prosperity into the lives of these farmers who took a leap of faith with Gal Oya Plantations. Apart from providing farmers with a means of income, the company has constructed better infrastructure around the factory premises by building irrigation, roads and drainage, thereby uplifting the surrounding community, the release added.
Extracts from the release; ‘The thriving sugar plantation today employs about 1,300 direct employees across 8,500 Ha of agri land. About 8,000 farmers are engaged in sugarcane cultivation and over 30,000 people gain indirect employment from this project. Gal Oya Plantations has successfully become one of the largest employers in the area. Under its solid leadership, Gal Oya Plantations has provided tremendous support and welfare for farmers. Its farmer community was able to overcome the fertilizer shortage, since Gal Oya recycles 100% of its sugarcane waste into organic fertilizer, which is then sold to farmers at concessionary rates. In 2022/23, farmers will receive a portion of the highest-ever profits earned by Gal Oya for the first time in its history.
‘Gal Oya has provided support to all local temples, churches and mosques over the last decade. During the power shortage period, generators were provided for 30 religious places to sustain operations. In addition, 1,000kg of sugar is provided free for functions organized by local religious and social institutions. More than 45 water bowsers are provided annually for occasions hosted by army camps, police stations, schools, preschools and other societies in the area.’
‘As a key employer in the area and integral to the lives and livelihoods of the local community, Gal Oya considers it its duty to help the community by fulfilling countless requests. Focusing on the welfare of children, Gal Oya organizes a School Children Nutrition programme for nearly 2,000 students at a value of Rs. 400,000 per week. The company also constructed a children’s park at Deegawapi Dutugemunu Vidyalaya. It sponsors the cleaning of playgrounds, police stations, schools, preschools and other organizations as and when requested. A dwelling for ailing monks is scheduled for construction in Aranthalawa by the company at a cost of Rs. 7.5 million. Moreover, blood donation camps are held annually with the participation of Gal Oya employees.
‘Venerable Poddiwela Saddharma Keerthi Sri Chandananda Nayaka Thero of the Viharadhipathi – Deeghavapi Pariwara Chaitya Rajamaha Vihara noted, “The Hingurana area became like a grave when the earlier sugar factory closed down. It was a very sad situation. But since Gal Oya was established, the Hingurana town has flourished. Gal Oya dutifully donates to various public religious and national missions. By helping ‘Viharas’ and temples in the area, the company provides a great service for the welfare of the farmers. And we cannot forget its noble mission of uplifting the school system and building future generations. We can clearly see that Gal Oya’s journey is on the correct path.”
‘Engaged in sugarcane cultivation, Mallika says, “I have been growing sugarcane for about
10 years now and am making a tidy profit. Gal Oya does everything for us – even providing fertilizer and fuel, and helping in land preparation. The company even helps in the cutting and transport of the sugarcane crop. Once the sugarcane is harvested, the money is given to us within 10-15 days. Thanks to Gal Oya, we can sustain our families and even save money.”
Business
Janashakthi Life delivers 36% revenue growth, ‘outperforming the industry’
Janashakthi Life, the flagship company of JXG (Janashakthi Group), delivered a strong first-half performance in 2026, with Gross Written Premiums (GWP) increasing by 36% year-on-year to Rs. 5.11 billion. The Company’s growth significantly outpaced the industry’s 20.8% growth during the period, reflecting continued demand for its life insurance solutions and progress in expanding its customer base and strengthening its market presence.
The Company’s balance sheet also continued to expand, with total assets increasing to Rs. 41.14 billion as at Q2 2026, compared to Rs. 40.37 billion at the end of 2025. The growth reflects the continued scale of the business and provides a stronger platform to serve an expanding policyholder base while investing in the capabilities required to support its next phase of growth.
During the first half, Janashakthi Life paid Rs. 2.24 billion in claims and benefits, reaffirming its commitment to supporting policyholders when it matters most. These payments provide essential financial support at critical moments in the lives of individuals and families, highlighting the vital role of life insurance in protecting their financial wellbeing and long-term security.
The Company remained profitable during the period, recording Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 271 million, excluding the surplus transfer for the period. With the declaration of the surplus transfer, profitability is expected to be substantially higher. Janashakthi Life remains focused on strengthening earnings quality, managing costs effectively, and translating business growth into sustained improvements in overall performance.
Annika Senanayake, Chairperson of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, said, “The performance in the first half reflects the strength of Janashakthi Life’s business and the opportunities that exist to further develop the life insurance market in Sri Lanka. We remain focused on building a business that combines sustainable growth with sound fundamentals, while making insurance more accessible to a wider segment of the population. As part of JXG, Janashakthi Life is well positioned to leverage the Group’s financial services ecosystem and continue strengthening its position in the market.”
Ravi Liyanage, Director/CEO of Janashakthi Insurance PLC, said, “The first half delivered strong growth across key areas of the business, with GWP increasing 36% to Rs. 5.11 billion. In all key segments, namely regular business, group life business and single premium business, the Company has outperformed the industry significantly, demonstrating its market challenger behaviour. The Company is strengthening its stability, crossing LKR 41 billion in assets under management. Our focus now is on building on this momentum through stronger distribution, improved productivity and disciplined cost management, while continuing to enhance the customer experience by providing an unmatched service throughout the lifespan of the service contract.”
The first-half performance provides a strong platform for Janashakthi Life to build on its growth plans for the remainder of the year. The Company will continue to focus on expanding access to life insurance, strengthening customer relationships and developing solutions that respond to changing financial priorities.
With GWP growth significantly ahead of the industry, a growing asset base and increased claims and benefits delivered to policyholders, Janashakthi Life continues to build scale across its core operations. The Company remains focused on disciplined growth, stronger execution and improving the quality of its performance, with the objective of creating sustainable value for policyholders, shareholders and the wider business.
Further reinforcing its strong market standing, Janashakthi Life was recognised among Sri Lanka’s 50 Best Workplaces™ for 2026 by Great Place To Work® Sri Lanka and was also named among Brand Finance’s Sri Lanka 100 Most Valuable Brands. These recognitions reflect the Company’s continued focus on building a strong brand, delivering value to customers and creating a high-performing organisation. (JXG)
Business
Hunas Holdings and CCH enter strategic collaborative partnership
Major Japanese business group sees long-term potential in Hunas Holdings as the two organisations explore new opportunities for growth in Sri Lanka
Hunas Holdings PLC is entering a new phase of growth through a collaborative partnership with CCH Co., Ltd. (CCH INC.), a major Tokyo-based business group with experience across business process outsourcing (BPO), in-house services, investment, mergers and acquisitions, and business development.
The partnership follows a period in which Hunas Holdings maintained a measured approach to new investments amid volatile market conditions, focusing on identifying the right opportunities and international relationships capable of creating sustainable long-term value.
Founded in Japan in 2008, CCH has grown into a significant and diversified business group with interests across multiple industries. Its approach combines investment with M&A, business development and operational expertise, enabling the company to play an active role in the businesses and markets it enters.
For CCH, the partnership represents an opportunity to bring this experience to Sri Lanka through Hunas Holdings, an established local group with a strong platform and long-term growth ambitions.
Yoshihiko Tanabe, Director of CCH Co., Ltd., said: “Through our discussions with Hunas Holdings, we see a company with strong foundations, local expertise and a clear ambition for growth. We believe there is meaningful potential in bringing the strengths of CCH and Hunas Holdings together. I am excited about this partnership, and particularly about some of the projects and opportunities we are already exploring together. There is much to look forward to soon”
For Hunas Holdings, the collaboration marks a renewed chapter of investment and international partnership, while for CCH, it reflects confidence in Hunas Holdings and the opportunities presented by the Sri Lankan market.
Business
Prime Minister to headline Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit session
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, will deliver the keynote address at a special session on day 2 of the Sri Lanka Economic & Investment Summit 2026 organised by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, titled “Nation Building in the Digital Age”, on 13 October 2026 at the Shangri-La Colombo.
The session will examine how Sri Lanka can use artificial intelligence, digital transformation, innovation and education to accelerate economic growth, improve productivity and build a knowledge-driven economy. As technology reshapes industries and the nature of work, the discussion will focus on how Sri Lanka can develop the capabilities needed to remain competitive and create opportunities for future generations.
The Prime Minister will be joined by Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy; Prof. Roshan Ragel, Senior Lecturer in Computer Engineering, University of Peradeniya; and Sanjay Shah, Founder and CEO, Elevante AI, who together will add perspectives from government, academia, and industry. Vinod Hirdaramani, Chairman of Hirdaramani Group and Deputy Vice Chairperson of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, will moderate the session.
The discussion will look at the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation, and their potential to transform industries and create new areas of economic activity. It will also consider the role of digitalisation in improving public services and supporting entrepreneurship.
Education and skills development will be another important part of the conversation, particularly as the demand for new capabilities grows alongside technological change. The panel will consider how Sri Lanka can prepare its workforce for future jobs while developing an environment that supports innovation and technology-led businesses.
The session will also look beyond technology itself to the wider conditions needed for a digital economy to grow. Policy, investment, infrastructure, education and collaboration between government, industry and academia will all have a role in determining how effectively Sri Lanka can turn technological change into economic opportunity.
Held under the theme “Positioning Sri Lanka in a Changing Global Economy: Resilience, Reform, and the Future of Economic Policy,” SLEIS 2026 will offer perspectives from senior policymakers, business leaders, investors and international experts over two days of discussions on Sri Lanka’s economic direction, investment opportunities and the reforms needed to support future growth.
Registrations are now open at https://sleis.chamber.lk/. For more information, contact Alikie on 011 558 8805 (alikie@chamber.lk) or Shanuka on 0701082541 (events.division@chamber.lk).
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